Being of fuller figure myself [who said "fat bastard"?], I've followed nearly all the various series of Biggest Loser that have been shown on the box over here [American and Australian versions as well as the British ones] to try and pick up some weight loss "secrets".
What I've gleaned is that the Biggest Loser method to losing insane amounts of weight [100lbs in seven weeks is the record!!!!!] is to intake insanely few calories [men 1400 per day, women 1200] whilst doing insane amounts of exercise [6-7 hours in the gym per day over four sessions]. No vitamins or supplements allowed. Some contestants have lost over 50% of their bodyweight but many have put a lot of weight back on after the finale weigh in.
The challenges, eliminations and temptations supposedly are there to stimulate the competition and promote rivalry but in doing so seem to be more about belittling the contestants to gain ratings ie
- In the first episode of one of the American series, 27 potential competitors had to race a mile through the heat of the Nevada desert with only the first 18 guaranteed a place on the show. The last 9 were actually told they had missed out before a third trainer turned up.
- In the Australian versions, the competitors are given a "last meal", where they gorge themselves on their favourite foods in an attempt to put on as much weight as possible before the first weigh-in.
- In the early stages of the show, the men's shirts come off for the weigh-ins but in the later stages when all the saggy flesh is showing the shirts stay on. What is the point of the "shirts off" in the first place?
- And why do the women have to weigh in wearing tight lycra shorts?
- In the latest American series, the competitors had to have their first weigh-in in their home towns in public ie a packed football stadium
There is a lot of debate about game play as opposed to genuine desire to lose weight. There have been contestants who have water loaded to ensure that the scales only show small amounts of weight loss if they have gained immunity, so that they appear to lose more the following week. Alternatively, some contestants will dehydrate themselves to lose more.
There is an on-line "Biggest Loser Club" who's sole raison d'etre seems to be to sell meal replacement products which are not mentioned or seen on the shows, whilst the American contestants are regularly seen eating from "Subway" who are now sponsoring the British version. The laptops used by the trainers to record their competitors info were shown on the British show this week with the screens angled towards the camera and they just happened to be on the "Biggest Loser Club" page "from only £2.50 per week".
The show is only there to make money by exploiting us chunkies but I still watch it. Pick from that lot what you will.
