Maybe I'm just a skeptic....

[Susan]

Maybe that, or they have a km/h scale. 12 km/h is still fast, but not as unlikely as 12 mph would be.

I noticed that she didn't mention "mph".

[malkin]

There are days when I feel like 12 mph is pretty fast on my bike!

[Tri Girl]

There are days when I feel like 12 mph is pretty fast on my bike!

Isn't that the truth!

[nscrbug]

There are days when I feel like 12 mph is pretty fast on my bike!

HA!!! Ditto here!!

[Catrin]

There are days when I feel like 12 mph is pretty fast on my bike!

Same here

I have never seen the show, and from what I've heard about it I never will. If they really do expect people who are starting in that kind of shape to put forth the kind of effort I've had described to me at the very beginning - that is just irresponsible and asking for someone to get injured just to get good ratings. I think it would also discourage someone at home from doing anything at all if they think they have to start at that level of effort.

[malkin]

And I despise Jillian. She starts yelling, and those poor people struggle and take it. It's wrong!

If it is any consolation, Jillian's voice sounds like she's got big trouble.

[Tri Girl]

When I first became active about 8 years ago, if I thought I had to start out at that level, I never would have taken that first step into the gym- and I wasn't nearly as heavy or out of shape as they appear to be.
I wonder if the show encourages people to get moving, or intimidates them?

Have you ever watched the AMC show Heavy? I've seen previews, but have never watched it. It seems like it does a better job of being realistic about life changes, not just short-term huge weight loss (but I don't know- I've never actually seen it).

[indysteel]

When I first became active about 8 years ago, if I thought I had to start out at that level, I never would have taken that first step into the gym- and I wasn't nearly as heavy or out of shape as they appear to be.
I wonder if the show encourages people to get moving, or intimidates them?

Have you ever watched the AMC show Heavy? I've seen previews, but have never watched it. It seems like it does a better job of being realistic about life changes, not just short-term huge weight loss (but I don't know- I've never actually seen it).

I've watched several episodes of Heavy. I like it far better than TBL. It follows two people per episode, and you really get some insight into their lives. They spend the first month of their journey at a facilty where they work with personal trainers, dieticians and therapists. The workouts look hard, but they do seem to more geared to their size and conditions. After that month, they are sent home, where they continue to work with a trainer. If they struggle at home (and many do), they return to the facility. At the end of six months, they graduate witha final weigh in. There have been some extraordinary results. The show really focuses more on the emotional aspects of their journey. What led them to be obese in the first place, what issues they need to confront to recover, and what changes need to be made in their family dynamic to be successful. Many of them have obsese partners, children and extended families. I think the show tries not to be as exploitave as TBL, but it IS still reality tv.

[emily_in_nc]

I've watched several episodes of Heavy. I like it far better than TBL. It follows two people per episode, and you really get some insight into their lives. They spend the first month of their journey at a facilty where they work with personal trainers, dieticians and therapists. The workouts look hard, but they do seem to more geared to their size and conditions. After that month, they are sent home, where they continue to work with a trainer. If they struggle at home (and many do), they return to the facility. At the end of six months, they graduate witha final weigh in. There have been some extraordinary results. The show really focuses more on the emotional aspects of their journey. What led them to be obese in the first place, what issues they need to confront to recover, and what changes need to be made in their family dynamic to be successful. Many of them have obsese partners, children and extended families. I think the show tries not to be as exploitave as TBL, but it IS still reality tv.

+1 -- I think "Heavy" is far more realistic, thoughtful, and "deep" than TBL. Instead of it being all about competition and a "game", it seems to be about people making real changes in their lives, in more than just diet and exercise. It's well done and often very touching and/or heart-wrenching.

Monday nights at 10pm (EST) on A&E, for any who are interested.

[indysteel]

+1 -- I think "Heavy" is far more realistic, thoughtful, and "deep" than TBL. Instead of it being all about competition and a "game", it seems to be about people making real changes in their lives, in more than just diet and exercise. It's well done and often very touching and/or heart-wrenching.

Monday nights at 10pm (EST) on A&E, for any who are interested.

The last one I saw really got me. The woman who shaved her head was just so brave in my book. I loved her. I cheered for her when she finally realized that she was worth putting first for a change. I hope she's still doing well; she looked fantastic.

[ultraviolet]

Odd timing. I actually just saw this episode this afternoon with some friends.

For what it's worth, they were doing 20 second sprints. And it seemed like only a couple of them were doing it at a "12", a couple of people were standing still on the treadmill, and more than one ended up grabbing the handrails and windmilling their legs for a few strides. Given all of that, I don't find it impossible to believe.

I do think that the show's producers apply of a lot of creative editing to get the storylines and "drama" that they want, but that's true of all reality television. *shrug* Just my two cents.

[trista]

I used to love that show and I don't watch it at all anymore. Mostly because I can't stand the in-episode commercials; it's beyond product placement, they stage product-promotion conversations and it is so phony. Plus I don't like the tactics... their method doesn't work, as evidenced by the many, many BL contestants who gain all the weight back after the season ends. I also dislike the new trainers... too much punching and yelling. Although I don't really like Jillian & Bob either. It just seems like they are more interested in selling products than actually being trainers.

I agree they were not running 12 mph. Maybe 12 min miles. No possible way it was 12 mph.

[badger]

I don't bother with that show anymore, too. It used to be inspiring how the contestants slimmed down after they went home, but everything's just been overplayed. It's much like Survivor; the first few seasons were interesting, but they just keep getting nastier, more drama-loving people to one up the season before.

TBL just keep getting bigger and bigger people and, unfortunately for me, the novelty's worn off and I'm no longer interested in watching it.

[zoom-zoom]

I agree they were not running 12 mph. Maybe 12 min miles. No possible way it was 12 mph.

12mph is top speed on many treadmills. I know quite a few age group and small race award-winners who struggle to run that pace for more than a few miles--and these are super-fit individuals. I call major BS. This is what it looks like:
YouTube

[malkin]

Huh?

You lost me here

She sounds like she has chronically abused her voice, which despite the popular appeal of hoarse vocal quality as 'sexy' it really isn't healthy. Vocal abuse can lead to vocal nodules or in some cases laryngeal cancer. It isn't pretty.