What you described is exactly what worries me. People start a weight loss program and think they should lose 10 pounds every week because that’s what happens on the Biggest Loser. It simply isn’t true and is dangerous if you do somehow manage to do that. One to two pounds per week is all anyone should ever be shooting for …

Thanks for your comments, it’s really helpful to hear. :-)

L–

Once to boot camp was over, and I did NOT see BL-like weight loss results; I was crushed. I really had to take myself out of the BL mindset and realize I’m a busy mom, that works full time in addition to trying to work out. It wasn’t going to happen like that for me. I was shun a three pound a week weight loss because it wasn’t 10 pounds, or 9. It started a really dangerous mindset for me and I had to distance myself. My cable is gone, and I can’t say I’m missing this season at all.

Now, when I hear people talk about it, I remember those aren’t feasible results in the real world. I admire that they are trying to push a show centered on weight loss out in prime time. I’m sure numerous people look to it as a inspiration or reason to get started, but it’s a game show, first and foremost and always will be.

I used to love (and blog about) this show all the time but I cannot stomach it anymore, precisely for the reasons you state above. It’s just not realistic or healthy for the contestants to live like this! And these days the show seems more about product placement than changing lives.

I love this! I’m also a trainer and have maybe caught 1/2 of two episodes but what I hear frequently is that they are always having people doing really unsafe exercises. The two times I have caught a few minutes I noticed really heavy people doing things I would NEVER have a client do for fear of compromising their joints, blood pressure, heart rate and etc.

I also agree that the show does tug at your heart strings. I actually stopped on it within the last few weeks (and maybe cried for a second) when they were featuring the woman who lost her whole family in a car accident. I’m glad I stopped on that part because it reminded me to dig in with clients and not to forget that people’s battles with their weight are often rooted way deeper emotionally than just channeling some will power, getting motivated and getting in the gym (which is easy for fitness professionals because we’re freaks and love exercise :P)

All in all, great assessment. I was perusing through your other posts as a blogger myself and I enjoy your honest and straightforward approach. My mom was recently asking me about the Susan Lucci Malibu Chair, I’m just going to forward your post on that to give her her answer :)

Thank you for your insights,
Liz

True reality is working with a client and educating them in the lifestyle of Fitness, and demonstrating the Fun of Fitness.

I guess american televisions viewers want foul mouth uneducated people screaming at fat people on a tv screen and they are entertained, probably while drinking a soda and eating chips.

GO Figure!!

I have been a trainer for nearly 20 years, and have had the opportunity to be the fitness director at two health clubs, and I can count on one hand the number of trainers who had a combination of talent and personality. That said, it’s the ones with the great personality who had the most clients.

The heart of the matter is this; Biggest Loser puts the personal training industry in a very questionable light. Ask yourself this: if you were considering hiring a personal trainer, then watched an episode of BL, would you still want to hire a trainer?

(and don’t get me started on all the staged events on the show in order to feature this week’s sponsor’s products)