The Biggest Loser
Well, The Biggest Loser is pretty much over for another year. Last night we saw the elimination of Gary, leaving Alison, Kirsten and Sam as the “final 3″ to weigh in against one another on Thursday night to see who will take the title of “The Biggest Loser” for 2008.
I have to admit that I’m somewhat addicted to this show. Which I find kind of silly because I actually think the concept is quite STUPID.
How can it really be safe to lose weight that quickly? And in such a “controlled” environment. Is this sort of thing really sustainable outside of the “white house” (the white house is a large house where they all live for the duration of their stay on the show)?
What kind of message does The Biggest Loser send to those watching it? That it’s okay to lose weight in big numbers per week? That a personal trainer is going to flog you so getting one is a BAD idea?
So, if I don’t really like the messages they’re sending, why do I watch it?
1. I have ALWAYS struggled with gaining weight. If I’m not keeping a watchful eye on it, it goes UP. It’s ALWAYS been this way. My WHOLE life. So I guess when I watch it, it reminds me what I could easily become if I don’t continue to be aware. It sucks but then so does getting more and more overweight.
2. It motivates me to exercise while I’m watching it. The beauty of having an exercise bike in the lounge room. Although these past few weeks I’ve done more “sitting and watching” than usual. Like last night because I’d ALREADY exercised!!!! But it did feel kind of strange sitting watching while they did work outs (not that there was much of that on last night’s episode).
So, I think it’s a stupid concept and yet I’m somehow addicted to watching it. I find it interesting to see that most of the contestant’s have emotional “issues” related to their weight gain (both causing the weight gain and caused BY the weight gain) and seeing the way their confidence and self esteem grows throughout the show.
My pick for the 2008 Biggest Loser??? I think Kirsten has the most drive and it would be GREAT to see a female winner. I actually think they need to do a female only version because female bodies aren’t the same as males when it comes to weight loss.
I would dearly LOVE to see Alison win just because I think she’s a genuinely nice person. And it would seem that perhaps winning isn’t something that she’s experienced a lot of. Then, of course, there is the “mum power” aspect of Alison pulling off the title of “Biggest Loser 2008″.
What are your thoughts on The Biggest Loser. Do you watch it? Are you wondering what the heck I’m talking about? Any picks for who’ll win this year’s Biggest Loser title?
Similar Posts:
- Bloggest Loser Challenge - I SUCK!!!!
- Bloggest Loser Weight Loss Challenge
- The Bloggest Loser Challenge - Motivation Zero
- The 20kg Weight Loss Challenge
- Getting Back On The Wagon
20 comments:
Write a comment:
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate each and every one of them. If this is the first comment you have left, your comment will be held in moderation for approval so you may not see it immediately. Once your first comment is approved, all future comments should appear immediately. You can choose to receive any further comments by email. Simply tick Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.
No I don’t watch it. We had some friends sharing dinner with us a few weeks ago and the 8 year old kept asking the time. Turns out he couldn’t wait to get home to watch Biggest Loser!
I’m similar to you - irritated by some aspects of it, but intrigued at the same time
Although the ’suspense’ bits get me changing channels fast!
I would actually be happy to any of the three get the title. I have to admit to having a soft spot for the blue team throughout the show - they all seemed to have a real team attitude that I like. The reds were all a bit ‘me me me’! Although how much of that was careful editing and how much reality, I’m not sure. After all, it’s in their best interests to make sure that the finalists have the public sympathy, right?
Love it! Addicted to it! I’m happy with the final 3 ’cause I liked the blue team the best. I think the producers are angling for a female winner, and will do what they can to make it happen.
My youngest sons friend is Sam’s cousin - no inside information though, damnit!
Bit’s of the show irritate me, but mostly, I enjoy it
I love the whole concept and watch it for inspirational ideas to use with my clients!
Oh we are addicts too - thank goodness we are coming to the finale and we can get back to some serious non-TV watching!
I was actually hoping that the elimination would have been between Sam and KB and really feel for Garry.
I think Australia should all shout out to the big guy “heck, if your father is not proud of you mate, WE ALL ARE.”
I don’t really care who wins - KB is such a sour loser, though so my inner soul is barracking against her.
My pick is for Alison, just because she seems so nice. I too am irritated, annoyed and addicted to this show. For pretty much the same reasons as you. It really bothers me that they insist on getting them to talk about their personal problems on national television, and they make them weigh in wearing those dreadful outfits. Talkabout humiliation. It’s degrading but I still watch it. Not sure what that says about me!
I was addicted to the Biggest Loser last year. I’ve not even watched one full episode of it this year. Just don’t have the time anymore.
Alison is my pick and has been my favourite for quite awhile, was so happy to see her get through. I haven’t liked KB’s attitude AT ALL over the past few weeks and Sam is OK but doesn’t take it seriously enough, IMO. I was happy to see Cosi eliminated because then it stopped being “The Biggest Loser according to Cosi” show. Seriously, some episodes seemed like it was about 75% him talking about the game. I know you’re a radio announcer so you’re paid to talk, but be quiet already!
I actually like the message it sends, since you see how hard they’re working to pull the numbers - it’s not the quick and easy fix that a lot of fad diets promote. As for whether they can maintain their loss outside of the house, it’s hard regardless of how you lost it in the first place but hopefully they learned enough from the trainers in the meantime. But the show itself frustrates me though because it’s so padded with the coming up/you’ve just seen bits at every break. I usually record it and watch it later so I can skip all that.
I don’t watch The Biggest Loser - I watched the first season but not since then. I never really got into it after that. It’s depressing to see them all sell out and be spokespeople for diet fads that don’t work - think of all the poor people who buy the shakes etc because someone from the Biggest Loser claims to be on it.
Gah, advertising makes me angry, lol!
Ann - my 10 year old LOVES it. I think because it has a winner. He’s VERY competitive. I get concerned about what my kids will pick up from it but we try to use it as a teaching tool for eating healthy and staying active.
Naomi - I agree about the reds. And personally, I like Shannon more so than Michelle. She seemed to have “issues” all the time. *shrugs*
Suze - there has certainly been a lot said about the first female biggest loser hasn’t there? I guess there’s a 2/3 chance.
Debbie - how interesting. What sort of ideas? Training ideas?
Jeanie - the odds were stacked against Garry as soon as Cosi went weren’t they?
Sharon - yes it is tough. Especially when they ask for cameras to be turned off and they refuse.
Marita - that’s tough. Not having time I mean. I tend to either be on the computer in the evening or watching something. I’m too worn out to do much else!
Lauren - I was getting pretty tired of Cosi’s “vote with your head not your heart” line. He certainly had plenty of opinion.
Katie - I find advertising rather frustrating too. BUT, part of the problem is people wanting quick results without effort. So I guess it’s a bit 2-sided when it comes to weight loss products.
My boys & I have been watching it & both boys love the show. I must admit it pushes me back into thinking about my weight & certainly stops the TV watching pig out.
I was also glad that the blue team made it to the final 3. Mainly because the Cosi, Nicola, Gary alliance thing was really annoying. They just seemed very negative & I am glad I don’t live in Adelaide where they have to put up with Cosi on the radio.
My littlest boy has become very aware of the importance of exercise from watching the show & the different types of exercise too.
You sound like me we’ve somehow ended up becoming addicted too!
I have some of the same problems as you also
My kids are addicted and they have even got a friend of mine addicted (he never used to watch anything like that but I always know where I could find him at a certain time of the evening now
I love The Biggest Loser! Last night I didn’t know what to watch. Me and my daughter sat and talked! Didn’t like it so much last year because I only like watching ‘nice’ people, or awful people if they leave the show soon enough. A day or 2 more of Cosi and I would have stopped watching.
Yes, it seems crazy to promote such fast weight loss and such high impact exercise, and I cringe at how many of them refer to themselves as ‘disgusting’ at the first weigh-in. I found it strange that no-one commented on how efficiently John lost weight with his heart condition, only allowed to do three gentle half-hour walks a day. Not such good television, I suppose.
But most of all it’s heartwarming, and that’s what I like in my TV choices. I love the blue team and would love to see a woman win, but if Sam were the one to take that dream away it would be some consolation ‘cos I love Sam.
Kelli - it’s great to hear some positive stories from watching the show.
Katrina - nice to hear I’m not the only one. LOL.
Hilary - Sam is a sweetie and if it weren’t for wanting to see a female win, I’d be more than happy to see him win. Last year I didn’t really like any of the final 3 and this year I’d be happy for any of them to win. I know Kirsten got a little bit whingy whiney toward the end but honestly, I think being on the show that long would do that to a person!!!! The way they throw in twists and turns would have to be disheartening when you feel like you’ve almost made it to the end.
I dislike all of those reality shows and haven’t watched any of them since the first episode of Big Brother which I switched off after about 15 minutes. I don’t find it at all entertaining seeing people scripted into doing things they wouldn’t normally do, set up purposely to either attract another member of the party to gauge their real partner’s reaction or to purposely “pick on” another member of the house to the point where someone breaks down and desperately wants to leave. All of this just for money??
I love “Loser” as Noah calls it.
I’m not sure who I like the best this year. The final is on Thursday, isn’t it?
Have to tune in for that.
I decided to take a look at the Biggest Loser Club website and based on what I saw I joined. While it has a lot of drawbacks, particularly in the suggested menus they provide, you can make substitutes and are not obliged to use their menus - it does calculate every scrap of food you consume as well as take off calories for activities. It gives a breakdown of the nutrition you are consuming so you can adjust your intake. At $30 a month, the website itself is good value even if the food leaves something to be desired. I lost 2.7 kg the first week. I will say that they emphasise that the program is not about rapid loss and that the Biggest Loser Show is just that - a Show. I barrack for Alison, but I think Sam will win.
I got sucked in by it this year too. Never watched it before, but I caught the bug this time. Although I don’t exercise while it’s on. I generally time it so that I’m eating my grilled chops, mushrooms and chips while it’s on. Eating good, wholesome food like that while a bunch of ‘fatties’ work their bums off!
I can do that though, cos I’m trying to put weight ON!
River - yeah, what money (and fame) will make people do. Although I do think with the Biggest Loser, many of the contestants are looking for more than just money. Big Brother on the other hand….. strange, strange, strange!!!!
Tiff - Thursday, yep. MUST find a video tape to tape it so I don’t miss it.
Cosmic - have you tried http://www.calorieking.com.au ? It’s free. I’m a member but haven’t used it for a while.
Mr V - your comment made me laugh until the bit about you needing to put weight on. I WISH I had that problem!!!!
I have my fingers crossed for Alison. Must be the mum thing I think but I’ve been a fan of hers since day one.
Two I was so very glad to see go was JJ and Cosi…aarrgggh.