Guest Author - Jeanette Stevens

The Biggest Loser, that was seen on NBC 8 EST/7 CST on Tuesday, has had a lot of negative press. Out of curiosity, I watched one night to see why so many experts were criticizing this TV show. In case you have never seen or heard of this show, they take 12 people, split them into two teams, and the people who run the show put the two groups on two different diets and exercise plans. Each group is assigned a personal trainer and dietician.

The diets are very strict and the exercise programs are very intense. The main reason why this show has created such a controversy is just how intense it can be. And if someone didn’t lose enough weight, they were voted out of the program. I don’t think it should be perceived that they couldn’t achieve their goals so there were losers for being overweight. I say at least they tried which is more than what most of us can say. To have the courage to go on national TV and expose yourself the way those 12 people did is very commendable! Even if in the end they weren’t the winners of the big money ($250,000 to be exact), they each have walked away learning many things. They have been turned on to a healthy lifestyle, exercise programs that they can do, and most of all a boost of self-esteem. They know they can do anything if they just try. Just watching the exercise routines and how hard it was for them to struggle with their cravings and food withdrawals was hard. There were times I would cry with them. I don’t know many people who could have gone through what they went through.

I truly feel that this shoe can be an inspiration to people. It’s not as bad as it was made out to be. The show proves that you can make a drastic change in your eating habits and exercise routine to lose the weight you need to lose to be healthy again.

For more information about this show, please see the links on the top right of this page.