Vote in This Week's Poll: Do weight loss reality shows inspire you?
There's always been some controversy about shows like "The Biggest Loser." Critics say these shows are far from realistic, taking people away from their normal lives and giving them trainers, dieticians, doctors and therapists along with hours of workouts that the average person couldn't (and shouldn't) replicate.
On the other hand, some people are inspired by these shows and think there's an educational benefit as well with discussions about healthy diets, cooking, exercise, motivation and dealing with the emotional causes of weight gain.
Some of my clients watch these shows and seem to recognize that the 'reality' of how these people lose weight is a far cry from how most of us live on a daily basis. But there are some people who may not get that. In fact, I had a potential client contact me, wanting 6-hour workouts like the people on "The Biggest Loser." Naturally, I had to say no to that job.
I'm curious about what you think. Do you watch these weight loss reality shows? If so, do they inspire you or do you wonder if some of the methods they use are unsafe or even dangerous? Vote in this week's poll and then leave a comment to tell us what you think about weight loss reality shows.
Comments
I realize the competitors lives aren’t realistic suring the show so I enjoy seeing ‘live’ results.
I also am inspired by them.. if they can get off their butts, I can get off my fat ass.. and I usually do some exercises during the commercials as well. Nothing like eating a big bowl of ice cream while watching biggest loser.
I think the shows are inspiring yet I wish they had more real life to them. Reality shows have gone a far way away from reality and get farther every taping of every show. I’d be nice if they’d track these people in their own homes or to have them on location for three weeks then send them home to follow their progress within their daily lives I think would be much more realistic AND help them to carry over their weight loss success to after the show is done taping.
Good question! The Biggest Loser starts tonight for another season - and the whole family will be watching. I do get inspired by watching people get up and lose it, even though the circumstances are not normal for weight loss. I know I could not lose that much, that fast, but the fact that these people DO change their habits - most of them anyway - and change their lives is very inspiring. I will say that I prefer the Australian version of TBL though. You can watch it on You Tube! It shows so much more of the eating advice and workout details. I have learned more from the Aussie version than the US version, because the US show sometimes gets so involved in drama, and not only drama, but the same drama over and over again. I don’t want drama (yeah, I know it’s a reality show), I want to see HOW Bob and Jillian get these great results so that I can incorporate some of that into my exercise routine!
I watch “The Biggest Loser” and do find it inspiring … but with a grain of salt. I think NBC really should add a hefty disclaimer regarding the pace of contestants’ weight loss. I know from experience that a 1-2 pound loss per week is normal and healthy; 8-10 pounds is not. My concern is for people who get inspired by the show to lose weight, then get frustrated that they’re not losing 5+ pounds a week and give up.
yeah, i’m inspired not to watch reality or other network tv… that’s about it.
I was a lot more inspired by The Biggest Loser before it turned into a bit of a freak show.
I think Vickie from last season will end up being a perfect example of how you can be on the show, lose a ton of weight and in a few years or less, she will gain it all back. For her, it became ALL about the competition.
And now the show is promoting ‘the biggest contestant ever.’ WELCOME TO THE CIRCUS SIDE SHOW EVERYBODY!
I am entertained by the show and don’t miss an episode. I usually walk on my treadmill while watching the show. I realized the rate of weight loss is not realistic but I enjoy watching anyway.
I’m not necessiarly inspired by these shows. I feel they show such extreme examples, I can’t really relate to that. I don’t usually watch the shows, but sometimes I happen to get sucked in. I’m shocked when I see how some people live their lives leading up to their extreme weight gain. I do wish they’d focus more on healthy tips instead of drama (as someone else mentioned). Hoever, I am truly moved when they succeed in their goals and usually end up tearing up a little at the end when you can see how much they’ve improved!
I find shows like You Are What You Eat inspiring not because it motivates me to eat healthier but I realize that others eat a lot worse then I do. While, I am not sure I believe the results in 8 weeks because I notice everyones hair has been cut and they are wearing new clothes. As far as weight loss reality type shows I have to agree with most of the comments. It is definitely not a realistic setting. I could lose weight if I forced myself into a boot camp. I believe some of these celebrities get on these shows just for attention and most of the drama gives them the wrong type of attention. These shows are good at boosting optimism for the rest of us realistic people who watch.
I cannot identify with any overweight person on these shows. These shows are for losers.
It is too bad they do not pay these folks who win the challenge out over ten years with the stipulation that they keep the weight off over that time in order to get each year’s payout. Then I think those shows would actually help the person. They could do TV shows recording the struggles to keep it off thru the year and ongoing sessions with the psychologist dealing with the emotional issues also giving the viewer tips.
I have not watched the Biggest Loser, but I have read about the contestants and what they went thru and lost or won.
What occurs to me is that we (me included0 would be more motivated by getting money over regaining or sustaining health. Maybe because if you have health, you do not realize how precious and fragile it really is and how hard it is to get it back once you lose it.
The way these shows inspire me to lose weight are by making me afraid to get fat. I see all of these people who are extremely over weight and it scares the hell out of me.
That the weight loss is obtainable with lots of hard work and proper eating habits is a bit motivational. That the participants are able to live in a dedicated environment with 24/7 available to work out with their personal trainers erodes the motivation and leaves me thinking that i should be so lucky.
While I agree with so many of the comments above, I have to comment on the person who made the comment “I could lose weight if I forced myself into a boot camp”. Granted, everyone should lose weight in these situations, but EVERYBODY can lose weight. Get up and move!! Watch what you eat! I have kept off 50 pounds for more than 6 years now and am in the best shape of my life at age 48 (and I was an athelete in college). I look and feel 10 years younger than I am. The lesson everyone should take from The Biggest Loser (my favorite show) is that while the show is not realistic for the amount of weight loss, the point is, you CAN change what you eat and you CAN exercise. That’s the bottom line, no excuses!!
Being shut away somewhere for weeks on end, having a personal trainer chase you 24/7, spending hours and hours a day exersizing…this is reality? Humbug.