Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Reality TV helping people lose weight?
So, I have been thinking about all the reality TV shows that are supposed to aid people in losing weight. I keep seeing previews for a new show about engaged couples trying to lose weight, and I don't really watch many of the shows like Biggest Loser or anything so I don't really know what to think of them. I am wondering if any of you guys watch these shows and what you think. Do you think that they are really helping the people and providing them with a good weight loss program that they can keep up with even after the show? Or are they just showing them how to lose weight quickly on the show? Do you know if they do any type of follow up with the people on the show? Opinions please!! I'm going to try and watch a couple of them myself and figure out what my take on it is..
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I honestly do not watch these reality shows, but when I have tuned in, I get the feeling they are aired to inspire people to want to better their health. By watching obese people struggle with diet and exercise and seeing the end results, I think it serves to motivate people to change their mindset on being active. The only downside is we don't have Jillian Michael's screaming at us to deliver the results.
ReplyDeleteI think shows like the Biggest Loser aren't realistic, but they are motivational. I've heard the contestants work out for 8+ hours a day to get the drastic results. After the show, though, it's got to be really difficult to continue to be motivated and I doubt they still work out that many hours a day once they get home.
ReplyDeleteBefore my wedding I used to watch some show about an engaged couple losing weight and each time they met a goal, they won a prize. At first it helps motivate me to work out, but then I realized I'm not the one winning any prizes and that made me a bit less interested. :)
I watch The Biggest Loser and while the experience on the show is an ideal case scenario that most working folks can't do without taking off work for months at a time, it is motivational and informative. Something I have learned from watching the show is that once an individual becomes obese, they have to work even harder than average people to lose weight and keep it off. It's an uphill battle for the rest of their lives. I like how the show requires contestants to lose weight the old fashioned way rather than through surgery. I think the show, although at times sensational, draws attention to the issue of obesity and encourages viewers to become more aware of healthy food and exercise choices.
ReplyDeleteI think these shows are more geared towards making people feel good, rather than giving them solid workout advice. It may inspire people to hit the gym, but I think that copying the actions on the shows wouldn't be too helpful. Especially when you consider the people on the show have access to personal trainers and the like, upping their chances at success.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Grever. Hell, MTV has a show called "I Used to Be Fat," which chronicles the weight loss journey of youths in America.
ReplyDeleteThey do indeed have follow-ups on that show (I saw it because the trainer is hilarious) and apparently some of them come out for the better.
But, honestly, it's a segment I'm sure people don't really care for. For weight loss shows, I'm sure audiences are just rooting for people in that specific hour they're on TV.
Maybe I'm cold, but, when I'm drinking coffee and reading a paper I don't think to myself, "Hmm. I wonder if ________ kept all the weight off." You know?
I regularly watch Biggest Loser and love it for its entertainment value, but have a hard time agreeing with the overall principle of the show. They tempt contestants with food and provide them with the opportunity to "play the game," which often results in the wrong people being sent home early. I cheer for the hardest workers, and the ones that just bust their asses and lose the weight. It gets on my nerves when the show inserts the "game play" aspect, but I can't help but watch all season until the finale when they showcase everyone's progress.
ReplyDeleteI would much rather watch the show Heavy on A&E. There are no games, just a pure documentary of weight loss. As a personal trainer, I love watching people put in work and reach their goals, no games along the way.
Good comments here and on your obesity post .. so why no crowdsourcing?
ReplyDeleteI've never seen any of these shows and it doesn't interest me to watch people lose weight via the TV. Kinda counter productive ain't it? We sit and watch, get fat and lazy and they lose weight (sometimes)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I think that reality shows about losing weight may make people fatter! Instead of getting up and exercising, you're sitting around watching reality television for hours. While they may show good routines and tips, I think it would be more productive to get weight-loss information elsewhere. I suppose it could provide some inspiration to people who want to lose weight.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think it would be incredibly interesting to have a follow-up on people from the show to see if they actually gained weight back.
I personally don't watch those shows either... the concept is intriguing, but in a way how imformative are they for people trying to educate themselves on real-life weight-loss? These people are being professionally monitored and trained and most of us will not have that luxury.
ReplyDeleteMost of the weight loss shows on TV I would think are encouraging. Although it doesn't give people a realistic timetable on losing weight, it can inspire others to change their lives. I love "The Biggest Loser" and I'm inspired by those people, and I'm far from obese.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments, but no crowdsourcing.
ReplyDelete