I personally have never watched TBL nor do I plan to. I don't watch any of the so called reality shows.

What a waste of our minds and time.

I do agree that the process is very aggressive. I live in Lebanon and I discovered this show a month ago on cable, they were showing season 4. These people inspired me to start doing something about my mommy kilos. the difference between my pre-pregnancy weight and post breastfeeding was 8 kilos. I already lost 2 kilos and I am happy with the way I'm going; slowly but surely. I do not have time to workout, but I am very active at home. I thought that if the people on TBL can lose these enormous numbers with huge efforts, I can lose my little numbers with a small effort and it worked (again, I agree that it is too much hard and somewhat unhealthy for the contestants).

I love TBL! Mostly because I love to see the weight loss at the end of the week. To me, a success story is the best. Especially for people like Shay who is so overweight and obese that she's on the verge of death at a very young age. TBL, to me, is inspiration every week. I watch the show, see the contestants work out like crazy, and receive motivation to do well for MY week. I agree that the diet needs to be addressed more. The big numbers I contribute to the fact that while the contestants are on The ranch, their daily job is to work out. While I am in a classroom for 7 hours, they are in the gym. That's all they have to focus on. Of course their weight loss will slow when they get home because they will not be able to work out as long each day. The trainers even say this - or have said this on past season episodes. In conclusion, TBL to me is a reality show that finally makes sense and is worth watching. I only wish that this reality show didn't send people home, but allowed all contestants to stay to the end for a fair chance to reach their goals!

I've never seen it before and I don't want to. I think most reality shows are silly. Losing weight is about the journey and it's also about becoming healthy. That takes time to do properly, and the techniques they use to get down fast aren't always healthy. I suppose it would be okay for someone who needs to lose weight immediately or they will die, but I'm assuming that 90% of overweight people aren't in that situation. Then again, I don't really know.

TBL capitalizes on our seeing fat as bad, thin as good.  As long as we maintain that thinking then we can never feel good about ourselves as we lose weight, our worth is always measured by external goals.  However, if we care about ourselves and find we have value as people, it is easier to lose weight and keep it off, in the same way that caring for ourselves allows us to enjoy life more.    And, the manner in which the contestants lose weight does not lend itself to life outside of a tv program.  The ratings may be off the charts, but at what expense to the participants and the viewers?  

I do watch the show.  Lately, I been really wondering how 400 - 500 pound individuals can do a great deal of jumping jacks all at one time and while I am 270lbs can hardly walk up a flight of stairs with out feeling the impact in my knees.  Or how the first day on the "Ranch" they are told to jog a mile, I myself can't even run around the block.

I believe pushing yourself a little is good but only when you have build your strength and stamina up over a period of time,

I never planned to watch this show, and after reading this article, I know I never will.  Where is the focus on healthy and balanced living??

I watch it.  I agree with the article that I watch for the reasons stated but it's more that I see how some people let themselves go and have no self control and I think to myself...I will NEVER let myself get to that point.  It DOES give me motivation and inspiration and I tend to push harder when watching the show.  BUT I do agree that it's extreme and that obese people shouldn't expect those kinds of results or put themselves through that kind of environment.  I think the show, just like most TV, is only harmful if you take it seriously.  It's entertainment, plain and simple.  And for the record, I love Jillian.  She's like the Simon Cowell for weight loss.  It is not pretty or nice, but it's honest atleast.

I can't stand to watch.  There is nothing to be learned because everything is so extreme.  Real people don't have trainers pushing them, we have to do it ourselves.  And the point about ignoring diet is so true - hardly a mention of eating right, only the exercise.  I do wonder how many of them keep the weight off.  Since I don't watch, I don't know if the old timers ever come back.

Like all reality shows, I find this to be a waste of my time.  I've never seen it, but I can imagine many people do, in fact, feel better in their fat butts by watching someone in a fatter butt.  Rather than sitting on the sofa watching chubbies, better to be out on a walk or a bike ride, enjoying the evening, while enjoying a nice hard apple.  "Hey...the people who are fatter than us are coming on!  Where's the butter for my popcorn?"  Yeah...right!  By the way, I've just weighed in at 22 pounds less than 90 days ago.  And I feel GREAT! 

I don't watch the Biggest Loser because it's the biggest loser of a program I've ever seen. I watched one time, and the bullying by the trainers was all I could stand. Plus the humiliation of the contestants is ridiculous, the infighting is difficult to abide, and the whole concept just stinks.

Added to which all the points you brought out - poor concepts, bad habits not addressed but slyly encouraged, too fast weight loss, unrealistic expectations, etc. etc. Horrible, horrible exploitation show!

I love TBL. It keeps me motivated and keeps reminding me that weight loss is hard work and you have to be willing to put in the hard work to get the results. I love to see the people losing the wieght and start feeling better. I realize that I have to work a full time job so my results won't be as much as the contestants. I also realize that sometimes the trainers are harsh - but honestly... sometimes that is what people need to push past their own hang ups and excuses. That can stand true for any challenge people face - not just weight loss. It's kind of the tough love approach for weight loss. And while the show is not totally focused on nutrition needs - they do cover a lot of it - and they do remind people in every show that you have to nourish your body in order to lose weight the healthy way. So, I disagree that they don't pay attention to the healthy food side of it. Also, anyone who does any kind of "diet" faces the challenge of keeping it off... so these contestants have to make lifestyle changes just the way anyone who has to lose weight does. They just have the added pressure of a glaring reality tv spotlight to contend with as well.

I also enjoy TBL. I think it can be inspiring to people. Yes, it is extreme. Yes, it is manipulated for television viewing (like everything on TV). The show does focus on food, although I would like to see more also. Everyone on the show stresses that the weight loss is not the norm for the real world. The contestants are closely monitored by doctors. I applauld the contestants for being proactive and putting themselves out there for the world to see their good and bad sides. If you watch the show, you will see that most contestants use this as the beginning of their journey to health not a quick fix. Some succeed, some do not. Many do gain the weight back (about 40%), but that still leaves 60% that do not. That is huge. I am looking forward to the where are they now show.

If you're dieting and the show motivates you to lose weight, then that's great. My son knows a TBL winner from a previous season and the guy put back most of his weight. So It seems to me that these people are losing the weight in the short run but whatever problems they have that cause them to over eat are not resolved and without the constant supervision, causes them to fall back to their old habits.

Recently when new teams were formed and old team members were separated, they were so emotional because they lose their partner to the point of crying, indicates to me that they have more problems than weight gain. If these problems are not resolved then I'm not surprised when they put the weight back on. 

I won't be surprised if there's a reunion show at some point for those who put the weight back on.

I love watching tbl. I get to know the people and feel good or bad for them. Whats funny underneath this post is an ad from Jillian from the biggest loser. Ha! I love to see how they look before and after. It does inspire me to loose weight. I think I like all reality where there are before and after results. Like on HGTV where they flip houses, and TLC's What not to where. I really belive thats why people watch these shows

I do watch TBL and find it very inspirational.  I don't watch it to make myself feel better that I'm at least not as big as the contestants.  I do, however, find inspiration in thinking that if they can do it, there should be no excuse for me not to be able to.  I'm shocked to think anyone would, as your article suggests, watch it to boo at or ridicule the contestants.  All I want to do is cheer them on and be inspired by their hard work.  I have certainly never felt that the trainers or staff at the biggest loser Ranch showed them anything but concern or respect.  Yes, Jillian is a tough trainer, and does yell at them to keep going, but I know from my own experience that I don't push myself hard enough to get the results I need and if I had her pushing me I would definitely do better.  I don't understand the statement that they don't focus on eating right, almost every week shows either food tips from the trainers, a guest chef to teach them how to prepare healthy meals, or as in this week's episode - Bob took his team to the grocery store and helped them purchase healthy groceries which they then made a picnic lunch from.  I have heard Jillian stress that you cannot starve yourself or eat less than the number of calories your body requires to be healthy and to support the exercise.  The Dr. monitors them and they are given a series of medical tests that most of us will never have access to.  Yes, it is a reality show as their obesity and the hopelessness they must feel at times is very real.  I've felt it to a lesser degree myself, but definitely gain hope and inspiration every time I watch the show.  If I have backslidden during the week, it always gets me right back on track.  I hate that this article will now keep some who have never watched it but could find it inspirational, from checking it out for themselves.

I have to admit I did watch last season pretty closely.  It is unrealistic to expect these people to do some of the things they make them do; I would imagine there are many injuries we are unaware of happening.

I think though who wouldn't love to leave their jobs for 3 months or more just to focus on getting back in shape again and learning to eat all over again.  I think this is what people find fascinating is at the end they had shed a whole person off of themselves and look amazing again.  If it only worked that way in real day to day life!!!!

I think everyone has a different lifestyle and life commitments to be able to lose this much weight in a short time; and also I do not think it is healthy to lose it all that quickly either.

I too would like to see the show spend more time focusing on the meals they prepare however that would be a cooking show not a boot camp for dieters show.

I haven't been watching the current group and do not plan on tuning in unless nothing else is on and it grabs my attention.

As reality shows go I think TBL is a decent one.  They do have some info on eating healthy -- recently had the Australian chef showing them healthy options :)  Also the show has served as a model for many local "Biggest Loser" challenges all over the country.  Plus they did that thing about donating pounds of food to food banks.

As for the trainers, it's a bit over the top at times, but I think it makes people realise that if they don't somewhat push themselves they won't see results.  I can see why it would put some folks off and be difficult to watch but for me it's one of the few shows I will watch. 

I watch the show for the drama -- it is the best soap opera available.  My favorite part comes at the end when the show how the eliminated contestant looks today.  While the show is unreal reality -- don't try this at home -- it does provide proof that morbidly obese people have health issues and that they can do something about it.  People can shed 100 pounds or more of excess fat by applying proper diet and exercise.  Of course that kind of weight loss is not going to happen in a couple of months unless the person can dedicate themselves full time under the supervision of trainers and medical professionals.  On the other hand, could a show that focused on obese people getting themselves back in shape over a period of a couple of years while working full time and raising kids keep our attention??

Television and commercial success dictate the accelerated pace.  But here are a couple of things to consider: Contestants survive and even thrive in that environment -- season after season; applicants number in the hundreds of thousands every season; the show is a world wide success.  So the show is having a  positive impact.

Original Post by: debbiehodge

I personally have never watched TBL nor do I plan to. I don't watch any of the so called reality shows.

What a waste of our minds and time.

 

I am an intelligent person and I 'wasted' my mind on this program when the UK version was shown on TV a while back, every week without fail. I recognise all the points made in this article that make the process a bad one. And I recently spotted one of the UK participants on Facebook and believe me she's regained all she lost and more.

Like others here I also enjoy seeing the life changing weight loss and personality shifts of some of the participants.

A HUGE positive I personally got from watching the TV series was that some weeks regardless of how hard individuals had worked at losing weight they stayed the same or even gained weight. This was my light bulb moment because in the past when I tried to lose weight (and I weighed in weekly) my weight was static or I gained a pound my reaction was ‘What’s the point? You’re always going to be overweight have another glass of wine, a bar of chocolate, etc because you will never make any difference.’ Seeing, on the TV programme, people that had worked consistently hard in the gym, resisted temptations and eaten well all week go through the same as me, made me realise that this is just the way it is sometimes. Simple, but for me life changing. I signed up to CC on May 14th this year(while the TV show was still running) and in five months have lost 40 lbs, my next target is 50lbs by Christmas and I am confident that I will make this goal. Also I weigh myself every morning, and know that my graph goes up and down on a daily basis but over all the trend is downwards. So I know that if I continue making small sustainable changes to my eating habits and lifestyle I will lose the 57 lbs I have to go., I’m almost half way there. So from me to Biggest Loser UK, thank you!

I've watched every season of TBL.  It has inspired moms (and a few dads) in my neighborhood to join a gym (3 gyms within 5 miles of our town), have weekly weigh-ins, create support networks for weight loss, and hire trainers.  I always thought trainers were an expensive extravagence until I hired one who showed me that most of my moves in the gym were "old school" and did more harm to my back and knees.  Jillian can be extreme at times with her approach, but her heart comes through in that she wants these people to succeed.  Bob, the yang to her yin, has a softer approach but is just as tough.  Anyone who has ever been fat can relate to the "desperateness" of wanting to be on this show to learn how to lose the weight, learn healthy habits, and keep the weight off forever.  Growing up in the hamburger helper era in Arkansas, my family didn't understand nutrition and portion control.  TBL has affected individuals and weight loss programs the same way that Antiques Roadshow taught people not to throw out what they found in grandma's attic.  Love the show, love Jillian and Bob, and love the contestants -- even the whiners and drama queens!  Big Cher

My wife and I watched the show for the first couple of seasons and liked it.  But the show started focusing too much on product placement and allowed the messages of its advertisers to conflict with what the few behaviors that where being taught. We became disgusted with the hypocrisy of it all quit watching. 

How strange, I never really thought of this issue since the people obviously where getting the results.

I think it is this attitude to life which has been my down fall. 'I can't spend the whole day in the gym like they do - and that is why I don't lose weight' (while I heat up another of the actual causes: 'meal-for-one pasta' for breakfast)

We must remember that in the end shows like TBL's only real care is the viewers and not the actual contestants. As long as you watch the show and they are making money, they are happy - the more drama the better.

I think this is why it is important to have a support group to support you even if you've only lost a kilo at the end of the month and not be in competition with someone else who will happily stab you in the back in order to bring the bacon home. (I've got food on the mind today...)

I too want to lose 4kgs at the end of the week - but I know that this won't happen and that this is very unhealthy.

C

The common problem with opinions, is that everybody has one. And obviously, not always good.

What is disturbing to me is how some people read an article of who they do not know, make statements like "I never planned to watch this show, and after reading this article, I know I never will.  Where is the focus on healthy and balanced living??" (Ang6181)

Well gee, why don't YOU watch it before you judge it and perhaps you will discover they cover those things.  I've watched TBL for years and lost 30 lbs. and dropped 4 sizes because of the education on calories and healthier snack ideas, etc.

For the record, this season has focused more on making better choices when faced with real life. The kitchen was locked up recently so they had to learn how to order out, but know the calories and how to ask questions and order things on the side.

My husband just started watching the show, read some of the book, and calorie counting - learning tid bits here and there along the way and within 1 month has already lost 15 lbs. THAT is all contributed to TBL show!

So please people, don't pass judgement on something you know nothing about, but only by mouth or sitting of front of the television with munchies. Unless you have a serious desire to lose weight, the mentality of this show just being a soap opera is disappointing and an insult to those who are really trying to change their lives. It's also a dis-service to millions of people who's lives have been changed as a result of the TBL!!

I think that they have concentrated more on eating right more this season than any season. They brought in a chef to show about portioning, and basic nutrition. They showed them that in the real world, how to eat out properly and how to choose the right foods. They have had challenges to guess caloric content so I do think it is better this season. Of course there is drama, and they focus more on that being a reality show, but generally I LOVE TBL!!! It motivates me to keep going! I need the slap in the face personally. But I do know that losing vast amounts of weight in a short amount of time isn't smart, for the likelihood of keeping it off isn't good. But it is a motivation for me personally.

I interviewed for this show and made it half way thru them ( 2 out of 4 ) and when I told them my weight loss goal it was clear I was not big enough for the show now. 120 pounds is not enough, they want bigger and larger young adults to attract viewers.  I would have done it to help my daughter who is overweight too ..a mothers love, once giving the child too much food than help her to loose it. It`s a evil cycle.

Currently I am doing water areobics along with cycling 7 days a week along with watching my carb intake and have lost 84 pounds to date, still having some ways to go...I FEEL so much better  than I used to and knowing I am making progress keeps me going!

We all need to look inside for our inner strength to get us to where we need to be.

Good luck to all~!

I haven't seen the show (don't have a tv) but have heard enough to know if I did have one, that's not a show I'd choose.  I just can't stomach something so unhealthy and unrealistic.  So why are all the watchers sitting around watching others loose weight, instead of going to the gym?  

So I'm curious, what kind of commercials do they air?  Fast food, snacks and lots of pharmaceuticals for high blood pressure, depression and appetite suppression?  The thing I might find interesting is to see how they have designed their marketing tactics and at what profiles they are targeting.  Are you eating more during or after the show?

I am a fan of the show.  Last January my school decided to have a "biggest loser" competition.  I came in second place!  I am still on my weight lose journey.  I think anybody watching the show knows that even though it is considered reality it really is not.  I had 43 pounds to lose and have lost 36 so far.  Even though I didn't have the huge number to lose, I can identify with a lot of their struggles and feelings.  I get tired of hearing that we as a society shouldn't put too much emphasis on the way we look so that we don't bruise our self-esteem.  I work in a school and some of these your ladies should NOT be wearing what they are wearing because it not flattering.  By not saying anything and worrying about people's self-esteem, we give permission to be fat or unhealthy (whatever you want to call it).  When YOU start feeling bad about yourself, this should give you the desire to fix it (it may take way for the desire to kick in).  And that is what happened to me.  Being almost 50 and unhealthy was just not working for me anymore.  TBL is an inspiration to me because if they can do, so can I.  They will find out, just as I have, that your self esteem goes through the roof when YOU decided to make the change to be healthy.  When YOU put that plan in place YOU become who YOU want to be.  Self-esteem comes from YOU -- not anyone else.  I QUIT the "diet" thing and refuse to call it that.  I CHOOSE to eat healthy and become more active.  I have BECOME thinner, have more energy and have a happier spirit.  This all comes from within.  I WILL continue and I WILL succeed :)

I would have to agree with the appall from health professionals.  I was dangerously overweight but I consulted with a nutritionist and learned how to eat...i.e., proper foods healthy portions.  I also learned that eating fresh food (fruits and veggies) give you the nutrients your mind and body need; I stay away from anything processed.  I dropped an incredible 112 lbs in 13 months and I've kept it off for 3 years now.  

I do NOT watch the show simply because I believe that the show encourages fast weight loss, which is unhealthy.  It takes time to drop down to a healthy weight and to tone your body...this is also from an emotional level because it's a change in lifestyle.  Plus, I feel that TBL is just a gimmick and propaganda.  

i have to agree with mommyliner...this season of the biggest loser has had a lot of emphasis on what the contestants are eating, not just how much they are exercising.  the exercising part of the show is highly unrealistic for most of us -- they burn 6000 calories at each of their workouts, while i usually burn 600-700 (according to the readout on the machine, which is somewhat inaccurate also).  but they don't just "salivate over processed food" as the article suggests...i absolutely disagree with that statement.  someone else mentioned product placement but you know what?  that is sometimes helpful too since it suggests items to viewers that you may not know about or have considered.  i am generally turned off by reality tv but i think that the biggest loser is definitely inspirational to many people and for those of you who are disgusted based on the article above, please know that there are definitely some inconsistencies between what it says and what actually happens on the show.

TBL is one the main things that inspired me to finally change my life.  I'm not sure the person who wrote this article ever watched more than bits and peices of the show.  They do promote a healthy diet.  There are segments each episode with eating tips if not a whole lesson on healthy cooking.  Yes it is a game show, but they do give good lessons on how to live a healthier lifestyle.  It's like Seaseme Street. It's full of lessons mixed in with a lot of silliness. 

They players do get injured and over exhert themselves, but they're on a game show competing for $250K.  That doesn't mean you can't pull the basic concept of what they are doing and use it in your own life.  They have doctors, dietians, and trainers that help them develop a calorie and workout plan to help them lose weight. 

I disagree with this article.  I watch TBL and if the author watched it regularly, she would see that the trainers do try to deal with the emotional issues that led to each contestant being obese.  They emphasize over and over again (including this week's episode) that they can help them burn calories but they can't change their life unless they deal with the emotional issues that got them to this place.  In addition, there are segments each week on eating healthy and good food choices.  They take the contestants out to dinner at a restaurant and show them how to make healthy choices.  They have episodes where they cool meals so the contestants understand how they can prepare food that tastes good and is healthy. 

Is the show perfect?  No, it's riddled with commercials for their products.  It pits the contestants against each other in contests and game play including food temptations.  However, I do feel it is inspiring!  Is it unrealistic to expect to lose 10 lbs in a week at home?  Yes, but I think the show is clear about that as well. They do say repeatedly that these contestants are working out for hours each day and are heavily supervised by trainers and doctors.  They emphasize that you cannot expect this same type of weight loss at home while working a job, taking care of your family, etc.  The show always sends contestants home for at least a week and in one season sent half the people home for a month. 

At the end of the day, at least this reality show is inspiring and not the endless stream of crap you get with most reality shows. 

I see both sides of this issue.  Granted, only a select few will be able to go through this process.  I don't like seeing stars plastered on magazine covers after a recent substantial weight loss either.  It's the same reason I have a problem with shows like "The Biggest Loser".   It is simply not a realistic goal for the average person.  Achievements of this magnitude simply do not usually happen this fast.

The average person cannot hire a special chef or trainer as easily as a movie star can in most cases.  So the transformation we see on a cover after some of these young women shed excess pounds after childbirth are unrealistic for the average young mother.  To me, that is quite misleading.  Let's see, maybe they could do it too, if they had a chef, nanny and a personal trainer.

As far as the show, "The Biggest Loser", I can see both sides to this issue.  No, it is not realistic to be pushed to that degree.  Most people in the same predicament have to go to work and go through the normal course of a day when trying to lose weight and get in shape.  They have to find a balance in life to be able to fit it all in.  These people are able to put all emphasis on losing weight and getting in shape without the day to day distractions.  To me, that's like going off to some weight loss spa or clinic for a substantial period of time.  Most people can't afford to do it for more reasons than financial.

Granted some of these people are in a serious struggle with obesity.  It would take something intense to change the momentum in an opposite direction and that's what this show does for many who participate. 

I do think people can learn much from this type of show.  Do they learn all they need to know; of course not.  We do get to see that anything is possible if we are determined no matter how much we have to lose.  We have to use common sense along the way. 

I think the transformation under these special circumstances, no matter how unrealistic for the average person to visualize, does prove that it can be done.  That in itself is quite remarkable.

I simply have an overall problem with weight loss and fitness being something one can achieve fast.  To me, these are extreme circumstances and not the way most people will achieve success for the long term.

I've only recently (this season--we stumbled on episode 2 and my husband found the stories interesting enough to DVR the series) started watching TBL.  Before this, I have been watch Survivor.  I can safely say that I watch TBL for the same reasons I watch Survivor--its the interpersonal drama that attracts me.  I dislike drama in real life, yet an hour or so of fake drama among people I don't know seems to be fun.  I agree about the trainers--particularly Jillian--she is MEAN, but sometimes you NEED mean in your life.  I'm just GLAD I met my trainer BEFORE I started watching this show, because if this was my first exposure to them, I would not have set up the appointment with mine!  My trainer is tough, and sometimes she does ask me to do things that make my brain go "WHAT!" but she's not abusive either.

I don't know if we'll watch future versions of the series or not.

This article personally makes me laugh. The biggest loser is one of the best shows on tv and personally I think the only one worth watching. Most shows are filled with uninspiring material that does nothing to improve your day or viewpoint and yet TBL actually took something like weight loss which almost all of America has dealt with and made an inspiring show out of it. About the comment that they don't talk about their diet enough, that is said by someone who obviously doesn't watch the show enough. Almost every commercial after and before they have someone on there (usually Bob or Jillian or a prior TBL winner) talking about nutrition, how to make foods you like healthier and tips on cooking healthier. During the shows they have had cooks on the show who take foods that they all like and help them find a healthy way to eat foods instead of frying foods and eating unhealthy desserts or sweets. I have gotten sooo many tips and recipies on cooking and nutrition from this show. Not to mention you see the contestants cooking and eating all of the time whenever they are in the kitchen during their downtimes. They eat 6 times a day and eat 1200 calories a day which may seem very little to some but when it's filled with good foods cooked well and vegetables and fruit it actually is a ton of food (that is what my husband and I eat and we're very well fed). They burn 6000 calories a day which is the cause of the weight loss and yes Jillian and Bob can be rude and mean but you know what, none of those contestants got to the unhealthy way that they are because people pushed them, they got there because most people say nice things and never push them to be healthy. I myself started my weightloss journey at 217 pounds and TBL has inspired me to lose weight. My husband was at 338 pounds when we started. Since following a 1200 calorie diet, working out 1-2 hours a day (that's about all we can fit in) and eating healthier foods (most of the tips that we gleaned from TBL) I've lost 30 pounds and my husband has lost 21 pounds in only a few months and we're not doing near what the contestants do each day.

Also to comment on the statement that someone said that it promotes the idea that fat is bad and skinny is good. Ok, I'm not skinny so this is not a knock on fat people, I'm fat. However, fat is NOT good! Fat is unhealthy and puts you had high risks for heart disease (which I've dealt with) diabetes, blood problems, nerve problems and so many more issues. I'm changing because I don't want my children to grow up like me. I can't let my children grow up thinking that being fat is ok because I'm teaching them to make themselves  sick and unhealthy and that is a huge injustice to them when they grow up. Now I do think that America takes it too far, (not Biggest Loser) but America takes it too far with thinking that a size 6 is not skinny enough but you have to be a 0 to be pretty. There is a difference with being healthy (what Biggest Loser promotes) and being ultra skinny (which most of the rest of the shows on tv promote with only hiring skinny gorgeous girls) I find shows like Americas next top model and Gossip Girl and any other show on tv promote the American view that woman have to be tiny barbie dolls to be considered pretty. I do not think that helping morbidly obese people lose weight and deal with emotional issues is a negative thing. If this show didn't do it, who would help these people? They didn't get that way by their own self discipline, they need someone to push them and teach them to love themselves and have discipline and that is what TBL does. The sucess stories are amazing, yes there are a few that gain it back, typically people who were doing it for the money and not the health but that is not typical with the show. The show works and it's inspired millions.

When the show was first announced I was outraged by the idea that people would be pushing, starving themselves and then being voted out if they didn't lose enough. At the time I had already lost over 100 pounds and have always had a tough time with my weight.

Then, during the first season I was staying with my grandmother who is overweight and she wanted to watch the show. I was hooked and have been every season since.

As others have mentioned you have to take the show as not "reality." It's their job while at the ranch to work out all day and they have trainers and healthy meal plans. That's not available to everyone. However, if you take the show as motivational, it's a positive concept. It fires me up each week to keep my workout going.

The only part of the show that I find concerning is that the final three literally push themselves to exhaustion and dehyrdation to see a great number for the final weigh in. I wish there was something else that could be the deciding factor rather than that unhealthy conclusion. Also, it's life, people gain weight back. When I got down to my lightest, I gained up 30 back and now I'm lower than I've ever been. It's a process that for many of us will last a lifetime!

TBL reminds me weekly, that when you don't discipline yourself, the world will do it for you.

It will most certainly hurt more than if you do it yourself.

If you don't care for your body, the natural consequence are disease or death, the many costs of medications, pain and surgeries, being left out or laughed at and in the case of TBL, Jillian or Bob.

Just the thought of Jillian yelling at me makes me eat the broccoli and not the chocolate (ok, just a bite - she doesn't know where I live!) 

I was a heartbeat from type 2 diabetes and found this show when I went looking for answers. I saw how contestants were able to go off their meds after working out and I bought a dreadmill. Now that threat is behind me, in part due to the encouragements of TBL.

Yea, I've seen maybe two episodes of TBL and was shocked. I couldn't believe that Jillian was verbally abusing the contestants like that! Is she some sort of whacked out therapist and a trainer? I doubt she has the credentials.

It is obvious the righter of this article has never watched the biggest loser. Yes, the weight lose each week is ridiculous but they are training 6-8 hours a day. They have basically become professional athletes in their time their because of the amount of exercise they do every day. There is a HUGE focus on healthy eating and calorie counting. If you have watched the show you know that! It is not for everyone. I need to lose 40 pounds and there is NO way the TBL if for someone like me. BUT for the morbidly obese who are looking at surgery as a last resort I don't see how the biggest loser hurts them. These people are dieing because they are so over weight. Most have diabetes (some don't even know it when they show up) and others are so full of fat that they have fat squishing their hearts (shown in x-rays and CT scans). EVERYONE who leaves biggest loser their health has improved. Some may have injuries but so does any professional athlete. Most don't have to take any of the meds they were taking before they came on the biggest loser and most have normal blood sugar levels WITHOUT drugs!! I would say for people who are almost out of options OR not able to get started at home and have 200 or more pounds to lose TBL is a great option. That said someone like me with 40 pounds to lose should NOT take a biggest loser approach to life. Plus where am I am going to work out 6 hours a day with 4 kids. LOL. But I have learned a lot about food on TBL (some things I disagree with, like artificial sugar use, but that is just personal preference).

If you are going to write an article in the future please make sure that you know the topic of which you are writing about and take the time to research it (that includes watching it, if it's media). You don't have to agree but please be informed. Thanks.

Michelle

I watched TBL for the first time last season at my daughter's and I disagree about why people watch it.  I definitely do not watch it to take pleasure in another person's misery at being so heavy; I watch it because these people are willing to humiliate themselves in front of millions of viewers to better their lives and I applaud them for it.  I don't care for reality TV but I think TBL is an inspiration.  It got me moving and I finally joined a gym to do something about my weight.  I am nowhere near as heavy as the contestants, but I still need to lose some weight and get healthier.

I had seen clips and one or two episodes from previous seasons. One of the first shows I ever actually watched was while jogging on the treadmill at my gym last year. It was toward the end, and they were showing clips for one woman's "miraculous transformation." 

While I agree with the comments that the show is harsh and the expectations ridiculous and unhealthy, I also agree with the comments that it can be really inspiring and watching other people do it (even in a completely unrealistic way - because what person in the real world has time to workout for 6 hours each day and spend hours each night prepping mini healthy snacks for the week?) does make me feel as though I can push myself harder and do more.

This year I tuned in to watch TBL from the start. While it's just another brain-eating reality TV show, it still inspires me to want to do more for myself. And if it can manage to do that (while generally being entertaining), I'll keep on watching...for at least this season.

Heard of it but never watched it. No time to watch btwn the exercise and school and 2nd exercise of the day....i need to put sleep into my schedule. Thank god i don't have a girlfriend :/

I watched TBL twice this season so I wouldn't be guilty of contempt prior to investigation.  Except for a brief segment that addressed healthy eating, there was nothing I liked.   It was mean, aggressive, competitive, and thoughtless.  My husband put in his earplugs and locked himself in the den because he found the show so offensive.  My husband and I have each lost 60 pounds since January and have done it with love, encouragement, education, and hard work.

I have mixed feelings about TBL. I find it inspiring at one level but it also creates unrealistic expectations. I weighed 425 a couple of years back. I have lost 175 so far and I have another 50 to go. I have used exercise as one of my tools for weight loss. Injuries have plagued me the whole time. I don't understand how those contestants can put as much into their exercise without more injuries.  I know they have trainers and doctors but I have consulted with many professionals to make sure I was exercising correctly and I still have to deal with injuries.

I am concerned that the "if they can do it so can I" thinking could lead to someone seriously injuring themselves.

I've been watching TBL for a few years now and they certainly do talk about nutrition. The fact that they receive injuries from the training is obvious and they don't seem to try and hide that. There are scenes where you see ice packs on all their knees while they are trying to recover from the vigorous workouts. 

It seems like the author watched an episode or two, sprinkled in their existing biases, and used that to write an article bashing the show. 

I wish I could spend my entire day working out like they do on the show. I know that I can't. It doesn't mean I'm not inspired by what I see to take of my health. It's how I ended up using this site.

I can't stand this show.  The contestants are bullied by foul-mouthed trainers. The 'dominatrix in a sports bra' comment is right on target. Plus viewers have to endure idiotic product placement throughout the show. Why do all the participants take off their shirts before getting on the scale? Obviously a scale can be adjusted to account for their clothing. Taking off their shirts is part of the reality tv 'shock' factor that serves to further humiliate the participants. How many times have you gotten on a scale where the value fluctuates by 25-50 pounds as the scale finally determines your weight? The annoying beeping sound from the scale is enough to make me turn off the television.  

Having been a morbidly obese person, 530 lbs, I can see why people would want to compete for losing weight.  However just like any diet that I was ever on, and I've been through the gambit of diets in my life, I do not subscribe to the torture that these people go through on that show.  I chose to get help through bariatric surgery.  My weight loss was 375 pounds in three years.  As a matter of fact I lost too much weight and had to regain 15 lbs.  I live by a strict diet and belong to a support group, which I attend religiously, and have the long term support of my Doctor and staff for the rest of my life.  What do these people have when the show is over?  Nothing?  I saw one of the people on a show that had regained all of their weight back.  It's not permanent!  They should think about the consequences of competing for a "trophy" and think about their long term goals.

I admit I do watch it, but have the same complaint regarding the contestants diet; they rarely show food (unless it's junk at a temptation) or show what the contestants do eat (unless it's one of those terrible in-show advertisements). They could spend a bit more time talking about how and what they eat and take a little bit of time away from the extras; why is it after every commercial do I feel like I'm watching the last few minutes of the segment before the commercial? Deja vu? The editors apparently think American's have enough of attention deficit disorder that we can't recall what happened two minutes and thirty seconds ago.

Complaints aside, as I admitted, I do watch it and do enjoy seeing the results the players recognize. Thankfully some of them are motivated enough at the end to make the proper lifestyle changes at home and keep the weight off.