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Congratulations to Michelle for winning the Biggest Loser, but what happens after she goes back to her family and friends and doesn't have the motivation of winning $250,000 to keep the weight off? She may gain anywhere from 5lbs to 100lbs back. Erik Chopin and Matt Hoover are extreme examples of the after effect of the Biggest Loser high.
During the show, contestants are taken to a camp away from their family and friends and given a lifetime of healthy knowledge in 12 weeks. The personal trainers, Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, are great motivators and educators to the obese contestants. They learn how to eat small meals more frequently through out the day instead of large portions. And usually their old ways of eating consist of high sugar, fat and salt diets. The trainers also push them through hard and grueling workouts that give amazing results.
So when the contestants try out to be on the show, they plead with the producers and tell them how much they truly need a change in their life. That their goal isn't really the money, it's the opportunity to live a healthy life. And in a small way I believe them. But once the 'game' has begun, I think their reasons change. Of course they want to win and receive a quarter of a million dollars, I would too! So this is the trouble with the transition back to reality after their 'reality game' is over. They lack the same motivation that they had during the show.
So there is a piece missing from this show if it really wants to be 'life changing'. With all the 24hour Fitness gym sponsorship, they would surely give each contestant a lifetime membership. And being a personal trainer myself, I know it's hard to bring a person through such a difficult time in their life and then never speak to them again. I wonder if the trainers keep in touch with past contestants? I know in the big picture, it is just a reality show with the interest of making money. But a part of me hopes that they extend some type of offer to the contestants who struggle after the show.
The good side of the Biggest Loser Families show is that the contestants have someone there with them that will most likely be there after the show is over. Someone to help them with temptations and struggles along the way and who knows exactly how it feels. So don't get me wrong, I think this show is incredible. It's given so many people the motivation to get out there and take back the control in their life and lose weight. I just worry about the extreme roller coaster ride that the contestants ride on.
Comments
The contestants must learn WHY they gained in order to keep it off. Vicky from this season is a perfect example, she even told Bob she didn't learn anything about herself and why she gained weight.
It is not up to Jillian and Bob, or NBC or The Biggest Loser producers to keep weight off these people, it is up to them. They must make the decision and acknowledge why they have issues with food.
Ali and Michelle are just two people who learned it and live it.
It isn't easy but it is simple.
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