If you’ve been watching the latest season of The Biggest Loser, you’ve probably become acquainted with contestant Nikki, a 25-year-old mum who she says she hasn’t stood naked in front of her partner in three years.
“I just hate my body and I hate the way I look. I’ve been with my partner for three years and he still hasn’t seen me naked,” she said. “My insecurities make him feel like I don’t love him.”
If you saw Nikki walking down the street, you probably wouldn’t look twice. To me, she looks like a normal girl. A common girl. One I see all the time. Let’s be clear, this isn’t an attack on Nikki and her appearance.
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Nikki weighs 78kg. When that piece of information became public knowledge, I felt a pang in my stomach. Because you see, I also weigh 78kg. And as much as I tried to fight it, immediately the comparisons began and the self-doubt sunk in.
The overriding question that I kept asking myself was: If I weigh the same as Nikki, does that also mean I need to go on a weight loss show?
I understand this season the show it ‘changing things up’. They’ve re-evaluated their format and they’re trying to introduce more relatable contestants. It’s focused more on a contestant’s total health transformation rather than the numbers on the scale.
“It’s about a total transformation from the inside out…mind body and spirit,” trainer Shannan Ponton told the show’s 16 contestants during the season’s premiere.
Top Comments
That's smaller than my goal weight. I used to watch this religiously years ago but have realised it is just adding to the fat shaming this society deems ok
I'm really confused by this article.. is it ok for you that size 26 women only see themselves represented on programs like this? Does it matter to you what harm is caused to them by this type of show? They never got an article like this.