Everyone has an opinion on The Biggest Loser.
It’s inspiring. It’s a hoax. It’s what an obese nation needs. It’s fat shaming.
Yesterday morning, former host of The Biggest Loser, Hayley Lewis, was interviewed on Today Show and it was promoted as a big expose.
In his intro co-host Karl Stefanovic said, “Olympian and former Biggest Loser host Hayley Lewis says the show gives unrealistic advice about how weight loss should be achieved.”
Then Lisa Wilkinson crossed to Lewis in Brisbane with this question: “So tell us — is The Biggest Loser unrealistic?”
Insert awkward silence.
“I don’t think so. I’ve actually never said that, Lisa. I think The Biggest Loser is very realistic,” Lewis said.
Ummmm damn. There goes that sensational interview.
But it made me mad. I completely agree with Karl and Lisa (well with the producer who wrote that intro – who’s probably smarting from a dressing down and is ironically comforting themselves with ice-cream.)
The Biggest Loser IS unrealistic. But I still find it inspiring and cry with happiness when the contestants lose 9 kilos in one week.
But that sort of weight loss IS unrealistic and even unhealthy if you’re not supervised.
I tried to undertake my own version of The Biggest Loser two years ago. I would exercise at the gym before work, I was only eating 1200 calories a day then I’d exercise on the cross trainer at home for an hour each night. On the weekend I’d do a double session at the gym on Saturdays and Sundays was my day of rest so I’d only do an hour’s walk.
I was expecting Biggest Loser style results. Here’s my home video from February 2014.
I wish I could tell you it all dropped off me after that but despite sticking to that strict diet and exercise program for 12 weeks I plateaued and I only lost 2.5kg in total.
I cried. Sobbing on the couch cursing Hayley Lewis, Michelle Bridges and freakin Commando.
Why couldn’t I have results like on the TV?
Because that’s unrealistic. They didn’t work. They had trainers there 24/7.
I’m proud to tell you I didn’t give up though. I wiped away my tears and went back to the gym.
It’s now been 18 months on I’ve lost 14 kilos. It was 18 kilos but I lost motivation and rediscovered chocolate for a couple of months. Motivation is an elusive beast. I’m back on track now.
When it comes to losing weight I’ve discovered it’s 80% about what goes in your mouth and 20% about how much you sweat. But they work hand in hand. After a spin class there’s no way I’d buy takeaway and undo my hard work. And if I’m eating well and cutting back on alcohol I won’t have a hangover to use as an excuse to not exercise and comfort myself with greasy food.
I’ve been consistent and plugged away. I now workout four times a week and watch what I eat but I’m not obsessed. I think more women would relate to my story of struggling than of losing 50 kilos in 12 weeks. It’s all about being realistic and understanding that there is no quick fix.
But they are not going to make a reality show about a gal who lost 150grams a week for 18 months.
Because that would be a true reality show.
Do you feel inspired or ripped off by The Biggest Loser?
Want to read more on this topic? Try these:
‘Another reason I won’t be watching The Biggest Loser.’
On trend for Summer: White. Cut-outs. And killer, cheese-grater abs.
Top Comments
If anybody wants to lose weight, just do what I do when I'm competition training. It's so easy.
Breakfast: Uncle toby's quick sachet oats (I can just heat these up at work)
Morning tea: Chobani yogurt. Ideally you get the plain one and add a piece of fresh fruit as opposed to buying the fruity ones, but they're still not bad.
Lunch: Chicken, sweet potato and broccoli. I make these meals on a sunday and just throw it all in the oven, super quick and saves a lot of money. I marinade the chicken so that it tastes nice (you'll never stick to it if you don't add the flavour) so sometimes it's peri peri and sometimes teriyaki.
Afternoon tea: a banana if I can't make a shake, otherwise I make a shake with banana, coconut water, spinach and ice. Always makes me feel so energised and healthy!
Dinner: I change it up all the time. Sometimes it's salmon and vegetables, or bbq squid with rocket and cucumber. When I've done a big gym session and need to eat a proper dinner i'll make chilli prawn linguine. Just make sure your portion size isn't overboard.
After dinner: Miso soup. It's so good for you, look up the benefits.
And then all I do is workout 3-4 times a week with a mixture of weights and cardio, probably 60-70% weights. And I walk when I can, it really does help when it's in combination with higher intensity workouts.
Hopefully someone tries this so I can get feedback on how other people go with it! You should lose about 1.5 kilos a week.
A realistic weight-loss program doesn't involve being cooped up in a luxury residence with trainers and going at the exercise & diet on a full-time basis. Weight-loss needs to be incorporated into everyday life so that sensible eating & exercise become part of your daily routine . Witness the number of Biggest Loser contestants who have piled on the kgs after being released from the house.
I've lost 28kg over the past year, with no extra exercise, just monitoring what I eat with the help of an app on my phone ... I couldn't have done it any other way.
What was the app out of curiosity?
What App? Tell us more.
I don't know what app you use, but I use the My Fitness Pal app. It has helped me lose 16 pounds in 2 1/2 months. It helps keep track of goals, food intake, and exercise. It's free, but you can upgrade to premium. I didn't because it gives me all the info I need without paying the extra $$ . Most important, you have to be honest and log everything you eat and drink. If you do, it helps. At least, it has helped me ☺
Like Dawn Darby, I use the My Fitness Pal app ; after entering all of the required statistics it told me to limit my intake to 5775 kJ per day, which I have been doing since last August. I knew I was on to something when I lost 2.5kg in the first week !