The Biggest Loser

readytochange42
readytochange42 Posts: 43 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Just wondering how some of you feel about the news story about the 6 year study done on the Biggest Loser contestants and why they regain the weight. It was a big New York Times article a couple of days ago. They say there is validity to the science of a significantly slowed metabolism when cutting calories. It's worth looking up and reading the article. Thoughts?

Replies

  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited May 2016
    A couple threads with lots of feedback ....

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10382891/are-we-doomed#latest

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10382802/gaining-it-back-nyt-article/p1

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10383563/dont-let-the-biggest-loser-article-be-an-excuse#latest

  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    OMG with this...

    They crashed their diets and did a ridiculous amount of exercise...yeah, that's going to jack you up...nothing new really.
  • readytochange42
    readytochange42 Posts: 43 Member
    Thank You TeaBea
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    I read it and wasn't particularly freaked out about it. I did post one of the threads but only because I read the article later than everyone else did apparently.

    The show is so ridiculous and I never watched it much anyway, but common sense told me that when you lose weight THAT quickly, and THAT much of it, it's not very likely a healthy thing to do, nor is it smart.

    Not only that, I didn't like how they made a spectacle out of these rather large folks and putting up there for everyone's entertainment. Yes, I know they were there voluntarily, but people who are desperate will do things that they wouldn't normally consent to. The result is still not enjoyable entertainment to me - it's lowbrow and mean-spirited.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    There are now 8+ threads on this spread across the boards and each has a different, but interesting, debate raging by now. They're worth tracking down and reading if you want to see what people are saying about this article.
  • Losewtforlife4him
    Losewtforlife4him Posts: 423 Member
    I think that there's a reason we eat how we do. If it's emotional eating, we need to figure out how to work through that. They aren't getting through to the deeper issues I don't think on shows like this. Also they have all of the support there and are being driven to lose the weight where if they are home, they may not have the same support. I don't know..just my thoughts. I have always wondered what would happen with them after they get back to their normal ways. It can be like that for all of us actually if we aren't careful. When life throws curveballs, how easily weight can come right back on. We need to take one day at a time, do our best, live life to the fullest and by doing that, we will feed our bodies well, and get proper exercise. We can't worry about when the stressful times will come to throw us off course...they will come. We have to keep on keepin' on :smile:
  • kmbrooks15
    kmbrooks15 Posts: 941 Member
    It's comparing apples and oranges. Those contestants lose weight rapidly in an environment where their diet is tightly controlled and probably very calorie restricted, and they are exercising for excessive amounts and intensities. That's vastly different from gradual weight loss through reasonable diet and exercise, which would give your body time to adjust to the changes.
  • Meganthedogmom
    Meganthedogmom Posts: 1,639 Member
    Oh my god, if I see one more thread about this...
  • DisneyDude85
    DisneyDude85 Posts: 428 Member
    Having weight loss tied to a competition for hundreds of thousands of dollars is dangerous. I'd do whatever I had to do to win that money as well. As much as these people say they are doing it to better themselves, its all about the money. So they take unhealthy advice to lose as much weight as possible, no matter the cost.

    Unfortunately, as many bad stories that have come out of this show, it continues to air, and people are "inspired" by it.
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
    Open Letter to the Producers Following The Biggest Loser Study

    http://www.strongcoffey.com/open-letter-biggest-loser-study/
  • ASKyle
    ASKyle Posts: 1,475 Member
    I hate the article. They got a completely different takeaway than what the study provided.

    What the study said: If you go on a show and starve yourself then go back to your day to day life you will regain the weight and damage your metabolism.

    What NYT wrote: Here is another excuse as to why you can't lose weight so why bother trying.

  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    meganridenour wrote: »
    Oh my god, if I see one more thread about this...

    brb. off to start a thread...
  • Poweredbycoffee06
    Poweredbycoffee06 Posts: 39 Member
    How long does it take for something like this to die down? I am so irritated at this article! How many people will this discourage from taking that first step? How many people will use this as an excuse? It doesn't help anyone and is a complete misrepresentation.

    I can't even with this article anymore
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