Biggest Looser - motivating or not?

UKMarjie

I was watching the biggest looser recently - and seeing the 10 lb drops the women are logging in right now kind of made me feel ****ty about my weight loss. Now I realize that is sort of stupid because they are probably training 7 days a week 6 hours a day sort of deal - but it kind of worked on me a bit to see it. It isn't like they are doing something easy to get the weight off etc...but I was so demotivated after that. Did my workouts and did my food but felt a bit off.

Back on my game today though...but found that result very interesting.

NSV: Ran my personal best of my 5KM track time - 32 minutes (and even better my feet didn't hurt - plantar faciitis, my asthma was cooperating and wasn't feeling sluggish!

MizTerry

Meh, Biggest Loser doesn't motivate me at all. I'd rather watch Amish Mafia. :bigsmile:

LoseItToWin

I love when my asthma allows me to have a good run!

Tercob

It motivates me, I love seeing people accomplish their goals. It breaks my heart to see them go home with more work to do. Especially when they leave early on. I haven't watched too much this season due to scheduling conflict but I like it.

saudade88

I think it can be unrealistic and discouraging at times..

spangey13

Biggest Loser? Yawn. A very distant second to a good book.

tsikkz

I love it I find it very motivating and inspiring but I think thats mostly because I love Jillian so much

AhlaWahda

I love watching people lose weight lol. As long as it's through a healthy diet and exercise then I find it inspiring.
Why would it make you feel bad about your own weight-loss? It's not like we live on Biggest Loser camp.
We do what we can in our everyday life.

RainHoward

Oh yes, I find reality television highly motivating. Especially when the "trainers" yell at and shame the "contestants". The unrealistic goals are also a great motivating factor. What's better than watching fat folks forced to run uphill in the middle of summer? It's like nascar, just waiting for a heart attack.

difabu

Meh, Biggest Loser doesn't motivate me at all.

Me neither. I'd rather work out or read.

RainbootsToBikinis

I enjoy biggest loser, and I do find it motivating, but I also know from listening to Jillians podcast that they are doing 2 3 hour sessions per day, have nutritionist on had to help with food, have fully stocked kitchen with only healthy foods, are getting sports massages and the same type of care a professional athlete would get. Not something I can achieve at home so I don't compare it.

Rivers2k

I love watching it but its not motivating. Its frustrating that they get trainers and get to work out all day and I don't.

kappyblu

Motivating? Yes. Realistic expectations? No. As long as you keep that in mind, it's all good. :drinker:

dance_fit

I find it motivating for working out. What happens on the scale I consider a part of the game. But I do like to see how they work out because I figure if they can do it then I really have zero excuses not to do something too.

As for 10lb weight loss... They start out morbidly obese so it's possible to drop huge numbers like that. Add to that the fact that they are sequestered on a ranch where their only job is to work out and diet. They are monitored by fitness professionals, and medical staff. They are regimented and they are supplemented. Jillian has talked alot about the fat burning supplements she gives her contestants before workouts. And in general not dealing with daily life like jobs, families, responsibilities, and temptations. Pus, they are playing a game where the prize is a quarter of a million dollars. That's pretty incentivizing, I think.

The speed of weightloss I think is unrealistic for real life, but what they learn on the show, I think is applicable.

realme56

No, it is not realistic weight loss situations so it does not help me in my journey. I would rather be working out than watching other folks being pushed and prodded and having a nutritionist at their beck and call. I may be slower and fall off the wagon but it is real.

jeremyw1977

It can be motivating, as long as you don't step outside of the fantasy and actually read what these people are subjected to behind the scenes. It's sort of like how a nice drumstick from KFC probably tastes good, as long as you don't find out how those chickens are treated.

UKMarjie

I enjoy biggest loser, and I do find it motivating, but I also know from listening to Jillians podcast that they are doing 2 3 hour sessions per day, have nutritionist on had to help with food, have fully stocked kitchen with only healthy foods, are getting sports massages and the same type of care a professional athlete would get. Not something I can achieve at home so I don't compare it.

True. I think it was the 10lbs in 2 weeks thing. It made me realize how different their journey is. And to the reality TV critics - I feel you...it is about as realistic as any of these shows are. I would love to see a follow up series about maintaining goal weight when you are at home making your own choices. That would be interesting.

jenbk2

This year I think it is interesting that the one guys brother has lost 95 lbs at home- when he lost only 8 lbs more. Is it worth dealing with Jillian screaming in your face. I thought she was horrible this season- guess that is why she lost all the contestants except 1.

andyisandy

while it can be motivating to people, it can also set unreal expectations on weight loss so it can a reverse affect.

Serena_Kitty

I haven't watched that show for a long time, but if it's the same in recent seasons...I'm going to say "no".

It is depressing to me. These people are sick, being pushed far too hard and eating too little, and getting yelled at. Not only is the show depressing, but so is the fact that many of these people gain the weight back.

I am motivated by my own goals for myself, and actual physical health.

cwolfman13

Reality TV is not REAL. First off, one week is longer than a real week. They also do all manner of unhealthy things to lose weight, including massive calorie deficits and over training...pretty much everything they do should be done only under close supervision of a medical professional (I assume contestants are) They also dehydrate for weigh-ins...much of those losses are simply water.

Biggest Looser is entertainment (at best) and probably actually kinda dangerous for this very reason. People think they should be losing weight like that, when in reality, healthy and safe weight loss is about 1-2 Lb per week unless you are under the supervision of a physician.

UKMarjie

This year I think it is interesting that the one guys brother has lost 95 lbs at home- when he lost only 8 lbs more. Is it worth dealing with Jillian screaming in your face. I thought she was horrible this season- guess that is why she lost all the contestants except 1.

I noticed that too - re the brother. Thought it was a HUGE accomplishment on his part - more so than the brother on the show who has a staff of people behind is success. And as to the yelling - that is not really my idea of how to get it done. Have a whole range of emotions when it comes to my work outs but that never helps.

felice03

I do not believe I have ever seen the Biggest Looser.

UKMarjie

Reality TV is not REAL. First off, one week is longer than a real week. They also do all manner of unhealthy things to lose weight, including massive calorie deficits and over training...pretty much everything they do should be done only under close supervision of a medical professional (I assume contestants are) They also dehydrate for weigh-ins...much of those losses are simply water.

Biggest Looser is entertainment (at best) and probably actually kinda dangerous for this very reason. People think they should be losing weight like that, when in reality, healthy and safe weight loss is about 1-2 Lb per week unless you are under the supervision of a physician.

I was having this discussion with my husband last night regarding the show and the tricks and weirdness that go into getting the goal weights...and also the calorie deficit thing. I have decided that it is unhealthy to watch, because while my rational brain is saying 'that is not healthy' my irrational side gets down by seeing their numbers. Also, I was never at the weights they began with and so my journey's start and progress will be very different.

VogtAndrea

I don't get motivated by watching people get yelled at or pushed past their endurance. It's good that these people want to lose weight and will do anything to get there but it's hard to watch a trainer using tactics like screaming in their faces to get the job done.

janecl

I like Biggest Loser. I guess I looked at it differently, knowing I physically can't do what they do and that they were being medically supervised constantly to do it safely. I try to listen carefully when the trainers talk to the contestants when they are struggling emotionally because I can lose weight but it's me getting myself motivated emotionally and something interferring with that. So I know I need to go deep in my mind and do the best I can and push myself a little. Don't let their outcome bother you. You CAN do your best with the environment you have around you. Also, as safely as you can is so important! Good luck! You CAN do it!

Delicate

Its unrealistic for a normal person, fine if you have money and a perm personal trainer.

Plus they lose the weight so fast, their body hasnt adapted which is why they wear the bra's and no tops at the start and long tshirts at the end, cause their skin hasnt recovered and is still mega loose.

Slow, steady and manageable is better, much better

1brokegal44

Totally motivational for me. I realize what they do is unrealistic in the real world. I don't have trainers and nutritionists to guide me and smack me around for 5 or 6 hours a day. But it's still great to see them succeed.

cryswest57

http://www.bodylovewellness.com/2010/06/09/kai-hibbard-biggest-loser-finalist-part-1-of-3/

Read this. It completely disturbed me.

Commander_Keen

The show does for me.
but there things to keep in mind, they do work out 8hrs a day.

they do put on trashbags when they are working out.
and it is true they do drop 8 - 10 lbs.

But its also try they gain it back after they leave the show.

If you want to see their results ( more or less) then hire a Personal Trainer your self.
it could be as much as $50 for 30min but that will give you the tools to work out on your own for the rest of the week.

crazybookworm

Motivating? Yes. Realistic expectations? No. As long as you keep that in mind, it's all good. :drinker:

This! I am happy for the people when they lose their weight and reach their goal. However, it's not realistic. Separating the two makes the show watchable.