Why Fitness Pros Criticize 'The Biggest Loser'

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I am a HUGE BL fan!!!
Remember we only see 2hrs out of their whole week... As far as their weight loss goes, it's not unrealistic to lose 18 lbs in a week when you weigh 300/400 lbs. So much of that initial weight loss is water the contestants retain. Your body can hold tons of extra water, so when all of a sudden you eat clean your body releases all that water and toxins.... that's why week two is usually tougher to drop as quick. plus BL takes contestants that are at a point in their life where it's live or die, so this is an amazing opportunity for them to get healthy and on track.
They are constantly monitored by doctors and pre-screend before starting the program.
Also for those at home who "JUMP" to vigourous excersise or starvation are not going about it the proper way. Even the show advises to seek medical advise before starting any program!!
As far as the trainers go, WOW I wish I had someone who cared enough to show me i can go beyond the limits I "think" I have not to those I actually have, and to show me there are no excuses. These people come from lives that have become so sedetary they don't even know what to do!
I have seen all episodes and I have seen how the trainers care, cry and want them to do well!!
Anyway I know everyone has valid points and their personal opinion, this is mine!!!

Jules 11:30AM September 18, 2009

... that the environment is unrealistic, and doesn't build long-term habits that will maintain health over the years.
Carolyn Kay
Many Years Young

Carolyn Kay of IL 6:46AM September 18, 2009

Why worry too much about being over-weight if you dont have any serious problems like Hyper-tension, Diabetes etc.? Over-weight is not ugly as it is made out to be.In women too, you dont need to be a fashion model lookalike and anorexic. Feel good about yourself and cheers to life. My practice of lazy-yoga has enabled me to rise to this level of self-confidence.

Gopal Yogi 5:27AM September 18, 2009

Amanda makes great points about expecting results to be so fast.
It's the steady pace of changed habits that generally carries the day. And she's on target about the drama when it comes to the final exercises before weigh-ins -though most shows know they need to add some drama to raise the interest. (Funny soap-opera creatures that many of us are).
But points aside, these shows do seem to be inspiring a good many others to go for it. I know of a heavy 21 year old friend of mine that recently took on working out 3 times a week, and she's getting some company and support. I think it's the message of support and worthiness of the goal that is speaking to people- flaws aside.
And if someone gets motivated from the inside, and as a good plan, they can definitely become a loser who is a winner. formyownhealth.com

Bob of ID 4:54AM September 18, 2009

I injured myself because I tried to exercise "hardcore" the way Jillian and Bob push the contestants. I thought that was the way to lose weight because the people on the show do so well with being pushed to their physical limits. But instead of losing the 30 lbs I needed to lose, I tore a tendon in my foot from jogging at my maximum speed on my treadmill while watching the Biggest Loser. I've been in agony for months now, and may have to have surgery on my foot.
This show should make it clear that people at home should NOT push themselves like the contestants are pushed because it is very easy to get injured, especially when you are not used to exercising.
I reallly regret following this show's example for weight loss.

Lily of GA 4:24AM September 18, 2009

The people on the show have gotten where they are today because of the "slow and steady" - they are slow and steadily putting on weight. I've had a weight problem my entire life. I've been morbidly obese for my entire adulthood. I understand where these people are and what it would take to get me shaken out of it. Slow and steady isn't always the best way when you're 200 pounds, or more, overweight. They need to be shaken up and turned around. They need to have their butts kicked so that they'll realize how unhealthy they've been. Just think of it as making up for lost time: They haven't done exercise in years, so they're fitting it all in in the few weeks they're on the ranch. I personally love the show. It's such an inspiration to see their heaviest contestant ever get on the treadmill and run! I'm too embarrassed to run on the treadmill at my gym because I feel like it's about to break under my weight. But there he is running for his life - literally! Also, I agree with Susan – we’re not morons. We know that they edit the show. We know what healthy weight loss is supposed to look like. However, we also know that seeing someone lose 30-50% of their body weight is truly a miracle and that we can feel encouraged by their successes. Since I've been watching TBL, I've joined Weight Watchers and in 4 weeks have lost 7 pounds. I've also started a fitness routine that I love, and I've even started seeing changes in the way I feel about food and exercising. The show is an amazing inspiration for me, and I know it is an inspiration for others as well.

Amy of AL 1:48AM September 18, 2009

Honestly...being a ex-anorexic, they are doing nothing more than exactly what I did when I starved myself and exercised like crazy. The damage I did to my body, I have had to live with for a life time. Lower much metabolism being the chief problem, as the body will adapt to how you treat it..thus gain weight more easily. I eat now, what used to cause me to lose weight light crazy. I wonder how much other damage is done to the knees, back from doing what they do, in such a short time.
I strongly disagree with this shows approach as it has nothing to do with health, and the bullying the trainers do is especially outrageous. You can inspire person to do this for themselves, push for themselves without belittling and threatening. It shows poor judgement on behalf of the show, who wants ratings not health. Just look at the women who collapsed on the beach..great for show rating and what about her health???? I find Jillian especially self-absorbed with her own power. Not reaching for what truly, with humanity helps each person. Yelling, cursing and a screaming is never the way for any person at any time. Would you do that to you kids if they did not achieve?? No, you would be a bad parent and/or teacher. You would be condemned.
Would be very interesting to follow up with season, 1,2,3,4,5,and 6. How many kept the weight off without having to give up their lives to excerise for 4 and 6 hours each day....to stay that thin.
While I agree they need to lose weight for their health, what, how much and how fast is not a one-size fits all.

Debbie of CA 12:58AM September 18, 2009

Having taken recruits from being 50 pounds over our maximum weight allowed, to 20 pounds under their maximum weight, I firmly believe that some people need the in your face approach to training. Recruit training is an inherently stressful environment, with a gradually increase in physical conditioning intensity throughout the 12 week process. However, when you compare the level of activity of an average overweight recruit who attends recruit training and their level of activity prior to joining the Marine Corps, many of the fitness experts would probably say that we are fostering an unrealistic pace of weight loss. However, we closely monitor the caloric intake of all overweight and underweight recruits, and have a strictly enforced regimen of physical activity. I'm sure that the monitoring of contestants' very closely resembles that of our recruits. People who have gotten that far over their ideal body weight need serious lifestyle changes. They have probably all decided, hundreds of times, to diet and exercise and lose weight. Obviously, they slow and steady approach, which keeps fitness trainers in business, has failed these people and they need a drastic, in your face, all go, no quit, physical fitness and nutrition regimen. I would love to be on the show! All of those people want to be on the show and want to lose weight. It would be such a blessing for me to train people who want to lose weight and who want to be there.

Peter of SC 11:08PM September 17, 2009

It seems to me that the article gives the impression that the general public is a bunch of morons that cannot draw those conclusions on their own. Most of us that watch and are struggling with our own weight know that the show only gives us part of what goes on and that the general public cannot expect the same results. Just because we are overweight doesn't mean we are idiots!

Susan L of GA 10:45PM September 17, 2009

I agree with everything this article points out, especially re: weigh loss goals. Even for people who are relatively fit the show sets unrealistic expectations. That said, I do think the show inspires overweight and even fit people to start, or continue, exercising and that alone is commendable. Sometimes, taking the first step is the hardest.

Nina Pots of CA 4:36PM September 17, 2009