Fitness people like to argue back and forth about whether The Biggest Loser is a good thing or bad thing. It teaches unrealistic expectations, training that can hurt people if done without proper supervision, etc., etc. But no one can argue with the fact that the show is inspirational. And I believe it also teaches some great lessons about life and weight loss.
Lessons From The Biggest Loser Season 7:
True change lies within. This seems to be the theme of the show and I love it. The motivation needed to really change your life needs to come from within you. All the contests and competitions and outside forces in the world won’t help you truly change your life forever.
Weight holds people back. The contestants all had their lives temporarily on hold before beginning the show and losing the weight. They put their relationships and careers on hold. I’ve been guilty of this myself and I know others who have. I related to Tara and Laura who were in their 20s, as well as the girls competing to be on next season. These women all let their weight stop them, hold them back for truly living life. Weight stops people from living life to the fullest.
You are worth it. This nugget of wisdom came from several contestants but the best example was from Kristen. This girl truly transformed and learned her self worth through the show. And her lesson is one we all can learn because we are all worth it. I’m worth taking care of. I’m worth doing good things for. I’m worth making the change. And so are you.
There is nothing you can’t do. Don’t doubt. Who would have thought the biggest loser contestants would be running marathons at the end of the season? In the beginning – no one. But it proves that there is nothing you cannot do as long as you push doubt aside. Jillian said it over and over during the season and it is TRUE.
Let your body do the work. Jerry, the at home winner said, “Once I let my mind go, my body did the work.” Weightloss is probably 90% mental. Your body doesn’t want to be overweight. It wants to work hard, play, run, frolic, jump, exercise. Once you get past the mental aspect losing weight is easy. So let go of the mental roadblocks and the body will take care of the rest. It is hard work but your body is up for it.
You are NEVER too old to change your life. (Add to that you are never too sick/fat/hurt. There are no excuses.) If this season doesn’t prove age is relative then nothing will. Jerry, the oldest contestant ever, won the at home challenge. Helen, the 48 year old mother, won the entire competition. It doesn’t matter how old you are. You can still change your life. You can still live the life you want. Don’t ever think you have missed your chance, because you haven’t.
If you don’t want to change, you won’t. Your results will be in line with the amount of effort you put into it. If you go half ass you will get that kind of results. If you are like David (lazy guy on orange team) you will only lose 43 pounds when you have about 200 to lose. If you don’t do the work, strive for it, live it, then you won’t get it. Don’t be like him or Joelle. If you are going to change your have to WANT it.
Don’t ever give up. Ever. This was the lesson Daniel taught us all. When he weighed in at the finale he had lost over 100 pounds and still weighed 312. His reaction? “You can lose 100 pounds and still be obese. Well then lose 100 more. Then another 50 if you have it in you.” This guy has a special place in my heart because he won’t give up. Some people have a longer journey than others, but we all have to keep going. Don’t give up EVER!
You are right! The show does have very unrealistic expectations but you cannot deny it is moving. I did not realize it was the finale last night and missed it. I am so mad b/c I never miss that. Always next year right? Good thing all of you guys are updating me.
Hey Mary, I found your blog via some weight loss blog surfing. Great stuff. Particularly good post here. I haven’t watched the Biggest Loser in about two seasons, but when I began my own health journey in early 2007, the show was a real inspiration to me.
So, as I read your entry here, I found myself nodding along with pretty much every single point you made. I may have to write on some of that, actually. Thanks for the inadvertent blogging inspiration!
Feel free to drop by my blog and say hello!
Will (4xlt)’s last blog post..No More Cheated Weigh-Ins
@kristisummer
I actually might not watch next year. I like the show but it is soooo drawn out and full of commercials. If they would make it only an hour long instead of two I might watch it, but I can’t take 2 hour long shows and a 3 hour long finale. Especially when every three minutes after a commercial are a repeat of what they showed before the break. Other than that I like the show and find it pretty inspiring.
@Will
Glad you stopped by and I could somehow be an inspiration!
Great post and you make some interesting points.
Sounds like a great show, wish the UK version was half as good!
Fat[free]Me’s last blog post..Weigh-in Wednesday – 2lb Gone for Good!
You are SO right!! on all 7!!! I esp agree on the mental part…it’s a total head game!!
Darci’s last blog post..Day 189 (Tuesday 5/12)
GREAT GREAT POST.
you must tweet tweet this as well …
Miz’s last blog post..Viewer Mail: Protein powder.
Great lessons from the season. I can relate to the weight holding people back.. but we are worth it!
healthy ashley’s last blog post..Race Recap: Picnic Island Adventure Run
I have only seen a handful of episodes, but I found myself inspired today when I read about Helen. She proves age is just a number and that it’s about hard work and dedication.
Deborah Johnson’s last blog post..Mother
My thoughts exactly :) I LOVE watching… it inspires me every time. Just when I think I’m going downhill, I watch the show & see the magical transformations of people who are much worse off than I am. Great to see. But I feel awful that I’ve been working out since the show began & I don’t look like them!!! I need Jillian!
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@Fat[free]Me
It isn’t good in the UK? I’ve never seen it outside the US version. The Aussie winners looked pretty good and I liked their accents.
@Deborah Johnson
Totally. It is all about the hard work and dedication … not how old you are or how fat your start out. If you work hard enough you can achieve anything.
@Lori
It is very inspiring. Don’t feel bad about not getting the same results as they did! I almost felt like that too, but I am living life and working out on the side. They lived weight loss on the ranch so of course lost a ton. (I’m ignoring the at home people who did awesome because I don’t want to feel too bad about it. Hehe.) Just keep up the exercise!
Great analysis! I agree with your assessment. I was so sad for Aubrey, I could see the pain in her face about how she had maintained and didn’t lose. Maintaining the weight with all her kids was such an achievement!
MackAttack’s last blog post..Recipe for success
GREAT post Merry!!! I especially love the last one. We can never give up…NEVER!! (No matter what we are trying to achieve)
workout mommy’s last blog post..Rebecca Romijn’s breastfeeding diet
Fabulous post girlie! I love it!
Mara @ What’s For Dinner?’s last blog post..Better Than it Looks!
I like that other people take notes.
*sigh* very insightful
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