How Many Suspected or Already Knew This About Biggest Loser

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Replies

  • claritarejoice
    claritarejoice Posts: 461 Member
    I use Beachbody programs, obviously they work because they are exercise (in combination with diet). But I do question the photos, especially the time frame that the people lost weight in. They may not be straight lying, but to me the results are extraordinary, not the average. Yes someone can lose weight quickly, but is it sustainable and can they keep it off? I am losing weight much more slowly than the people in the Beachbody photos, but I am creating a lifestyle that I will be able to maintain when I hit my goal weight (only 10 pounds left to go!). I think the people in the photos must also be doing a lot of extra stuff to lose weight that fast, like exercising more than usual, possibly taking pills etc. I am not bashing the lady in this thread who was in a Beachbody before/after. This is just something I noticed in the most recent Beachbody mailing I received - the success photos were of people who lost like 50 pounds in 6 weeks - it's obviously possible but not realistic for a person with a normal lifestyle.
  • EvilShenanigansTX
    EvilShenanigansTX Posts: 143 Member
    gaining weight is probably the healthiest thing the show has the people do for the entire duration of their engagement with the production.

    and yes, this is common practice. those before/after shots of people using weight loss products and dvds? those were professional fitness people that purposefully put on weight for the before shots, then rebounded to their normal weight for the after shots.

    it's tv. believe nothing.

    ^^ This.
  • findingfab
    findingfab Posts: 7
    never suspected, not sure I beleive, don't really care.

    I actually live close to the location for shoots and I had some really good experiences there in person off the show being treated by one of their health specialists. He was a real practitioner healed my body part that was in pain and there was nothing fake about that.

    Try visiting one of the locations see if you still feel so hateful of it all. The guests do real workouts, eat real food, (I've passed the dining hall), get real lectures on food/calories/whatnot, I've overheard the lectures specifically comparing satiety and calories of white breast of chicken versus dark meat. It's a fine place that is helping lots of people. It's sad when I go because they always wonder what I'm doing there and when I say I'm here for a treatment then it's okay. But walking through the dining hall everyones eyes are glued to me in like envy or awe or something like if I'm a movie star or something and I'm not even at goal weight. It's a truly inspirational place and let's stop judging something that is saving peoples lives and giving them something they might never have elsewhere acceptance and motivation.

    I actually spent a week at the Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge facility in Ivins, Utah and absolutely LOVED it! It wasn't at all what I expected. There were people of all ages, of all shapes and sizes and yes.....even personal trainers! There menus are designed around a 1200 calorie program and while that doesn't work for some, there is a salad bar with plenty of veggies there for consumption in addition to the meal being provided during lunch and dinner. There is fresh fruit also available for breakfast. I gained a lot of information from the lectures while I was there and learned a lot about myself. The exercise and hikes were absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it for anyone financially able to go. It's a great place, beautiful, and no one judges you.
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Jillian Michaels was ranting about the editing on the show on her podcast this week, she feels the producers cut out important conversations that lead contestants to a breakthrough because they feel the audience is too stupid to "get it". She even admitted that a couple of the contestants in the current season never should have been allowed on the show due to psychological issues. Kinda makes me want to watch it.

    That being said, a few years ago, I read an article about how the contestants that make it to the finale, starve themselves, used laxitives and other unhealthy things to lose as much weight as possible before the final weigh in.
  • NRSPAM
    NRSPAM Posts: 961 Member
    never suspected, not sure I beleive, don't really care.

    I actually live close to the location for shoots and I had some really good experiences there in person off the show being treated by one of their health specialists. He was a real practitioner healed my body part that was in pain and there was nothing fake about that.

    Try visiting one of the locations see if you still feel so hateful of it all. The guests do real workouts, eat real food, (I've passed the dining hall), get real lectures on food/calories/whatnot, I've overheard the lectures specifically comparing satiety and calories of white breast of chicken versus dark meat. It's a fine place that is helping lots of people. It's sad when I go because they always wonder what I'm doing there and when I say I'm here for a treatment then it's okay. But walking through the dining hall everyones eyes are glued to me in like envy or awe or something like if I'm a movie star or something and I'm not even at goal weight. It's a truly inspirational place and let's stop judging something that is saving peoples lives and giving them something they might never have elsewhere acceptance and motivation.

    I actually spent a week at the Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge facility in Ivins, Utah and absolutely LOVED it! It wasn't at all what I expected. There were people of all ages, of all shapes and sizes and yes.....even personal trainers! There menus are designed around a 1200 calorie program and while that doesn't work for some, there is a salad bar with plenty of veggies there for consumption in addition to the meal being provided during lunch and dinner. There is fresh fruit also available for breakfast. I gained a lot of information from the lectures while I was there and learned a lot about myself. The exercise and hikes were absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it for anyone financially able to go. It's a great place, beautiful, and no one judges you.
    [/quote

    OMG! I saw their website! I would LOOOVEEEE to go there! I know I only have 20 more lb's to lose, but it looks like a beautiful, amazing place to go! I'm jealous of you! :happy:
  • Pinkgirl319
    Pinkgirl319 Posts: 80 Member
    I love Biggest loser but I have also wondered about that "before journey" footage where the contestant goes through a drive-thru and eats 2 double cheeseburgers a chili cheese coney and a large fry, all with a sad depressed demeanor- which I find amusing because I would be in a great mood if I were eating a delicious cheese burger.
  • findingfab
    findingfab Posts: 7

    OMG! I saw their website! I would LOOOVEEEE to go there! I know I only have 20 more lb's to lose, but it looks like a beautiful, amazing place to go! I'm jealous of you! :happy:

    :bigsmile:
  • Drop_it_Like_Its_Hawt
    Drop_it_Like_Its_Hawt Posts: 226 Member
    I know a couple of digruntled ex-contestants have said as much, but I'd take it with a grain of salt. Yeah, some of it is set up and scripted, and there was DEFINITELY some water-loading and other shenanigans in past seasons, but I haven't seen anything to suggest that this year, with the new production company handling things. I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, and look at the overall message they're going for, not the more sordid, possibly-true things going on behind the scenes. And yeah, people lose unheard of amounts of weight there - but then, they have no other lives at the time, no other goals than to focus on their weight loss. No kids, no job, no socal life - just one big house full of trainers, food and workouts. How could you NOT lose it like crazy, under those circumstances? They've said multiple times that they don't expect people at home to lose it that fast, and don't recommend trying. They also ask, during EVERY episode, to talk to your doctor first before doing anything - but somehow people still watch the show and think "I should be losing that fast, right now!", and ignore the fact that it's completely unrealistic to expect that in real life.
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    I agree with DavPul. I already knew that biggest loser is a very unhealthy weight loss game show (and all the many unhealthy things they put people through).

    And I've also seen the video that a fit guy did showing how body builders can do before/after shots of themselves with fakery for selling weight loss scams. Here it is: http://youtu.be/M957dACQyfU

    bump to watch this later.
  • Drop_it_Like_Its_Hawt
    Drop_it_Like_Its_Hawt Posts: 226 Member
    I love Biggest loser but I have also wondered about that "before journey" footage where the contestant goes through a drive-thru and eats 2 double cheeseburgers a chili cheese coney and a large fry, all with a sad depressed demeanor- which I find amusing because I would be in a great mood if I were eating a delicious cheese burger.

    Having done one of those videos, I can explain that - yeah, people WERE eating that way, and usually smiling through it - but not with a camera in front of their face, knowing the whole world could be watching you scarf down like that. Hell, before I started really changing my lifestyle, I'd order meals that big through drive through, find the most out-of-the-way corner of a parking lot and eat it there, out of shame for what I was doing. It's an addicts behavior, because most people that manage to get THAT out of control (self-included) ARE addicts, and on some level they know it. But the show requires footage of what you normally eat, and you know they're not going to take someone who sends in some BS video of a 300+ woman delicately nibbling on carrot sticks, when you know she's got a gallon of fudge ice cream that she's diving into as soon as the camera is off. You have to show that you're willing to show what REALLY got you to that point, and not some lying "Oh, it's not me, my metabolism just broke - I swear I only exist on slim fast and rainbows!"
  • mikey1976
    mikey1976 Posts: 1,005 Member
    Not trying to "knock" anybodies input/beliefs/opinions/etc. but this statement is false. My friends best friend went on the Biggest Loser a few years ago (Jessica Delf, red team, season 10; if anyone is wondering). Before entering the Biggest Loser, they are encouraged to continue their normal activity. And EVERYTHING about the Biggest Loser is REAL and REALISTIC. These people are working their *kitten* off, just like anyone else can do. The contestants that get eliminated and go home have jobs, have families, have 'LIFES' priorities and are STILL losing just as much weight as they were when they were on the Biggest Loser Ranch. Seeing random rumors about the show is disappointing because it is motivational for so many people out there and the Biggest Loser continues to inspire millions and has changed millions of people's lives.

    i'm so confused i love the show and others like
  • Fitnsexy12
    Fitnsexy12 Posts: 8 Member
    Yep, I def agree with you, I saw that footage that you all are talking about, and I was like Wow!! Def..made me think Twice about the before and after pictures..I now do not believe what I see unless I was there with them through their transformation..smh
  • RainbootsToBikinis
    RainbootsToBikinis Posts: 465 Member
    Also notice in the first several episodes that during the weigh in that the women are in sports bras and the men remove their shirts. Then at around the last 6 weeks they are all wearing shirts during the weigh in. Interesting what image they are trying to project by doing this.

    I would think anyone would lose weight exercising a min of 6+ hours a day and keeping your calorie in take low.

    I would be interested in knowing how many gain the weight back after the show is over and what support system they receive after they have left?
    That has always bugged me, why make them take their shirts off??

    I've always thought they did this to hide the loose skin from losing weight so quickly.
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    When selected to be contestants on the show...the producers/people who run the show actually ask the people to GAIN weight before they begin filming so that that results will seem more dramatic!!!

    Friends of the family's were selected and were told to gain weight before filming began!! Couldnt believe it! Absolutely disgusted that they would risk people's health for a show!! (although i guess that is sort of what they do to all the contestants anyway through massive and rapid weight loss)

    I know im in Aus but i assume its the same for most countries' versions

    How many people already knew this????
    Anybody else think this is completely wrong??

    Not surprising. If $1 million were at stake I'd do the same thing. I'd also drink a gallon of water before weigh in and not urinate or take a crap before weigh in.
  • binknbaby
    binknbaby Posts: 207 Member
    What about extreme makeover weight loss edition?

    I've watched that but haven't started watching it regularly (though I may replace BL with it...). I like that it's over the course of a year, that the people stay at home, so they learn how to lose weight in a reasonable time, still dealing with daily life, and without the drama that usually goes on at the Ranch. But there also isn't the competition/team aspect, and there's only one person to follow--not a dozen. But it's very inspiring.
    I do watch the show and I do like it. HOWEVER, after the trainers came out with their own line of diet pills- it really brought the whle thing down a few notches for me

    They did WHAT now?!?! I had no idea about that! That's insane!!! For people who say you have to work hard and stick to "the plan", that's rather hypocritical to market a "quick-fix".
    You have to show that you're willing to show what REALLY got you to that point, and not some lying "Oh, it's not me, my metabolism just broke - I swear I only exist on slim fast and rainbows!"

    What's the calorie count for rainbows?? :tongue:
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
    And I've also seen the video that a fit guy did showing how body builders can do before/after shots of themselves with fakery for selling weight loss scams. Here it is: http://youtu.be/M957dACQyfU

    This should be required viewing for everyone (shows how "before" "after" fitness shots can be sooo easily faked by the same person same day)
    This is also a good interview with a former BL contestant that sheds a lot of light on what goes on behind the scenes: http://www.bodylovewellness.com/2010/06/09/kai-hibbard-biggest-loser-finalist-part-1-of-3/

    I don't know, I read this earlier this year and was initially pretty pissed. I mean you expect that a lot of the editing is very choosey (like how they always show Jillian chewing everyone out, yet her team loves her, so I'm betting they play up the drama moments and don't show you the vast amount of time where everyone's getting along). That being said, if you have the knowledge that this is not the safest way to lose weight, I still think it can be inspirational. I think the people are less fake than on other reality shows that are 100% scripted. BL seems more like selective editing to me than it does pre-written stuff.

    There used to be a show on A&E I think called "Heavy" that had a similar thing where it would highlight two people going to a place to lose weight but then after they'd go home and have a personal trainer and (I think) a nutritionist who helped them how to cook healthy meals and keep up their work-outs. I thought that was a pretty good way of doing things. They did weigh them but the focus was not on rapid weight loss so much as health and building healthy habits. I think they also had a psychologist at the camp that they talked to which I thought was pretty important as well (maybe not for everyone, but a nice element for an all inclusive program like that).
  • Ginger_Gal
    Ginger_Gal Posts: 18 Member

    What's the calorie count for rainbows?? :tongue:

    I suspect they are high in sugar.

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