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Out of curiosity I tuned into the premiere of this season’s Biggest Loser. It didn’t fail to live up to my expectations. Shows like this are a huge thorn in the side of fitness professionals. I’ll get to why in a minute. Ok, we have couples again, no big deal (and no pun intended) they’ve had couples before. We were reminded repeatedly that this cast was the heaviest ever. Is it me or is this show designed to humiliate the cast and anyone watching who is extremely overweight. I don’t think that they need reminding that they have lots of weight to lose. Comments like you’re the heaviest woman in Biggest Loser history only adds insult to injury.
Midway through the first hour one of my clients called me and she was hot. Her indignation was akin to mine. I did my best to assure her that a good deal of the dialogue was made for tv and for ratings. We talked at length about the trainers; Jillian specifically. This is where the personal in personal training comes in. I’m all for motivating my clients, I will challenge them to go a bit further and not be complacent. I will not humiliate them nor will I walk around with an I’m better than you attitude. Of course there are times when I do what them to stop complaining, stop questioning me and just do what I say. However, I will not be rude or condescending. Remember the saying about catching bees with honey instead of salt? Maybe because I’ve been the fat girl and I know what it feels like, I won‘t embarrass anyone. No one wants to be fat and unhealthy and if I had the answer to why the masses don’t do something 50 lbs before they reach 300 I’d be a billionaire. Every overweight person reaches they’re breaking point when they’re good and ready.
The weigh ins are not only disgraceful they’re unreal. This is the part that’s like nails on a blackboard to trainers. When clients see the contestants losing upwards of 20 lbs a week, they want to know why they’re not losing at the same rate. I’ve not been behind the scenes but I’m very skeptical about those numbers. What I explain to those that ask is this: Biggest Loser contestants live in a controlled environment where they spend 5-6 hours (at least) a day working out. They are pushed and pushed hard to go beyond their limits. Their meals are strictly controlled and their lives at the ranch are all about losing weight and nothing else.
I think that the powers that be have heard how unrealistic it all sounds and that’s why they’ve set so many home to prove that it can be done. I wish them luck they’re going to need it. Obviously the show is doing something right because they’ve survived another season. And in case you think I’m heartless and see no value in the program let me set the record straight. The gift of optimal health is awesome and anyone that lends a hand, and foots the bill is doing a great thing. I just wish that they’d bring down the expectations and be for real.
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