We are on the eighth season of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, with precisely a bajillion pounds lost throughout the history of the series. Its hard to deny that this show gets results.
But I hate it.
I hate The Biggest Loser for number of reasons, none of which are because of the unrealistic expectations the double digit weight loss gives (Its realistic because they did it, they can just devote more time to working out than you can.)
They Send People Home. These people come on the show because its their last chance. Most are over 350 pounds with obesity related illnesses, and are quite literally on the verge of death. The show makes a big fuss about the fact these people are in such danger (with numerous trips to the hospital as proof) and that the show is their only chance, yet they send people home to do it on their own. Why don’t they keep everyone on the ranch, give everyone the same chance of being able to live, but just make them not illegible for the prize money if they get voted out? The money is part of the game, but their lives are not. Give them a chance.
Bob and Jillian. Up until about season 6 I would have left Bob out of this one and directed it all towards Jillian, but he’s just as bad as she is now. They get results, I’ll give them that, but I don’t agree with their methods. Do these people really need to be screamed at? Told to quit? Have F-bombs dropped on them every 5 minutes? Granted, these contestants have never worked out before, and can be infuriatingly whiny, but that hardly justifies verbal abuse. Working out hard doesn’t mean it has to be torture- it can actually be fun. You can enjoy exercise, and in fact, if you do, you are more likely to stick with a workout plan. The vast majority of our nation doesn’t know what a treadmill is, so showing them that in order to lose weight you have to cry while having a tiny, muscly, drill sergeant screaming in your face is hardly the message they should be sending. Plus, I’m still mad about this.
The 2 Hour Run Time. Really? 2 hours? The entire last hour is dedicated to the weigh ins. It could take 10 minutes tops to weigh in all those people, but we have to listen to 5 minutes of beeping numbers tick by, then show everyone gasp in horror like they just watched a kitten get microwaved before they cut away to commercial. Then when they come back, we have to watch it all over again before we actually get to see the results. Spare me.
The Product Placement. Oh, Lord, the product placement. “Gather round! Bob is here to offer us a new tip!” Bob then pulls some gum out of his pocket and shows it to the camera like a Price is Right girl and exclaims “instead of having a snack, chew some Wrigley’s sugar free gum!” Yeah, cause gum is going to make me not hungry. Oh, and don’t forget the Subway placement. And The Biggest Loser protein powder. And 24 Hour Fitness. And BodyBugg….
It Teaches People Nothing. Sure, you get to watch people lose weight and work out real hard, but can you, as a viewer, then go to the gym and know how to do it on your own? Do you know what kind of workouts they are doing? For how long? How much time do they devote to cardio as opposed to strength training? How do those with knee issues work out differently than they rest? What about the folks on blood pressure medication? The show gives them no roadmap or plan whatsoever. How about instead of that last hour of obnoxious beeping, the trainers take a little time to explain how to build an effective workout plan, or at least explain what the contestants are actually doing so the viewers can learn something they can take to the gym with them.
Yet, I always watch it. I’ve never missed an episode. Why?
Because even though it could be a perfectly wonderful, motivating and inspirational show, and the producers have turned it into a 2 hour long screaming swearing commercial, the unfortunate editing and production decisions don’t take away from the contestants hard work, dedication, blood, sweat and tears. As a person that has devoted my career to helping people get healthy and lose weight, I love to watch people succeed. Not just to see them fit into a certain size pants, but that they are acheiving things they never thought they could do, and gaining a sense of self worth and pride. Through that transformation, they not only help themselves, they motivate and encourage millions of people world wide that they can do the same, which is something demeaning trainers and beeping scales can never take away from them.
Right there with you girl, DVR’s were made for this show. I cannot watch it live (though I did in pieces last night). Don’t forget that you cannot live without a TBL food scale!!!
Don’t forget the Ziploc bags, which are apparently key to weight loss.
But like you, I keep watching, even though sometimes I really don’t know why.
i only watch TBL on dvr. I cannot stand how they DRAG that thing out, especially some of the product placement ads. i don’t know why i watch and get all caught up, but i do. probably b/c as someone trying to lose weight herself, although i know it’s unrealistic, i do cheer for the losses and the smiles. even though i hate the “small” 6 lb loss comments. grrrr
I thought the EXACT same thing about product placement last night when Jillian was dividing up food with the Zip-loc bags. Totally staged! I’m still not going to buy ziploc bags.
“…gasp in horror like they just watched a kitten get microwaved”… awesome.
And I totally agree with you. The entire show Should be done in about 30 minutes – max.
I did appreciate their focus on last night’s show – the pre-weigh-in first hour, anyway. It was nice to show them giving the contestants lessons instead of just screaming at them to run without holding the handbars.
You’ve just summarized exactly why I am annoyed by this show every week, yet still continue to watch!
I was telling my partner about the BL protein “commercial” after the show yesterday and he didn’t want to believe me. The zip lock bags were pretty bad too!!
Maggie- i thought that last night when i watched it. I wrote the article before last night and thought, “wow, someone is going to ream me for that comment about not teaching them anything” but the truth is, thats really the only time they have done anything like that- teaching them about nutrition. They still dont talk about exercise programming though which drives me nuts.
Ashley- i know! and its only 40 calories a scoop! Thanks, Bob!
So I read Master Your Metabolism, which told me to get RID of the ziploc bags and non organic meat/dairy, and then I turn on TBL and see Jillian stuffing non-organic cheese and chicken tortillas into…ZIPLOC BAGS. She might as well have stuck it in the microwave while she was at it.
I listened to a podcast of Jillian’s once that said, “DO NOT listen to anything I am saying during the product placement sections of the show.” Um…okay.
Ok…I understand why someone would be upset about Jillian endorsing a diet pill and I do think they should add some more tips and information on nutrition and dealing with adversities but some of this is pure nit picking. First, of all I watch the show is much shorter time because I record it and fast forward through commercials and the parts where they show the same thing twice. Also, I used to be on Weight Watchers, and the use of Zip Loc bags is great. Of course, you don’t have to use Zip Loc baggies but separating portion sizes when you’re putting your groceries away and putting the calories, carbs, fat content, or points on them is great. Especially, if you work, go to school and raise children. Using baggies or other containers is alot cheaper then buying portioned products such as 100 calorie packs or snack size bags of products.
P.S. as for the product endorsement….it is a business and they have to make money.
Sarah- im surprised she didnt get sued for saying that! but she went up a notch in my book for not pretending they are real convos
kimberly- but knit picking in my favorite!
of course prepacking snacks and keeping track is an awesome way to keep track of your food. its not the products, its how they do it. its like mini commercials disguised as tips. its a little insulting that they try and mask it like its a real conversation between trainer and contestant.
And its official: I need DVR. I think im the only person with out it.
The point of the show is not for the average person to be able to develop a workout program on their own. Like, honestly!
What a GREAT point about keeping everyone on the show. I always had a problem with them sending people home. I hate this show, but watch it every week.