I wasn’t planning on writing about this, but after reading the online reaction, coupled with my own personal feelings about weight loss and my general hatred for the show, I feel like I should.
As you all may have heard by now, The Biggest Loser has crowned their winner for Season 15.
I haven’t watched the show in a while, so I didn’t get to see Rachel’s journey. I won’t body shame her or anyone else. But let’s look at the show.
The Biggest Loser is not about promoting weight loss. It’s a game show. You’re competing to see who loses the most weight. That’s a messed up premise, right there. Think about it, you’re competing against other people to lose weight not only for your own pride because you want to succeed, but also for bragging rights (because no one wants to get sent home). It doesn’t matter that you’re being monitored by health specialists. This has to mess with your mind.
Let’s talk about the workouts that the contestants are subjected to. Now, you all know I haven’t been working out that long. I have read articles how it takes years to be able to work out the way the contestants do on the show without injuring oneself. And apparently, people do get injured-all the time.
Apparently, if you go to The Biggest Loser resort this is what your workout will look like. Imagine if they showed that on television? Bor-ing. Instead, the contestants are put through workouts that trained athletes probably wouldn’t do.
Finally, let’s look at the trainers themselves. Apparently, they’re just awesome people in real life. But they’re contestants, too. They want bragging rights and sometimes that can lead to cheating.
But what does all this have to do with us? Sure you can boycott the show and advertisers or we can have a discussion about how the show impacts its audience.
If you’re a parent who is afraid this show sends a bad message to your kids-educate them. Tell them the show is harmful and unrealistic, while watching it with them. Direct them to the Biggest Loser website and show them what life is really like at the ranch.
Finally, don’t make the show bigger than it is. How you react to it has more impact on your child than the show ever could.
As you all may have heard by now, The Biggest Loser has crowned their winner for Season 15.
I haven’t watched the show in a while, so I didn’t get to see Rachel’s journey. I won’t body shame her or anyone else. But let’s look at the show.
The Biggest Loser is not about promoting weight loss. It’s a game show. You’re competing to see who loses the most weight. That’s a messed up premise, right there. Think about it, you’re competing against other people to lose weight not only for your own pride because you want to succeed, but also for bragging rights (because no one wants to get sent home). It doesn’t matter that you’re being monitored by health specialists. This has to mess with your mind.
Let’s talk about the workouts that the contestants are subjected to. Now, you all know I haven’t been working out that long. I have read articles how it takes years to be able to work out the way the contestants do on the show without injuring oneself. And apparently, people do get injured-all the time.
Apparently, if you go to The Biggest Loser resort this is what your workout will look like. Imagine if they showed that on television? Bor-ing. Instead, the contestants are put through workouts that trained athletes probably wouldn’t do.
Finally, let’s look at the trainers themselves. Apparently, they’re just awesome people in real life. But they’re contestants, too. They want bragging rights and sometimes that can lead to cheating.
But what does all this have to do with us? Sure you can boycott the show and advertisers or we can have a discussion about how the show impacts its audience.
If you’re a parent who is afraid this show sends a bad message to your kids-educate them. Tell them the show is harmful and unrealistic, while watching it with them. Direct them to the Biggest Loser website and show them what life is really like at the ranch.
Finally, don’t make the show bigger than it is. How you react to it has more impact on your child than the show ever could.