“Biggest Loser” Competitions Beware
By: Bill Mccambley
Tags: Biggest Losers, Weight Loss Tips, Health, Competition, Healthy Lifestyle

The latest season of the Biggest Loser ended with some controversy. The “winner”, Rachel Frederickson lost 155 pounds in roughly 20 weeks. In those 20 weeks she went from 260 pounds to 105 pounds, losing an astonishing 60% of her body weight. When she walked out for her big reveal during the shows finale you could see the look of shock and concern on the trainer’s faces that work with the show. Did she lose too much? Did she do it in a healthy manner? Was the show or competition to blame?

I personally have never been a big fan of the show because I believe a lot of it is unrealistic and overdone for entertainment purposes. Do not get me wrong I think there is some really good segments to the show but as a whole I think the risk out ways the reward. One of the biggest risks that came up this past season was how far would someone go to win the $250,000 cash prize?

The premise of the show is awesome. Let’s get people healthy and show others that it can be done. This when done in the right way can be extremely motivating. The show did a great job discussing nutrition and the psychology of eating. In analyzing what “contestants” where eating and correcting it showed some good examples of how to make healthy food choices. They also dug down into the psychology of eating, why were they eating the way they were? Both are huge factors in getting someone to change their lifestyle. First we need to understand why and then we need to know how to change it properly. However, when it came to the exercise portion it seemed to me that the trainers where showing off or grandstanding for television. The “look at me, I am a great trainer” mind set. A great trainer focuses on the client and what they need and they weigh the risk versus the reward of everything. The show is not about the trainers. The show is about these peoples journey to improve their health and lifestyle.

Another big concern I have is what about the people watching at home? The contestants on the show are under constant medical supervision, especially when they are exercising at these intense levels. Is someone at home watching a person that is twice the size of them sprinting up the side of a hill and thinking that this is what they have to do in order to lose the weight? My guess is yes and that can be extremely discouraging or dangerous. Put the focus on something that is sustainable for the contestants when they are done. How many of them will continue with this type of regimen when done? Now granted the results may not be as dramatic but they will be long term and safer.

I like to think of myself as a realistic person so I understand the allure of watching people compete for $250,000. I also understand the contestants will push themselves harder because of the life changing amount of money they will receive if they win. However, I feel on a reality show that is focusing on helping people lose weight having such a huge cash prize is opening Pandora’s Box. To what extent is someone willing to go to win the prize? Are they willing to win at all costs? On a show that is focusing on getting people healthy this win at all cost could be doing the exact opposite. Did Rachel Frederickson go to far? Some think so. She says she was following the plan her trainers gave her and that is it. Critics of the show have shown concern that from her appearance it seems she went to far. Did she develop an eating disorder to win at all costs? Did she exercise too much? Did she simply go too far? That is only a question Rachel can answer.

On a show that follows individuals on their quest to get healthy should the results they are receiving be enough of a prize? At what point does it go from reality television to entertainment? I believe the show stretches the limit of reality and is more on the side of entertainment. After all, since the show ended Rachel has put on 20 pounds and looks much healthier.