Comments on Chapters: Reasons Why I HATE The Bigest Loer...

wow ok first let me say I fell into the trap and I...

2010-04-11T00:46:38.286-04:00

wow ok first let me say I fell into the trap and I even have a Body bugg and I never thought of this stuff. I don't know the first thing about nutrition and proper diet/exercise plans...I simply run and eat less. It works for me. But, I am so glad I read this and have a new outlook on the show. One of my good friends had gastric bypass a year ago and has lost alot of weight and looks great....now she's experiencing horrible issues opposite of diabetes. Anyway, back to BL, I love the show b/c I like the before/after results I find it inspirational. I struggle with losing only 10 pounds and try to let the show give me hope. Now after reading this I will look at the show completely different...I didn't pay attention to your disclaimer and kept reading. But, it was very helpful. I have so many questions about nutrition b/c my hubby & I are trying to eat healthier....mainly b/c my doctor said it could help my infertility issues. But, I can't afford to see a professional..so with that said, I'm very happy I found your blog. You are so knowledgeable and I love how you are so dedicated to a healthy life style. I could learn alot from you ;)

COMPLETELY understand, girl. Working in physical t...

2009-12-31T19:35:49.810-05:00

COMPLETELY understand, girl. Working in physical therapy, I understand exactly where you are coming from and can't stand sitting through the show.

I don't watch this show, because honestly, Jillian...

2009-10-02T11:11:25.243-04:00

I don't watch this show, because honestly, Jillian scares me. But I do think it's pretty unrealistic when I read about it after the season is over.

When I saw Jillian climb on a contestants lap whil...

2009-09-25T16:44:17.900-04:00

When I saw Jillian climb on a contestants lap while she was doing a wall squat, that was it for me. I've never regularly watched, but on the occasions I was able to tune in, I would. After that stunt, I just gave it up. I thought about my own mom who is fighting her own weight loss battle in a very realistic and healthy way. She has seen that show and been discouraged because of the results the contestants are able to attain. I just called her and told her to come and read your post. (just like I didn't like listening to her when I was a teen, she isn't hearing me when I say the SAME things to her you just posted in this post.....hearing it from someone else--someone who is a certified health and wellness professional--put a whole new spin on things!!!) Thank you, Amy!!!!

I admit that I do love the show, but I'm so glad y...

2009-09-25T14:41:12.303-04:00

I admit that I do love the show, but I'm so glad you did bring all of these issues to light. Thank you for keeping everyone informed about how unrealistic and unhealthy the show is, and on a personal note, than you for the information about BMR. I have never had mine measured, but was told by a nutritionist once that I had severely messed it up. I would love some information about the accuracy of that statement and how to measure it!

I've never watched it but I completely agree with ...

2009-09-25T13:52:13.004-04:00

I've never watched it but I completely agree with your philosophy. Slow and steady and healthy is best... and is the only way to maintain a healthy weight over your liftime!

Oh...and I also have to say...when Rex cuts weight...

2009-09-24T20:03:43.871-04:00

Oh...and I also have to say...when Rex cuts weight for a fight, he can do 15 lbs in a matter of days, but it all comes right back when he eats and drinks "normally". To me thats all the show is doing, cutting weight not loosing fat!

I agree with you...thus, I don't watch the show. C...

2009-09-24T19:59:31.058-04:00

I agree with you...thus, I don't watch the show. Correct me if I'm wrong but haven't most of the winners gained most the weight back after the show?! The only thing it's good for is inspiration, but is very unrealistic!

Initially, when a person stops some of their bad h...

2009-09-24T13:14:31.910-04:00

Initially, when a person stops some of their bad habits (like drinking 7 sodas a day and cuts back on fried foods, etc...) there is a significant change in the body on some occasions. Usually with men and usually for a VERY brief time period.

A lot of that initial loss is water weight loss from decreasing the amount of sodium in fried foods significantly. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of sodium is 2400mg - and a teaspoon of salt has a whopping 2300 grams! Imagine what a person eating a bag of fried chips could cut back just by stopping that habit. That said, the weight loss will be early on and will not continue at such a rapid rate. I'm talking more about long term, sustainable weight loss and the fact that the show misses the opportunity to create a healthy lifestyle.

Bottom line, I still just think it's about money. Just consider how much product placement is on that show:

- the heart rate monitor
- 24 H*our Fitn*ess
- the name brands of the equipment
- Sub*way
- the resorts they take them to
- Bob Har*er's books
- Jillian's books
- even when they talk about the gum they show the brand
- etc...

First, let me say that I agree with most of what y...

2009-09-24T10:56:08.293-04:00

First, let me say that I agree with most of what you've said, and you obviously know much more about the subject than I do. However, I think when people are that large and have that much weight to lose, it's not that unrealistic to lose that many pounds in a week. Perfect example - two guys at work are doing a Big*est Lo*er-esque challenge, but obviously not even close to the extremes of the show. One guy has lost 11 pounds in two weeks and the other 10 (both guys are around 6'2 and weighed in around 230-240 intially). What are they doing? Oh, just cutting out soda, alcohol (for the most part), fried food, and the like. I still eat healthier than them, and I could never lose weight like that because I'm 5'3" and weigh around 130. It is definitely unrealistic for me to lose more than 1-2 pounds in a week healthily (other than water weight and our normal womanly fluctuations). And, they maybe exercise for an hour a day, 4-5 days per week. So, I just think that part of it is the fact that when you have that much weight to lose, it falls off when you stop the bad habits. But, I agree with everything else you said in regards to caloric intake and expenditure. 1200 calories a day to burn 6000 cannot be healthy.

thank you for saying that! I have watched the show...

2009-09-24T10:00:45.297-04:00

thank you for saying that! I have watched the show since the beginning, but it has become so ridiculous with people loosing 30 pounds in one week. I haven't watched it the last two seasons...instead of inspiring, the show winds up defeating real people when they can't loose that much weight in a week.

I found your blog the other day and have really enjoyed it.

I agree with you that the show is definitely NOT r...

2009-09-24T09:54:27.195-04:00

I agree with you that the show is definitely NOT realistic. I've always heard that 1-2 pounds a week is the most realistic & sustainable. I never thought though what a calorie deficit it would take to lose that much!

I've watched the show before - I cried the season ...

2009-09-24T09:23:28.593-04:00

I've watched the show before - I cried the season that Allie won. I guess because I could relate to her reasons for eating.

Being an overweight woman, I know that there are significant reasons that people develop the habits that lead to obesity. I always felt that show was lacking the emotional/psychological aspects of it. In my opinion, an obese person has got to get to the root of why they overeat, binge, etc. if they can really be committed to a lifestyle of diet and excercise.

I've always thought losing 8-15 pounds a week was unrealistic - but I thought it was just because they do nothing but work out all day. And who has the time or stamina to do that?

I totally agree with you! One of the most importan...

2009-09-24T08:52:06.177-04:00

I totally agree with you! One of the most important things I learned when I started training at the gym was that my weight on the scale was NOT a good indicator of my progress and on this show- that is the sole determination of their success. It's definitely a scam!

I just love you Amy!!! I'm glad you addressed this...

2009-09-24T08:42:47.071-04:00

I just love you Amy!!! I'm glad you addressed this mainly for the fact that I trust your opinion - its what you do for a living!!!

And yeah, I think it does set up unobtainable goals for the "normal" person at home. The weight loss in the end is inspiring, but yeah, I often wondered about the methods too. Especially when you see people getting pushed to the point of puking... that CANT be good! My husband just said the other day "Someone's going to die on there"... tend to agree

I agree that it's totally unreal to workout 12 hou...

2009-09-24T08:01:03.400-04:00

I agree that it's totally unreal to workout 12 hours a day. Normal people don't have that kind of time. Also, you're totally right - it leads to injury!

The whole subway comment above... That is a diet if they're used to eating Whoppers every meal...right? Just saying. :)

Great post.

it bothers me that they don't do more with diet......

2009-09-24T01:23:37.383-04:00

it bothers me that they don't do more with diet...they show them eating subway and call it a day..

Love it! I HATE when people think that is real lif...

2009-09-24T00:26:18.864-04:00

Love it! I HATE when people think that is real life. I have heard that is too hard, I just want to go on BL.
Thanks for telling the truth even if it's not popular.

amen sister!! very well said! and they ALWAYS had ...

2009-09-23T23:56:12.460-04:00

amen sister!! very well said! and they ALWAYS had that on when i went to the gym! i love watching people lose weight and get healthy, but that show is just NOT realistic.

oh, and yeah, i've been reading your blog for a while now, but never knew if i should comment....so how about a WAR EAGLE while i'm at it! love the blog!!

I don't watch it. Never really have. However, as...

2009-09-23T23:25:15.278-04:00

I don't watch it. Never really have.

However, as someone who has spent a lot of time learning about health and exercise since my early days as a freshman on the high school cross country team, I know what they are doing is not good. I read a great article about how the show is actually CONTRIBUTING to the rise in obesity. It tells people you can lose 10 lbs in a week, so when people don't they give up losing weight.

I do not like Jillian either. She makes me cringe.

I love that you wrote this. I do not think the sh...

2009-09-23T22:56:14.812-04:00

I love that you wrote this. I do not think the show is realistic or healthy and honestly Jillian gives me a headache.

I'm proud of you Amy. You know your stuff and you...

2009-09-23T22:16:07.492-04:00

I'm proud of you Amy. You know your stuff and you should be proud to speak intelligently of it.

Now, I like the show, but I totally agree with you...

2009-09-23T20:34:44.730-04:00

Now, I like the show, but I totally agree with you, it's totally unrealistic. I do think that they must make the contestants sign something. It's also unrealistic because anyone would lose a ton of weight if they were working out for ALL day and put on an incredibly strict diet! Come on. :) Good post, I love your passion on being fit and fitness! xoxo

Comments on Chapters: Reasons Why I HATE The Big*est Lo*er...