Are Reality Show, Team Weight Loss Programs Realistic?

According to weight loss experts, losing weight and keeping it off is dependent on several factors: desire to lose weight; making sure you have no metabolic problems causing you to gain weight; getting control of the emotional factors causing you to over eat; re-learning lifestyle habits including healthy food selection, realistic portion sizes, and healthier cooking methods; and starting an weekly, realistic exercise program.

Why team weight loss is not effective in the long term: In reality shows the participants get a huge amount of pressure from the show, from the fans, from their friends, and their team. They have a great motivation to lose on the show which is the large money prizes. If you have everyone watching you and monitoring what you do, you will lose weight in many cases. It's hard to face your family and friends when you blew it on television. On these shows they have an instructor constantly working with them who is driving them to do more, more, and more. They are given a hard time if they fail because they are letting the team down. They know they can be kicked out of the program if they don't walk the talk. Their task masters drive them harder physically then is normal unless you are in the military. For some who may have undiagnosed metabolic or emotional problems, their failure to lose weight on the show may really cause them to eat more and sink further into depression. When they fail in front of millions of viewers, it may profoundly affect their moral and spirit. They may then give up trying all together.

What happens after the show is over: As with all weight loss programs, many individuals tend to regain the weight. They revert back to life long, unhealthy eating patterns. It takes more than 9 weeks to establish permanent healthy eating patterns when you have been eating junk food and cookies for years.

After the program, you must motivate yourself to keep off the weight. There is no one applauding your decision not to eat a whole pie. There is no one watching your every move. Not many people will give you a hard time when you gain back the weight. In fact your overweight friends and family may be relieved you gained it back. They miss the junk food. I worked for Jenny Craig for some time. There were husbands who were greatly intimidated when their wives lost weight and looked hot. They became very insecure that their wives might leave them and they were not comfortable with the personality changes. There were several couples who ended up in marriage counseling.

The exercise program that the reality show contestants are given is not a regimen that most people could continue in real life. You need to have a realistic exercise program that you will do on a weekly basis. It is like other lifestyle goals, you need to make them reachable. Often, it takes consistent baby steps moving forward each day. If you make the goals overwhelming, they will not get done. Once the show is over, it is you who must be motivated to make weight management permanent in your life. You must lose weight for you, not others. You must want it with determination and courage.

What benefits to the reality show contestant and the audience can be received?

For the contestant: They do see they can lose weight with hard work. Their self esteem may improve in those nine weeks when they see weight loss results. This may give them enough motivation to continue the program once the television lights and fan fare has faded. Some contestants may establish supportive relationships with other contestants that continue once the show it over.

Benefits gained from watching the show: You may gain understanding through watching others, what you need to do to lose weight. Most of those contestants gained weight for the same reasons you did. The instructors may demonstrate exercises and exercise programs that you can initiate at home. The discussions on nutrition and eating healthier which will benefit you. You will have to admit that you could lose weight too, if you used some of the tips and information given in those programs.

Suggestions to consider so that you keep the weight off:

It helps to have family or friends that are supportive of your efforts to lose weight. Join a long term supportive group such as Over Eaters Anonymous or Weight Watchers for support. You will gain valuable knowledge on how to eat healthier, tips to stop or control temptations and how to eat out without pigging out. Going to meeting and classes will help you to stay focused and determined. You will have people there to give you needed help as you progress on your weight loss program. Once you lose the weight, it is easy to gain it back. Stay in the program when you have reached your goal so that you keep it off for the rest of your life.

It would be wise to seek therapy if necessary, to resolve issues of abuse and poor self esteem that influenced your weight gain. Most people eat out of emotional issues to some extent. Get help to let that life baggage go. Let the pain out and let life come in.

Join an exercise or walking group in your area. Some groups go to the mall and walk. If you have a neighbor you don't know who needs to lose weight also, invite them to walk with you. It might be just the motivation you both need to live a healthier life. Make it a family affair and get your whole family involved. They may complain but will thank you later. Keep asking, even if they no the first few times.

References:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=50400

http://exercise.about.com/b/2009/01/05/vote-in-this-weeks-poll-do-weight-loss-reality-shows-inspire-you.htm