I have previously written critical bogs on "the Biggest Loser' premise and on bully celebrity Trainer Jillian Michaels. Although the show is a ratings hit it it is cringe worthy for real life Fitness Trainers if not something to be totally avoided. I asked mentor and Fitness Training colleague Gregg Harvey of Fit N Well in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada his opinion on the show. His answer "Dude, I don't watch it! It is a waste of valuable time and not reflective of what Fitness Training should be about."
My previous issues with the Biggest Loser were outlined in previous blogs:
- Extremely obese contestants were rushed into a fitness regime that was too much -too soon!
- Since the goal of the contest was to lose the most weight in a set period of time, safe and gradual exercise progression was not a consideration.
- Having unfit and obese individuals doing high intensity, high impact movements such as ballistic, plyometric jumps is a recipe for severe joint injuries!
- The focus was on weight loss rather than on health. Fat loss is but one component of fitness and it is best approached in slow but steady increments not as a race against time.
- Contestants were put on an extreme low calorie diet. This can lead to short term weight loss but in the long run is not sustainable.
- 'Biggest Loser' Fitness Trainers adhere to the bullying tactics of an extreme marine drill sergeant caricature to cajole and shame contestants into pushing themselves harder. Jillian Michaels, who has since left the show, epitomized this behavior. People who were obese as youths may have experienced enough bullying to last a lifetime.
Let me be clear - this is a reality television show. The purpose is to entertain the viewing audience.
Obviously the ratings prove that 'the Biggest Loser' is successful. The element of competition (and winning money) also helps keep the contestants focused and adhering to the program.Members of the viewing audience may become inspired to try and make lifestyle changes.
The downside is that for many of the viewing public, this is their idea of how real world Fitness Trainers operate. The same audience may also believe that such an extreme exercise program is the way the only route available to lose weight and get healthy. This can be dangerous for those that try to lose weight using such extreme methods without supervision. More tentative types may be scared off by the thought that this is the only viable way to lose weight.
Reality television does not reflect fitness reality!
Now there may be new reasons to dismiss this show as being inspirational and cast doubt on its Fitness Trainers as role models.
- Scientific follow ups of former contestants suggest that most regain much of the weight back.
- Further scientific speculation is that the extreme methods of exercise and low calorie diet cause permanent 'metabolic damage'. Supposedly the starvation type dieting slows the energy burning capacity of the metabolism for good.
- The slower metabolism makes it easier to gain back the weight and harder to lose weight than previously.
- A season 2 contestant, Suzanne Mendoca is speaking about possible suing the show for abuse. She claims that the show's doctors and trainers - including celebrity trainer Bob Harper - pushed diuretics, laxatives and ephredrine products on the contestants
- Former contestant Kai Hubbard claims that she was subjected to constant 'fat shaming', verbal bullying and harassment.
- Hubbard and Mendoca both claim that contestants were encouraged to 'purge' or vomit to lose weight.
- The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is supposedly investigating the show for pushing controlled meds and possibly even for 'illegal' narcotic use on set.
Defenders of the Biggest Loser point out that the show has it's own in-house medical staff to monitor the health of the contestants. My response is:
So did Elvis, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. Where are they now?
Ben Johnson and Lance Armstrong had their own medical staff as well.
Most doctors follow the creed of 'Do no harm.' A very few do not.
If investigations prove that there is some substance to the accusations it may be time for the television powers that be to make some tough decisions.Most doctors follow the creed of 'Do no harm.' A very few do not.
Instead of chiseling a Six-Pack into the midsection of a 400 pound contestant, it may be time to consider Deep-Sixing this reality television show.
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| Take a morbidly obese person . Add high impact exercise. plus Caffeine pills in one hand and laxatives in the other. = Trouble Ahead.........? (photo compliments of famed fitness icon R. Boulanger) |
Until Next Time
Keep Fit
(the healthy way)
Little Bobby Strong
Links
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