On The Biggest Loser, we see an astonishing amount of dangerous tactics and techniques for making the morbidly obese lose (water) weight. This week’s theme: Halloween!
As a personal trainer and avid reality television fan, I find The Biggest Loser to be one of the most compelling and frustrating shows on television. Every week I rank the most appalling situations, quotes, and people on a scale from mildly irresponsible to downright dangerous.
Mildly Irresponsible
Although clearly filmed around June, the show is forcing its participants to pretend that it is Halloween.
The “Trainer Tip” to eat Nature Valley protein bars after consuming hundreds of calories of Halloween candy. This reinforces the common myth that eating copious protein will somehow make you lose weight.
Jay, like every contestant on this show, continues to have horrible rowing machine form. It is the visual equivalent of nails on a chalkboard.
Moderately Irresponsible
Dolvett’s team seems to be suffering from severe nausea, vertigo, and possibly strokes and heart attacks during a workout, and this is treated as a mildly annoying side effect of a normal exercise routine. No wonder some people are terrified of going to the gym.
The weight classes for Olympic female powerlifting go from 165 pounds straight up to ultra-heavyweight? Can we get a happy medium, here?
Bobby’s desire to wear a tutu while powerlifting. That much tulle can mask improper form, which is extremely unsafe.
Severely Irresponsible
When emotionally wrecked Tanya only lost three pounds, Dolvett said, “I saved you because I thought you’d do great things…and I still think that.” Nice save, Dolvett, but you revealed your true intentions: make people lose pounds (notice I didn’t say “fat,” but “pounds”) with little regard for their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Bob’s glittery “Real Women Weightlift” T-shirt. Don’t tell me what to do, buddy!
Criminally Irresponsible
Temptation challenges used to be optional, and the prizes were luxuries like phone calls home. They now seem mandatory and/or foolish to refuse, with immunity at stake. Encouraging patterns like binging and exercise bulimia seems to be this show’s M.O. as the seasons go on.
Weigh-in Results
White Team (Jillian)
| Contestant | Start | Week 8 | Week 9 | + / - | Percentage | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 865 | 648 | 627 | 21 | 3.24 | 238 |
| Jay | 297 | 207 | 201 | 6 | 2.90 | 96 |
| Marie | 249 | 198 | 192 | 6 | 3.03 | 57 |
| Tumi | 319 | 243 | 234 | 9 | 3.70 | 85 |
Blue Team (Bob) – They won immunity in the Temptation Challenge.
| Contestant | Start | Week 8 | Week 9 | + / - | Percentage | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 1358 | 1066 | 1039 | 27 | 2.53 | 319 |
| Bobby | 358 | 272 | 269 | 3 | 1.10 | 89 |
| Chelsea | 241 | 185 | 181 | 4 | 2.16 | 60 |
| Hap | 403 | 332 | 321 | 11 | 3.31 | 82 |
| Matt | 356 | 277 | 268 | 9 | 3.25 | 88 |
Red Team (Dolvett)
| Contestant | Start | Week 8 | Week 9 | + / - | Percentage | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 1197 | 896 | 873 | 23 | 2.57 | 324 |
| David | 409 | 299 | 294 | 5 | 1.67 | 115 |
| Jennifer | 266 | 207 | 200 | 7 | 3.38 | 66 |
| Rachel | 260 | 178 | 171 | 7 | 3.93 | 89 |
| Tanya | 262 | 212 | 208 | 4 | 1.89 | 54 |
With the Red Team’s loss, Ruben was sent home and was very upbeat about it. Here’s hoping we see a smaller Velvet Teddy Bear in next week’s update!
I am surprised that they sent the velvet teddy bear home. I am sure he was pulling in some ratings. Also wouldn’t any bad form be more than mildly irresponsible?
“Also wouldn’t any bad form be more than mildly irresponsible?”
In real life, yes. On this show, relative to all infractions: a drop in the bucket.