Ok, so I've watched every season of Biggest Looser and have always just loved it! However, this year, my opinion of the show has really changed. I saw the contestants, when they went home...crying b/c they couldn't excersize in "real life" as much, or even close to, as much as they do on the show. I mean, 6/8 hr workouts! can you imagine? Its just not realistic. NOW my newest disapointment is hearing how so many of the old contestants are regaining their weight...Ryan, Matt and now I heard that Eric has gained back over 100 pds...I dunno....its just disapointing to me. I didnt even watch the show at all the last 2 episodes.

Has your opinion of the show changed at all or are you all still lovin' it???

Nope. We just discussed this on my forum.

It is what it is. Entertainment.

It does a piss poor job of presenting the reality of obesity and it's solution.

And I'm not surprised at all to hear former contestants are regaining their weight. The blitz attack method of weight loss doesn't work, and we all know that. People's brains don't change in 12 weeks time or whatever it is. Bodies maybe. Brains? No.

There are pros and cons of the show.

the old contestants regaining the weight isn't exactly new news - that's been talked about in the media since the inception of the show..

I have never liked the show for the above reasons mentioned it just sets unrealistic expectations.. and for a "reality" show - it's not reality at all... but people going to work, and living their lives isn't as sexy as the drama on those shows...

I honestly never understood why people professed it to be so motivating...

To me the show is entertainment. I enjoy reality shows and this is one reality show i like.

The show does give the contestants a chance to lose weight that they might not get at home. I'd imagine they do meet with qualified people behind the scenes and learn how eat right and those sorts of things. Yes, the weight loss is not real but not many people realize that. Is that the shows fault? Probably but people need to think for themselves sometimes.

I did find this show motivating when it first came out. I didnt really understand weight loss and just started my journey so i did like seeing other people lose weight. Now the contestants seemed to be more concerned about "playing the game" rather than changing a lifestyle.

As far as gaining weigh back you see that with any diet or weight loss program. You see it with diet plans, hospital programs and most any type of weight loss.

It is too bad this show cant be a little more realistic because obesity is a serious problem but it might not sell at that point.

Matt

too me its always seemed completly unrealistic, the amounts of weight these people were losing were amazing! BUT i never liked the way they solely focused on weight loss not BF% dropped, huge differance, it dosent really set a good example!

Yea, Hubby said that last night, He was like 'you know, Bob and Jillian HAVE to know that these methods arn't healthy." I doubt they care much, its a paycheck!

SO true!

Maybe so, but this is the first time it came to my attention...just this past year.
yep, I've noticed that change as well....that and all the shameless advertsizing!

You know, I know its not real world, but I still kinda like the show. I know I am not going to drop those numbers myself. Heck I am lucky to grab a 1/2 a day to work out!!! It does give me some motavation to try though!!!! And I did drop 7 lbs last week by diet and exercize!!!!

SO... ya, I know its not real world, but its fun to watch, and also gets the idea out there to people that there IS a better life out there! You dont need to be fat and unhealthy

If you enjoy that sort of entertainment, I see no problem in liking the show at all. If you understand it for what it is, cool. We all have different tastes.

oh no, i'm not holding anything against anyone that likes it! Like I said, I loved the show for all the years its been on...up until this season...now my taste for it has changed...but thats just me.

They introduced the show in Germany rigth now....BUT they cut the season of 12 weeks or something to a 5 weeks TV show as the new topmodel seasons starts rigth after that
However...when I first saw it I just thougth: well the idea is not that bad, but HOW they do it...they seriously will gain weight again after leaving the show.
Of course competition migth help you to keep on track, but seriously....who has the time (and the engery if you are overweigth) to do 6 hours of sport a day? I do not have the time, it least I would like to, but how should I? And if they stop doing that extensive exercise that will seriously have an influence on theire weigth loss....and changing eating habits for 12 weeks can not change the eating habits for the rest of your live, and i am retty sure that the first thing they will do after coming back home will be eating their favourit food...and thats is the beginning of the wrong way again

Ive never seen the show, but I am friends with the brother of two contestants from last year. Twins Billy and Jim Germanakos. Billy won and Jim got eliminated part way through, but went on and lost as much as his brother(the winner) on his own. Now they are both doing great. Kept the weight off and still lifting like they should. Did the weeks change their minds? I'd say yes. Oh, Jim ran the NY Marathon last fall (9 months after the show was over).

Remember, not only is the show for entertainment purposes, but the reports about how they've failed are also entertainment.

hehe. i used to plan my workouts during the reruns one summer =P i would watch them losing weight while i was on my treadmill xD i also do that now... when i do my inhome walking i try to do it during the weight loss shows. i guess its kinda motivating for me

although i have never thought of the contestants regaining weight. D: how sad =T

I literally fast forwarded through that long drawn out IDIOTIC argument the two girls, Carla and Joelle, were having the last episode. I was like, COME ON! I don't want to watch that crap. It was just drama and stupid and it lasted for what seemed like FOR EV ER!

I do like to watch the show, even though i don't think it's realistic. It's fun to see the transformations.

I'm with you on that one. That argument was unnecessary. I can tell you I was bummed that Joelle wasn't voted off in the latest episode. What was that??

Anyhow, I find it interesting as to what people do while they watch TV. Some of you go on the treadmill, some of you sit down and watch it. I used to eat and mock these people saying "hey, I'm sitting here enjoying my bag of chips" And my wife and I would joke about the hypocrisy of me eating bad stuff while watching a show about losing weight. Now, I sit there & watch it with my wife and sip water.

Anyhow, I'm a fan of the show, because I am fascinated at how people's bodies change when they lose weight. I'm like "wow, that guy/girl looked like that, and now they look like that... That's what they would look like if they were skinny and stayed that way." Also, to see what kind of people they are as well.

It's definitely unrealistic, for sure, and very unhealthy. I think that the show is teaching these people the wrong way- lose weight fast, yes... But they are not really learning that much- they do learn how to eat right, but when you're working out that much a day, it'd be a tough act to follow, when they get back to reality.

I do wonder about these people, though, that has gained weight. Why would they let themselves go, after they have seen how good they look and feel when they have lost all the weight. Ah well.

Personally, I really like the show! I find it highly entertaining and motivating. I am not fond of Jillian's methods, as she comes across as quite ...er...uptight, shall we say. And some of the contestants are truly over the top (this week's argument between the two gals was a case in point) - but again, that's entertainment! I love the before and afters, and I think if it gets folks at home moving more, it's great!

cheers
ABBA