Steve Simmons presents...
What's the Deal
With The Biggest
Loser?
With The Biggest
Loser?
With its growth in popularity (particularly among
those who have had trouble losing weight in their
own lives), NBC’s hit show, The Biggest Loser,
has attracted a fair amount of controversy in its
five seasons. The controversy stems from the
dramatic results upon which the show hangs its
hat. In just a few short months, television
viewers get to witness men and women
transforming themselves in front of the camera.
Losing not just a few pounds, but, in some cases,
more than half their total body weight.
those who have had trouble losing weight in their
own lives), NBC’s hit show, The Biggest Loser,
has attracted a fair amount of controversy in its
five seasons. The controversy stems from the
dramatic results upon which the show hangs its
hat. In just a few short months, television
viewers get to witness men and women
transforming themselves in front of the camera.
Losing not just a few pounds, but, in some cases,
more than half their total body weight.
Again, this is happening not over a stretch of a year or
more, but just a few short months. In the process, those who have struggled to lose just
twenty pounds look at this amazing process and wonder: Why not me? Is what they’re doing
even healthy? Is it even possible?
This last question may seem silly at first, given that the results are plain to see for everyone
who wishes to take a glance. But what the question is really asking is this: Is there more going
into this weight loss than is presented on television? And the answer is: Who knows? Is it
possible there are some metabolic enhancers being used behind the scenes? Certainly. More
importantly, perhaps, is this question: Is there a chance that there are no metabolic enhancers
being used? And this answer is more simple. Yes, there is that chance.
One basic fact of human nature as it pertains to rapid weight loss is this: Bigger people lose
weight much more rapidly than those of moderate size. Any faithful viewer of The Biggest Loser
knows they don’t trade in people of moderate size. The producers scour the field of potential
contestants to find those who would otherwise be excellent candidates for lap band surgery or
stomach stapling. These people are well beyond “obese”. These are, by and large, people who,
in our society, would draw stares and whispers as they walk into a restaurant. 350 pounders
and above. Taking a girl or gal at that size, placing them on a hugely restrictive diet, and putting
them through a rigorous (and if you’ve watched the show, the word rigorous barely tells the
story) exercise program, and you’re going to get dramatic results. It’s just that simple.
So that leaves us with the other question. Is this method of weight loss healthy? Well, yes and
no. There are benefits, at that size, to losing all the weight you can as soon as you can do it.
Being at that weight is not simply unhealthy, it’s downright dangerous. Losing weight by any
(reasonable) means necessary would be a good idea when you’re pushing the scales to the 400
pound mark. For more moderately overweight people, however, the best plan is the old tried
and true method. Diet and exercise, and everything in moderation. Slow and steady wins the
race, after all, and it has been proven that slow to moderate weight loss is much more easily
maintained than the crash diet variety.
So unless you have the benefit of going on The Biggest Loser, hobnobbing with Alison
Sweeney, and being trained by the likes of Jillian Michaels, your best bet is to find a diet plan
that works for you, and not get too hung up about how fast the pounds are disappearing.
Consistency is key, and following a plan over the long term will net you the best results.
twenty pounds look at this amazing process and wonder: Why not me? Is what they’re doing
even healthy? Is it even possible?
This last question may seem silly at first, given that the results are plain to see for everyone
who wishes to take a glance. But what the question is really asking is this: Is there more going
into this weight loss than is presented on television? And the answer is: Who knows? Is it
possible there are some metabolic enhancers being used behind the scenes? Certainly. More
importantly, perhaps, is this question: Is there a chance that there are no metabolic enhancers
being used? And this answer is more simple. Yes, there is that chance.
One basic fact of human nature as it pertains to rapid weight loss is this: Bigger people lose
weight much more rapidly than those of moderate size. Any faithful viewer of The Biggest Loser
knows they don’t trade in people of moderate size. The producers scour the field of potential
contestants to find those who would otherwise be excellent candidates for lap band surgery or
stomach stapling. These people are well beyond “obese”. These are, by and large, people who,
in our society, would draw stares and whispers as they walk into a restaurant. 350 pounders
and above. Taking a girl or gal at that size, placing them on a hugely restrictive diet, and putting
them through a rigorous (and if you’ve watched the show, the word rigorous barely tells the
story) exercise program, and you’re going to get dramatic results. It’s just that simple.
So that leaves us with the other question. Is this method of weight loss healthy? Well, yes and
no. There are benefits, at that size, to losing all the weight you can as soon as you can do it.
Being at that weight is not simply unhealthy, it’s downright dangerous. Losing weight by any
(reasonable) means necessary would be a good idea when you’re pushing the scales to the 400
pound mark. For more moderately overweight people, however, the best plan is the old tried
and true method. Diet and exercise, and everything in moderation. Slow and steady wins the
race, after all, and it has been proven that slow to moderate weight loss is much more easily
maintained than the crash diet variety.
So unless you have the benefit of going on The Biggest Loser, hobnobbing with Alison
Sweeney, and being trained by the likes of Jillian Michaels, your best bet is to find a diet plan
that works for you, and not get too hung up about how fast the pounds are disappearing.
Consistency is key, and following a plan over the long term will net you the best results.
Shawn Bryan is a freelance writer whose
reputation with the written word has preceded
him. On both a personal and professional
level, we at The Movie Star Diet.com are proud
to provide a prominent showcase for his
column.
reputation with the written word has preceded
him. On both a personal and professional
level, we at The Movie Star Diet.com are proud
to provide a prominent showcase for his
column.
