Biggest loser intersting facts
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6? I count over a dozen people who are within ~20 pounds of their finale weight, and some of the people who put on a moderate amount put on a lot of lean mass and appear to be fitness junkies. Look at Mark Wylie. Lisenby put on about 25 pounds, but he competes in triathlons and exercises 4-5 days a week. No idea how you only counted 6.
edit: I actually counted 24 on that page who are maintaining their weight and apparently living active, healthy lifestyles. There are 8 people on that page who are competing in marathons!
There are definitely some great success stories! There are a few like Dan Evans and his mom (who I met at a half marathon a couple years ago, they both looked terrific!) who run a charity organization for childhood fitness, Michael Ventrella (sp?) who is teaching fitness classes, and quite a few others who work in the fitness field, which probably helps them stay fit. While I don't like the "fast track" method that BL uses and I know it's just reality TV, I have followed a few former contestants on Facebook and through their fitness organizations, and many of them are continuing to stay active and fit. It's not really all that different than any of us losing weight and keeping it off--if you have mental/emotional issues about food/weight and don't deal with them, or if you don't continue to work out and generally eat smarter, you can easily gain weight back.0 -
It is easy to have a show like Biggest Loser and just sit and wait for their "chance" to change, people should feel motivated to change their lives by themselves and not just sit and do nothing waiting until someone go there and "fix" them.
(fix is not the exactly work i'm looking for, but you get what I meant)0 -
I think that just provides more proof that it really needs to be a lifestyle change not a short term change. How hard must it be for those people to leave the structure of the program and go back to having to do it on their own? I'll just keep inching along...
Totally agree. Sometimes people have medical issues and thats understandable, but for many its about choices people make all day every day that eventually add up. Whether its in a good direction or a bad direction. You dont blow up from 100 something to 400 lbs in a week or a month. It takes awhile.
Kudos to Jared from Subway for keeping it off!!
^Now THERE'S a success story
I read his autobiography a few years ago. Very inspiring.0 -
I'm confused..... I read the article you posted http://www.today.com/id/40423712/site/todayshow/ns/today-entertainment/t/biggest-loser-where-are-they-now/#.UT6tcxzrzp9 and the first thing I noticed was that it only had up to season 11, they are currently in season 14. Second I only counted maybe 10 of the contestants out of the 57 listed that had gained a major portion of their weight back . You have to keep in mind that their "final weight" is what they got themselves down to in order to try to either win the show or the at home price and not necessarily a weight they were comfortable with also they may have gained muscle weight since then as well (mainly the men) So for them to only gain 20 or even 40 pounds back once they are living in the "real world" again when they had loss 100+ pounds during the competition should be looked at as a victory and not defeat! IMO
I agree, I read through the whole thing as well and most of them have put some weight back on but are living active healthy lives.0 -
It is easy when you are removed from the lifestyle and the surroundings you were in that made you heavy to begin with. Anyone can go to rehab and get clean, but the challenge is once you are back in the real world and your real life.... I prefer watching shows where they go in and help them in their regular surroundings (X weighted being one). If you don't learn in your real surroundings, with the stress of everyday life, you won't be successful in the long run.0
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It is easy to have a show like Biggest Loser and just sit and wait for their "chance" to change, people should feel motivated to change their lives by themselves and not just sit and do nothing waiting until someone go there and "fix" them.
(fix is not the exactly work i'm looking for, but you get what I meant)
This is my "walk a mile" speech - for many of US that are OBESE for a lot of our live it is a continuous struggle - a lot of times with our own heads - if you have just 30 lbs to lose - great for you! BUT if you have never faced having to lose 100+ pounds - please don't parrot the "its easy" or "quick fix" - you do not know of what you speak. If you WATCH the show the trainers are also part-time psychologist that try to get inside of the contestants heads too to "fix" the old tapes we play in our heads - the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. They have have "back stories" to their weight gain. Fixing these old tapes and telling ourselves different stories is the real struggle. Not the weight loss.
The Biggest Loser inspires many many people.0 -
Reading a few of the stories I wonder if some of the more minor weight gains aren't from maybe gaining muscle or whether the person is still relatively healthy regardless of gaining some. Just as an example it mentions Mark Kruger ended at 156 but is now 189. In his bio though it mentions how he's about to run his first marathon and he still works out 2.5 hours a day. Weight isn't the only measure of a person and how healthy he/she is.
If you are ONLY looking at scale numbers then I can see why you think only 6 kept the weight off. I feel like I read a different article than what you described. I see way more success stories than 6.0 -
I agree with you but just wanted to share. I don't know what season he was in but I go to church with Jarron. I think he came in second. They did do a show about him at some point even though he did not win. He lost well over a hundred lbs and has kept it off. He became a personal trainer and has really done well. I remember not seeing him at church for a long time then I saw his wife with this guy that looked liked he walked out of GQ Magazine. I thought she had divorced and this was the new guy. I saw an article in the paper about him and realized it was the same guy. That explained his absence. I was blown away. He still looks awesome. Although she looked good she lost some weight also. Very cute couple and family that love the Lord.0
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http://www.bodylovewellness.com/2010/06/09/kai-hibbard-biggest-loser-finalist-part-1-of-3/
^^^ Read that. I'd never want to be on that show, even if I was guaranteed the money!
I find it incredible that people would be so docile as to accept that kind of treatment willingly. It is no wonder that at least one of them developed an eating disorder, as the self-loathing that makes them accept this type of treatment is exactly what eating disorders are made from. The producers of the show and the network should be sued into oblivion if someone dies as a result of this type of treatment (and someone could have easily died as a result of the punishment they endured in 100 degree heat). Disgusting.0 -
I think its mostly because its such a quick turn around time...i mean currently, Joe has lost 125 pounds in 11 weeks...thats 1 week less than 3 months! They do work out 4-6 hours a day, so its their full time job while they are there, but when they go home, they have to balance the working out with their real job and the pressures of every day life. Its a good jump start to be on the ranch, but sometimes, if they are an emotional eater, they never really come to terms with that, they are just pushed to workout. Thats why, when they do the update, the person went home and didnt lose that much more than they had lost when they lef the ranch. Since normal weightloss is about 2 pounds a week.0
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Bump.0
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According to statistics (Livestrong), over 50 million people in the U.S. do various diets and programs every year and only 5% of them keep the weight off.
It doesn't seem to matter what program or diet people use. Even WW has a disclaimer in small print on all of it's advertising stating 80% of it's participants regain their weight.0 -
I was reading some research studies on weight loss and such and I was kind of surprised that in several, weight watchers folks actually faired better than the average person on their own. It was still only just above 50% that managed to maintain the weight loss over a follwoing 5 year period, but compared to only around 10% of people who lost weight on their own, it wasn't bad. There were a lot of confoudning details in it all though, including well known facts like rapid weight loss doesn't teach better eating habits and that portion control is still the biggest issue.0
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That was exactly what I was thinking, yes a few put on some major weight, but the majority of them have kept off the majority of their weight and should be applauded for it!
This.Reading a few of the stories I wonder if some of the more minor weight gains aren't from maybe gaining muscle or whether the person is still relatively healthy regardless of gaining some. Just as an example it mentions Mark Kruger ended at 156 but is now 189. In his bio though it mentions how he's about to run his first marathon and he still works out 2.5 hours a day. Weight isn't the only measure of a person and how healthy he/she is.
If you are ONLY looking at scale numbers then I can see why you think only 6 kept the weight off. I feel like I read a different article than what you described. I see way more success stories than 6.
And this... are we all reading the same article?0 -
I'm confused..... I read the article you posted http://www.today.com/id/40423712/site/todayshow/ns/today-entertainment/t/biggest-loser-where-are-they-now/#.UT6tcxzrzp9 and the first thing I noticed was that it only had up to season 11, they are currently in season 14. Second I only counted maybe 10 of the contestants out of the 57 listed that had gained a major portion of their weight back . You have to keep in mind that their "final weight" is what they got themselves down to in order to try to either win the show or the at home price and not necessarily a weight they were comfortable with also they may have gained muscle weight since then as well (mainly the men) So for them to only gain 20 or even 40 pounds back once they are living in the "real world" again when they had loss 100+ pounds during the competition should be looked at as a victory and not defeat! IMO
I agree with this!!!!! You cant expect people to stay their smallest weight, but MOST of those people are still doing so much better than they were when they were on the show. There have only been a few that have gained back everything they lost. And If you manage to keep off even half of what you lost originally you are doing well.0 -
The only way to lose weight is to move more and eat less. There is no magic supplement nor secrete training. Better to lose a pound a week rather than the high amounts on that farce of a show.0
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Wow... one more reason why I hate that show.
It means well but like most of the people on here are saying, it doesn't teach a lifestyle. It teaches a quick fix.
Not only that but Jillian Michaels is a royal b!tch. Can't stand that woman. :grumble:0 -
They overworked because the contestants were facing serious health risks. This is not a good strategy for maintaining a high/above average metabolism.0
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We may as well start yelling at disabled folks and kicking puppies.
I'd watch that show.0 -
Big fan of the show, my wife not so much. Going back to the real world has to be hard. They are sheltered and directed at the ranch. Then they go back to familier, dinner out, birthday parties, snacks at the office. Just like us, they have to learn self control, and maintain some form of excercise and proper eating habits. Just like last night they were given suggestions on soup to eat, and breakfast from Subway. That has to carry over at home, or they will have issues. I noted that numerous families that they will go back to have esignificant weight issues. BUT, Bingo's Mom is down FIVE dress sizes, and Joe's brother has lost as much weight as he has. When you have partners to work and eat with, the potential to maintain that healthy lifestyle can be so much better. I know I have difficulty by myself, but working out in a group, or eating the same healthy stuff, makes it a lot easier.
AND, go Danni!0 -
Seems like something a lot of people never get to see is that, when the contestants are brought to "the camp", they are literally plucked from their unhealthy environment and thrust into an environment where they have a free, endless supply of healthy foods, a team of trainers and medical staff working with them every day, a full free day to workout every single day and absolutely none of the influences of regular day-to-day life that has helped them become out of control in their health. For a reality TV show that is about as far from reality as you can get.
Once all the one-on-one training is done, and the food isn't free, and the work schedule takes over your workout schedule, all the contestants are left with is trying to resolve that massive change in their new healthy lifestyle. That can't be any easier than trying to resolve the massive change in their unhealthy lifestyle when they went to camp to begin with. Still, as I see it, there seems to be a lot fewer people that have went right back to what they were before than there are those that did in fact regain all the weight. So while I think, personally, that the show is very unrealistic in terms of how to properly change your lifestyle for the better, I do believe it does serve a positive purpose in most of the contestants' lives.
Now if they could just figure out a way to have a weight loss show involving full time working single moms who have to live on a budget that would be awesome since at the end of the day almost all of us have to work, have some form of home obligation to tend to daily and are not overflowing with cash to buy our food. But maybe some TV exec is already working on that. Who knows?0 -
Now if they could just figure out a way to have a weight loss show involving full time working single moms who have to live on a budget that would be awesome since at the end of the day almost all of us have to work, have some form of home obligation to tend to daily and are not overflowing with cash to buy our food. But maybe some TV exec is already working on that. Who knows?
As a single mom with 2 kids that makes juuuuust too much for food stamps, they are very welcome to come watch me. That is, if they can fit in my miniscule kitchen and think people would enjoy watching me shove food in my mouth while I run around accomplishing all that needs to be accomplished on a week day!
Very good points, though. How many of us have lost some friends along the way as we changed from eating whatever, whenever to focusing on losing weight/getting healthy? It is VERY hard to live in the same environment and yet change how we act. I am always thankful that my boyfriend and I can do it TOGETHER, even though there are days when I'm taking a fork to the freshly made brownies, or he's elbow deep in a bag of chips.
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According to statistics (Livestrong), over 50 million people in the U.S. do various diets and programs every year and only 5% of them keep the weight off.
It doesn't seem to matter what program or diet people use. Even WW has a disclaimer in small print on all of it's advertising stating 80% of it's participants regain their weight.
That's mainly because its not a lifestyle change.. its all about the number on the scale.. the more you lose quickly the more likely your program is to make money from referrals.. Hey I lost 20 lbs in 5 weeks on so and so you should try it.. then when they regain that weight (cause it wasn't a lifestyle change) guess where they go.. right back on the program. Money In + Referral + Repeat business...
Biggest Loser is just for Entertainment, take a bunch of people offer them a chance to win a large amount of money, humiliate them on TV, get ratings, rinse and repeat.. cause people are inspired by the show that one day they can lose weight too.. Guess what, change your lifestyle, get rid of all the junk you eat daily, and you can get there.. maybe not in 4 months.. but its attainable.
If they had a show that paid $200k for you to gain 300lbs the fastest, would you try to go on there?0 -
By the way, I'm reading over the website and although many have put weight on, it seems for a lot of them it is a very minimal gain. Not a fan of the show still, but to be fair to these individuals, many have continued with a healthy lifestyle.0
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Reading a few of the stories I wonder if some of the more minor weight gains aren't from maybe gaining muscle or whether the person is still relatively healthy regardless of gaining some. Just as an example it mentions Mark Kruger ended at 156 but is now 189. In his bio though it mentions how he's about to run his first marathon and he still works out 2.5 hours a day. Weight isn't the only measure of a person and how healthy he/she is.
If you are ONLY looking at scale numbers then I can see why you think only 6 kept the weight off. I feel like I read a different article than what you described. I see way more success stories than 6.
This. Reading the OP you would have thought they had gained ALL of their weight back, but after reading the article, most of them seem to be keeping most of the weight off, yes some are struggling, but most are doing great. It would be nice once I hit my goal weight that it will stay there forever, but I'm sure I'll have the normal weight fluctuations, though I hope to keep it within 5lbs.
BTW: Love Danni! Hope she wins it all.0 -
I think you are misinterpreting the article. Yes many have gained weight, but weight is not the only indicator of health. Many seem to have put on a lot of lean muscle, and are competing in very difficult athletic events. I only really saw a handful that appeared to be back out of the normal-healthy range.
Btw, anyone else amazed that Danni put on 19 pounds of muscle?! She's the biggest loser overall now I think, and the biggest muscle gain. If it's actually true, that is the way to do it!0 -
My mind is boggled that Danni gained 19lbs of muscle in 11 wks....
Heheheheheheheh.0 -
My mind is boggled that Danni gained 19lbs of muscle in 11 wks....
That was my thoughts exactly.0 -
My mind is boggled that Danni gained 19lbs of muscle in 11 wks....
Holy damn what is she on? :laugh:0 -
I actually read the article and it looked like most of these folks were fabulously successful. Congrats to all of them!0
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