Posts Tagged ‘The Biggest Loser’

At least, that’s the newest angle the media is using to grab attention in the lead up to the season premiere tonight.

Senior writer for The Sunday Age, Jill Stark, reports on the efforts of Ella Graham from eating disorders advocacy group Fed Up NSW Health to have production on the series halted and the show pulled off the air entirely.

This despite a proven track record of the show turning around people’s lives and inspiring viewers to begin their own weightloss journeys.

The argument seems to be that a restrictive diet and excessive exercise can lead to eating disorders. Of course many of the contestants already have eating disorders, that’s how they got fat. And I particularly like how a well balanced, healthy diet is characterised as “restrictive” and the exercise is “excessive” because… oh, I guess they work up a sweat over something other than eating too much damn food?

They’re literally at Fat Camp. Of course their diet is restricted and they’re expected to exercise. You don’t lose weight and get fit by eating the same things and not exercising.

The argument ultimately boils down to this: doing it this way is less healthy than the old fashioned eat less, exercise more. And it’s probably true, in the long term. Assuming you can stick to the plan. The contestants on Biggest Loser are not, typically, people who have gained all this weight within a year, or two. They’re often people who have tried many times in the past, often with even more unhealthy options (surgery, “cleanse” diets, etc) and have failed to shift the weight permanently. Or they have been overweight since they were in school and declining health has finally made them realise they have to change.

The Biggest Loser is a way to kickstart that change. You’re taken away from the usual temptations, given expert advice from some of the best trainers and health professionals in the country, encouraged to stick to a healthy diet and exercise regime and there’s a chance you’ll come away from the show significantly richer.

If, once the cameras go off, you put that weight back on, is that the show’s fault? Or your own? You were given all the tools you needed, what you do with them is up to you.

The other angle of attack is the introduction of much younger contestants this year, though it’s still only as young as 15 (Todd) and 19 (Katie), with the rest 20 or older. It’s not the case that most are younger than usual, only Todd breaks the pattern.

And to be honest the only one that concerns me is Todd, as 15 is quite young to be appearing on this show. I think it’s important to recognise that Todd is already a hefty lad and without intervention he is likely to follow in his Dad’s footsteps. But at 15 he may not be as aware of the lasting consequences of appearing on the show and he is young enough that he could have realistically done it outside the show, particularly if he wants to become a famous baseball player, as he claims. The work required to improve his game to the point where he might get scouted is not inconsiderable and coupled with a healthier diet would likely see him shed the weight outside, if he has the willpower.

But what about his Dad? Gerald is 52 and has already developed Type 2 Diabetes. Without Todd being prepared to go on the show Gerald couldn’t go, either. While this is likely to be fairly easy on a young, sporty lad like Todd, the support of his son should make Gerald’s experience that little bit easier.

It’s entirely appropriate to be concerned for Todd’s welfare during his time on the show but it’s also important to remember his health is already at risk due to his weight. If he’s not going to do it on the outside, maybe he’ll do it for the sake of his Dad.

In any event, taking it off the air won’t help anyone – the show has been in production for months. All you’d do is block the yearly batch of inspired viewers from doing something about their own health, surely a worse result for everyone.

Just a quick note today to let Twitter junkies know I have created a separate account for people to follow to receive updates from The Biggest Loser Recap. To save people from the generalised horror of my regular Twitter stream.

The new username to follow is @TBLRecap

That account will be used only for links to Biggest Loser Recaps when the show begins airing and, very rarely, short updates like noting special episode air times and the like.

I’m, like, totes organised and shit this year.

Retweets, especially for the first episode recap on Sunday night, greatly appreciated!

Revealed in a video interview with Commando Steve (see it here) is the surprising news that each contestant pairing will get the opportunity to train with each trainer, rather than the traditional Red/Blue/Black team structure.

This is a radical departure from previous seasons where even hanging out during off times with members of the other teams was a little frowned upon. While the trainers have always been open to helping each other out where necessary, this season they’re going all in on the cooperation. It’ll be interesting to see how this change affects the contestants, who may find they bond with a particular trainer and then the roster will change and they’ll be with another one…

Interesting little tidbit, I think. What does everyone else think of this change?

The official site has added the 2013 contestant profiles and I’ve just finished mirroring them here. Or you can navigate via the top menu to the pairing you want to see. Or you can see them and watch a little video with each couple on the official site.

For newcomers, I mirror them each year so when the official site takes one set of contestants down for the next, people can still read whatever the previous year’s people had there.

You’ll also note Tiffiny has been removed from the header image as she will apparently not be a trainer this year. Unless she’s training a team of ninjas in some kind of secret ninja training camp.

Anyway, new contestants! What do we think of them?

Via the official Twitter for The Biggest Loser Australia comes the news we’ve all been waiting for – Season 8 starts on Sunday, March 17!

If you had something else planned for that evening now would be the time to cancel it. Or face the horrors of the Recap!

Not long to go. Who’s excited?