The Reality of The Biggest Loser

Imagine losing 34 pounds in a week. Or dropping 100 pounds in just seven weeks. Sound impossible? Believe it or not, these are actual results from NBC’s hit reality show, The Biggest Loser. No wonder the nation is captivated! But, as great as these results are… are they realistic? Do you think you could lose 34 pounds in just seven days? Probably not. As a doctor, I work with people in the real world. The results they get on The Biggest Loser simply aren’t possible for most people. You can’t argue with success, but there’s more to this story... To begin with, contestants on The Biggest Loser have an incentive that most dieters don’t… a shot at $250,000 in cold, hard cash. That’s a lot of incentive to stick with a diet and exercise program. You see, the contestants work out 4-6 hours a day. Some even add in extra workouts in their quest for the $250,000 prize. Think about that for a moment. Some of these people are working out 42 hours a week – or more. That’s a full-time job! rnImagine trying to add a second full-time job to your schedule. Do you think you could do it? When would you have time for your family? Or to sleep? Speaking of time, consider the numbers for a moment. Losing 34 pounds in a week means dropping almost five pounds a day. You have to burn about 3,500 calories to lose a pound, so that’s 17,500 calories… a day. But a 200-pound adult only burns about 500 calories per hour doing aerobics. So, at 200 pounds, you’d have to do aerobics for 35 hours to lose five pounds. In other words, losing 34 pounds in a week isn’t just hard. For most people, it’s impossible. And do you think the show’s contestants can continue those workouts when the season is over? I’ve only found one story of a former contestant who continues the long workouts. But I’ve read several about former contestants fighting their post-show weight gain. Losing weight is terrific for your health. But your weight-loss plan has to be realistic. The Biggest Loser contestants have 4-6 hours a day to exercise while they’re on the show. They also have daily access to personal trainers to design and oversee individual workouts. And chefs and nutrition experts to teach them healthy eating habits. But you probably can’t afford to leave your job for two or three months. Or to hire professionals to advise you on a daily basis. What you need is an effective workout plan that fits into your busy schedule. And that’s exactly what I developed for my patients. As a college gymnast – and later as a doctor and certified physical trainer – I learned rnyou don’t have to work out for hours at a time to lose weight. Or to build a stronger heart and lungs. I’ve helped hundreds of patients and others trim down and get in shape – in as little as 12 minutes a day. I admire the contestants on The Biggest Loser for both their resolve and their results. The show may be entertaining and inspiring. But it’s a formula most people just can’t follow.