If you couldn’t tell from my last post, I was really frustrated after watching the Biggest Loser on Tuesday. Two things I really noticed this time were product placement and the perpetuation of the myth that it’s all about the scale. Let’s tackle the product placement first.
I’ll admit that I haven’t been a regular watcher of Biggest Loser over the past few seasons, however I was really irritated by Jillian and Bob obviously plugging Cheerios and Fiber One. The Brita ad over the sink is kind of annoying and I can live with the 24 Hour fitness logo splashed across the Gym wall, but I was irritated that Jillian made Kristin throw away a perfectly good bowl of oatmeal so that she could eat the sponsored cereal, especially since they are doing the thing with the food banks around the US. It was a waste of food and oatmeal is a perfectly acceptable choice for breakfast.
You can mix up a bowl of oatmeal in 5 minutes and spice it up with a few nuts, some cinnamon, a banana, or a few raisins, and a splash of skim milk. Add a couple eggs or egg whites on the side with some salsa and you have a great breakfast that keeps you fuller a lot longer than a bowl of cheerios. It has healthy fats, carbs, and protein for you to start your day with.
I think the thing that really got my panties in a bunch is Jillian’s comment about “losing inches is just some bullshit that trainers feed their clients.” Anyone who has recomped their body knows that it’s not always the scale that is the best indicator. I lost a significant number of inches when I first started lifting but my weight maybe changed 10-15 lbs. I laid in a lot of muscle and lost a lot of fat, but you couldn’t tell it from my scale measurements. It was only when I took progress pictures that I realized that while it’s useful, the scale is not a great tool, nor is it the only tool to indicate weight loss. The tape measure and pictures are also good indicators.
Anyone who is has a trainer who is relying on one method to track their weightloss ought to fire that trainer.
5 responses so far ↓
sandyspell // February 5, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Well, I have to agree with your comments, as I had similar feelings with the show this week. I have been a fan of The Biggest Loser for a few years – Jillian being my favorite trainer on the show too. However, this week did bother me some, as I am getting tired of the numerous plugs and even more commercials than they used to have. Additionally, I too know that the scale isn’t always accurate when your toning.
Maybe next week will be better.
Day 2 - Feb 5 « 70×7 Project // February 6, 2009 at 5:17 am
[...] Daily Picture – Yes Daily Writing – Yes 2 things actually My Frustration with the Biggest Loser Good God, I Think I Found my [...]
Susan // February 6, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Oh dear… I have a great deal of respect for Jillian Michaels but I’m sure she’s under a lot of pressure to say certain things to appease the sponsors and producers of TBL. Throwing away oatmeal is sacrilege – particularly if you replace it with processed cereal.
As for the scale thing, I lost 90 pounds through diet and cardio, and only then did I add in weight training (I know, I know…) After weight training for two months, I dropped two dress sizes but my scale weight was exactly the same!
I guess Jillian made that remark about the scale because the contestants’ progress is measured by their weight, not body composition. Pandering to the producers again…
giz // February 7, 2009 at 9:19 pm
And there’s that huge gap between “reality” and “reality tv”… argh. I feel like Jillian’s having to compromise, because I didn’t think she felt that way after reading her books.
Katie Lauren // February 9, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Here is what I don’t get about the show in general. They kick off the people who lose the least amount of weight? Aren’t those the people that need the help the most? I do realize that if they kept them all there and there was no competition that there wouldn’t really be a show, but it still irks me.
P.S How many dang blogs are you running these days? : )