The Biggest Loser vs Starvation Mode
TheGoblinRoad
Posts: 835 Member
Something I'm wondering about:
I've read all the posts explaining why to eat exercise calories and I understand the reasoning behind it, so I eat my exercise calories.
Let me also say I'm fine with losing 2 lbs a week. Slow and steady.
On the TV show The Biggest Loser, they lose a lot more per week, even after initial water-heavy weight loss.
Take for example, one guy who lost an average of 10 lbs a week half-way through one season.
This means he had a deficit of 35,000 per week? That'd mean 5,000 a day?
If that's the case, wouldn't it mean he was in starvation mode? In which case, he shouldn't have been able to lose it?
I'd like to hear from someone who's an expert on this.
I've read all the posts explaining why to eat exercise calories and I understand the reasoning behind it, so I eat my exercise calories.
Let me also say I'm fine with losing 2 lbs a week. Slow and steady.
On the TV show The Biggest Loser, they lose a lot more per week, even after initial water-heavy weight loss.
Take for example, one guy who lost an average of 10 lbs a week half-way through one season.
This means he had a deficit of 35,000 per week? That'd mean 5,000 a day?
If that's the case, wouldn't it mean he was in starvation mode? In which case, he shouldn't have been able to lose it?
I'd like to hear from someone who's an expert on this.
0
Replies
-
Something I'm wondering about:
I've read all the posts explaining why to eat exercise calories and I understand the reasoning behind it, so I eat my exercise calories.
Let me also say I'm fine with losing 2 lbs a week. Slow and steady.
On the TV show The Biggest Loser, they lose a lot more per week, even after initial water-heavy weight loss.
Take for example, one guy who lost an average of 10 lbs a week half-way through one season.
This means he had a deficit of 35,000 per week? That'd mean 5,000 a day?
If that's the case, wouldn't it mean he was in starvation mode? In which case, he shouldn't have been able to lose it?
I'd like to hear from someone who's an expert on this.0 -
I am no expert. But I think their huge losses have a little to do with the amount of weight they have to lose. And a lot to do with the fact that they work out 6 to 8 hours a day. That's a lot of working out and I could see how they could burn 5,000 calories in eight hours.0
-
Yes, but we're told to eat the exercise calories to avoid the starvation mode. So that would mean, if they follow the advice, they are eating those 5,000 calories they burn off.0
-
I agree - it's the amout of exercise they did. Just look at Michael Phelps. He eats 12,000 calories a day and we all know the shape of his body. So imagine working out that much, but only eating a normal 1500- 2000 calorie diet of nutritious food... oh - and you're severely overweight. The weight is going to fall off. I swear if I didnt' have to work, I would spend hours at the gym every day.0
-
I really don't know why they are not required to eat back their excercise calories. I think I read somewhere that the contestants are restricted to 1500 calories a day. It's extreme - but that's what the show is all about. The contestants are under constant supervision from trainers and doctors so they must be able to go into "stravation mode" safely???
Remember, most people who lose that amount of weight, that quickly, will gain it back.0 -
The Biggest Loser exercise program involves a 4-6 hour workout per day, broken up into about hour long chunks. They do eat healthy amounts to keep their bodies going, but they also work out enough to burn off fat. It's a strenuous, but healthy (if you've been cleared for so much activity) way to lose weight. Especially since they have so much extra fat on their bodies to work off!0
-
I really don't know why they are not required to eat back their excercise calories. I think I read somewhere that the contestants are restricted to 1500 calories a day. It's extreme - but that's what the show is all about. The contestants are under constant supervision from trainers and doctors so they must be able to go into "stravation mode" safely???
Remember, most people who lose that amount of weight, that quickly, will gain it back.
The funny thing is, I can't think of once contestant who lost a significant amount of weight who has gained it back. I think they did it a very healthy way, just on fast-forward for the purposes of television.0 -
I don't think they eat all their exercise calories. They probably only consume calories for a highly active person at their weight. And quite frankly, I dont' agree with eating exercise calories in a 1:1 ratio. It's true you'll need the extra fuel as you increase your activity level, but personally, I think you should only increase your calories to match those recommended for your level of activity. If you are eating your exercise calories 1 for 1, then you are only breaking even on expending the number of calories you are burning.0
-
I wasn't a real follower of the show before but from what I can remember they drastically overate. Like multiple liters of soda, meals with way too many helpings and snacks of cookies, candies, cakes, etc. They were probably eating quite a few thousand calories a day, so by eating less and eating healthier, along with the extreme amount of exercise, I can see how they could lose an imense amount of weight. I'm sure the closer they get get to an average BMI, the less possible it would be to see huge numbers. They basically went from being couch potatoes to forcing there bodies to endure mass amounts of physical activity, it's like telling your body 'I'm going to be active, so either you struggle or you adapt and drop the weight to make it easier'.
:flowerforyou:0 -
But they aren't eating the exercise calories. That's my point.
0 -
Yes, but we're told to eat the exercise calories to avoid the starvation mode. So that would mean, if they follow the advice, they are eating those 5,000 calories they burn off.
No, no, no, you've got it confused. The exercise calories don't count as food you eat. Your base calories do. The reason this site self-adjusts to add your exercise calories as base calories is to keep you at the level of weight-loss that you told it you want. If you want to lose more, don't eat your exercise calories. I don't know if you've noticed this or not, but when you eat 1200 calories, whether or not you work some of it off, the information about eating dangerously low levels of calories on your home page goes away.0 -
Agreed.
And, they are under doctor supervision and personal trainers. Another component is that they need a lot of calories to maintain their weight, plus with all their exercise calories, that would create a pretty big deficit.
I know they do get a cheat day a week too.
Just a couple of my theories on why they can lose so fast in a week.0 -
I just got a link to this Spark People article in my email today:
~~~~~~~~~~~
6 "Biggest Loser" Lessons to Lose: Leave This Advice in the Living Room
-- By Jason Anderson, Certified Personal Trainer
TV can be educational. After all, I outlined eight great lessons you can take from NBC’s hit television show, "The Biggest Loser" and apply to your own healthy lifestyle program. I said it then and I'll say it again: I am a big fan of the show, and I love to see the wonderful transformations that take place in the lives of the participants. If you have watched it yourself, you know that the contestants come away with fit bodies, a healthier way of eating, and new way of thinking. While "The Biggest Loser" offers some great lessons and plenty of motivation, there are some other things about the show that are not ideal for the everyday "loser" and some of these things are downright unrealistic!
So as the newest season unfolds this fall, be sure to watch out for the unsafe, unrealistic, or too-good-to-be true tips, which happen from time to time. Combine these realizations with the other take-home lessons, and you'll have lots of great tips and motivation for your own weight loss goals!
6 Lessons to Unlearn
1. Their results are not typical. "Biggest Loser" contestants weigh in once per week. In the first few weeks of each season, the contestants lose massive amounts of weight. I am not talking about four or five pounds either. I'm talking about 15, 20, or even 25 pounds gone in a single week! Healthy weight loss guidelines, like SparkPeople's, state that up to two pounds lost per week is safe for adults. Occasionally, adults with BMI's higher than 30 can safely lose a little more than that. Losing two pounds per week on "The Biggest Loser" would send you home very quickly! Later in the show, everyone's weight loss slows down, and they're disappointed with four-, six- and even eight-pound losses. In reality, even these "small" amounts are more than what most people can expect. In real life, most dieters can lose up to two pounds per week. Remember the lesson from the tortoise and the hare: Slow and steady wins the race! You're more likely to keep the weight off that way (and not go crazy with exercise or dieting extremes during the process).
2. They put their lives on hold. Probably the single biggest factor that makes these folks so successful is that they spend weeks on the "campus" with NO outside distractions. They have no jobs, school, family responsibilities, last-minute meetings, errands to run, bills to pay, cell phones to answer or obligations to attend to. Their only focus is exercising and losing weight. When contestants finally go home, you can see the fear on their faces. They know how hard it will be to continue their diet and exercise plans when LIFE resumes. In the perfect environment—with trainers and dietitians and doctors overseeing every step, we could all be big losers. But weight loss doesn't require putting your life on hold. Sure it'd be easier, but it's pretty unrealistic and it doesn't teach you how to really deal with life and weight loss. Those of us who learn to lose weight and live in the real world are far better off—because we can build habits that really work and create lasting change.
3. They are often overtraining. Behind the scenes, participants are closely monitored by physicians and trainers to make sure they can hold up to the rigors of training. All, if not most, of the participants go from zero fitness activity to training every day for hours. In the controlled environment of the campus, they can rest optimally, eat optimally, and recover optimally. But this isn't a good training philosophy for the everyday person. In essence, they go from inactive to athlete, but that can be dangerous for many people, inviting injuries, pain, and health risks. The best bet is to start slowly increase the intensity, duration and frequency over time. Even then, no one person needs to exercise for hours a day. Allow your body the time it needs to adjust to workloads and remember that there is more to life than fitness.
4. They rely on trainers. At nearly every workout, Bob or Jillian tells the "losers" what to do, when to do it, how often to do it, and how long to do it. It sure would be easy to reach your goals if you had a trainer standing over you, motivating you, and forcing you to work harder than you would on your own, right? I believe in personal training (heck, I am a trainer!) but you don’t need a personal trainer to be successful. For my clients, I teach them how to exercise and then to let them go. A dependent relationship between client and trainer is not a good idea. SparkPeople has all the tools and resources you need to work out, get motivated, and lose weight on your own!
5. They give up their favorite foods. When voting in the elimination room, the contestants can be seen sitting in front of back-lit coolers full of treats, which represent their favorite foods. The show doesn’t come right out and say this, but it seems to imply that you must give up all “contraband” to lose weight. This is unrealistic, not to mention boring. In reality, you can enjoy your favorite treats from time to time—just not all the time. Trainer Bob even said once that you can have dessert once per week. Food should be enjoyable, and even when losing weight you should allow yourself to eat delicious foods that you like. Saying "no" to everything sugary, doughy, fried or fatty will set you up for failure. Like many things in life, healthy eating is all about moderation.
6. They compare themselves to others. Each week at the weigh-in, the person who loses the most weight gets "immunity" and the people who lose the least are likely to be eliminated. No one wants to be the one who loses the fewest pounds. Inevitably, someone gets discouraged because they compare their weight loss to the losses of others. This is part of the TV game, but in real life, comparing yourself to others is a losing game. The only person you should be concerned with is yourself. Everyone loses weight in different places and at different rates. Don’t let someone else’s victory or defeat determine whether you view yourself as a winner or a loser. Keep your eyes straight ahead as you eat right, exercise hard, remain consistent. If you do this, everything else will eventually fall into place.
Although it isn’t realistic for everyone to follow everything they see on "The Biggest Loser," the basic principles hold true: Making healthy food (and portion) choices, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and exercising regularly will lead to weight loss. Changing your habits into a lasting lifestyle will ensure that the weight stays off. Watching the show can be helpful and motivational—especially when you can determine what's realistic and what's just reality television.0 -
Exactly. I agree with you on this. This is why I'm considering not eating all my exercise calories, just whatever makes more sense.I don't think they eat all their exercise calories. They probably only consume calories for a highly active person at their weight. And quite frankly, I dont' agree with eating exercise calories in a 1:1 ratio. It's true you'll need the extra fuel as you increase your activity level, but personally, I think you should only increase your calories to match those recommended for your level of activity. If you are eating your exercise calories 1 for 1, then you are only breaking even on expending the number of calories you are burning.0 -
Some of them gained it back and more. One of the winners from a few years ago. It was a bit sad, seeing the interview where he said that he no longer goes into the fast food places but stays in the drive thru because he was embarrassed about being the winner who gained it all back.I really don't know why they are not required to eat back their excercise calories. I think I read somewhere that the contestants are restricted to 1500 calories a day. It's extreme - but that's what the show is all about. The contestants are under constant supervision from trainers and doctors so they must be able to go into "stravation mode" safely???
Remember, most people who lose that amount of weight, that quickly, will gain it back.
The funny thing is, I can't think of once contestant who lost a significant amount of weight who has gained it back. I think they did it a very healthy way, just on fast-forward for the purposes of television.0 -
Thanks.....that really explains what happens on the program. Don't think I'll ever desire to try to lose weight that way!!! A personal trainer would be nice though......
Ez0 -
Great info0
-
Great question!
Great article posted!
Very informative.
And agreed- slow and steady wins the race in weight loss.0 -
Not all kept it off-some gained back part of what they lost. The simple matter is that what happens on that show is not healthy.
We had a discussion a while back about this--Google and read some of what REALLY happens on that show--like the guy who won the first season and ate ABSOLUTELY NO SOLID FOODS for days before the final weigh-in. He said he was urinating blood-see quote below. He gained back a lot of his weight--like 40-some pounds or some in 1 week.
they're not doing it in a healthy way at all for the most part.
Read below links and cut-and-paste below as well.
http://www.celebritydietdoctor.com/ryan-benson-biggest-loser-follow-up/
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1626795_1627112_1626456,00.html
AND--here's a quote from the first season's winner own blog
I wanted to win so bad that the last ten days before the final weigh-in I didn’t eat one piece of solid food! If you’ve heard of “The Master Cleanse” that’s what I did. Its basically drinking lemonade made with water, fresh squeezed lemon juice, pure maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. The rules of the show said we couldn’t use any weight-loss drugs, well I didn’t take any drugs, I just starved myself! Twenty-four hours before the final weigh-in I stopped putting ANYTHING in my body, liquid or solid, then I started using some old high school wrestling tricks. I wore a rubber suit while jogging on the treadmill, and then spent a lot of time in the steam room. In the final 24 hours I probably dropped 10-13 lbs in just pure water weight. By the time of the final weigh-in I was peeing blood.”
******************************************************************************************************************
A recent article in Time magazine checked in with some of the former “Biggest Loser” winners, including Benson who has gained back roughly 90 pounds after the show was over.
He claims that as soon as the show was over, he regained “32 pounds in 5 days simply by drinking water.” This is incredible and points to the fact that when any person loses weight rapidly, (faster than 1-2 pounds a week) normally the weight loss is mostly due to water loss.
The participants of the show are exercising with a trainer between 4-5 hours a day, thus creating a dramatic loss of water. This is combined with 24 hour television coverage of each of the participants, which discourages any “cheating” on the ultra strict diets.
Would you cheat on your diet, knowing that millions of people would witness it?
The article went on to say that last season’s runner-up winner, Kai Hibbard, consumed only sugar-free Jello and asparagus for several days along with jumping in and out of a sauna for six hours prior to the final weigh-in.
The show supposedly tries to discourage such behavior by threatening penalties for being to dehydrated, but has not issued any violations yet. (I guess living on sugar-free Jello and asparagus for a few days is considered safe by the television networks.)0 -
no, no, no, you've got it confused. The exercise calories don't count as food you eat. Your base calories do. The reason this site self-adjusts to add your exercise calories as base calories is to keep you at the level of weight-loss that you told it you want. If you want to lose more, don't eat your exercise calories. I don't know if you've noticed this or not, but when you eat 1200 calories, whether or not you work some of it off, the information about eating dangerously low levels of calories on your home page goes away.
YOU'VE GOT TO EAT YOUR EXERCISE CALORIES. I really don't understand why this comes up so often. It's simply--you can starve your body. You can do damage to your body.
I can see not eating ALL OF them if you're burning large amounts of calories up every day (some of us burn up 1000 calories a day and up exercising) but you need to be eating most of them.
Many of us on here eat our exercise calories, we've lost weight, we continue to lose weight, and we're doing it in a healthy manner.
Once again, please read the posted linked below:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/12250-1000-calorie-deficit-not-for-people-with-healthy-bmi
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/20035-just-because-you-can-have-a-2-pound-per-week-goal
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/6556-the-answers-to-the-questions
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/post/new/9614-newbies-please-read-me
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10665-newbies-please-read-me-2nd-edition
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/6832-eating-all-of-your-calories-bmr
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/8977-your-body-s-thoughts-on-calories
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/9433-expectations
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/777-why-is-starvation-mode-so-bad0 -
I really don't know why they are not required to eat back their excercise calories. I think I read somewhere that the contestants are restricted to 1500 calories a day. It's extreme - but that's what the show is all about. The contestants are under constant supervision from trainers and doctors so they must be able to go into "stravation mode" safely???
Remember, most people who lose that amount of weight, that quickly, will gain it back.
The funny thing is, I can't think of once contestant who lost a significant amount of weight who has gained it back. I think they did it a very healthy way, just on fast-forward for the purposes of television.
Actually a lot has gained their weight back, and honestly from the articles I have read it wasn't healthy weight loss at all.0 -
I wanted to win so bad that the last ten days before the final weigh-in I didn’t eat one piece of solid food! If you’ve heard of “The Master Cleanse” that’s what I did. Its basically drinking lemonade made with water, fresh squeezed lemon juice, pure maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. The rules of the show said we couldn’t use any weight-loss drugs, well I didn’t take any drugs, I just starved myself! Twenty-four hours before the final weigh-in I stopped putting ANYTHING in my body, liquid or solid, then I started using some old high school wrestling tricks. I wore a rubber suit while jogging on the treadmill, and then spent a lot of time in the steam room. In the final 24 hours I probably dropped 10-13 lbs in just pure water weight. By the time of the final weigh-in I was peeing blood.”
****************************************************************************************************************
He claims that as soon as the show was over, he regained “32 pounds in 5 days simply by drinking water.” This is incredible and points to the fact that when any person loses weight rapidly, (faster than 1-2 pounds a week) normally the weight loss is mostly due to water loss.
****************************************************************************************************************
The article went on to say that last season’s runner-up winner, Kai Hibbard, consumed only sugar-free Jello and asparagus for several days along with jumping in and out of a sauna for six hours prior to the final weigh-in.
That gave me chills.
For regular weight loss, there is no way I'd do any of that.
To win top prizes and lose weight on national tv..... sadly, I'd succumb to the pressure.:frown:
What bothers me most is how unhealthy it is to lose the weight and then gain it back so quickly! That does a number on your heart, not to mention your other organs.0 -
Exactly. I agree with you on this. This is why I'm considering not eating all my exercise calories, just whatever makes more sense.I don't think they eat all their exercise calories. They probably only consume calories for a highly active person at their weight. And quite frankly, I dont' agree with eating exercise calories in a 1:1 ratio. It's true you'll need the extra fuel as you increase your activity level, but personally, I think you should only increase your calories to match those recommended for your level of activity. If you are eating your exercise calories 1 for 1, then you are only breaking even on expending the number of calories you are burning.
As far as exercise calories go for me, I have lost 35+ pounds and yes i must say it:blushing: I did not do hardly any exercising, but I dod stick to not going over 1200 calories a day, so I do not eat my exercise calories, this way I can lose more when I do exercise. and yes I do lose more but the drawl back to not exerciseing is i can gain it all back because my body will get comfortable with 1200 and it will start to gain, and the skin from being fat will hang and not get firm so I will exercise but I will not eat those calories but if i go ove 1200 but stay below my exercise calories I know i am still good for the day.0 -
I agree wholeheartedly with shorerider... You must stay above your 1200 calorie a day... At least our bmi for some people... You don't eat the calories your body will start to burn muscle instead of the unwanted fat that is stored...And your body will hoard all that fat because it feels it is starving... It is just trying to survive... you may think you are loosing fat but it just may be muscle..
I have all those links on my blog to keep handy for whenever I feel like I need to refresh... More or less a bible for me...
Don't take me wrong we are all here to get healthier but be want to do it right... Everyone may not eat all of the calories I just suggest to keep the amount in or around your bmi...
Sorry if i stepped on toes but Gosh...
Melissa0 -
bump for reading later:drinker:0
-
i always though that there was something wrong with the whole picture of that show.. i mean i find it very entertaining but i know not to hold back all the info that i get from the show...because i am well informed (at least i think i am ....lol) but i feel sorry for the people that dont know any better and expect the same kind of result as with the show...
its a good motivational tool though ..
although i really wish i could loose that much in a week !!! .lol
may0 -
I have never thought it possible to loose like that in the real world. We dont have nutritionist, personal trainers and doctors on hand 24/7 but I do consider it motivating to watch these people go through this. I also think that they have some good tips about eating right and getting in little bits of exercise when you least expect you could. Scientifically it makes sense that your body needs the extra caloric intake if you are pushing it. Eventually you will stop loosing. You can loose weight on exercise alone, you can loose weight on eating right alone but we all know that the best way is to have a healthy balance of both. Exercise is not only about loosing weight but it can help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesteral, reduce blood sugar levels, etc... the list goes on and on!
Just putting in my 2 cents!
Amy0 -
All said and done, most if not all have gained back at least some of the weight. Susie and Matt have and flat admit that if they don't watch every calorie and get an hour of exercise in the morning and another hour in the evening they start to gain.
the show is an extreme weight loss program and the contestants are monitored through out the process to help should the amount of exercise and lack of food get to them. If you want extreme weight loss you most definitely need to see your doctor a nutritionist and hire a trainer to kick your butt everyday.
With the amount of weight you have to lose, and I am near the same amount as you, it didn't go on overnight and it won't come off over night. there is no magic pill (believe me I wish there was :happy: ) It is going to take time and a lot of paying attention.
Besides, do you see what emotional wrecks all those people are by the second week, they are all hungry, sore and tired, I am sore tired and hungry all ready, I don't need to add to that! :laugh:0 -
I tried to get our own WL to pitch a show about people losing weight the healthy way and all the trails we go through to do this. I would much rather watch someone at a plateau figuring out how to break it or someone that has to go out to eat every meal while on a business trip, than a bunch of people in a fake setting with someone that feeds them and exercises them like work horses.
That said, I do find myself drawn into the show.0 -
I tried to get our own WL to pitch a show about people losing weight the healthy way and all the trails we go through to do this. I would much rather watch someone at a plateau figuring out how to break it or someone that has to go out to eat every meal while on a business trip, than a bunch of people in a fake setting with someone that feeds them and exercises them like work horses.
That said, I do find myself drawn into the show.
that would make a great tv reality show !!! i'd be all for that,,
it would also be much more beneficial to people actualy trying to loose weight with a good dose of reality....
but i know, someone loosing 25 lbs in a week is much more fun to look at then someone going a happy dance over 1/2 lbs (like i did this morning) lol
hope you all enjoyed it !!!!!!! (biggest looser that is..)
may0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions