Biggest Loser Show

Anyone else addicted to this show?  I just have to watch this show each week.  The weird thing is not that I'm not so much into the individual people....for me it's like seeing the "old me" again.....I use it as a reminder of where I once was.   Anyone else do this?  At the end of their initial weigh in the other night, I turned and said to my husband...."look at all those women...I used to weigh more than every one of them!!  Do you believe that?!" Like RNY, I think it's cool that the people on there are having the opportunity to lose their weight quickly and are learning how to exercise and make good food choices, I just wish they taught them (and people watching) how to do it on a moderate, "normal" level that can be sustained for a lifetime once they get home.  Let's face it, very few people have...or even CAN HAVE....a lifestyle that allows intense exercising many hours a day. Confession...and another weird thing.....I am always tempted to snack while I watch the show...and I'm not usually one who does this!!  Stupid, huh!   Also, I was glad to see on the reunion show a couple weeks ago that instead of comparing their current weight to where they were when they ended the show, they compared it to where they were at the beginning of the show.  That sends out a good message...its not about the short term, but about the long term.  As someone who has had some regain, I like to focus on the fact that I have kept off 130 lbs....not that I have gained 40 from my lowest.  Anyway, have another good day of making good choices everyone! Kathy

I confess I'm also addictid to that show. I had tears in my eyes when the last runner made it. I felt so much empathy for her. Not sympathy but empathy. (sp)                               Brenda

Me too!  I have always watched that show.  I missed the reuntion show, I would have liked to watch that.  After I watched that show, I said to myself, I am going to get up and jog in the morning, um...I will try that again next week!! LOL  Now if Bob could just come and train me!!!

I have mixed feelings about the obesity based shows whether it's Biggest Loser or Big Medicine.  There is something "carnival freak show" about them despite the good that they might be doing.  I catch the show every once in a while and am very moved by the stories, so my issue isn't with the individuals.   Also, I have a very strong opinion that obesity is primarily a genetically based disease.  How we become obese is related to our behavior, but our behavior is also driven by our genetics.  Hormones drive hunger, cravings, desire for certain foods, abiltity to feel satisfied, etc.  So while it is good that people are taught long term strategies, I wonder if showing people lose 20 to 30 pounds via excessive diet and exercise (and dehydration) doesn't reinforce the notion that people are fat because they chose to be. I don't know. Sally

I LOVE this show, but so worry that they are going to KILL the people with all of that exercise!!! HOnestly, do you think that YOU could have exercised like that at 300 lbs? Not me...  I know that they are medically supervising those people, but really, when you exercise to the point of throwing up, that CAN"T be good!!! And I feel great humiliation for them when they have to get on that scale in front of the whole world!!! I simply could not do it and am glad that I was able to find another way out. I don't feel bad at all having had surgery. I do NOT consider it the "easy way" out, although the people on that show would probably call it that!  I do wish them all continued success and will be watching and cheering them on!!    Piggy

Hi, I feel the show exploits the obese in a way.  I've wondered if they'd do the same kind of show with alcoholics?  Put them on teams, temp them with vodka?  Or gamblers?  Walk them through a casino?  Why is it always ok to pick out the obese and make entertainment out of fixing them? Don't get me wrong, if what they do promotes weight loss and lifestyle changes for them it's great!  I wish I could have a personal trainer and cook, even now!  Sorry if my opinion irritates, just my thoughts. Tina

 I like your comment regarding the weight loss comparison, your lowest weight may not have been your healthiest weight !  Our bodies readjust constantly, so I believe this variance to be part of the journey...  I am facinated by the determination of the participants in those shows and find it motivational to see someone who approximates my preop weight (340#/5'4") able to find the "will" to keep up that intense pace...it's a timely reminder to get movin'!  I did feel mildly guilty snacking during the show on cheddar soy crackers, but then realized...heck...it's not Dryers!   My current weight is 170# after 13 months and I'm still trying to wrap my head around losing the last 25 pounds.  Watching other folks and learning from their experiences is so helpful that I look forward to Celebrity Fit Club as well...although I believe their weigh in segments appear more like a courtroom drama and find the Biggest Loser much more helpful...I guess I should admit to my other "dirty little secret"...Dr.90210...love that plastics show! Cheers, MaryG

I HATE that show...it's a big lie.  The show should be called the biggest gainer, because I've read follow up articles and most of the people that have lost weight have regained it back.  the first years winner, lost over 150 lbs and less then 5 years later has regained 130 of it back.   I'm sorry that isn't a "success" story in my book, it's another fad diet that gives people hope that dashes it into the ground....all the while making thin people say "well if they can do it on BL, then why do you need to have WLS, you should be able to do it too".  Preop, I had a doctor tell me that.....I wish that show would go off the air..and stay off. Scott