Wednesday 10th October - Who wins and who loses ?

I was sent a question today via email. Someone had been reading a gossip magazine which was updating the progress of past contestants from the TV Show "Biggest Loser".

It seems that while some had maintained their weight loss, others had not and so "what did I think was the reason for this ?".

I then went and read the article so that I could be specific and answer her question knowing what she had read.

The article had contestants from both the Australian and also the U.S. Biggest Loser shows.
The short answer was that in the U.S. two of the contestants or the success stories (they were the final two) had formed a relationship and married. They had both put some weight back on and had just started a family together and now have their first child. They were now again, focussed on regaining their weight loss success. Some of the others had not only put their weight back on but exceeded their starting weight (which was a health crisis even then).

The success stories in Australia had been three members of one of the teams that had not only remained friends and in constant contact. They had even formed their own support network for each other which I think was their success model. This is part of the reason that weight loss groups such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig may work for some people.

So let's take a look at what is involved with this highly successful show format.
The show producers audition people to find the "largest and best storylines". From this mass (no pun intended) they select not only large (which I am sure have been health screened to minimize the potential risk factors) but also sad stories. It's TV remember.

Yes, sorry to burst your reality bubble but the show is designed to get ratings.
That means viewing audiences who are then targets of the advertisers (who pretty much pay for the show) after the network has bought screening rights. Some of these shows that are successful can be worth up to many millions of dollars so getting you interested is important.

The network is interested in the ratings to sell the advertising so they promote it highly to peak your interest. You have seen the "teasers" designed to be dramatic and gain interest. The producers then look for storylines that will tug at your heart strings and be a little sensational and the its up to the editors to turn that into TV magic under the guidance of the Executive Producer.

With me so far. Good.
Then after the audition when they have selected the two teams of very large overweight people they "may decide to have a twist". Last year the local producers introduced to the Australian show the Aussie trainers (Shannon and Michelle) and had the trainers from the U.S. (Bob and Gillian) for the start and end of the series.

In the U.S. this year (screening now) they have re-introduced Gillian Michaels as a third trainer of another team. She had been replaced in the last U.S. series by Kim Lyons and they are both on the show there this year with Bob. I guess to see who has the best training methods ??

So who else is involved in the show ?
There will be our Show Host (possibly to create empathy with viewing audience it's normally a female who has achieved some level of weight loss success herself).
There will be Producers who are there to oversee each Day and "prompt situations".
There will be Camera crew and Sound Persons to record everything.
There will be a Medical Doctor (either on location or on call after the initial health checks).
There will be a Nutritionist (who will be able to advise which foods to eat - could be supplied by one of the show's food sponsors, who may then teach healthful eating habits using that companies products).
There may be a Psychologist (either on location or on call after the initial screening) possibly to see that they dont have any tendencies that could cause harm to others in the "house".

Then we have our Fitness Professionals (Trainers) the team leaders.
It is their job to be the first point of contact before the other specialists (non production) who act as the team support leader for our contestants.

So why does this show work ?
The massive weight transformations that seem inspirational are one key.
The storylines that reflect that "it could be us on there" (that is why they audition because we already know that obesity is out of control) is another.
The problem is in the news every other day - YES obesity is out of control worldwide !!

Is this form of weight loss safe ?
Did you read how many health professionals are involved in the show. There is always a lot of conjecture about the safety of the show's contestants by "experts who appear in the media with their own point of view and agenda"; this also sells magazines and gets you to watch tabloid television. But by the end of show everyone realizes that these people have had their lives saved - from their it is a choice option for them hopefully from the lessons they have learned.

Sure some people may put the weight back on but some don't. I had the pleasure of meeting Adro (Winner from Season 1 in Australia) who had not only realized that he wanted to remain healthy for his young family and he has since gone on to become a Personal Trainer and help others. That is a success story !!

Why doesn't the show work for everyone ?
Again, let us look at who is likely selected for the show.
Mostly they seem to be people who are living an unhealthy life with little or most likely doing no activity whatsoever. They are eating very poorly (from a Nutrient level) and consuming massive amounts of calories. Some have health issues or stressful busy lives - who doesn't ?

Now let's take them out of that environment and put them in a "controlled experiment atmosphere like a large house compound" where ALL their other life stresses are not only removed but they are constantly being re-educated about their errors with a high level of activity that is unlikely to be sustained once they are eliminated or the show is over.

If they fail it doesn't matter as you probably won't see them until they get a sponsorship contract with a large multi-million dollar corporate weight loss company and appear to tell you their woes (again).

The show "dailies" are then edited into a storyline to make you watch, sell advertising, and if the Producers are lucky they may even get a bit of a storyline scandal. This becomes an unexpected bonus as not only does it get you massive amounts of FREE media (from those tabloid shows and magazines) but it starts the public "talking about the show" and watching out of curiousity. You know what I am talking about. Most people slow down at vehicle accident.
It's the human voyeuristic gene in action.

Summary. When the contestants are eliminated or the show is over it will be the lessons that they learnt (and can apply back in their own environment) that will determine if they will really be the "biggest loser". For the majority of us Life is not always about ratings BUT it should be about our personal health.

It's time to win the war against obesity. Start today and get your life in order and live not just a life of quantity but rather a life of quality !!!