Don't let the "Biggest Loser" article be an excuse

ninerbuff
ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
edited December 1 in Health and Weight Loss
It's been circulating in the media and on the boards here, but realize something. CICO works and what happened to contestants on the BL as far as metabolic rate reduction likely has more to do with how fast they lost weight, regained and hormonal dysfunction.
Like someone who inundates their bodies with PED's, the bodies "normal" functioning hormones may be deterred from functionally correctly due to the extremes they put their bodies through.
The BL contestants were demanded to workout out daily for up to 6 hours a day and eating on a calorie deficit in extremes as well as regular bouts of dehydration and starving techniques to try to beat weigh ins. Not to mention the stress levels they had endured every week from TV exposure and competition on a national level. Discontinuing that program, then expect results to definitely change.
If anyone understands physiology, this isn't NORMAL for the human body and there SHOULD BE a hormonal response in reaction. They didn't mention in the article about test and HGH levels before and after and those 2 alone are a big factor in how metabolic rate runs as well as how fat loss metabolism is affected. I'd also like to know how their insulin levels responded to possibly very low carb intakes for long periods of time being an obese person.
Anyway, if your approach is MODERATE (1% loss of your bodyweight a week), there shouldn't be any reason why if you reach goal, that you can't maintain it if your diligent in your calorie intake and still involve a decent physical activity program.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Replies

  • mespreeman
    mespreeman Posts: 70 Member
    Amen.
  • scolaris
    scolaris Posts: 2,145 Member
    All this.
  • ryry_
    ryry_ Posts: 4,966 Member
    Asher_Ethan wrote: »
    I'm already so sick of seeing that article. Because of CICO I lost weight, kept it off, and I was still able to eat pizza and French fries.

    Liar :wink:
  • kmbrooks15
    kmbrooks15 Posts: 941 Member
    Thank you! It seems that a lot of people are freaking out, thinking this will be the case with them, too. I don't know all the science behind it, but I had a feeling it has something to do with the extreme methods and rapid weight loss the contestants go through. I think comparing those contestants to people who lose gradually through REASONABLE diet and exercise is like comparing apples and oranges. The body is going to react very differently to slow, steady weight loss than it will to rapid loss brought about by extreme and likely unhealthy methods.
  • Glampinupdoll
    Glampinupdoll Posts: 234 Member
    I know that when I go crazy and lose a ton of weight quickly, one cheeseburger seems to put back on 10lbs. When I lose the weight slowly and in a correct way, even a whole week of terrible eating doesn't derail my weight loss
  • STEVE142142
    STEVE142142 Posts: 867 Member
    kmbrooks15 wrote: »
    Thank you! It seems that a lot of people are freaking out, thinking this will be the case with them, too. I don't know all the science behind it, but I had a feeling it has something to do with the extreme methods and rapid weight loss the contestants go through. I think comparing those contestants to people who lose gradually through REASONABLE diet and exercise is like comparing apples and oranges. The body is going to react very differently to slow, steady weight loss than it will to rapid loss brought about by extreme and likely unhealthy methods.

  • newheavensearth
    newheavensearth Posts: 870 Member
    This article upsets me in that it gives the impression that diet and exercise don't work longterm, only bariatric surgery (though not mentioned in the article). Also, just my opinion, the metabolic slowdown the contestants suffered could be from muscle loss due to excessive exercise and an extremely low calorie intake. Just a thought.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    It's about time that the excesses in the Biggest Loser were exposed. What irritated me was the apparent lack of support teaching the contestants how to LIVE. No one other than postal service employees and LOOMIS couriers can run six hours a day to maintain their svelte physique.

    I hope most people had not bought in to the myth that the extreme efforts highlighted in that show is the only way to lose weight.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    Colorscheme wrote: »
    I am SHOCKED no one has died from being on TBL due to all their unhealthy weight loss methods. I suppose it's only a matter of time.

    Unfortunately when someone dies on a reality show, and they will sooner or later, the ratings will probably skyrocket.
  • Konigboy
    Konigboy Posts: 86 Member
    I shared the article, as I have friends and family that point out how people in that show loose weight and since it is taking me so long to reach my goal, I am not trying hard enough. I honestly couldn't tell you how much I lost, only a few close friends and doc knows. I would get frustrated if I see weight gain and not loss. But this article helped me prove my point some that fast isn't always good.
  • rollerjog
    rollerjog Posts: 154 Member
    weight loss shows LOL THERE JUST THAT (SHOWS ) anybody thats really into health and fitness they dont do it the way the shows do it, the shows are all about the money and ratings, and if your on there show you play by there rules, these tv show are sending the wrong message to the people that dont know any better TAKE THESE SHOWS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT
  • missjessau
    missjessau Posts: 17 Member
    edited May 2016
    Colorscheme wrote: »
    I am SHOCKED no one has died from being on TBL due to all their unhealthy weight loss methods. I suppose it's only a matter of time.

    There have been a number of contestants shuffled off to hospital during filming (at least in Australia). I think some have not been able to come back on at all as a result.

    Thank god all my friends and family are smart and realise that weight loss takes longer. I ditched the ones who believe otherwise, inclusive of those who believe everyone should only eat 1200cals a day if they want to lose weight (the Michelle Bridges method I will call that!).
  • ElizabethOakes2
    ElizabethOakes2 Posts: 1,038 Member
    Yeah, I think more than anything, the study done on the Biggest Loser contestants should serve as a warning- Lose slowly in a healthy manner and take care of your body so you don't screw up your metabolism. I've seen so many people on here trying to eat 600-800 calories and exercise 8 hours a day asking questions about cleanses and the best foods to burn fat, etc. This is the study we need to be pointing towards for them.
    For most of us here, losing at healthy pace, and learning about good nutrition and life-balance, it's not an issue. We aren't going to kill our metabolisms by healthy, slow, weight loss through good nutrition.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    SinomenJen wrote: »
    And to follow up on that thought there are contestants that DO keep the weight off! What is the difference between them?

    https://healthyeater.com/biggest-loser-then-now

    Thanks for that link. It looks like most of the winners have maintained a healthy weight.

    Thanks too, ninerbuff.
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