When the Biggest Loser became a Big Problem
- beyourownkind
- 21 hours ago
- 6 min read
Last night, I watched Netflix's documentary 'FIT FOR TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser' (TBL) and was immediately drawn into a longstanding debate: Does the promise of entertainment come at the expense of the well-being of its participants? I have to confess, I didn’t watch the show in real-time. However, I did purchase the Wii Version of The Biggest Loser game, hoping that Jillian Michaels could guide me to my weight goal. I saw her work wonders for others in commercials and was sure to help a Sista out.
It was no shade to the TBL’s franchise, but I always had a hard time watching weight-loss-based shows. I don’t even watch TLC’s 600lbs Life because I feel like it exposes my insecurities about my own weight. If you have never been fat, you won’t ever understand the mental and physical struggles that take a toll on a person. Watching people who have never been fat yell at those trying their best pisses me off and is partially the reason I won’t hire a personal trainer. I’ve had bad experiences with them, and I even had a personal trainer who used to be my weight that yelled at me so bad it sent me down a spiral. We used to meet at LA Fitness, and she would tell me how I needed to take control. I understood that, but you have to yell? I even asked her to change her tone, and she said I needed that tone. I never shy away from tough love, but when you have me doing planks and burpees and I am lifting my 250+ tuskus up and down on the floor, I need some tender care...lol.
Returning to the subject, I resonated with some of the interviewees in the documentary, especially Season 8 contestant Tracey Yukich, when she mentioned losing weight as the solution to all her problems. She was stuck in a toxic marriage and felt losing weight would be the remedy to stop her husband from cheating. How many times have we overweight gals starved ourselves to maximize our self-worth? How many times did we think the outside was all people saw, and we'd do anything to make the fat disappear? Yeah, Tracey, I resonated with that. The beauty of her story was that, in the end, she realized it wasn't her body type that needed to be changed first, but rather her mindset. This reflects the principles of cognitive reframing, a psychological strategy that shifts an individual's perspective, leading to healthier mental and emotional outcomes. Research studies have shown that self-compassion and cognitive reframing play a crucial role in personal transformation. When Tracey returned home, she left that man and changed her life because she realized no matter the size, she deserved better. Two snaps to Tracey.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to Losing Weight
Because I didn't watch the show in real time, I had to rely solely on the documentary. Watching some of the clips was deplorable, and if playing Angel’s Advocate, I think the show's intent was to save lives. Unfortunately, when you are on a network, there needs to be a wow factor. This creates a tension where the need for high ratings and advertising revenue often overrides ethical considerations. Networks are caught in a cycle where spectacle and sensationalism drive viewer interest, which in turn boosts ratings and profits. So, having people lift bread with their mouths, publicly weigh them on TV while dressed minimally, and pushing people to work out until they puke would definitely do the trick. It's these outrageous challenges that cater to the commercial demands of reality TV, prioritizing dramatic entertainment over participant welfare.
I felt so bad for medical advisor Dr. Robert Huizenga because I believe he had the contestant's best interest at heart, but without a licensed therapist, his concerns would fall on deaf ears. At that time, I didn’t think obesity was linked to mental anguish, and today I still feel that people think that people are fat because they choose to be, and that is not always the case. There are some individuals who are comfortable with their plumpness and proudly flaunt it; I love that for them. Then there are some that find it hard to lose weight due to genetics, depression/anxiety, and other factors. Science backs up what experience whispers: one of the most underrated factors contributing to weight gain is a lack of sleep.
According to Brown Health University,
“A hormone imbalance in the body that promotes overeating and weight gain. Leptin and ghrelin are hormones that regulate appetite, and when you aren’t getting sufficient sleep, the production of these hormones is altered in a way that creates increased feelings of hunger. Increased hunger tends to lead to increased calories and weight gain.”
Additionally, sleep issues can impair judgment, decrease energy, and even slow down the body's ability to burn calories. But I digress.
The Biggest Loser Trainers
Even though Dr. Huizenga was portrayed as the above-board doctor in the documentary, Jillian Michaels said he was aware of the caffeine pills, Chile. On IG, Michaels said,
She posted several receipts on Instagram like these, defending herself—which makes me wonder, “Why didn’t you just participate in the documentary, Jillian!” But knowing how these documentaries work, she is probably filming her side of the story on Peacock...lol. SMH
Bob Harper did make his appearance in the documentary, and he seemed oblivious to the dissemination of the caffeine pills and his treatment of Season 7 contestant Joelle Gwynn. The way he berated her and yelled at her in front of everybody was crazy. Joelle appeared to be a woman with a strong mind, motivating herself with her own affirmations. However, Harper's approach was to instruct her on a different form of motivation, which I found unfair. This lack of empathy continued despite his later understanding of physical limitations after experiencing a heart attack. Instead of the support she needed, Joelle was met with isolation from her trainer, her partner, and fellow contestants. The focus here, rather than behind-the-scenes speculation, should be on how the power dynamics and lack of empathy affected contestants like Joelle, heightening the raw emotional aspects of their journey and the show's shortcomings in addressing their true needs.
Some Good Intentions Fall Short
As mentioned, I believe the show's intent was good, but when combined with Hollywood, it became a stereotypical and disrespectful mess. It exposed people's weaknesses and portrayed people who are overweight as weak. Basically, it fed into the negative connotations that everyone thinks about overweight people. And I say that as an overweight person because we are viewed as weak and not having control. But in reality, everyone has their struggle points, but it's easier to make fun of someone when their "weakness" is exposed. This show highlighted the way people perceive overweight individuals and how they are affected by this perception. In essence, this theory transformed into a nightmare. Moreover, beyond the confines of television, this narrative contributes to systemic weight stigma that can lead to serious real-world consequences, such as discrimination in the workplace or biased medical treatment. Weight-related biases extend far beyond entertainment, permeating societal structures and highlighting an urgent need for change.
Say What? Have you ever watched The Biggest Loser? If so, what were your impressions of the show? Have you seen the documentary about it? What did you think?
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Be Your Own Kind (BYOK) is a space for self-love, cultural storytelling, and embracing the journey. Through blogs, podcasts, and creative projects, Renita shares real stories, affirmations, and reflections designed to inspire confidence and connection.
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