The Biggest Loser started again last night. The 14th season. I used to watch the show faithfully, but now I only catch it when there’s nothing else on. There has been and continues to be a lot of controversy surrounding the show, and that controversy is amplified by the introduction of children into the the show for the first time in its history.
Let’s start with why I do like the show: I love watching people work out. I don’t like seeing them puke or cry or faint, but seeing people push themselves physically is inspiring to me. It’s like being at the finish line of an endurance race: the range of emotions and the sense of incredible accomplishment are very rewarding and inspiring for me. I would love to see what I could accomplish given the same opportunity (and by that I mean, access to similar equipment and trainers – I have no desire to work out for six hours at a shot). It’s also amazing to see people transform their bodies so dramatically. (Maintaining that transformation is another story.)
What I don’t like about the show: It’s insane (and likely dangerous) for people to work out that much. It’s crazy (and likely unhealthy) to lose so much weight so quickly. I hate that the trainers so often belittle and shame the contestants. But my primary gripe about the show is that it’s really just another reality show popularity contest. I have always thought that it would be better if every week the person who had lost the least amount of weight went home. Even better? If the contestant’s metabolic health was measured instead of their pounds lost – but that wouldn’t make for very good TV. When the show inevitably turns into a game involving backstabbing, manipulation, and forming “alliances,” that’s usually when I tune out.
The most fascinating aspect of the show, to me, is when they bring former contestants back for reunion specials. Who kept the weight off? Who gained it all back, and then some? Many former contestants go on to careers in fitness or motivational speaking, and good for them. But the show does its viewers a great disservice when they merely trot out the once-again-fat contestants like a side show, and don’t address the larger issues of why it’s so hard (nearly impossible, for most people) to keep weight off.
Now, about those kids. They aren’t weighing them in on national television. Good. Still, a lot of people take issue with the parents of these children for allowing them to be “exploited” like this. Last night, the kids were repeatedly referred to as “ambassadors for change” in America. You know what? They might turn out to be exactly that. What if a sedentary kid watches the show, sees someone like herself moving their body and improving their health, and decides to do the same? That sounds like a pretty good deal to me. The key is to make children – and anyone watching the show – understand that moderation is key; the extremes of the show are for ratings, and very unrealistic.
It saddens me that the focus on The Biggest Loser is about who can lose the most weight the fastest, rather than who can adopt healthy habits and incorporate movement into their daily lives. It pleases me that the show might (and likely has) inspired people to get up and get moving, and make healthier food choices.
I could go on and on about my thoughts about this show. It’s inspiring, sad, encouraging, disheartening… What are your thoughts? Do you watch it to feel better about yourself because you don’t look like the contestants? Do you watch to feel inspired to work out? Do you loathe it or love it? Tell me your thoughts in the comments!
