I am a huge fan of The Biggest Loser and am excited that it is back for another season. There is something about that show that I love. It is so inspiring. On one hand, I can't believe that these people let themselves get to where they are. On the other hand, they lose amazing amounts of weight by learning how to make good choices with food and exercise. They change their lives. Is the Biggest Loser situation realistic? Not at all. People in the real world don't get to exercise hours and hours a day. But they learn how to exercise and learn what their bodies can do. I know that several previous Biggest Loser contestants have gained their weight back, but many have kept it off. Isn't that what it is all about?
As much as I love Jillian Michaels, I have a HUGE beef with her (or at least her organization). I was looking for something on her website (I LOVE her workouts) and out of curiosity clicked on the "free weight loss plan." Just so you know, I do NOT want to lose weight. I filled out the questionnaire honestly with my current weight and physical activity (5'6", 117 pounds*, working out 4-6 days a week) The "free" weight loss guide was a bunch of common sense stuff. The website then prompted me to sign up for her paid program. WHAT?? They will take my money to help me reach my ridiculous and ficticious goal weight of 110 pounds???!! That is actually criminal. I am so disappointed that there are fitness professionals out there helping 5'6" women try to reach 110 pounds or less. Why would you assist someone with a BMI under 19 to lose more weight??
I'm all for making money for helping people get fit, but there should be a limit. It should be about helping people get healthy.
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On the running front... well, there is no running front. I haven't run since labor day. I'm just going to focus on what is going on in my life and worry about the running later. I'll probably go for an easy run this weekend. Tomorrow I am going on a brisk hike up Cowles Mountain with my friend. Maybe we'll even run a bit. I have decided not to stress.
To jump start my motivation, however, I am seriously considering running the P.F. Chang's Rock-n-Roll Marathon in January. I'm going to start the training on October 1st.
*I am actually a little shorter than 5'6" and don't usually weigh myself, but figure I am between 115 and 120.
9 comments:
Hi Lisa! I'm catching up on my blog reading, so I stopped by to say "Hi." I sometimes watch The Biggest Loser with my family, but not all the time. I guess it's because of the "real world factor", where some of them leave the show and go back to their old ways and gain a lot of the weight back. It breaks my heart whenever I read about it. I guess that's why I try not to get addicted to the show! OK, time to go and read some of your previous posts!
i'm not surprised by gillian's website...i doubt they have any kind of filter in place...anyone that wants to pay them money to get tips or whatever can pay...bob and gillian have a lot of commercial pursuits that have been springboarded by BL...glad you're getting a little rest from running, that is healthy
I am so excited for another season of Biggest Loser! It's one of the few shows my husband and I are both addicted too!!
I'm disturbed by Jillian's website. That's not right. Although this year i think I'm going to have a problem with her. After just the first episode she was annoying the crap out of me.
I love TBL, but I do agree that it's unrealistic. I also think it's borderline dangerous how hard they push these people in the first week when they have not been active at all for years. No wonder so many end up in the hospital.
Still, overall it's a good thing.
Enjoy the hike!
i looove biggest loser. i agree as well that some things are a unrealistic and ridiculous though. i think it's great that they are making the changes. i think bob/jillian should be hard on them as they have obviously been more than slack on themselves over the years in order to get to the shape they are in now. i just don't know if it has to be so ridiculous at times. i try to tell myself it's just the editing and they are only showing the most dramatic training moments. watching the show though definitely curbs my late-night snacking!
I watched the first episode, too. The one thing I noticed is that they stressed to the heaviest contestant, the one who wanted to give up, was that it was up to her to make the changes. I've never seen Bob and Jillian do that before, I mean, be that extreme. Perhaps it was an extreme situation. I like the show, however I do have mixed feelings about it.
Have you run PF Chang's AZ RNR before?
Jillian does have a free newsletter that has helpful tips... though there are certainly plenty of advertisements for the various products/services sprinkled in. Still, it's nice to have a little tip of the day!
I LOVE TBL . . . I did a post at some point a while back debating the pros/cons of the show. I REALLY think that the pros outweigh the cons because--if nothing else--at least it is bringing the obesity epidemic into the spotlight, and making it acceptable to discuss. Plus, I always think the show is very motivational. How can you not be motivated by watching these people work their a$$es off and put it all on the line?
As for the people who gain the weight back after leaving the show . . . um, that's just life! In real life people lose and gain back weight, and I don't think it's fair to blame that on the show. The show does what it can in giving them the tools and knowledge needed to keep the weight off . . . then it's up to each individual whether he/she will use them or not.
Wow, that's just ridiculous. To think someone 5'6" should ever get to or below 110 as an "ideal weight" or whatever just makes me angry.
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