TV shows such as BL and Losing w/Jillian

I'm not a huge fan of either of these shows. I've seen two episodes of "losing it'. I think the intent of the shows is good. I don't know the whole story or the if the rumors behind them are true. I read posts about under eating and working out excessively. The expectations of working out 5 to 8 hrs a day and not eating as one should are very unrealistic. Especially to people with children/families, their career's and whatnot. I think both shows are good "motivation" to show people that weight loss can be done with hard work, determination, and a often times a drastic change of lifestyle. I'm sure the money helps in certain situations too. But, I don't think that should be the "ultimate" reward or the goal for these people or their families to work towards losing the weight. I like everyone else here am fighting the battle of losing weight and keeping it off. I believe as long as it's done in a healthy and safe way. The couple of pounds a week method seems to make sense to me. Not worrying over vanity pounds/weight or water weight. I think each individual should set realistic goals and work towards them slowly and in a healthy manner. Losing weight and keeping it off is a life long battle and doesn't happen over night. The main thing is getting people healthy so they can enjoy their lives and the people in them.

I enjoy watching those shows, but do think that they set up unrealistic expectations for overweight people. I've lost a ton of weight, but didn't do it in 16 weeks. No, it took me 2 years. And I still have a lot of excess skin to contend with.

The contestants on TBL (from what I've read) eat around 1200 calories per day, but burn a MINIMUM of 8,000 calories per day. So when you look at those numbers, it's not hard to see how someone can have a 10lb or greater loss in one week.

Congrats on your weightloss... over 200 pounds lost, that is AMAZING!!!!

I also enjoy watching the shows (although I'm not an avid watcher, but if its on and I'm in the mood to veg out and watch a show, I will watch it). I also think that the time frame in which they lose is way small, and seems to be very unrealistic compared to what a normal person could lose, in a healthy way. At least they are monitored by doctors and things, but I would be interested to know what really happens behind the scenes. My favorite part of the show is to watch some of the people beam with confidence and with tears to their eyes as they've never felt good about themselves before. So I do think that in a way these shows helps these individuals get over the obstacles that are hindering them to take the first step in getting healthy, and pushes them to their max. But, every day for 8 hours? yikes, I'd be super thin too..haha! I do wish that these shows would extend their "timeframe" so that we could see these people meeting realistic goals to use as examples in our lives. I always watch the show knowing full well that this is reality TV and that the results aren't typical.

You read my mind! I watched Losing It last night while on the treadmill and was just aghast that these people can lose so much weight in such a short period of time. I guess if you turn your entire life over to exercise and do a massive calorie cut (I'm thinking these people must be given an eating plan and routine from the producers) its possible but really? 55 lbs in 8 weeks. I'm lucky to make my 5lbs per month goal.

With BL - you gotta realize that this is all they do - work out. If you do it for 9 hours a day and given strict dietary guidelines in a controlled environment it possible. Just realistic for those us who have to work 8-10 hours a day, run a household and do whatever else it is what we do. I find the show very inspiring but I know that its not something I could accomplish at home.

I was disturbed by the kid beating himself up for only losing 3 lbs, it took me all last month to lose 3 lbs. What are they doing to lose so much weight so fast? And jillian said the mother should lose 31 lbs in the 8 weeks, and the mother threw in " I lost 31 lbs". I'm not sure about the 50,000 dollars, most of the people don't have jobs or are unemployed (not necesarilly by their choice I'm sure), and when the mother fell off the treadmill, Jillian didn't say, "I'm sorry". I want to hate her, but the families seem so happy. What do they do when one of them falls off the wagon? Seems like expl:sick: oitation to me. Its good if they are leaning new eating and workout habits, but I don't see how you could possibly lose that much weight that fast in a healthy way.