What We Can Learn From The Biggest Loser
What ridiculously fat men and women! How could she allow herself to reach 242lbs? Why does he weigh 436lbs? The first time I looked at Season 1 of NBC's reality television show, The Biggest Loser, I was appalled, and not at all interested. Another reality show, I thought; and such a lot of nonsense! However, one night when I found nothing else to look at on TV, I tuned in to this show, and have been hooked on it ever since. It first aired on October 19, 2004.The sixth season concluded on December 16th, and casting is in progress for the 7th. season, which is expected to air on January 6th.2009
Since the US initiative, the franchise has been exported to international versions, and is now vibrant in the UK, Netherlands, Brazil, India, New Zealand, Hungary, The Middle East, Israel, Mexico and Poland, Australia, South Africa. ProSieben, Germany's second largest privately owned television company is expected to air a version of The Biggest Loser in January 2009.
It is good to know that so many countries have taken an interest in presenting such a show, because in the end it is not just a senseless reality show, but one that is changing lives for the better. The morbidly obese can now be fired with hope that not only their outer physical appearance can be changed on, but also their entire ego can be transformed leading to a much fuller and rewarding life.
Estranged from immediate members of their family for periods of five to six months, competitors in the Biggest Loser competitions usually live on a ranch during this time; and under careful supervision of their trainers, and the efficient care and support of doctors, these men and women submit themselves to the most harrowing of weight loss exercises and the most stringent of diets; while being challenged from time to time with temptation of unwholesome foods which were formerly their delight.
To be cast for any of these seasons, prospective contestants submit a video of their normal eating habits along with their application. Many of these videos show the contestants stuffing unhealthy food into their mouths, without any regard of the dangers incurred. Some gorge themselves, through unhappiness, others through boredom, through hopelessness, loss of interest in life, a lifestyle from childhood, and myriad of other reasons. Yet, once they are inducted into the program, they become some of the most disciplined, determined and admirable people one could ever find.
This type of determination has led not only the winners to drastically change their bodies and their lives, and earn grand prizes of $250.000. Finalists and eliminated contestants also gain incentives to continue on their paths to good health. This season (Season 6) saw eliminated contestant Heba Salama, in the recall for at home players who lost the most weight, to rejoin the cast in the finals. Heba was able to demonstrate that in spite of not being a finalist she had lost the greatest percentage of weight since she entered the competition, (136 pounds equaling 46.94 % of her body weight.) This was a greater weight loss percentage than that of even the winner Michelle Aguilar who lost 45.45% of her body weight to win the title. Heba received a well deserved $100,000, and earned a whole new positive outlook on life.
Winners of the competitions including this year's winner have become overnight celebrities. While their lives might have been dreary, and just run of the mill while they were in their former bodies; they are now models, and spokesmen for weight loss, health and well-being; and are encouraging their families to live healthier lifestyles. Twin brothers from Season 4, Bill and Jim Germanakos even created their own weight loss company.
Viewers of this show cannot help but gain inspiration of the highest order. We can learn so much. Even before we start with ourselves, we gain an important insight into the love and support of friends and family. Some of these competitors have children. Whenever both parents competed as a couple, we saw where members of a family or friends were willing to take care of these children throughout the entire competition until either the competitors were eliminated,or the competition ended. We witnessed the joy and love and support shown when a competitor returned home. If a mother or father took part singly in the competition, the other spouse lovingly performed the duties of caring for the children, along with help from other members of the family.
For ourselves, even if we are not eligible, or are not successful in entering the competition, or are simply not interested; we may have hundreds of pounds to lose, or just a few. We can certainly be inspired to take action by the success shown on this show. The very obese can understand how their lives can be transformed, not as drastically as on the show, because the efforts they may exert will in no way measure up; but still they can go a long way in achieving some measure of success. We have seen where competitors with the most critical of health problems, those who were taking tons of medications, and were even near death's door, are now free of their illnesses, and no longer need medication. This alone is motivation.
For those with just a few pounds to lose, the effort is even easier. Tell yourself that if a person can lose 150 pounds in five months, why you can't lose 30 or 20 or even 10! What further inspiration do you need than that? You can even join the Biggest Loser club, and access online the diet and fitness program used by the contestants, personalized to fit your individual goals and lifestyle.
The organizers of this show, and trainers Jillian Michael and Bob Harper deserve high praise for their initiative in presenting such a reality show, which can help the overweight and obese to improve their health; and in so doing achieve major self-confidence. Their influence in the mushrooming of this message of goodwill internationally, should also be acknowledged.