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The Biggest Loser?
On the surface it appears to provide a positive, enforced situation for morbidly obese people who actually have to make a drastic lifestyle change if they want to avoid life-threatening illness. That is some pretty serious motivation for participating in a reality TV show and that kind of pressure will, understandably, lead to a host of emotional strife. But is it really worth the emotional trauma?
Just looking at the first few episodes, where for the most part we’ve just seen childish group politics, it seems that the emotions are overriding the main objective. We’ve seen in-fighting, a sabotage attempt, endless whining and even a few cases where contestants have either put on weight or failed to lose any. I can’t help but think that the lack of weight loss and the politics are directly related. Have the South African contestants missed the point entirely?
We all know that significant, sustained weight loss is an incredibly difficult personal feat and, being 12kg overweight myself, I have the utmost respect for these contestants. But do they have to be so whiny all the time? It’s incredibly annoying and frustrating to watch because I keep thinking: “Come on guys, if I had the chance to exercise and eat healthily all day, under supervision and without the distraction of work and family, I would give it my all.”
It’s clear that they are working hard but if they could just stop whining they may see better results. Yes their personal trainers have tried to remind them why they are there, yes the blue team appear to have gotten over their politics for now. But it doesn’t really help that the show as a model provides zero emotional support for the contestants. In fact, it actually encourages the politics and whining by putting the contestants into this unhealthy, competitive situation in the first place.
So, on the one hand there is this amazing opportunity for people to make a positive change in their lives. But on the other hand, it comes at the expense of dealing with other people’s negative emotions. Personally, I just don’t think it’s worth it. But perhaps I’ve missed the point entirely. Maybe the show is just a harmless combination of mass entertainment and a fair opportunity for self-improvement.
What do you think?
Share your views in the comment box below.
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| It's a good thing that Biggest Looser has come to South Africa. My concern is that, the entire team seem to be lazy and the trainers are doing their best to help them. I don't think when they go back to their respective homes they will follow the diet. But It's a good step to help motivate all people who are huge out there, that they can do it without buying the over-the-counter DIET pills. | ||
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| Sipokazi on 06 Feb at 13:44 |
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| Personally the crying really gets to me. I have never seen so many tears in one hour, and it's irritating. Like a musical where they sing about each an every thing in this case they cry about every single thing. That said I do think they are making great progress in 5 weeks most of them have lost in excess of 10k.g's, one guy has lost 20! I think thats worth the emotional roller coasters they've all been on an it might just help to make them stronger. Unfortunately it is creating a misconception that overweight people are overly emotional an always crying. | ||
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| Shungu on 06 Feb at 17:47 |
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| I love this programme, i watch it every time when its on the screen. What are the steps to follow if want 2 join cos i tried 2 loose on my own but i failed. my weight really really frustrates me. Every time when am to meet my boyfriend i feel like postponing the appointment cos i know that at the end of the day i will be ashamed to be undressed. please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
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| lebohang on 23 Feb at 14:28 |
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| To not comment on something you do not know anything about. My sibling is a contestant on that show and you would not even begin to understand the emotional toll it takes on them. Yes, yes, they get to excercise 9 hours a day and eat all the healthy food at their disposal with the help of a fitnes trainer, etc, etc. But you do not know the personal struggles each one of them had to go through to get them to the point of doing all these things. I think this show is fantastic and not only because my sibling is a contestant but because they really do encourage us the viewers to adopt a healthier lifestyle. As for all the crying, just remember that e-tv will do anything to cause sensationalism and a lot of what is shown on tv can be taken out of context to what really happened. Sipokazi, I had a chuckle at your comment about not losing weight when they go home because my sibling has lost close on half his/her body weight. So you are incorrect in your statement. Biggest Loser SA has attracted huge support which is fabulous for the next round of contestants! | ||
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| SMG on 11 Mar at 15:27 |
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| I weigh 142kg and I was wondering What processes I can follow to become a contestant on the show. Please send me some more information thank you | ||
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| Leslie Allistair Ross on 15 Apr at 11:02 |
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| Hi, what im interested in and would like to find out is what diet program were the contestants following in The biggest loser SA? Thanks Kirsten | ||
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| kirsten wentworth on 23 Apr at 13:04 |
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| Hi, I have being struggling to loose weight for some time. The only way I lost was when I landed up in hospital, there I lost 5kg but now I have being diagnosed with Diabetes and I have got epilepsy and with all the medication it is very hard for me to loose weight. All my friends are thin and I always cancel appointments when making arrangements to go out due to my weight. I actually hate myself and I honestly mean it. I need your help desperately. Please help me. I weigh 89KG's and want to weigh less alot. I have even thought of having surgery but they won't help me not with my health. | ||
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| Charlene on 25 Jun at 07:34 |
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