Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Biggest Loser - Season 8


I have to admit I have a love/hate relationship with the Biggest Loser. I've watched every season and will continue to watch it but there are so many things that really annoy me about the show. Here are just a few reasons why I hate it:

1. It's Dangerous. When people have to be med-flighted out of the first physical challenge because they collapse from exhaustion and dehydration, they are obviously working out way beyond their physical capacity. Some of these people probably haven't walked around the block in years but they are supposed to run a mile in the heat on their first day? I'm just waiting for them to seriously injure or kill someone the first day. It is scary.

2. The Big Sell Out. Do they really need the revenue from ALL the Product Placements? Brita water bottles, Wrigley's gum, Protein Powder, etc. etc. The show is extremely popular so I don't think they really need to pimp themselves out with all the product placements. Oh, don't even get me started on the fact that Jillian is hocking diet pills.

3. Repeating/Repeating. I realize Americans have a short attention span but is it really necessary to repeat what we just saw 3 minutes ago before the commercials? This is the biggest reason why I'd rather record the show instead of watching it live.

4. Abuse. I can't deny they get results but I don't think I would ever pay a trainer to get in my face and scream and swear at me. Jillian scares me. I know it is done for the shock value and makes for good tv but I don't find it to be motivating, I think it's mean.

5. Rapid Weight Loss. Every weight loss article and doctor recommends losing 2 pounds per week and these people are losing 5,8,10,28 pounds in ONE WEEK. That just doesn't seem right, does it? It breaks my heart to see people being disappointed and voted off for losing 13 pounds in a week. How is 13 pounds not enough to lose in a week? I know I would be thrilled to lose 13 pounds in a month.

6. Tears. It makes me cry like a baby. I know I am super sensitive but I was balling my eyes out from the first 3 minutes until the previews.

There are other things that irk me about the show but I think these are the biggest ones. Even though I have a long list of things I don't like, I love watching it and don't think I've ever missed an episode. The reasons why I overlook all of the above:

1. I can relate. I see a piece of myself in almost every one of the contestants. I may not weigh as much or have the health issues they have but there is always something I can relate to.

2. Inspiration. I get inspired to get off the couch and work out. If these people can work out for hours and pour buckets of sweat, I can get on the treadmill for an hour, right? If someone who weighs 100 pounds more than me can push themselves to do it, so can I.

3. Changes. I love seeing these people change their lives. It takes a few episodes but eventually we get to see the moment when these people "get it." They flick the switch and accept that they have to change their lives if they want to lose weight and get healthy.
4. I LOVE BOB! I still don't know what team he plays for but he is HOT!

5. Live Blogging. The only good thing about watching the show live instead of recording it is being able to participate in Fat Bridesmaid's live blog. It's so much fun to watch the show with my blogger friends.
The best thing about this show is that it encourages me to kick up my own weight loss efforts and I can use all the encouragement I can get.
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
UPDATE: Check it out, Hilly asked me to republish this post on Snackie TeeVee. How cool is that? I feel honored. Thanks Hilly.

21 comments:

  1. I love you're analysis, so succinct!

    I also have a love/hate relationship with TBL for the same reasons.

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  2. I agree with everything you've said! The repeating is what ticks me off the most - well that, and the freakin' cliffhanger breaks before every single commercial!
    Thank God for TiVo!

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  3. The idea behind such a programme is good, but the commercial way it's being broadcasted ticks me off too.
    Over here in the Netherlands we had a version in which whole families would participate. They would all get personal trainers and such. But they did it very responsibly and got personal, individual advice.
    I didn't mind that.

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  4. I agree - those are the reasons I disliked yet loved the Brit version. Seriously jealous that you have another series over there, sigh..

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  5. Amen to that. Profound. Thanks for writing down my thoughts exactly!

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  6. This is a great post...would you consider publishing it on Snackie TeeVee also? No biggie if not!

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  7. Bravo! I also have a love/hate relationship with the show. The thing that bothers me the most is how Bob & Jillian play it up for the camera. I don't EVER remember hearing Bob say F*** before last season with Joelle. I believe that one can be motivated without being cursed at.

    But, with that said, I'll continue to watch because it's a good way for me to get my weekly cry in. :)

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  8. I WISH WISH WISH we got it here! It pissed me off that we don't.
    Want to tape it for me????
    *sigh*

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  9. Kate: Too bad they won't change what we all hate about the show 'cause it makes for good ratings.

    Jenn: I want a TiVo. I'm still in the dark ages with a VCR, can you imagine?

    Me: Sounds like I would like the Netherlands version better. They did a family competition but it was still the same BL.

    F[F]M: I think you can watch the episodes on-line.

    Brooke: Seems like we're often in each other's heads, huh?

    Hilly: I'm honored to be published on Snackie TeeVee. THANK YOU!

    Amy: I always thought Bob was the nice zen-like trainer but not after this show. Wow! He was just as brutal as Jillian but at least is easy on the eyes. I went through a whole box of tissues.

    Chris H: I'll tape it for you. Do you have a VCR too? I think you may be able to get it on-line on their website.

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  10. UPDATE: Check it out, Hilly asked me to republish this post on Snackie TeeVee. How cool is that? I feel honored. Thanks Hilly.

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  11. You captured all of my feelings/thoughts about Biggest Loser right down to a T.

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  12. I feel the same way! Some seasons I enjoy more than others, but the show definitely irritates me sometimes but somehow I cant stop watching it.

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  13. Brooke: You would think the producers would want to make us happy and change the things we ALL hate about the show but maybe that wouldn't make such good tv drama.

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  14. I’ve got a love-hate relationship with the show too. Basically, all the negatives you mentioned about BL are the same ones that drive me crazy--but I love the positives you mentioned as well. I never miss an episode, but that’s because I record it on DVR and can zizz past commercials, constant product placements, all the repetition, etc.

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  15. I'm in the "hating" camp. I agree that drastic measures need to be taken for some people to lose weight, but I hate how they always push them physically. There's a difference between making a change and harming your body, and the two shouldn't be conflated. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  16. I just got around to reading this post. Don't know where the hell I've been - oh yes I do...I've been writing about all me all the time on my own blog. Thank you for visiting and commenting on one of my last posts. I liked you noting your only "pro" of being fat is that it doesn't wrinkle. I think you're WAY younger than I am and what I'm finding is that certain fat does wrinkle once weight is lost. Damn! I'm still losing it anyway. The gym will have to do the rest.

    Love your blog, and I agree about BL. I was pretty disturbed when the woman was choppered out. What the hell? I guess these folks are medically cleared within an inch of their lives prior to competing.

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  17. I love this show and I definitely appreciate your perspective. The thing about that show that we forget is EDITING IS KING. If we could see all the unedited film, we'd know what's really going on. The fact is, we see the story they want us to see. It is TV after all. And it's BECAUSE they're so popular that they do the product placements (those companies pay gobs of money to get their products placed on the show knowing millions of people will see it).

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  18. Thanks so much for all your sweet comments. And you know I'm obsessed with TBL too! :)~

    Hugs,
    ~Jenn (Ex Hot Girl)

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  19. Jillian scares the bejesus out of me. If my trainer yelled at me like that, he'd never see me again.

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