Pop-Ed: Why 'Biggest Loser' Makes Losing Weight More Difficult for the Rest of Us

By Jane Boursaw Posted May 3rd 2010 10:00AM

I'll start off this post by saying that I'm a big fan of 'The Biggest Loser.' It's inspiring to see overweight people change their lives for the better, and they're darn courageous to do it on national TV. I can barely stand to step on a scale with just myself in the room, so I can't imagine doing it in front of millions of people every week.

And those scales are so huge. There's no running and hiding from 'The Biggest Loser' scales. They might as well shout the numbers in a big thundering voice while they're at it.

Here's the thing, though. While 'The Biggest Loser' is inspiring and offers plenty of health tips for those of us watching from our comfy couches at home, could the show actually be making things harder for us? I say yes, it could. Here are five reasons why.

1. It's unrealistic. Unless you're independently wealthy and have nothing else going on in your life, spending hours a day in the gym is totally unrealistic and possibly unhealthy. There's such a thing as over-training. We also don't have Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels riding herd over us. While they're no doubt great trainers, they also have a vested interest in the results. If their contestants don't lose weight, I can't imagine they'd be asked to return season after season. I've had a few trainers in my life, and they're nowhere near as invested in my weight loss. Maybe I need new trainers. Maybe I need ... Bob and Jillian!

2. It's not normal to lose those big numbers. Sure, it's not unusual to lose a lot of weight at the beginning of any health regime, especially if you have a lot to lose. So the contestants' high numbers of 25 or 30 pounds in the first weeks probably aren't that outrageous. But as the weeks go by, the contestants seem really discouraged if they lose only five pounds. Five pounds! That's a major achievement in the real world. I find myself yelling at them through the TV: "Be happy you lost five pounds! You're doing great!" It leaves the rest of us feeling like our low numbers are really crummy, when in fact, everything I've heard about weight loss indicates that slow and steady is best.

3. They give up their favorite foods. You see contestants sneaking down to the kitchen at midnight to scarf brownies, indulging in sprinkle-covered donuts during challenges and lusting over French fries in their dreams. Ok, we don't really see that last one, but I bet they are. One thing I love about Weight Watchers (and, I'm sure, scores of other diets) is that you don't have to give up your cravings. Foods are neither good nor bad, but rather, you just control the portion sizes and how often you eat them. In the real world, we encounter temptation from the moment we get up in the morning to the wee hours at night when the kids' Halloween candy yells at us to dive into the bag face-first. It would be more realistic for 'The Biggest Loser' contestants to learn how to eat "only" one donut or a handful of fries.

4. The contestants are closely monitored. Look, these are obese people who basically go from a life of inactivity and overeating to training long hours every day. They have doctors watching them closely and EMTs standing by if they collapse during a challenge. Some of us might see a doctor before beginning a health regime, but I bet most of us don't. Jumping into a new workout regime can be risky, painful and unhealthy, especially if you're obese and do it without consulting a doctor, nutritionist and/or trainer.

5. They're constantly comparing themselves to each other. My yoga teacher is always reminding me not to compare myself to others, but rather to listen to my own body. But let's face it: Women, in particular, are always comparing ourselves to other women. How much does she weigh? What size are those jeans? Does she have my muffin top? And on and on. There are definite winners and losers on 'The Biggest Loser,' and the last person standing is the ultimate winner. Along the way, winning the challenges, working out the hardest and eating the most healthfully is all part of the game. I realize it's a competition, but it just doesn't seem like an emotionally healthy way to lose weight.

While 'The Biggest Loser' does make me think twice about eating an entire bag of salt-and-vinegar potato chips while watching the show, it also makes weight loss seem unattainable for people in the real world. It sets us up for failure and contributes to us feeling like it's impossible to lose weight.

Does 'Biggest Loser' set us up for failure? Tell us on Facebook.

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Jillian Michaels Photos

'The Biggest Loser' trainer Jillian Michaels talks with reporters at the NBC Universal Summer Press Day on April 26, 2010 in Pasadena, California.

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Getty Images North America

Jillian Michaels Snapshots

PASADENA, CA - APRIL 26: Executive producer and star Jillian Michaels talks with reporters at the NBC Universal Summer Press Day on April 26, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jillian Michaels

Jillian Michaels Snapshots

Tags: bob harper, jillian michaels, the biggest loser

Comments

(109)

Monday 03 May

By Karen

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Stop analysing. Just get off your A** and get moving. Do what you can each day and don't eat like a pig. Simple. You may not get double digit but you will lose weight. Once again simple.

Wednesday 05 May

By Sher

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

It is NOT that easy for EVERYONE!!! Don't judge until you have walked a mile in our shoes!!

By Madeline Bayard

You said it -bravo- get off your a**! Where there is a will there is a way. That simple. Find what works for you and go for it!

By ashleigh

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Geez Karen... No need for such a rude attitude! I don't think the author of this article is 'over-analyzing' anything! As a matter of fact, I have written questions to Jillian a couple of times, because I get her newsletters, but she's never answered (no surprise there) -- but anyway, I've asked her why her NEWSLETTER states "slow & steady wins the race and is the ONLY HEALTHY WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT", and also says that "1 to 2 pounds per week is the MAXIMUM a person should lose weekly" if on The Biggest Loser, people are losing 30 pounds in 1 week, and that if they ever fail to lose DOUBLE-DIGITS each week, they cry and moan about it, yet Bob & Jillian NEVER say 1 to 2 pounds is the best way to go... Of course, I've never heard back from her about her own contradiction (her own newsletter says never to lose more than 2 pounds a week, but on the show, she & Bob look utterly crushed & confused if someone doesn't lose more than 9 pounds in a week) and so I agree with this author that the show is inspiring, but it's also defeating, too, because NONE of us can live that way... It's hardly over-analysis -- it's just an honest evaluation and question of the absolute contradiction...

By Matt

Honestly ashleigh they are doing this because these people are morbidly obese so they get extra atention. Normal people lose 1-2 pounds per week its a fact, we know. But these people are just gettin extra atention and its helping others out by teaching some ppl ways to work out and eat right. You honestly need to pay a bit more atention yourself.

Thursday 06 May

By Sabran

No one said losing weight is easy. Do the contestants look like they're having a walk in the park?? It's hard work no matter how one does it. One thing is for sure...no one has ever lost weight by making excuse why they can't lose weight. As Karen says...get movin...

By Nancy

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Karen- I couldn't agree with you more. I'm guessing the author of this article must be a heifer. Excuses, excuses. excuses. Get off your butt and stop eating everything in sight. This show is fantastic; it deals with the real issue of changing what's up in your brain that's causing the eating problems. It never claimed to be "real" life environmen. It should be inspirational, not just another lame "reason" why others can't trim down. But some will always find a way to gloss over the denial.

By victorianteatime

It is unbeliveable, a program that has been so positive has this person finding fault. Maybe she should look at the people in our country that are so over weight and be thankful for a program like Biggest Loser. Or maybe she would be happy to watch cartoons and eat candy. I was thinking about the program this morning and thinking how great it was to have something that makes us all (thin or fat) look at what we put in our bodies and what we do with ourselves all day long. As for her eating potato chips get them out of the house!!!

By Heather

Jane Boursaw, you echo my sentiments exactly, especially how anyone should be thrilled to lose 5 pounds in a week, and how contestants need to learn how to eat only 1 doughnut, not give up the things they love to eat, because life is short, even for skinny people. It is about portion control and EXCERCISE, but it's so unrealistic to think anyone could spend 6+ hours a day exercising unless they are one this show, on vacation, or do it for a living.

By flmetz

Apparently you have been watching a different show that
I have, they do teach them to eat properly. What do you think these little table side chats are doing? We must also remember that these people are morbidly obese with health problems and often need a life saving intervention.

By LoserFan

I appreciate the perspective, but need to correct a couple of things. First, fitness does not have a regime. Hitler had a regime. Fitness can be regimented and have a regiment, but not a regime. Most people make that mistake. I've done it before and been corrected, so I'm just paying it forward. Second, giving up your "favorite" foods is the only way to change a lifestyle and be healthy. Doughnuts and french fries should actually never be eaten and, at most, perhaps once or twice a year. The problem with us humans is that we think the old "moderation" is still effective, so we kill ourselves slowly with moderation by continuing to eat foods that actually will not only make us fat, but will kill us. Eventually, you no longer want to put those things in your body and no longer have the cravings and fantasies about pizza, ice cream sundaes, etc. You wise up and you live longer and you feel amazing and you don't ever want to turn back. I know this from experience.

By Diane

Since you had to get all bent out of shape by the use of the word "regime" let me correct you in saying that by definition it is not necessarily incorrect. Regimen might apply better, but if you bother to look up the definition of "regime" it also can apply to one's "regular pattern of action" as in fitness or health. ALso, you will notice (on AOL dictionary) that under regimen, they also list "regime" as an alternative, so they CAN be used interchangeably (not the end of the world!) I just get tired of uppity people correcting other people all the time. I am sure you are 100% perfect in your speech and behavior at all times, right? Get over yourself!

By Judy

what's wrong with you?

By LoseFan

It seems I may not be the one who got "bent out of shape" and "uppity" at all here. I already confessed to having made the mistake and been corrected by someone else, and even stated that I was just paying it forward. I am always open to being corrected because there is always room for improvement. Snide remarks about perfect speech and behavior are laughable and shows someone may not have read my entire message before reacting.

By happycloud

Ouch! The word is "regimen"...but regime is also correct. "Regiment?"...just plain wrong. Look it up. If one removes all unhealthy foods from a diet then the diet is regimental (the adjectival form of the verb "to regiment" which means to organize rigidly or too strictly.) Cut yourself some slack. To err is human...to eat an occasional Twinkie is devine. Stressing out over language or food choices? Now THAT'S unhealthy.

By Super Sonic

Um...who else was thinking "damn grammar nazi" When he/she read that? And not even getting right..Wow, brilliant Sherlock.

Back to the main point. A doughnut will not kill you. That is proposterous. It's made of flour, sugar, yeast, an oil of some sort likely shortening and food coloring plus a couple other things. Nothing on your list is so bad for you that you could never have it.

What it is and how it's prepared are two different things. What's wrong with Pizza? Cheese is one of the best foods you can eat. Real cheese has more protein than most of the meat you purchase at the grocery store. Bleached flour is not bad for you. It's just mostly a source of energy (calories, that's what calories mean in relation to your body. It's the energy that makes you function.) And you can get wheat pizzas you know.

You're not going to bash the tomatoes and spices in the sauce are you? That covers everything on a basic pizza. And it's baked, not fried.

Everything in moderation. To lose weight you simply need to burn more energy than the equivalent in food that you eat. That's all. Nothing extreme or crazy just do a little more and eat a little less. You can't live on cookies, but you sure as hell can have them.

By kirsten

you are so right. portions are good but you can't survive on small portions of doughnuts. you have to change what you consume and begin to look at food as fuel and not something you consume for a "feel good".

By LAWeiss AngelElement444@aol.com

I was so happy to see you beat me to the word use issue, until I saw you also got it wrong. :-( It's regimen, not regiment.

Regime: a form of government
Regimen: a regular pattern of occurrence or action
Regiment: a military unit consisting usually of a number of battalions

As for the content of the article, I think it gives people hope in that it doesn't HAVE to take forever to drop weight. And, no matter how out of shape you are, you can do it.

By jeffhey

I disagree. This show does not make it harder for the rest of us, it should make it easier to start exercising seeing these grossly obese people able to exercise. If it makes it harder for you,its only because you are using it as another reason to sit on the couch and not start exercising. In the last 15 months I have lost 43 pounds, from 253 to 210, and I have only made modest changes to my diet. It is very HARD to make yourself exercise every day with the time constraints of our every day lives, but when I don't want to workout, I think of these enormous people that I dont want to be, and hear Bob and Jillian yelling at me to get off the couch, and thats motivation enough for me

Sunday 09 May

By terri

You are so right . No in the real world you might not be able to workout 6-8 hours a day. but you can pretty much bump up what u are doing. at first i was burning 200-300 calories a day and thought i was doing it. i didnt lose a pound maybe 1 in 9mos. ha! what a joke and i was walking on the treadmill 30-45mins 4-5 days a week. I pretty much lead myself to believe. menopuse. slow metabolism. friends telling me give it up old age spread you're going to pick up weight as you age. well at 255pounds 5'9 at 46years old. there women out there older than me and not fat. watching biggest loser bumping it up i am now 230 in 4weeks andstill dropping it works. No excuses i plan on being 162pounds by 1-1-2011 i watch what i eat and now i"m burning 1200 cal. a a day and i plan on bumping it up some more. everyone at work on a daily asks me what is it i'm doing. and that i look great. and i do and I'm not even half way there yet. It's on. from a 24 to a 18 in 4wks and still at it. Biggest loser aint lying. I was makin excuses and sittin on the couch gettin bigger.Aint nothin to it but to do it. I will keep in touch. time to work out.

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