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Your browser does not support the video tag. The Biggest Loser's extreme workouts, restricted calorie diets, and shaming tactics have negative impacts on contestants' health. Contestants were subjected to grueling workouts lasting up to 8 hours, ate only 1,000 calories/day, and were ridiculed by trainers. The aggressive weight loss methods led to health issues, weight regain, and permanent metabolism damage in contestants.

The Biggest Loser first premiered on NBC in 2004. Despite that being twenty years ago, the ripple effects of the show on today's diet culture remain.The reality tv weight loss show was famous for how it took everything about diet and exercise to the extreme. It left the air in 2016, but was rebooted by USA in 2020 - with many of the same shaming tactics in place.

In 2004, the show was not deeply scrutinized. Magazines would have the winners of the show grace their covers, their extreme weight loss celebrated by the masses.

Reality TV weight loss journey not just sweat and tears, it's full of shocking behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Winner Ryan Benson gained weight back due to the show's extreme ways, felt exploited by production tactics. Contestants were baited with unhealthy treats on set, showcasing a darker side to reality TV's unscripted drama.

So, you thought reality TV was all glitz and glamour? Think again. Ryan Benson, the inaugural winner of The Biggest Loser, is now spilling the tea on what really went down behind the scenes of the show that promised life-changing weight loss transformations. And trust us, the drama is far from over-the-topits downright shocking.

In 2005, Ryan Benson strutted off with the crown and a hefty $250,000 after shedding a jaw-dropping 120 pounds over just 24 weeks. But dont be fooled by the shiny prize money; Bensons journey was far from smooth.

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Ryan Benson became the first-ever winner of The Biggest Loser in 2004 when he dropped a massive 122 lbs over just 24 weeks, earning him the $250,000 prize money. Now 20 years later, Benson is reflecting on the show, which originally aired on NBC between 2004 and 2016 before moving to USA Network in 2020. The series revolved around overweight contestants competing to lose the highest percentage of weight relative to their initial weight. “Within three days after the show, I had gained 25 to 30 pounds back just in water weight alone,” Benson told People in a new interview, where he said in that first season, the producers, trainers, and other crew members “were kind of learning as they went.” “[Trainers] Bob [Harper] and Jillian [Michaels] weren’t big celebrities, they weren’t household names. They were there every day working out with us,” Benson recalled. Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank At the time, Benson was a 36-year-old aspiring actor who weighed 330 lbs.

Biggest Loser Season 1 winner Ryan Benson has opened up about his experience on the show. He says the reality show, which has been controversial over the years, exploited vulnerable people. Keep reading to see what he revealed about what happens behind the scenes.

Season 1 Winner Opens Up About Biggest Loser Tactics

In 2005, Ryan Benson hopped on the scale during the live season finale for the very first season of The Biggest Loser. The scale clocked him in at 208 pounds. Over the span of 24 weeks, he’d lost 122 pounds. Because he lost the most weight over the 24-week program, he took home the $250,000 grand prize.

While it may have felt good at the moment, the good feelings and the weight loss didn’t last for Ryan. “Within three days after the show, I had gained 25 to 30 pounds back just in water weight alone,” he told People.

At the time, Ryan was...