Weight Loss TV Shows

The Biggest Loser. It's been one of my longest standing TV shows, which says a lot because I don't watch much television. The show started in 2004. I missed the first season, but tuned in forever more afterward. My standing joke back then was "Ice Cream Time!" Then life started for me... I found a relationship. We ate out and partied a lot. I stopped exercising. Marriage, babies, oh my! Just like many of the contestants of the show, I watched my weight balloon feeling somewhat helpless. The Biggest Loser show, however, was a constant source of hope for me. I related to the everyday people who were struggling - not only weight but self-worth issues. The weekly show had a spot on my calendar every Tuesday. Eventually, I started making my own changes... ditched the ice cream and used BL as time to ride my bike, walk the treadmill or do commercial workouts. The show helped to change my life. 

Over the past few years however, I've grown disconnected with the show. I've always viewed the weight-loss methods as extreme (but I've come to expect that from anything out of Hollywood). The producers are always pushing the bar in the never-ending ratings chase - always reaching for the shock factor. Each season, the contestants are bigger with sadder stories. While extremely heart-wrenching, I don't relate with them as much anymore (and sometimes it feels like a soap-opera). The trainers have a weird vibe going on between them. I liked the addition of Dolvett, but it's quite obvious that Bob and Jill are not fans.  I've always hated the voting-off of contestants and the game play that surrounded the show, but ultimately, The Biggest Loser IS a weight loss competition... a game. That's how it was setup from the very beginning. Is losing 10+lbs each week ever considered healthy or successful? On the ranch, yes. In real life, never.

My jaw dropped when Rachel walked out at the finale on Tuesday night, but I wasn't necessarily shocked. She did what was necessary to WIN the title and the money. Does she look frail and uber-thin? Yes, but I have no doubt that she'll pad some pounds back on. (They all do...) I actually felt sad for her. Weight loss is a big emotional journey, and I can't imagine how she's feeling right now. Our world is really judgmental. Everyone has an opinion and not afraid to express it, even if its hurtful. I hope for her sake that Rachel unplugs and focuses on her new direction. I pray she finds a healthy weight that she can maintain an active happy life.

The last few BL finales, I walk away thinking, "I'm not watching next season." It took me awhile to get into this past one, but eventually I got sucked in - especially with the Olympic and triathlon episodes. I don't know the direction of BL in the future, but I'm pretty sure its heydays are gone.

I see ABC's Extreme Weight Loss with Chris Powell gaining popularity - at least in my heart. The transformations are a year-long and trainers Chris and his wife Heidi seem like neat people, not big celebrities. There's less money power and marketing behind it, so the seasons are more spread out and aired during off times (summertime versus winter). Extreme Weight Loss Season 4 is set to air in early summer, and they're currently casting Season 5. My hope is that the increase of ratings and expectations don't ruin the show like it did with Biggest Loser.

People either love or hate these weight loss shows. What's your take? 
Do producers have an ethical responsibility to portray certain health standards?

Me... I like the weight loss shows for what they are - motivation, inspiration. I'm certainly smart enough not to take everything that is said or happens as reality, but I do worry about those that may. I don't mean to sound skeptical, but I've given up on Hollywood having any kind of standards... with any kind of programming. The shows on TV get worse and worse. There is less and less that we can watch as a family with the kids. Even Disney channel disappoints me these days...