Biggest Loser TV show and their eating......

paj315

I know that they methods they use are not healthy and not sustainable for long term weight control. But what and how much do you think they eat to be able to fuel those kind of workouts? Do you think they "eat back" all their exercise calories?

I'm thinking that there's no way that they do otherwise they wouldn't lose those massive amounts of weight.

It kind of irks my that they focus SO much on the workouts when diet is really such a MAJOR factor.
I think it leaves the impression to the average viewer that they just need to workout more to lose weight, when really for the average viewer tightening up their diet is the answer.


What do you think?

hazelevans1

and if they dont eat back there cals wouldnt there body go into starvation mode like it says on here ?

paj315

But if they did eat them back, there's no way they could create a deficit to lose 5-15 pounds in the week or so that they do.

hazelevans1

some lose 6lb aweek and they weigh 15 stone , just doesnt make sense ,the only time i have lost that much is when i first started lol:happy:

laineylynnfit

I know that they methods they use are not healthy and not sustainable for long term weight control. But what and how much do you think they eat to be able to fuel those kind of workouts? Do you think they "eat back" all their exercise calories?

I'm thinking that there's no way that they do otherwise they wouldn't lose those massive amounts of weight.

It kind of irks my that they focus SO much on the workouts when diet is really such a MAJOR factor.
I think it leaves the impression to the average viewer that they just need to workout more to lose weight, when really for the average viewer tightening up their diet is the answer.


What do you think?

Why would the methods they use not be healthy or sustainable? They are training with a personal trainer and they have a nutritionist that assist them with learning how to eat. I mean I don't know either way but I just assume that it's the exact opposite. They are eating healthy and learning sustainable ways to eat...

As far as all the weight that they lose, that's ALL they focus on at the Ranch. They work out with the trainer probably for several hours and also on their own with what they call "homework" workout. Plus they are all carrying A LOT of weight so it makes sense that they would lose as much as they do. They will lose less at a time as they weigh less That's how I see it anyway :-D

rileysowner

Always remember this is TV. What you see is not necessarily reality. Based on the reading I have done, a week on Biggest Loser is not always just a week. They want ratings, and to get those they need the big losses. While their ability to take people who are morbidly obese and have them lose so much weight is commendable, at the same time what they show is completely unrealistic.

Phrak

a good read on the biggest loser.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/biggest-loser-feedback.html

Most people dont have 4hrs a day 6 days a week to workout, thats why it isnt sustainable, and most of them gain their weight back off the ranch.

ltl_leah

I work with someone who knows a former contestant on the Biggest Loser (we are all from the same area). She told my coworker that every contestant must burn a minimum of 15000 calories a day through their workouts before they go to sleep. That's how they drop so much weight. I'm guessing they must eat enough to fuel their bodies through their workouts, while still limiting their calorie intake. Also, I heard the contestants have their "cheat " meal right after their weigh ins. All of this may not actually be the case, and it is reality TV, so there's a lot of editing for TV. Just thought I'd throw in what I've heard.

miller0438

I wish they would show more of what they eat

tigersword

and if they dont eat back there cals wouldnt there body go into starvation mode like it says on here ?

They do. The vast majority of Biggest Loser contestants (and even several of the winners) have gone on to gain most of the weight back after the show is over. They eat way too little and exercise way too much. It's a horrible show, and extremely unhealthy all around.

And that's not even getting into the fact that they also force the contestants to severely dehydrate themselves before a weigh in in order to produce bigger numbers.

Cindym82

I know that they methods they use are not healthy and not sustainable for long term weight control. But what and how much do you think they eat to be able to fuel those kind of workouts? Do you think they "eat back" all their exercise calories?

I'm thinking that there's no way that they do otherwise they wouldn't lose those massive amounts of weight.

It kind of irks my that they focus SO much on the workouts when diet is really such a MAJOR factor.
I think it leaves the impression to the average viewer that they just need to workout more to lose weight, when really for the average viewer tightening up their diet is the answer.


What do you think?

Why would the methods they use not be healthy or sustainable? They are training with a personal trainer and they have a nutritionist that assist them with learning how to eat. I mean I don't know either way but I just assume that it's the exact opposite. They are eating healthy and learning sustainable ways to eat...

As far as all the weight that they lose, that's ALL they focus on at the Ranch. They work out with the trainer probably for several hours and also on their own with what they call "homework" workout. Plus they are all carrying A LOT of weight so it makes sense that they would lose as much as they do. They will lose less at a time as they weigh less That's how I see it anyway :-D

They have them eating about a 1800 calorie diet a day......now tell me that's healthy. Even on all of Jillian Michael's dvd's and stuff and books she says not to work out every day etc

rml_16

I've read a couple articles and interviews from contestants that said they stick to a strict 1,500 calorie a day diet.

rml_16

and if they dont eat back there cals wouldnt there body go into starvation mode like it says on here ?

They do. The vast majority of Biggest Loser contestants (and even several of the winners) have gone on to gain most of the weight back after the show is over.

Not true. Some have regained, but the majority actually have kept most of the weight off that they lost in the show, save for a few pounds.

Emmabulliemum

the biggest loser 'diet' is similar to slimfast it's shakes then a 500 cal meal a day. not that easy to keep going for the rest of your life.

Changing what and how you eat is the only way to lose weight and keep it off. Many do keep off the weight on it but it really is all about willpower no quick fixes.

They would'nt have a show if they did'nt lose big in those 8 weeks but they are trying to educate so it's not all bad.

paj315

I work with someone who knows a former contestant on the Biggest Loser (we are all from the same area). She told my coworker that every contestant must burn a minimum of 15000 calories a day through their workouts before they go to sleep. That's how they drop so much weight. I'm guessing they must eat enough to fuel their bodies through their workouts, while still limiting their calorie intake. Also, I heard the contestants have their "cheat " meal right after their weigh ins. All of this may not actually be the case, and it is reality TV, so there's a lot of editing for TV. Just thought I'd throw in what I've heard.

Hmmm...15000 a day??? That can't be right. When I do say spin class for example, I burn about 650 cals per hour and that's pretty intense. So even if I worked out for 18 hours a day at that same intensity that would only be a burn of 11,700. I just don't think that can be right.

paj315

And that's not even getting into the fact that they also force the contestants to severely dehydrate themselves before a weigh in in order to produce bigger numbers.

I have heard about the dehydration methods they use. Not cool....

scott091501

And that's not even getting into the fact that they also force the contestants to severely dehydrate themselves before a weigh in in order to produce bigger numbers.

I have heard about the dehydration methods they use. Not cool....

It's a game people. It's the same as a wrestler trying to make weight. Why are we surprised? This show is not about getting healthy it is about winning money.

graysmom2005

I know that they methods they use are not healthy and not sustainable for long term weight control. But what and how much do you think they eat to be able to fuel those kind of workouts? Do you think they "eat back" all their exercise calories?

I'm thinking that there's no way that they do otherwise they wouldn't lose those massive amounts of weight.

It kind of irks my that they focus SO much on the workouts when diet is really such a MAJOR factor.
I think it leaves the impression to the average viewer that they just need to workout more to lose weight, when really for the average viewer tightening up their diet is the answer.


What do you think?

I listen to the Jillian Michael's podcast a lot and she broke it down. From what I remember the girls are on 1200 and the boys are on 15-1600. Their burn each day was in the thousands. 3-6000 a day I think depending on the size of the contestant. Then once a week they would eat at maintenance. 2000 for girls 2500 for boys. I'd be STARVING. Even when they dip down into the 140-130's they still seem to keep losing...no starvation mode...it's interesting

scott091501

I know that they methods they use are not healthy and not sustainable for long term weight control. But what and how much do you think they eat to be able to fuel those kind of workouts? Do you think they "eat back" all their exercise calories?

I'm thinking that there's no way that they do otherwise they wouldn't lose those massive amounts of weight.

It kind of irks my that they focus SO much on the workouts when diet is really such a MAJOR factor.
I think it leaves the impression to the average viewer that they just need to workout more to lose weight, when really for the average viewer tightening up their diet is the answer.


What do you think?

I listen to the Jillian Michael's podcast a lot and she broke it down. From what I remember the girls are on 1200 and the boys are on 15-1600. Their burn each day was in the thousands. 3-6000 a day I think depending on the size of the contestant. Then once a week they would eat at maintenance. 2000 for girls 2500 for boys. I'd be STARVING. Even when they dip down into the 140-130's they still seem to keep losing...no starvation mode...it's interesting

They're starving too honey. It's why they're cranky all the time. LOL.

BiscuitsNDavy

I used to eat around 1500 a day and wasn't starving at all...as a veggie lover I consumed lots of them and they kept me full.

Marty_D

excellent point someone made about it being a contest. I'm not sure its the best example to follow based on the rapid weight losses that are seen. The show often claims to have the health of the entire nation as their motivation but they are a business. The methods they use are not realistic for the day to day existence of most people. Not likely someone will be working out for 8 or 10 hours a day!

paj315

excellent point someone made about it being a contest. I'm not sure its the best example to follow based on the rapid weight losses that are seen. The show often claims to have the health of the entire nation as their motivation but they are a business. The methods they use are not realistic for the day to day existence of most people. Not likely someone will be working out for 8 or 10 hours a day!

Yes it is a game but they do get results at least in the short term. Most just wondering how they get results when we hear so much on this website about plateaus, not eating enough, and not eating exercise calories etc. You can't argue that even though its a game they DO get at least short term results.

paj315

I used to eat around 1500 a day and wasn't starving at all...as a veggie lover I consumed lots of them and they kept me full.

Totally different issue unless you are working out 8-10 hours a day.

lizard053

The contestants are on, what most would call, a medically supervised weight loss program. They burn stupid amounts of calories and only eat enough to keep their bodies functioning. That's why they have so much support staff available all the time for the contestants. It's not the best way to lose weight, but it works. And they are learning a new relationship with food, which makes weight loss maintainable. We only get to see bits and pieces, even with a 2 hour show. I find it motivating, and infuriating. I wish I had that kind of time to devote to workouts!

Phrak

What do you think?

I listen to the Jillian Michael's podcast a lot and she broke it down. From what I remember the girls are on 1200 and the boys are on 15-1600. Their burn each day was in the thousands. 3-6000 a day I think depending on the size of the contestant. Then once a week they would eat at maintenance. 2000 for girls 2500 for boys. I'd be STARVING. Even when they dip down into the 140-130's they still seem to keep losing...no starvation mode...it's interesting

Well starvation mode is a myth, their bodies do go through a metabolic process to reduce the energy output of various activities much like our own would eating at such low calories. Only differeince between them and people on these boards. They have the ability to out work their damaged metabolisms by spending more time in the gym and increase intensities.

They do a months worth of exercise in one week, not everyone has that much time on their hands.

auditorz

Nobody has mentioned excess skin? Google that and rapid weight loss, it’ll make you sick.

Losing one pound a week is 52 lbs a year, that is tons of progress. If you stick with it, if you make it a permanent healthy lifestyle change, you will easily be able to reach whatever healthy weight you want. If you only have a temporary diet you will only have temporary results.

You didn’t get fat in one month you’re not going to get fit in one month either!