The Biggest Loser

[Kimmyt]

So I have to admit, I do have one vice when it comes to t.v. (OK, two, but I'm not telling my other potentially embaressing t.v. show that I watch religiously for fear of ridicule!).

Anyway, that is The Biggest Loser. The Boy and I watch it every week after our Tuesday climbing gym sessions. Last night, they did a triathlon as their challenge.

My first reaction was 'it's backwards!', because they cycled then ran, then swam. But then I was super impressed. These are people that couldn't barely walk a few weeks ago and now they were cycling for 20km, running for 3km and the big kicker, which I found most impressive, was swimming for 1km. That's a solid amount! It was pretty cool, and I think the best part was at the end when everyone was like, "I would have never thought I could do a triathlon!"

Its funny how people regard tris as such a huge accomplishment, and it reminds me that it is, even though alot of the time I end up shorting myself by saying, 'but I only did a sprint' or 'but it took me just under 2 hours!'

Makes you realize that it really is a big thing, you know?

K.

[Pedal Wench]

I watch it too. And Survivor. And The Amazing Race...

I was blown away by them too. I was a bit upset about the format though. I was hoping that the woman who won the cycle and run would have been able to move on and keep her lead. By having each leg start from scratch, she lost her advantage. All that happened was the winner of the swim won - it wasn't a cumulative score. Details...

[Trek420]

I was hoping that the woman who won the cycle and run would have been able to move on and keep her lead. By having each leg start from scratch, she lost her advantage. All that happened was the winner of the swim won - it wasn't a cumulative score. Details...

Yeah, I watch, I DVR all the episodes... the winner knew she is such a strong swimmer that if she could just get in the water she'd win. And she made a mile look like a lap, terrific form.

But the woman who won the ride, standing and sprinting....if it had been cumulative who knows.

And one day off negated all the weight they might have lost that week. That made an impression.

[Kimmyt]

I agree, I hate the drama. I always root for the ones that are no-nonsense, that are there for a reason, and that don't play 'the game'. That's why I was happy that the vote went the way it did last night. (I can't believe I'm having a conversation about a tv show lol!)

I like watching them work out, and realizing that there's all these things their body can do. I feel like I can kinda relate to that, you know, coming from a non-athletic background and becoming pretty athletic.

But you know, I always get vaguely guilty feeling as I sit on the couch watching people losing weight. It seems kinda silly. Not that it should, because I work out alot and I am allowed to sit on a couch, but it's like, watching a tv show about people losing weight is so ironic in a way...

K.

[wemoon]

I saw this episode too. I don't normally seek out to watch TBL, but someone on another Tri forum said that this episode was going to be on tonight. My first thought too was about how it was backwards and I also kinda thought it was weird how they stopped after every segment. No one looked sweaty with the just biked 20K look. But all in all, it is impressive that these people did it. I kinda wished they would have let everyone continue on though through the whole event just to have that experience of doing it. May motivate some to do it again.

[Running Mommy]

I watched it, and shook my head... If you are going to do a triathlon- then DO A TRIATHLON!!!
Did the producers even look into what a triathlon really is???
Part of what makes a triathlon hard is going directly from swimming, to biking, and then to running. And putting the swimming last is actually dangerous. There is a reason why they put the swim first ya know!
And yeah, I know there are some races out there that do it backwards, but I think they are crazy. Of course I'm looking at it from a liability standpoint.

But yeah, my guess is Kae would have won it if she was allowed to go directly to the next event. She appeared to have a smoking lead.
So as someone said- it became a swimming meet. And the thing with swimming- it's ALL about technique! It doesn't matter how thin or fit you are, if you don't have the technique you will be slow. The girl that won had a swimming background, and as you could see her technique was good.

But yeah, I watch it. I don't think it's realistic, but I watch it. And I was happy that the vote finally went the right way!
Personally I think mr. water loader needs to go. His scheming is ridiculous!

[roadie gal]

I love that show. I'm so proud for those folks. I really like the pictures of them after they've been tossed off of the show. All of them have kept up the healthy lifestyles.

I just wish they wouldn't prolong the DRAMA of it all. It could be a 45 minute program that they drag out to 1 1/2 hours.