Anyone else inspired by the Biggest Loser?

[Disney1fan2002]

I love watching that show, because I tell myself, "DAMMIT I can do this. Look at them, they are doing it!"

But then, when they weigh in and are losing 16,18, even 20 pounds in ONE WEEK, I say "damn, that can't be healthy"

I know the heavier you are, the more you lose at the beginning. I know the 1st weeks weight loss is usually the most. But last night was their 2nd WI. The men were still dropping 15-20 pounds.

The winner from the 1st season lost 103 pounds in 13 weeks. How can that be healthy?

I am very conflicted with this show. It is inspiring to ME to lose weight, but I have a realistic understanding of how weight should be lost. Some people may not, and expect to lose that much weight.

The show disclaimer at the end says they are monitored by Doctors. But I still say weight loss that rapid can't be good.

 

[VSL]

Well, firstly, remember that these people are usually morbidly obese. Rapid weight loss when you're that heavy is often encouraged, for health reasons.

And who on earth came up with the 1-2lbs a week as being healthy anyway? As long as you keep an eye on bodyfat levels (to make sure that that is what you are losing rather than lean mass), I don't see a problem. To me, that's like the maximum heart rate formula (220-age) - which is only correct for about 20% of people. I suspect it's another one of those things like the amount of recommended alcohol consumption in a week (7 units for women/14 units for men - because it fits nicely into a 7 day week), or the five pieces of fruit/veg a day (no where near enough, but fits in nicely with 3 meals/2 snacks per day). Anyway, I digress...

Also, a week on The Biggest Loser is often about 10 days-2wks - it's not a regular week. I heard this on another forum where it was being discussed (specifically, a fitness forum).

And the contestants are working out about 4hrs per day. That's like elite athlete levels of working out.