Why the Biggest Loser Gets a Big Thumbs Down

That is the biggest part of the problem with the popular reality based TV show "The Biggest Loser" and similar diet/exercise programs as their main focus is merely the number on the scale. What people who are not knowledgeable about fitness, proper nutrition and better health don't realize is how misguided, counterproductive and unhealthy this goal is.

1. Muscle is dense therefore it occupies less space but weighs a lot more. It has been said a picture is worth a thousand words. The slide show is a clear visual demonstration as to what "muscle is dense, occupies less space and weighs far more than fat" means.

2. The degrading drill sargeantesque foul-mouthed comments that are regularly screamed at the program's contestants are anything but motivational. They are down-right humiliating and disturbing to watch. As a former certified fitness professional it actually hurts to hear these sound bites of Jillian Michaels screaming at people who seem to be on the brink of collapse. This is motivation? The military does not accept morbidly obese recruits nor does it accept recruits who are 40-somethings who have been sedentary for the last 20 years of their adult lives. It's one thing to drive a person to work hard for a goal they want to achieve but quite another to scream, yell and exploit desperate people who are willing to do almost anything to lose weight. And all of this is coming from a woman who "can't handle doing something like that to her body" referring to pregnancy?

3. The show sabotages those viewers who want to become fit and achieve better health by making them feel a failure if they can't duplicate similar results to those who are touted as the winners on these types of shows. They become discouraged and just give up when they were most likely on the right path all along. Sadly these negative feelings are often reinforced by comments from spouses, friends and family. "If they can do it (meaning the people on TV) then why can't you? You are just too lazy." So again, these people who have been trying to lose excess body fat the right way just give up and go back to their old habits that got them overweight in the first place. Only now they've gained it all back and then some because they've starved their muscle mass away.

Unfortunately it seems the age old wisdom "slow and steady wins the race" is lagging far behind shows like "The Biggest Loser." Let's face it, in our society that has become obsessed with instant gratification it's clear to see where the biggest ratings will go. But those of you who can find the internal strength to just switch the channel and get educated about the proper road to fitness, better health and overall well-being will end up crossing the finish line in your own good time with grace, dignity and a superior quality of life.

The American public can simply choose to tune this garbage out. It's not that hard to do. Just don't watch it. For anyone who has a hard time going against the media hype simply offer this article as a means to back your decision. I've successfully overcome a 30 year struggle with yo-yo dieting, dangerous eating disorders, compromised health and poor self-image that resulted from all the teasing, shunning and unhealthy behaviors I engaged in all because I was a fat kid. I've been successfully living in this skin for over 13 years. All the damned media hype and lack of accurate information fuels confusion.

But don't give up. Keep reading. Find legitimate sources of information that offer you a lifestyle change that will:

1. Hold you personally responsible without screaming degrading obscenities at you.

2. Take time and effort on your part.

3. Make you get involved in educating yourself so that you can make more intelligent decisions so that you can regain control of your health, fitness and overall well-being.

I am not selling any magic pills here folks but believe me when I tell you it will pay off. Once you find your path to better health and fitness through proper nutrition and regular activity you won't have to struggle anymore. How much is that type of information worth to you?

Similar article previously published on Examiner.com