The Biggest Loser

Before listing the numerous bad points I have to say there is one point about this show that is so amazingly good it almost makes up for the bad ones: it demonstrates with no doubt whatsoever that nearly ANYONE CAN BE ACTIVE no matter what their weight. A good deal more active than most people believe is possible. This is so important. It shows that change is possible. It also shows how people who do eat well and exercise can accomplish amazing things well before they reach their goal weights, that there are rewards for changing your lifestyle throughout the journey, not just when you reach that magical number you've been striving for on the scale.

Among the bad points are the cheap psychoanalyzing that goes on, which appears to be more for making drama moments than actually accomplishing anything constructive, product placements (especially for products one strongly doubts the trainers actually encourage the contestants to use), the necessity for some contestants to lose more weight than is healthy in order to win, and raising unrealistic notions of what constitutes an appropriate rate of weight loss or level of intensity of exercise would be safe for viewers at home without strict medical supervision.

We are allowed to have tv shows about alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, addictions to drinking gasoline and eating diapers, but the second there is a show that centers around people who are on the brink of death due to food addiction it's an issue? There is no shame in needing help for ANY addiction. People will sit by and watch My 600 Pound life where they show those in need struggle and suffer, but the second we show how to avoid that misery and fate it's offensive.

The few who have been on the show and have claimed it gave them an eating disorder forget that they Already Had An Eating Disorder. Most of them were killing themselves and were ridden with a slew of diseases that they did not have at the end of the show, I get that for some reason shining a light on addictions and disorders that can be helped is somehow wrong, but The Biggest Loser has genuinely helped me fight through depression caused obesity numerous times in my life. It's reputation pisses me off.

What has reality TV come to these days with shows from Real World to Apprentice picking stereotyped characters to appear on them week after week and season after season. The Biggest Loser, however, is a different make-up entirely, featuring normal yet overweight contestants to compete to see who can lose the most weight and be...THE BIGGEST LOSER.

Two teams train and face-off each week in different challenges. Some of the challenges focus around their improvement, such as seeing how far one can ride an exercise bike for a set number of hours. Other challenges focus on the contestants' weaknesses, such as having them build a tall tower out of sugary food. It sounds cheesy, but it's fun to watch as the two teams try their best each week in the competitions. Host Caroline Rhea and trainers Bill and Jillian also provide a nice distraction from the contest and contestants. Caroline even has exciting lines such as "It's time to...CUT THE FAT!" Where do these writers come from...?

After the competition (and watching the winning team with their prize), we then have the weigh-off where each team member sees how much weight they have lost that week. Sometimes inspirational, other times boring, the weigh-in is one of the best moments of reality TV for me. Each week I get to watch as each team member works to try and lose weight and the real payoff comes in these moments. Afterwards, the team that loses the least weight has to vote a team member off, Survivor style. It can be somewhat cheezily intense.

Sometimes the game seems a little unfair...it appears that every week, whoever wins the challenge for that week gets some cushy prize. The team that loses the challenge stays home and gets extra workout time. Does this seem like cheating to anyone else? It always seems to be that the team that wins the challenge loses the weigh-in. Hopefully if this show sees a second season (which I hope), this problem will be addressed.

While some have complained that the show should focus more on maintaining a low weight instead of just shedding the pounds, the fine print at the end of each episode says that they trainers and show mentors DO address this! As well, each contestant, as least as far as I can tell, is dangerously overweight and needed to shed that many pounds, so I don't know where some reviewers on here get off saying that the contestants should be focusing less on rapid weight loss. Rapid weight loss is dangerous for people of AVERAGE body weight. As well, each contestant has been medically consulted.

Lastly, it is important to note that the show is also inspirational in many aspects. It shows that people who are overweight can still achieve things they would not have normally thought were possible. Each and every contestant has stated this, and I feel it is important to reinforce on here. The Biggest Loser shows how much can be achieved in diet, exercise, and self-image, which is important to an overweight America. I highly suggest tuning in!

The only part of the show they changed was the finale, and that was for the worse. I liked it when they came back in dramatic fashion. I love Bob Harper, but not as host.

I was really excited to see this show is back. It's so inspirational & motivational, especially as someone who's on a weight loss journey of her own right now. I do, however, have a few problems with this show.

The first, the music. Awful. Like, YouTube awful. Maybe they're doing it for the millennials? I don't know. The background (no voice) music is fine, but every song with singing included... UGH. Not for me.

The second, is a problem I've always had with the show: they're giving those of us at home unrealistic expectations. Most of us at home can't afford these trainers or gyms, etc & aren't living with said trainers & a team of others in the same boat as you. I don't know about anybody else here, but at my weekly weigh-in, I NEVER get the big numbers they get on this show. No matter how hard I work. So, I feel like those of us at home are actually almost let down by our 1 or 2 lb lost in a week. Which, by the way, is totally acceptable & healthy. So, as motivating & inspiring as it can be to watch, it can also be discouraging for us at home. That's just the truth.

I sincerely hope the contestants are learning healthy ways to eat & live. I know this show has saved lives. I hope it does the same for some of the viewers, as well. If you're on a weight loss journey, just as I am, just keep doing your best! Do not compare your progress to anyone on this show. Or, for that matter, anyone else you may know IRL or on social media. Your journey is yours & yours alone. You've got this!