Is The Biggest Loser Realistic?
By Rob
I was recently interviewed for an article in the NY Times about the television show “The Biggest Loser“. I was asked my opinion of the show and if I thought it was realistic or set people up for failure. I had some opinions of course, but you can read about that in the New York Times.
In the mean time, I’d like to ask you quite simply:
Loading ...If you have any thoughts on the Biggest Loser, please leave them in the comments below. As for the article, you can read my comments in the New York Times. It was also picked up by the entertainment section of MSN.
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This entry was posted on Monday, October 22nd, 2007 and is filed under Fun, Weight Loss.Tags: Biggest Loser, Fun, Goals, Poll, Weight Loss
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October 22nd, 2007 16:25
There was an article in a newspaper the other day about it. As they described the participants train several times a day (1 -1,5 hours resistance and weight training, 3 hours of aerobics) and consume 1300-1500/1500-2000 calories (depends on gender), there are also MDs monitoring them, the very professional coaches and they have all the time in the world only for themselves.
So, they train as professional athletes but eat less. So I see no reason why anybody would not loose weight under these circumstances.
And how fast it happens depends on genetics and their own metabolism.
October 22nd, 2007 16:29
Yes, but for someone not on the show, is it realistic.
October 23rd, 2007 09:17
I think it shows that losing weight is possible, which is a big first step for a lot of people. And often people need a significant loss at first to persuade them it’s worth it. If you’ve got 200 pounds to lose, seeing a half a pound a week is not motivating.
But the hothouse environment is not attainable for anyone else. In my opinion they are eating unrealistically low calories for the amount of activity — that’s OK for a few weeks at a time (to cut for a specific event for instance) but not the kind of diet any should keep up for months or years, let alone be able to keep up, mentally.
I don’t know much about their experiences after the show is over, though. I haven’t followed it much.
October 23rd, 2007 16:52
Biggest Loser is and will always be entertainment first. As a weight loss program, it works for those on the show because they are sequestered away from their families, friends, jobs and other stressful distractions while using drastic measures to achieve drastic results. The way it is packaged on TV makes it look like another magic solution to people’s weight problems. But like many other reality shows (which are hardly ever based on reality) it can be as entertaining as heck, which is why it is so popular especially since more people can relate to being overweight than can relate to being stranded on a tropical island.
Realistic? No
Setting people up for failure? Only those without realistic expectations for weight loss
October 26th, 2007 10:03
I voted yes. It’s realistic for the people involved. The rest of us just watch it on TV anyway (well, I’ve seen it a few times, anyway.)
They just eat little and exercise a lot. Of course that’s a realistic way to lose weight.
October 31st, 2007 20:19
I voted no. The reason is because it’s not the norm to lose that much weight in the time frame of which they do. Those results are not typical.
November 3rd, 2007 21:04
I think the show is somewhat realistic in the fact that it can help everyday people on their weightloss journey. The one thing that bugs me about the show is how little they discuss food. What you put in your mouth is so important but it is not touched on very often in the show. I can truly empatize with those on the show and I find it motivating to watch. The real proof is in can they keep the weight off.
November 8th, 2007 00:23
with 4 hours of exercise a day and limited diet to 1500 calories, those people should be losing 5 lbs a week (estimate 1200 calories exercise, 1500 calorie deficit) or more. can’t see why they are not losing more weight.
November 13th, 2007 20:04
I am watching the Biggest Loser tonight for the third time since the show began airing. (I don’t watch much television)However, EVERY time I see this show I am so angry that I could scream. As a fitness professional, I am so frustrated that this garbage continues to mislead people about what is possible. The morbidly obese individuals on the show are doing incredible amounts of unsafe and ineffective exercise that should not be mimicked by the general population. Not only is it unrealistic, but terribly irresponsible. The contestants are allowed to have terrible form while exercising (spinning out of control on Indoor Cycling bikes with no apparent resistance or coaching) and put through humiliating “challenges” (I witnessed a donut eating contest while looking for $5000-Yeah America!…donuts for dollars…) Anyway I am clearly ranting, but here’s the deal…Wake up people. You didn’t gain three hundred pounds in a year and your not gonna lose it like that either. Lifelong committment to change and change in your priorities is about the only thing that will make it happen. Start by turning off the TV and going for a walk.
November 13th, 2007 20:27
FitPro, I love the passion in your message.
I teach a change in lifestyle, an approach to health by incorporating whole food meals and strength training.
Thanks for your comments
April 9th, 2008 08:03
Weight loss that is that rapid seems dangerous to me. Having a doctor right there isn’t magic, it’s simply a layer of protection.
I will be interested to see the long term effects of this rapid weight loss.
Last night the final 4 contestants, especially the men, were beginning to look gaunt, almost sickly. To lose over 2 pounds a day for a week, after all those weeks of weight loss made my husband and I wonder if they’d starved themselves that week and had gone into dehydration for that final weigh in.
I’m working on my health first. If my weight follows, that’ll be great. A year ago I was walking badly, in a lot of pain, with a cane. 8 months ago I was down to using a walker, feeling depressed. I got surgical help for a damaged knee finally. I’m 62.
Then I started working on my fitness. I may always walk funny, I don’t know. But I’m no longer using a cane or walker.
These days I’m enjoying my life. I bought a recumbent tricycle and ride around town on that. It’s so much fun I can’t wipe the grin off my silly face when I’m out on it.
I’ve known people who have damaged their health with rapid weight loss and excessive dieting. I just don’t want to do that.
And my opinion for my OWN fitness quest is that I have to make it fun. Health and fitness are my emphasis. Maybe weight loss will be a side-effect.
Janet
April 10th, 2008 13:53
Beautifully put Janet! Health first, weight loss as a side effect. That’s my motto
September 3rd, 2008 18:51
One of the 4th season contestants, Isabeau Miller, became a personal trainer to “pay it forward.” She’s started her own fit camp, and her website is Rock Hard Body and Soul, I think. BUT, she has put some weight back on, not all of it, though (see the FitCamp videos at http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog/).
So does it work long-term or only when you commit to working out for long stretches of time and going hungry? What about the effects of excess exercise on the body, such as too much cortisol? I don’t think it’s healthy.