F102
The Biggest Looser...tough love or abuse?
March 27 2013
Comments
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RHP User
12 years ago
I just can’t understand how people find watching that shit entertaining…
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RHP User
12 years ago
Weight gain can be a deeper issue mentally.People eat comfort food to comfort them from a issue that has troubled them in life.The trainers try to find that issue and break the problem they have.I actually like seeing people change their life for the better.Good quality food ,diet and exercise help the nourishment of the body and brain.Sometimes tough love is needed to snap people out of their mental imprisonment.I would not call it abuse more so educating and motivating these people who have lost hope in life.
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RHP User
12 years ago
I wouldn't appreciate being treated like that. - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
12 years ago
They need to consider the emotional side of the contestants as well. Not just the physical. I feel the series outline and the networks way of implementing it is a bit lopsided when it comes to human beings. I think an holistic approach is the only way that works in the long run for big people. Obesity is, just as much, a psychological problem with an emotional source. So any personal issues need to be dealt with as well. As people who suffer from major obesity begin to shed considerable amounts of weight there is also a parallel process happening where buried emotional pain begins to surface. That is the crux of the healing which is the most important part of the battle for these people. The series needs to accommodate that and provide professional psychological intervention for all contestants. Making it part of the show as well. These people are dealing with things like anxiety, grief and even terror as their transformation happens from the amounts of past pain, guilt, shame, abandonment, humiliation and loss etc, etc, which has all been stored in their bodies cells and held onto for so long, in most cases their entire adult life. If those issues are not dealt with thoroughly, are processed and then let go of, then the weight generally returns. There is just as much to gain for young viewers seeing the emotional process unfolding and the skills used to overcome issues as there is to learn from watching contestants counting calories and being yelled at by 'personal trainers' while they carry a truck tyre 250m in the 30 degree midday sun! The personal trainers, from what I could tell, only have a very blinkered or limited scope to deal with the diverse range of people. Also the public are not that dumb? I think the public generally would like to see more gutsy emotional gains to round it out and not solely this kind of an army type 'boot camp' scenario.Something we don't tend to see is when it's all over, the series has ended and the people go back to their own lives away from the spotlight? I can imagine it would be a big come down for them to fail again? Even worse if it was due to negligence on the part of the network. I often wondered when the series first aired what kind of contract the contestants had to sign themselves away to?
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RHP User
12 years ago
I think there is something to be said for the "Taking someone that is broken apart, in order to put them back to together the right way" approach. However, it is risky business and I find that a lot of reality shows end with the "Taking apart" bit, which can have devastating consequenses for contestants when they are booted off the show. Is there follow-up? After care? Or do people arrive back home feeling even more horrible about themselves than before? That thought scares me.
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inspirit
12 years ago
is with cuffs, blindfolds and a passionate lover.... certainly makes my weight loss programme more user friendly
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ruby_blossum
12 years ago
and you will find a trainer getting into someones face.Its what they do.The show has been on for so many years, anyone signing up knows the deal.They also know its about sensational tv.........and Commando can abuse me anytime he wants.
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RHP User
12 years ago
I agree OP- we dont watch it for that very reason...i feel a lot of it is inappropriate, and rude. Its not my cup f tea. and yes Ruby is right, there are a lot out there...and for some reason there are folowers
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Mischeviouslad
12 years ago
Quoting 'Ms_Devious' I think there is something to be said for the "Taking someone that is broken apart, in order to put them back to together the right way" approach. However, it is risky business and I find that a lot of reality shows end with the "Taking apart" bit, which can have devastating consequenses for contestants when they are booted off the show. Is there follow-up? After care? Or do people arrive back home feeling even more horrible about themselves than before? That thought scares me. You hit it on the head miss M.ONLY the "angry" part of the motivational process makes good television to spoonfeed (sic) to the masses.The counselling and education parts.... well, they're like watching a Tafe class lecture.... or Q&A.But we're not talking about everyday Joe and Joanne Bloggs here...... these people put their hand up... voluntered to be on the show with all of its support and resources available to them because they couldnt do it alone, over many many years.DG
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RHP User
12 years ago
Give me a sample of whether it has worked long time and I'll have more input.
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RHP User
12 years ago
On the individual.Some people find the yelling and screaming approach beneficial when it comes to pushing their limits.It doesn't just happen on this show, which I don't watch, but also on the training paddocks of most sports clubs.
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RHP User
12 years ago
Once the show has finished filming they've had their media tastes then what??? Back to reality....no trainers, no daily routines from the show, no support, no other contestants, no cameras...they've lost all this weight looking good, no dietitians,.....home alone -they disappear back into their lifestyles......that has to have some sort of huge psychological effect on constants, especially if their families are unhealthy eaters?? The show, on camera and for TV looks good and they play up to media for "healthy lifestyles"...its behind the scenes that really worry me... Foxy - Posted from rhpmobile
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uneventful
12 years ago
They have extensive psychological help from fully trained persons through the show time. They only show a small bit of it on TV not all the behind the sceens bits .... with the exception of the begining ... where they actuslly showed the psychologists talking to the contestents before they jumped into the water at Wattamolla...... and they are followed up with continued support when not on the show.there was a lot of psychologists support for them after the major events like the films from home episode and the aging episode..... the trainers are hard ... but effective.- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
12 years ago
That's is good to know. The show obviously only shows the extreme footage but as you see most people do respond to it in the end. Love watching Biggest Loser while siting on the lounge crying into my salt and vinegar chips at the sad bits. :p
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RHP User
12 years ago
When I was playing soccer, my coach used a tactic like yelling and nagging at me to get me all pissed off before a game. I always play my best game when I have a bit of rage in me. May have been something to that because we were ladies champions three years running, and minor premiers. - Ms Otori :D
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RHP User
12 years ago
on events instead of the 'whole' story. Although there is professional support behind the scenes. Obviously the network has packaged the show for entertainment and dollar value versus people value and holistic education. Also there is always the fact that the contestants would probably not like some of their deeper issues aired? Or it's likely that the public couldn't stomach it? I personally would like to see a more balanced view. Not just the edited highlights. But as doing that would push the show into the category of a doco it's pretty certain that it would lose it's popcorn eating fans who are wanting the more instant gratification and the fleeting hit of adrenalin the current format provides.
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RHP User
12 years ago
When I was 20 I joined the military for a while. I was young and stupid and lacked confidence. After the initial training, which in a way is similar to the training on TBL, I was a new man. Full of confidence, tougher mentally and physically and just better in every way. Some of these people need to be broken down and put back together. If I was on the show, then I would be wanting the commando to be my trainer. It's the fact that it is a game and people get kicked of before they reach their goal that is a bigger issue in my opinion.- Posted from rhpmobile
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ruby_blossum
12 years ago
ofcourse they have lots of support, great you shared that with us.I have a number of clients who have applied for the show. There are weeks of workshops before hand with trained psychologists to see who is emotionally tough enough to cope with the show...the tv exposure, the breakdowns etc.Two of my clients didnt make it on because they lost too much weight during this time.The trainers provide ongoing support, before , during and after.Many parts of the show DO show this...all aspects of their contestants heatlh is taken into consideration and specialists in their fields are there, onsite to assist.Life on the show is extreme, its very difficult to maintain the level of training they do on the show when they do leave.Some of the contestants have the drive and will power to continue their journey after the cameras are turned off, some dont.Just like in real life.I am sure that any person reading this who has fought the battle of the buldge at some stage in their life realises how it is an ongoing battle to keep motivated. (especially with Easter so close )I say Good On to the people brave enough to bare their bodies and souls to the tv audience.Laughing at those who have made comments starting with " I dont watch the show" (but I am going to tell you what I think anyway).This year is centered on generational obesity....the teams consist of a parent and child working together to overcome their problems, together.
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captainkaos
12 years ago
It's one thing to encourage someone to do something but something completely different to half kill them. I would imagine that their hearts wont be in the best of conditions and to push someone so hard is very scary to watch.....and cruel if you ask me. I tried watching but I can't.
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RHP User
12 years ago
After they have made their money they are out of there.. Indemnity papers settling gently in their slip stream as they leave..Quoting 'Ms_Devious' ..... Is there follow-up? After care? Or do people arrive back home feeling even more horrible about themselves than before? That thought scares me.
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RHP User
12 years ago
Are sad I dont watch any of that stuff, be it biggest looser, or the bloody cooking shows I like to live my life, rather than through the lives of others. I would rather be sitting eating my salt and vinigar chips as Meeka said, looking at people in an airport as I get ready to go somewhere or do something constuctive. TV just shows me how pathetic we can be at times. I have no interest what so ever in some poor sods abuse. Abuse is on the rise, and we see to much of it without watching it on TV. when someones pain becomes anothers entertainmet ( unless its between consenting adults in the bedroom) its an indication of the society we live in. We have enough problems with heath issues, physical and mental without making it a spectator sport.
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MisFebim
12 years ago
I am a big girl and i know I'd tell the trainers "where to go", but you have to remember that we(audience) only see a portion of what gets filmed for the entire series.
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playfulminx
12 years ago
...but even if one or two contestants are in a better place than they were before then surely it's not all bad either? I guess some people may come out of it worse for wear but that's reality TV :( I do believe that if being on TBL doesn't teach you enough to keep the weight off (even mainly) then what the heck will? It's not rocket science to learn that drinking 1.25l of coke in one sitting is not good for you. There are problems beyond common sense good eating/exercise if contestants pile the weight back on after the show :| Some amount of weight gain is to be expected though since we can't train every single day.As for personal trainers, they are the absolute antithesis of enablers. You know how your best friend tells you it's OK to have another Tim Tam? Well personal trainers are not your best friend and no you can't have another Tim Tam. Ever.I'd prefer a session with the Commando over a packet of Tim Tam personally :D
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RHP User
12 years ago
for some interesting and insightful postings, especially unevenful and ruby_bloossom.I have watched the progam in previous years but this year it seemed particularly harsh,However this country has an obesity epidemic and if just one person is helped than that cant be a bad thing. I hope people do get follow help and support later though......just returning from your 15 minutes of fame is difficult in itself and then there is all the added pressure of returning back to the same environment which may not be a healthy one.
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RHP User
12 years ago
People commenting don't need to avidly watch the show to know what the go is? It's all there to be seen almost every day of the week during the ad breaks! As the OP said, she has only seen glimpses. Don't really see what's funny about that? I have worked in the fitness and complimentary health industry for over 22 years so I have a genuine interest in the OP's post due to my vocation. It's good to hear the appropriate professional and psychological care is available to those on the show.
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RHP User
12 years ago
Is absolutely fantastic, in the right BALANCE, as is the case with anything we do in life. You can't be all work and no play, nor can you be all play without the work. - Posted from rhpmobile
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Mr_MrsAraps
12 years ago
I have been blessed with a pretty fast metabolism but have always wondered if I was somehow a contestant on biggest looser in a different body would I have the mental strength to loose mega kilos. I would prob say yes as have always eaten in moderation and pretty for and active. Just wondering.- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
12 years ago
I have watched this show since it started. These people got to be the size they are because of soft love, people giving in to them constantly, taking the easy way out, emotional binge eating and self medicating using food.... amongst other reasons. At the end of each show three or four past contestants come back as motivation for current contestants. A number of them have become personal trainers themselves. I know from working with a PT myself.... the slightest sign of weakness and I WILL exploit it. Those that criticise remember than a man who weighs 250 kgs is not going to work at losing weight without being pushed to the max. He is going to sit in his room and eat until he dies.- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
12 years ago
Many of the contestants have been superb athletes in the past. Haley Lewis herself battled the bulge after giving up sport and dropped a heap of weight during the past two seasons of comparing the show.- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
12 years ago
I quickly skimmed through the comment because I saw that everyone here saw the saw thing I did. Cheap crap that is designed for people who don't want to think or have an opinion. Personally there are a number of pieces of entertainment (reality shows) that are cheap and easy fodder for the commercial networks. This one is in my opinion the worst these people have far greater issues than the lifestyle weight issues and this cheap exploitive crap only serves to ruin those that take part and those that participate IMHO.
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RHP User
12 years ago
The world is built on opposites, almost everything has an element of light and dark. The dark of those shows is their exploitative nature, the way some viewers judge and criticise the contestants, the fact that people can waste their lives away in front of the television. The light of them though, is that some people who would likely die far too young learn how to lose weight, eat healthy, maintain both ... and therefore live longer and better. Some of them get their lives back when everything else they've tried has not worked. Regardless of the downsides, contestants get access to incredibly qualified trainers and nutritionists, thousands of dollars with of personal training and equipment, and incentives and motivation to change their lives - things they might otherwise never be able to find or afford. And the show has spawned online clubs and forums where non-contestants can educate and motivate themselves and others to lose weight and get healthy. In a society where obesity is becoming the norm, I say whatever works.
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RHP User
12 years ago
Obesity is a much more complex issue than will power. More often than not, obesity is either caused by or causes an underlying psychological, emotional or biological/chemical process, which increases the obesity and leads to a vicious cycle. We all have challenges and obstacles in our lives - some people become drug, food or sex addicts, some become emotionally detached over-achievers, some are depressed and unreachable, and so on. And some of us are fortunate to have healthy coping mechanisms. Unravelling the causes of all of these things and changing them for good is much, much harder than simply stopping or cutting back on something like the food an obese person eats or the drugs an addict takes.
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RHP User
12 years ago
I have purposely not read anyone else's posts because I wanted to watch an episode and give you my honest, unbaised opinion. I guess the approach that these trainers take may work for some. It most definitely would not work for me. TV is TV, and we'll only see what the producers what us to see. I am hoping that behind the scenes there is a full support network for these people with a complete follow up program in place. The social psychology aspect is actually quite interesting. Do you remember the Stanford Prison Experiment? Might be a relevant comparison ...
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RHP User
12 years ago
Quoting 'playfulminx' It's not rocket science to learn that drinking 1.25l of coke in one sitting is not good for you. Or even a 4 litre tub of ice cream with sprinkles and topping for breakfast and that was about the only clip I have seen from this season. Mr Elektralink
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Mischeviouslad
12 years ago
If you havent tried cereal with peanut M&Ms.... you havent lived!!!!lol.....DG
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RHP User
12 years ago
Is very similar to crowd control 101 on human behaviour. Whilst I was working a 10 year stint in crowd control at local pubs, clubs and the like, you saw the physical side of it. That is the more you yell and scream at someone, your heart rate increases, and adrenalin release also increases, in anticipation of the potential confrontation, therefore it escalates personal performance, ie blood flow is concentrated to the arms and legs. At some point, if the perceived threat isn't removed, at some point people snap, and that peak physical condition is then used for either combat or retreat. Also can be known as hyper-vigilence Many body builders train in groups or at least in pairs to fire this response to lift that extra weight. PT's can use it to drive a persons hunger for change, to make them want it even more passionately. Afterwards there is a lot of positive reinforcement which removes the threat, and is a key difference between motivational stress and abuse/personal threat. It's all in the love :)- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
12 years ago
Fuck no!
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RHP User
12 years ago
Thats why its on TV... I love it how they portray the so called PT's as the cure for such issues. By law, a PT cannot train anyone with a musculo skeletal, cardiac, respiratory and metabolic conditions. Yes! a 3mths course just does not cut it. For the sake of viewing, all the tactics are not only a very small percentage for success and no way near long term or life changing. I honestly wonder where they find such people. Soon we'll get the USA community..
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