The wake of Kai Hibbard interviews that started at this blog has left a a pile of facebook rants, forum posts, and blog outrage. When the dust settles and we all go back to waiting for Jersey Shore 2 to debut, what will really change from all of this? This isn’t the first time (nor will be the last) the Biggest Loser has come under scrutiny publicly or in the industry. One of my favorite articles on the topic was one that Tom Venuto wrote a few month ago.
I don’t really want to talk about the technical aspect of the show. Just in case you didn’t know, here is a quick recap.
- This is a tv show
- These are extremely overweight individuals
- They eat extremely low calories for their energy needs
- They train 5-6 hours a day and are encouraged to workout even more
- They take part in dehydration and water manipulation for weigh-ins
- One week, isn’t always a week in reality
- The training is extremely flawed both from a technical and safety standpoint
- It’s a 100+million dollar industry
This year was the first year I watched a full season of the Biggest Loser. I had seen an episode here and there when a marathon was on and mostly was left twitching from a technical standpoint. As a trainer the things I see them do on that show go beyond experimental and into dangerous. Aside from that, when you include the flawed education on nutrition it is a train wreck from beginning to end.
****Interruption****
I am sorry this post has been interrupted by Bob Harper to explain to you why Ziploc Storage Bags and Extra Sugar-Free Gum are going to save you from your obesity. Using these items at least one time a day will…
****Back to regular scheduled program****
The redeeming element of this show (and it is a big one) is the inspirational factor and encouragement of people changing their lives. I wouldn’t be a very good candidate for the job I have if I didn’t get moved and inspired by these people. They take their hope for a better life and put it on a TV in a ranch out in the middle of nowhere. I am not blind to the millions of people who have been inspired because of watching this show. To say this show hasn’t inspired good and change in people would be an extreme understatement.
But at what cost? I have said it before and this will not be the last time…
Is it okay to manipulate and lie to achieve a positive destination, as long as the destination is achieved? This question isn’t only valid in this situation. Everything from organics, environment, and politics enter into this camp. Aware or not people are misleading the public for gain of their ultimate agenda. Even if that agenda is based in good measure and moral intent, does how we arrive there change it? Wouldn’t being honest be the better route to go to enlightenment and education? Wouldn’t sticking to the facts and leaving aside (or painting clearly) anecdotal information be better for the end result and save time?
At the end of the day we can paint this as a “Well gee whiz beaver, don’t believe everything you see on tv” situation. We can say, “People should know better!” and call it a day. I say, “How could they?” Our daily news is being filled with more opinions and advertisers, than facts and information. Why should we expect a show like the Biggest Loser to be any different? Why should we expect any shows on those networks to be any different?
I will celebrate the metamorphism people have made in their lives because of this show, but I will condemn the method and road it takes to achieve it. In the end, I think this brings forth another reason to examine how me make achievements in are lives. I believe how we go about our victory is important. This isn’t directed at the people who go on the Biggest Loser, this is directed at their trainers, producers and doctors. People might want to claim Kai is just getting fat and wants her 15 secs of fame back, but I am inclined to believe based on that interview she genuinely understands her role in perpetuating myths and unhealthy practices. It seems to me to be a lose/lose situation, but I think in the end it might help people steer back on the right track, and that is a win.
What do you think? Do you think perpetuating myths and false information is okay as long as the end goal is reached? I would love to see some real debate on this subject.
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Good for her. Its about time that the general public starts to hear about how unrealistic the expectations are on that show.
Perpetuating myths and false information is NOT okay.
Educating people and supporting them is.
Completely true. The inspirational component cannot be discounted. I’m very pleased that the show has inspired people to change their lives, but I wonder, if I were omniscient, how many have suffered physical injuries from following the edicts as presented? How many have lost weight only to regain it, and more due to the unsustainable approach? If only there were a way to track the problems that have occurred, the inspirational component may not outweigh the negative implications.
I think the general public already realized that the show wasn’t “real”. I don’t think anyone will argue that the show has inspired a lot of people to get off the couch and start exercising and eating better.
You might not want to hear this but, if it wasn’t for BIGGEST LOSER, I would still probably be a 336lb couch potato that smokes 2 1/2 packs of cigarettes a day. The show inspired me to do something: To get up and start, to want to be educated and supported. The best part is that AFTER I began to change, I found great support and education from people like Leigh. I hear all the time how ridiculous the show is, or how they do this wrong, or that wrong. HELLO??!! Trainers, you have an attentive audience of people that watch the show. How many 336lb couch potatoes attention would you have without the show? I think you’re missing the mark. Folks are searching you out for help because they get inspired by the show.
Myths? Lies? I don’t think I ever expected to lose 15lbs. in one week, but the show did make me see that if I monitor what I eat (whether it’s a lie or not, the trainers did stress taking in calories), exercise regularly, I will lose weight.
I know that eating 1000 calories and working out 6-7 hours a day are not realistic, nor healthy. It seems obvious to me. There will always be some people that believe everything they see and hear on TV. I just don’t think the majority of us are that gullible.
Kai developed an eating disorder as a result of being on the show. I’m sure not everyone on the show does so drawing the correllation can be a bit shaky–but like Leigh said, they are subjected to extreme over-training and caloric deprivation and it’s not far to an eating disorder from there if you have a certain personality type. Anyway, do the ends justify the means in Kai’s case? She is no longer morbidly obese, but she has an eating disorder. If I was offered my perfect body, but it came with anorexia, I’d say hell no. Being thin should not be prized at any cost.
I’m not sure how much the show actually inspires “couch potatoes.” Most likely they develop a fantasy about losing weight based on the show. They join a gym and eat salads for a week. They probably discover it’s hard–too hard, and go back to their old habits within a month. Now they have a cynical attitude about weight loss: “I tried it and it didn’t work, I guess I’m meant to be this weight.” I think it’s a rare individual who reaches and maintains a healthy weight based on Biggest Loser inspiration and techniques. Even something like Weight Watchers would be more successful since it has a slow and steady approach, and camaraderie instead of abuse.
One vital fact people are missing is, “Hibbard says she has already gained 70 pounds back and now worries about her body image.”
I don’t feel sorry for her. She could lose the weight if she wanted. Excuses, excuses.
I echo many of the comments above mine. I have watched the show from the beginning, when there were some morbidly obese contestants and some “normal” overweight people. Now, they won’t even consider you if you aren’t at least 100 lbs overweight. The show is definitely about making money, first and foremost.
I do disagree with Jim, I think the average American, not people interested in fitness, do believe the show and the results are real. I have heard many comments from friends and family not as privy to good information as I am, and even though they know the weight loss is significant, they believe its possible if you live at a “ranch” and have personal trainers and dietitians at your disposal. I didn’t even consider that the “weeks” were not weeks.
I feel the show needs to come with a warning label. I mean, someone is actually suing McDonald’s because they put toys in Happy meals…maybe we should demand that “Results NOT typical, weeks are not weeks” disclaimer be at the bottom of the screen during the entire 2 hours. lol
I have watched the biggest loser from the beginning and feel really sad for Kai. I don’t think she is seeking fame at all. I see guilt all over her. It has to be tough to constantly be asked how to lose weight form people or have strangers come up to you when you don’t support the process.
I don’t think this is the way to go about it, there are better ways.
Do you think perpetuating myths and false information is okay as long as the end goal is reached?
No, I think a full account of how the end goal is reached is important. This lets others know the entire story and how to approach their own goals (if it’s similar).
I don’t have anything profound to say but that the Bob Harper interruption rivals that of Kanye.
I agree with kaylynn40 – most people I have talked with about the show – friends, family and co-workers, do think the show’s results are possible, “if only they were able to live on a ranch with personal trainers and so on…” I feel the show is disillusioning people as to what it takes to really lose weight and get it shape: hard work and determination!
This is a tough topic and I dont really want to get into it, but have any other previous contestants come forward like this with these types of problems? I don’t recall any, but I definitely could be mistaken. I don’t agree with what they do on the show, but I do know that if you make it onto the show you are morbidly obese and drastic steps are necessary. Are they necessarily healthy and/or safe, probably not, but they do get the job done for these people? Would the previous season winner rather be 500+ pounds or do a streneous diet/exercise program that isn’t necessarily safe to get to a healthy weight? I think the argument could be made either way and there will be a vast difference in opinions on that.
I just wonder if the show really did cause all these problems, why haven’t more people come forward against the show and against the approach? And why do countless people sign up for it, knowing that its a controversial program? I think if you’re that heavy and that unhealthy to begin with, its probably safer to go through what they do then do live at 400/500+ pounds.
Again, not everyone will agree, I’m fine with that, just my .02. I’ll still watch the show because it is inspiring and the amount of people worldwide that have changed their lives because of it is incredible. A sacrifice from the few for the benefit of the masses? Perhaps?
If you read the Tom Venuto article that Leigh links to, he quotes another past winner who talks about purposeful dehydration.
I say good for her for coming out, but now its being rumored that she is doing an add for diet pills which is really annoying to me for some reason…
http://www.livea.com/about_hibbard.php
That’s beyond annoying and into “Really?” land. Did you read the ingredients of that thing. Cornstarch, dextrose and barely grass? Are you kidding me?
That is very disappointing……
Well, I’m a huge fan- if anything for the motivational aspects of the show. Living in So Cal I’ve been lucky enough to meet quite a few of the past season’s contestants and I believe they have been fairly candid with me. (I’ve even worked out with Bob once and he’s the nicest guy on the planet) Sure, the ranch trainers use extreme measures to give them a wake up call they needed to get he extreme results they sought. From what I understand they have doctors, dietitians, counselors, and other trainers on hand to them 24/7 while on the ranch too. So while yea they are put and tested to the extreme- they are also extremely taken care of also.
Is the training brutal? Yep.
Do they over train them? Probably. Keep in mind they’re there for a TV show that expects extreme results.
Are they taught healthy eating options and taught how to track calories and energy output? Yep.
Do they emphasize that people need to get the heck off the couch and seek options and get moving? Yes!
Ultimately is that the message this fattymcfatterson nation needs to hear? Yep. We can all use a little motivation.
Obviously what we see on the ranch is unrealistic for us average bears out there.
The reality (and excuse my bluntness please) is that Kai was morbidly obese. CLEARLY the woman had food issues before she got to the ranch. Cry me a river baby the ranch didn’t give you an eating disorder you already had one. She traded one issue for another.
I will add that I have not heard or read Kai’s interview yet. (But I plan to on my lunch break!)
I think what it always comes down to is that people almost always have unrealistic expectations when they start exercising, especially on there own. If those people move past those quick expectations of body transformation and simply focus on the process of the change, then those are the ones that stick to exercise and have a realistic chance of seeing the results they want. Obviously, The Biggest Loser perpetuates those unrealistic expectations from the start. With that said, if those that started to take action because of the inspiration drawn from the show can transform, or at least mitigate, those expectations and make exercise and “healthier” eating a part of their diet, then you can say the show’s done it’s job.
Also, I put up a post about unrealistic expectations on Monday.
http://www.ThePsychologyOfFitness.com
Normally, I wouldn’t put up a link, but thought it was relevant.
I don’t think the ends justify the means at all. There are certainly better, healthier ways to inspire people. I’m sure there are.
That said, I do think that TV produces what people will consume and this show is highly consumable and has been successful partly BECAUSE of the unreality of how crazy the weight loss it.
Really I think that people, consumers and viewers, should demand better but there ARE other weight loss shows out there that are more realistic and moderate, that do demonstrate good form and reasonable expectations and these have not been picked up globally or had such a following as BL.
In the season I’m watching now they seem to have made some small effort to focus a bit more on some of the things they have been criticized for. There was a scene where Bob watched their food video diary and railed at them for not eating enough. During the doc check ups there were several comments made about how much of what they lost was fat and according to the testing the ones they announced at least did mostly lose fat… and water.
I think it also raises the question about whether or not there are some obese people that NEED something this extreme and this fast. All of these people on the current season were in the “tried everything” category. Clearly they hadn’t tried everything but the question remains for the public at large is to see what could be done by ordinary people to help people in this situation. We need shows that illustrate that, whatever it might be.
I also would like to see BL do a follow up documentary on past contestants. I think if the show was interested in facing the criticisms head on that they could do a lot. They now, as a franchise, clearly have our attention for better or for worse and could easily turn things around and choose to do some real good.
My perspective might be coloured because I’m pissed off about a news story I just saw with a mother and daughter that want to have their bariatric surgery covered. Toward the end of the interviews they both comment that neither of them eat very much at all and that they need this life saving surgery… argh the bloody surgery is only going to restrict your intake so if your intake isn’t the problem as they claim then why get the surgery. Both women are at least 350 pounds or more.
I totally disagree with the comment that they have tried everything and anything before the show – they don’t even know how many calories equals a pound!!!! If you don’t know that, then you haven’t tried everything. I knew when I was 9 and in HS science class I think I was the only one – I was pretty surprised – and I have been overweight and obese pretty much entire life (I am 38 now)- over 300 pounds now and BL did inspire me and now I am disapointed, because I really, really, really, wanted to believe that you could lose 15, 20 pounds or more in a week and lose 200 in six months. Really I still do want to believe it – I want it gone now and doing it slow is pure torture. I think whatever motivation the show inspires will be undone by the frustration and disapointment of not losing the numbers the contestants did and then they will give up and probably end up gaining even more weight. But I do hope I am wrong and people will continue to make healthier choices in their lives.
I also just started watching the show this season (9), fell in love with it and cried every week over it. And started “dieting” multiple times throughout the season and gave up after not getting the numbers they did – even ran on a treadmill while watching it (yes, at 300 pounds). I started again May 30th and have continued for four weeks (the longest I have continued any diet this year) and hope to continue, but my head is still in the “you must lose at least 10 pounds a week” mode – I’d even settle for five, but haven’t really done that either.
I think I am rambling – btw, LOVE that Bob Harper interruption, really classic – anyway, to answer the question – they should be ashamed of themselves for perpetuating a lie (not the contestants, they are just buying into the whole industry like every other person – but the drs. and trainers – the professionals who should know better, they should be ashamed.
I have to second the point made previously about how often we hear the “I tried everything and nothing worked” statement when it is clearly untrue.
I have seen far too many interviews with patients of bariatric surgery who know nothing about nutrition. I note when the subject was once covered on Oprah, the professional MDs and nutritionists would describe how after a stomach-bypass patients could only fit a few grapes in their stomach before feeling full.. while the ex-obese patients would refer to their new stomach capacity with references to “a few fries” or “a couple of bites of a burger” instead. Hmmmm…
There was also coverage of a “post-stomach-bypass camp” started by one ex-patient, lauded for helping other patients by teaching them about nutrition and exercise POST-surgery. Clients marveled at how much it helped and commented that they’d never known how to read a nutrition label before. Hello? People are having surgery to cut out major parts of their digestive system, making it almost impossible to gain adequate nutrition from a proper diet and opening themselves up to all kinds of deficiencies, and they have not yet learnt how to read a food label? How can that be an educated decision?
I don’t think the misleading information presented in BL or the media in general is helping. These things seem obvious to us in the know, but for those who don’t.. They try diets (often gained from the latest magazine article), they try exercise (Ab King anyone?) and when they haven’t lost the 10-20 pounds promised by “reality” Television (or infomercials) after a week or two, they really can feel they have tried and failed. Even if they stumbled upon a good diet and exercise regime, they are still in danger of feeling like it is not working… Even if it is. After all, 1 or 2 pounds in a week isn’t actually working, is it?
Well, sure it is, it’s just not good television.
I’m gonna keep this short and sweet….
If it motivates someone to get off their rearm start working out and eating right….then I’m all for it. Lie or no lie.
It’s not telling people to swallow a pill and wake up thin.
What if this show was never on primetime and a hit? I’d say that less people would be motivated to work out and change their bodies and lives.
Awesome. Perhaps if they made it about healthy weightloss instead of waving a Media Contract and a 250 thousand dollar carrot under their noses, they would not be crawling out of the woodwork spewing how they have been wronged. Erik Chopin was a prime example. Got so caught up in the media stardom that he learned SQUAT about living healthy. He … See Moregained it all back ( almost all of it) goes on National TV to cry in front of everyone to get some more money out of the deal. Nice example to set for your kids A$$hat.
She says she found herself doing things like “considering coffee a meal” – like that’s insane!! Frankly, whether it’s healthy or not… everytime I’ve been skinny in my life have been the times when I’ve been so busy and considered coffee a meal a couple times a day, and every time I’ve been fat has been when I’ve stuck to three or four or more meals a day… I think coffee should be a meal at least once a day whether you’ve got any weight to lose or not.. works for me
Never thought of coffee with Splenda as a meal, but a venti skinny latte at SB with a shot of protein works for me!!!
I had missed this interview. I don’t watch the show b/c I hate reality shows of any kind.
They aren’t reality if they are on TV. The best way to lose weight is the healthy way that Leigh recommends. That does not get TV time.
Maybe the show does inspire some people, but people to have to change life stiles.
Surgery can be just as bad as the misleading TV show. I have a cousin who had lap band surgery and is gaining again with a smaller stomach.
People have to change their lifestyles and eating habits to accomplish health weight loss.
Great article Leigh
“Do you think perpetuating myths and false information is okay as long as the end goal is reached?” The majority of time, no. But, there are times when it is generally considered fine to pimp myths and false info e.g. self help movement and positive yet unrealistic thinking-you can be anything you want, you are just as smart as that person and so on, many many religious claims (that are obviously absurd, lack any evidence- thus the word faith). What would happen if the fitness industry was required to provide only evidence based info? There would be a very very small amount of people working in the industry. My thoughts are info should be supported by evidence, that includes info concerning most matters, not just fitness industry claims.
The show has done some good and maybe some bad. The show has motivated some viewers to exercise and lose weight. On the negative end, much of the exercise and nutrition advise is false and in some cases dangerous. A cost-benefit analysis needs to be conducted- better off obese, or better off after using extreme methods to lose obesity. Answer: It depends on the person and their condition. Assuming no serious injuries or long term negative health consequences occurred with the so-called extreme methods I will go with the extreme methods. The producers of the show are interested in sensationalism, so don’t expect to see a great deal of training footage covering low intensity tread mill walks, or weight loses of only 1-2lbs per week.
The Khai interview was a common example of sensationalism (the interview) versus sensationalism (the Biggest loser). She knew what she was getting into. I did find it very interesting that she said a Tv week is not necessarily a week in real time.
Critics often point out that the shows promotes dehydration, super low cals, and extreme training conditions. The extreme training conditions I can’ support for the Biggest Loser contestants, but the dehydration and low cal diets are really not that extreme. So what if a super obese persons follows a low cal diet for a while, they may lose a bunch of weight. Dehydration occurs often in everyday life, and is common occurrence in athletes. Extreme dehydration for short periods is the norm in many weight class sports. Combat athletes refer to it as dropping water weight or drying out, doesn’t carry the negative connotations that are associated with the word Dehydration. The idea that short term mild dehydration is bad for health lacks evidence. Of course, being excessively dehydrated for prolonged periods of times is not a good thing.
The Biggest loser is all about the biggest weight loss. Rapid weight loss requires extreme methods. Most of the training advise is unfounded and very dangerous in some cases. The dehydration and dieting methods used for short term weight loss are not so bad compared with the consequences associated with severe obesity and a sedentary life style.
If you decide to be a contestant realize what you are in for, and don’t come on TV afterwards and discredit the show. If the show motivates you to exercise watch it, just don’t attempt to imitate their methods. If you don’t like the show, watch it a little, make fun of it, write about it, point out to people as an example of what NOT to do, then forget about it.
I finally got around to watching the video. I didn’t realize that ordering something without cheese is not something “normal” people do.
Wow loving this article. To many times trainers etc argue their stand based solely on results or fact that its motivated people to do something about it.
Just because results are being achieved does not make something right.. I have had this discussion with the P90X folks about how there are issues with some of the exercises causing shoulder issues down the line. I am prove of it and what is the comeback?
Look at the results people are getting or hey I did the program and did not get injured etc.
That to me is flawed thinking.
I see it all the time in the gym. Personal trainers prescribing exercises that have been shown to have potential for serious injuries down the line.
Keep up the great work.
John