The Biggest Loser? or The Biggest "Back-handed" Compliment?

I've been wanting to write something about the TV show The Biggest Loser for a while, but have been a little overwhelmed by my feelings, but here goes.....(this is where the real Tracy comes out, lol)

I have never watched an entire show, much less an entire season of the show. And even though I started my weight loss with a "bet" at work, between 6 other women, based on the show, I have never supported, or been a fan, and would never have called our competition by the same name, and I'll tell you why. I believe the first season aired just before I started my own weightloss journey, but I looked it up online and confirmed the timing. The first season started in Oct 2004, and we started our weightloss competition in Jan. 2005, so that would be correct. This is some of the information I found online, and I highlighted some of the reasons why I've never supported the show.

"The Biggest Loser started with a lot of fan fare as a replacement show in October of 2004. People did not initially understand what the name Biggest Loser meant and tuned in shocked to see men and women in their skivvies weighing more than 300 and in some cases over the years even over 400 pounds. After the initial shock viewers started to really relate to the former underachievers on the Biggest Loser as week by week they got slimmer guided by their trainers. The trainers on that first season of the Biggest Loser were the Affable Bob Harper and the mean but caring Jillian Michaels. "

" Shocking!!" Underachievers? What the hell? "F-U" But I'll get back to that....

First off, the name, "The Biggest Loser" I could never get past the name. I mean, what is it implying? Exactly what it says....that fat people are losers. Make no mistake, it's not a cute play on words, it's a direct, purposeful, insult meant to get your attention, admittedly using the name to peak potential viewers curiosity. The word "loser" is a popular phrase used to describe a persons lack of success managing their life. It would be common to describe anyone that is jobless, homeless, or pennyless as a "loser", maybe even someone that is, or has been, to jail, but fat? Am I being sensitive, lol? Well, maybe I am, but so what, I don't have to support a show that insults me.

So why did I ever tune in at all? Well, they got me too, they got my curiosity and I had to see what the fuss was about. When I tuned in I saw a handful of very overweight people being dangerously overexercised, and at the same time left in rooms loaded with disgustingly shitty junk foods, as if to imply that if they were really strong, if they were really determined, if they were really serious, they wouldn't give a care about the mountains of crappy food put out as bait, daring them to prove they were not one kind of loser, but another. "F-U!"

Let's get back to the overexercising part. Now, I admit, I'm an overexerciser, but come on! I didn't start out that way. A person who begins at a weight of more than 200lbs has no business running, jumping, or trying to dash across a balance beam 10 ft above water to lose weight, and any good trainer should know that. But exercising for hours at a time in a body already stressed by carrying such a heavy load for years risks serious injury that can result in not being able to exercise at all (thank goodness kettlebell training is one of the safest, effective, and effecient ways of fatloss, and conditioning). I began my own exercise program with only walking. Walking at least 2 miles every morning, 5 days week, with a bonus 6th day walk of 4 miles, losing 50 lbs in three months time, before I ever picked up a kettlebell.

I could go on and on, but one last thing (before I get alot of shit, lol). I can't tell you how many people I've heard say something like this...."I wish I could just go on a show like The Biggest Loser, because then I could get this weight off. At least they have trainers,and they have their food controled and good food choices available to them, AND they have the chance of winning $100,000....I could do it for $100,000!" (or whatever the prize is). But I would bet, like me, the winning contestants would still have won from their own motivation and drive not to mention the thrill of competition with no prize money or personal trainers.

Weightloss for real people isn't about being on "diet vacation" for weeks and months, sequestered in a house with barking trainers who've never had to lose a pound in their lives and a $100,000 prize. It's about how are you going to live your life with no one in control, but you? Same job, same family, same 24 hours in the day, working around real life.

People who are fat are not underacheivers. Peoplle who are fat are not losers, whether they ever lose any weight. Anyone, fat or thin, can experience the miracle of regaining their health . I would never call myself a big loser, or the biggest loser, instead a living example of a miracle. So, I guess the name of my show wouldn't be something so sensational, instead, hopefully, more respectful in the fact that I recognize that we all do our best.....maybe "Living Your Physical Potential" (LOL!)