The Biggest Loser: THE Worst Show on TV

After watching one of our favorite reality shows, the Bachelor, I usually tune into watch the rest of The Biggest Loser (TBL). With an average of 7 million viewers weekly and over $100 million in annual revenue, it is one of the most popular reality TV shows of all time. I think, though inspirational in its own weird way, TBL is one of the worst reality shows on TV. Recently, the New York Post reported the experiences of a former contestant working out 4 to 8 hours/day while eating less than 400 calories/day. Combining extreme caloric reduction and extreme exercise with morbidly obese de-conditioned individuals, you have a perfect storm for health disasters, which is the totally opposite of what the show try to portray.

​Although the contestants can impressively lose over 100 lbs during their 3 months stay, they also have been seriously injured during the process. And it is reported that most of the contestants end up regaining much of the weight back after the show. If you are interested in reading related articles about the TBL, click here, here, and here.

​There are many legit studies–here is one–that conclude that a proper diet with moderate exercise can sustain long-term weight loss. Over the years, I have always informed my clients that quality weight loss is not about exercising like a fiend but more about the amount of the food we consume daily. When I start with a new client, I tell them weight loss is 80% eating and 20% from physical activity. And if weight loss goal is our primary goal, the target goal should be about losing half pound a week.

​The Biggest Loser in contrast always highlights the intense amount of workouts the contestants do and showcases the  maximum amount of weight they drop weekly. During the “last chance” workouts, which is the last workout the contestants do before their weigh-ins, the contestants are push to the brink to make a final push to “put up big numbers”. And when they don’t put up the big numbers, both the trainers and contestants are baffled, by the fact that as hard as they worked, they haven’t lost more weight. Like I have repeatedly yelled at the TV screen watching the TBL, “weight loss is all about food not exercise!”

The Biggest Loser will continue to draw millions of viewers; we live in a country that is 2/3 overweight or obese. My hope is that someday the producers of the show will emphasize the healthy practices needed to promote lasting long-term wellness and not solely promote thoughtless weight reduction.