Observation #62 Stray Observations about The Biggest Loser

Tonight the latest edition of the television show Biggest Loser debuted. As I mentioned before, I used to curl up with a bag of Sweet Chili Heat and watch people try and lose weight. Cruel on both ends. Now as a “big loser” myself there are some things upon closer inspection that make me wonder about the show.

First off, why do they make the contestants take their shirts off when they weigh in? Those people don’t want their bodies put on display. By the end of the season, they weigh in with their shirts on. I guess flabby bodies are better to look at than saggy skin. I mean sports bras and spandex. I guess that’s what they sign up for.

At the first weigh-in people lose incredible amounts of weight. Someone lost 27 pounds in one week. I have a nagging suspicion that they fill these people up with water before the first weigh-in. One huge whiz and you are down 10 pounds. I mean these people are working hard but 27 pounds in one week?

The pregnant pause as they reveal a person’s weight on the scale is agonizing. When they cut to a commercial before they reveal a person’s weight and they show the faces of the trainers scrunched up. Like they are passing a stone. Just give us the weight.

Bob’s forehead. Enough said. The guy who developed the Biggest Loser is JD Roth. The host of the greatest game show for kids, “Fun House”. Genius. Too many men crying. Enough said. Check that. I think I may cry if i get to 180. Mostly out of relief. I won’t have millions of people watching me though. In fact if I’m at 181 I may cry, whiz, poop anything to get that one pound off.

Lastly, I admit that the best part of the show is the last 30 seconds when they show how the contestant looks after losing the weight. It is inspiring to see people making positive steps to extending their lives. I only wish I had nothing but time to workout and have my meals prepared for me. These people are not living in a realistic environment but does it matter how you get there? You pray that beyond taking the weight off, the contestants have sorted out the reason their weight got out of control in the first place.