I love watching Biggest Loser each week and afterwards reading everyone’s reactions to the show. It’s fun to see which bloggers don’t like which contestants, and who everyone hopes gets voted off each week.
But I’ve always had a problem with the basic premise. You win if you have the largest percentage of weight loss from where you started. It obviously favors those who weigh the most from the very beginning. (And let’s be honest, this is usually the men.)
Take two people, both of whose “perfect” weight is 150 lbs. But say person 1 was only 100 lbs overweight in the beginning; and person 2 was 200 lbs overweight. If they both get down to 150 lbs:
250 – 100 = 150 40% loss
350 – 200 = 150 57% loss
(I've never been good at math so if this is not correct, please let me know!)
The most unfair thing is that if the person who is the most overweight doesn’t get down to his perfect weight, he could still win the competition. This has never made sense to me. I also think they are encouraging some of the contestants, especially the ones who are not as overweight as the others, to do crazy things with their health in order to win. In my opinion, some people get way too skinny in hopes of winning the prize. I think they are even setting people up for eating disorders.
Now that the show has been on for a while, I think they should take a step back from the same old format and do something that makes more sense. Maybe they should chose contestants who are all the same gender and who all have about the same amount to lose. Then give them a specific goal weight; I’d even like to see them be assigned a weight that they are not allowed to go under or they will forfeit the competition. If they all reach their goal weight without going under (sounds kind of like Price is Right in reverse!), they could split the prize.
Just my opinion…People should be encouraged to be healthy, not crazy!
I only watch TBL once in a while. I don't think it's fair either. Did you the Oprah that had the married TBLs from a couple of seasons ago. They had gained some back ( the woman had had 2 bsbies, so duh ) and another winner had gain back alot of weight also. Keeping it off is just as hard as loosing it. I'm with you, be healthy not crazy!
ReplyDeleteI like your idea! I never have thought it was fair for anyone to get voted off when they still need to lose weight. I would rather see them stay and reach their goal.
ReplyDeleteI agree with much of what you said.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with the product placement, but understand the need for funding and advertisment dollars. In that line of thought though the product placement seems to be done in such a way that is over the top and the wonder in how they much they are truly educating the contestants in healhty eating. Last weeks episode with the video food blog was concerning to me because the 3 contestants pretty much starved themselves and were proud of it. Was it really that or was it all staged to do a product placement for TBL whey protein. I would think at this point in the process the contestants would be eating machines since they are working out at such intense levels. It is confusing and concerning.
Uh you know it! If I am in your side of the state I will let you know too! Really! You better tell me if you are coming to Spokane... it is a must.
ReplyDeleteBob really got onto the team that did the food diary because they weren't eating enough. He wasn't happy with what he saw.
ReplyDeleteI think the premise of the show is fine. The person who loses the most percentage of weight deserves to win vs the person who loses the most number of pounds. It's hard to lose weight and losing a great % of weight I think is the only fair way. It gives people like Helen a chance to win vs someone like Mike. JMO of course :)