The Biggest Loser - Opinions?

[Dogmama]

OK, I admit it. I watch this show. I've always wondered, though, if people keep the weight off after the show ends. I've also wondered what goes on when the cameras are gone. I don't like the "game playing" part of it but I love to watch the trainers work with the contestants.

I ran across this: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/bu...er=rss&emc=rss

What do you ladies think? Is this a good message to our overweight population? Are we encouraging people to make changes? Or are we encouraging the American ideal of the "quick fix?"

[Sadie]

I watch the show too, and love it! Seems to me, most make life altering changes and deal with the emotional side of their overeating. Love Bob and Jillian. I have a personal trainer like Jillian, and it sure is motivating...

[Zen]

Jillian grates on my last nerve and now she's pushing some sort of weight loss supplement pills

Sometimes I think they're pushing those people a bit hard considering their history of inactivity.

[NoNo]

I have no doubt there are people there solely for the money and will do whatever it takes to win. But I also believe there are people that truly want to change their lives and actually take what they learned and carry it forward after the show. I've never felt the workouts were realistic for someone just trying to do it on their own, but watching those people change so dramatically may be what it takes to get someone off the couch and start making some little changes.

Go Danny!

[roadie gal]

We watched the first 2 seasons religiously but we haven't watched it much lately, since the game playing has overshadowed the weight loss for some people.

I think the workouts are unrealistic for these people. I'm surprised that there haven't been heart attacks and deaths.

There's a "Where are they now" show coming up next week that profiles the previous contestants. Now THAT'S the show I want to see.

[katluvr]

I am addicted. And not for a good reason. NOt sure why I am obsessed with this show. (And I sit and sip my wine while I watch!)

I do get very frustrated by the time they spend in the gym. And if they dont' have a gym the all freak out. They should show people how to incorporate non-gym activites and to have fun. They have moved more towards the running doing those 1/2 and full marathon distances.

But you can tell there are mroe and more injuries as they push these people harder than they should.

I also wonder if they put them on appetite suppressants. How does one go from eating thousands and thousands of calories to eating probably between 1000 - 1500???

I think there are some good messages...just not enough.

I am most interested to see tonight's look at who kept if off. I have ALWAYS wondered what happend to those folks.

(Oh and what about all the crying...drives me insane. Actually it is like a comedy to me. Sorry, don't mean to offend anyone that watches...because I watch it toooo!)

[tongue_tied]

I watch it as well, and as someone who's also trying to lose weight, it almost seems unreal to me for someone to lose 16 pounds in a week. I have a job, and I work out 4-5 times a week. These people work out 8 hours a day, 7 days a week. Maybe if I had that time, I too could lose 150 pounds. Besides that and the product pushing they do after segments, I think it's a good show which, underneath it all, has a good message to get out there and change your life.

[Tri Girl]

I watch it, too, but know it's changed since it's inception. It was more about the lifestyle changes and learning how to live healthier in the beginning, but I feel it's gotten way more "commercial" and out to sell merchandise/items lately. Might be just me, but it seems like they're trying to find heavier people and push them harder (bigger, faster, more).
I can't wait for the special tonight. It is inspiring to see people change their lives. As someone who lost 35 lbs with WW only to gain it all back plus 5- I feel their pain. It was so incredibly difficult for me to go from "dieting to lose" to "eating to maintain." I can't imagine trying to keep 100+ pounds off.