Love it or otherwise, we can use The Biggest Loser to boost our Fitness Businesses

by Analee Matthews | Tuesday, February 02, 2010

It's back on our boxes. And love it or hate it The Biggest Loser TV show has a potentially massive impact on our industry!

In past blogs, we've discussed whether the show is a pro or con for the industry, and whether it's offensive or helpful, but these ongoing debates aside, the bottom line is that there really is a great opportunity for PTs, clubs and group exercise instructors alike to tap into the heightened interest that the show creates, and really boost our business activities.

If you're a lover of the show, then why not start a nightly or regular blog discussing what went on the night before, and then providing tangible tips for readers and your clients to take on board. Or, you might like to start emailing or SMS-ing your client base with one single training or motivational tip that you picked up from the show.

Or, if you're not such a fan, you could also start a blog but one that addresses the tried and tested weight loss issues and strategies that you believe people should be taking on board. You don't have to pay attention to the show - after all, chances are if you aren't a fan you don't want to promote it - but you can discuss the recommended weight loss techniques and dispell the exercise myths that you believe the show might be creating, without actually mentioning the show in your blog.

What else can we, as exercise specialists, take from the show to help boost our businesses?
Tell us your thoughts, share your ideas and let us know what your take is on The Biggest Loser 2010.

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Posted by: Matt O'Neill | 02-Feb-2010 11:45 AM |

I'm cheering for anyone who want to lose a lot of weight to get healthy, but dramatic weight loss stuffs your metabolism. See Media Release on this here: http://tinyurl.com/y8lsgta. Given the downnsides I can only feel that people experience rapid weight loss, either (1) Because they need it for motivation or (2) Their plan is too restrictive (eg. shakes) and causes excessive losses. I present an alertnative program that focuses optimising metabolism with real foods and boosting nutrition skills. With these elements, you don't need rapid results because you feel confident to get results and keep them (without stuffing your metabolism). If anyone wants info - metabolicjumpstart.com. Twitter - /matthewoneill

Posted by: Anonymous | 02-Feb-2010 11:54 AM |

I would love to share my media release which also expresses my thoughts about the Biggest Loser!

Media Release:
2 February 2010

Could The Biggest Loser Be Sending Out The Wrong Message?

Viewers across the nation tune in to The Biggest Loser, many of whom are overweight and desperate to find motivation and answers to help them also shed their unwanted body-fat.

But is it realistic to let people think that 15kg of weight loss in one week is normal, or even realistic? We already have a society who want quick fixes and overnight solutions, add to this the pressure of having them feel that losing 10-15kg a week is ‘normal’ and they are more likely than ever to feel that they are failures when they can’t achieve these results.

For every day Aussies that are not locked away for months on end with a personal trainer and chef’s, losing weight permanently requires a balanced approach and permanent lifestyle changes; changes that are real, that are simple and that are effective – not something that requires drinking their meals for the rest of their lives or having them feel hopeless or like failures when it doesn’t work.

So, with over 7.4 million Australian adults classified as overweight or obese and those figures expected to increase by 50 per cent within five years*, Sonja Falvo (Director of Real Body Enterprises) has launched the inaugural National Fat-Loss-a-Thon. Ms Falvo sees this event as a necessity for our nation’s health and wellbeing.

“I want to help build a healthier and fitter country, so I have set a goal to help 4,000 Australians lose 24,000 kilos and raise $250,000 for The Sports Rewards Foundation between 1 January and 17 May, 2010’,” MS Falvo said.

Each participant in The National Fat-Loss-A-Thon will take part in a 12-week online program developed by Real Body Enterprises, with the chance to win more than $13,000 in cash and prizes.

The event is aimed at improving overall health and wellbeing, assisting in weight loss and providing simple and effective lifestyle changes, Ms Falvo explained.

“The National Fat-Loss-A-Thon will help to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits for the prevention of obesity, type II diabetes and heart disease” she said.

Registration for the National Fat-Loss-A-Thon began on 1 January 2010 and entries remain open until 28 February, 2010. Participants will receive online access to information and guidelines on how to follow the 12-week Real Body Program, including recipes, meal plans and exercise programs. Ms Falvo wrote the program after two years of research and through her work with three nutritionists.

Entry is confirmed with a $10 donation to the Sports Rewards Foundation and each participant’s 12-week program must be completed by 17 May, 2010. Winners are judged 50 per cent on their physical results (from their before and after photos) and 50 per cent on personal questionnaire answers.

The National Fat-Loss-a-Thon is supported by the following sponsors:

Real Body Enterprises www.RealBodyEnterprises.com
PB Sports www.pbsportsnutrition.com
Swish Events www.swishcorporation.com
Strawberry Communications www.strawberrycommunications.com.au
Westpac www.westpac.com.au
Blooms Health www.bloomshealth.com.au
Hound Dog Graphics www.hounddoggraphics.com.au
Balanced Magazine www.balancedmedia.com.au

For more information visit www.fatlossathon.com and http://www.healthyweightweek.com.au/index.asp

* Australian Bureau of Statistics: Overweight and Obesity in Adults Australia 2004-2005, Catalogue 4719.0

-ends-

For further information, images or interviews please contact:
Johanna Baker-Dowdell
Strawberry Communications
P: 0423 969 661
E: johanna@strawberrycommunications.com.au
W: www.strawberrycommunications.com.au

Sonja Falvo
Real Body Enterprises
P: (07) 3392 0770
E: admin@realbodyenterprises.com
W: www.RealBodyEnterprises.com



About Real Body Enterprises
• Real Body Enterprises aims to deliver a sensible, realistic approach to healthy eating and lifestyle to provide long-term fat loss, increased self-esteem and quality of life
• Real Body Enterprises wants to reduce the global epidemic of obesity in children and adults through education, support and a program that is designed to deliver results to every person, every time
• Real Body Enterprises CEO Sonja Falvo is an author of two bestselling books, keynote speaker and has a strong passion for helping people to improve their long-term health, wellbeing and self-esteem
• Sonja Falvo was also Director of What Women Want Personal Training in Brisbane and National Fitness Manager for Fitness First in the UK
• Real Body Enterprises: Level 16/120 Edward St, Brisbane, (07) 3392 0770 or admin@realbodyenterprises.com.

About The Sports Rewards Foundation
• The Sports Rewards Foundation is a not-for-profit entity
• It was established to remove barriers to entry for children involved in physical activity and organised sport (to combat the childhood obesity epidemic) as well as to actively promote physical activity and organised sports to children and teens
• The Sports Rewards Foundation aims to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity for better health in children and donate more than $2 million per year to grass roots sports.
• Visit www.SportsRewards.net.au and click on Foundation for more information.

Posted by: Shaz | 02-Feb-2010 12:16 PM |

I love it. I loved it last night when they had to do their public speaking - very brave. I'm well aware of the dangers of such rapid weight loss and the damage it can do - but it also encourages larger people to start asking questions and asking for help. I know I have a feedback newsletter at the end of each week of all the questions my clients have asked during the week. As a person who battles with her weight every day of her life, I understand the demons that some of these people go through. However look at their fantastic achievements. The young man, Shannon, he had a major breakthrough last night by getting off the ground and continuing the walk. Good on these people for being brave enough to go on tv for help. Good on them for allowing us to hear their demons and see their struggles. Good on anyone else this show motivates to start looking after themselves. Any trainer worth their profession would obviously tell their clients that this is extreme and will not happen to them, but if it motivates them even more to get moving - that's a fantastic thing.

Posted by: Bel | 02-Feb-2010 01:08 PM |

I think this show is the greatest thing to ever grace reality TV. It's motivating sedentary people to get moving & proving that you can lose weight, no matter what your circumstances. Those that have been following the show for a while will know that losing 10kg a week isn't realistic for anyone in the real world but we have to remember that they have personal trainers/nutritionists on the show & are on tight food restrictions. They also work out more than the average person per day AND have a LOT more weight to lose, hence the massive losses.

The great thing about The Biggest Loser is that It shows how emotional the journey to losing weight can be. The contestants are so inspirational & defy all kinds of odds to lose weight. Its not easy to get up in front of the whole country with half your gear off so everyone can see your body (during weigh-in). Massive respect for anyone that can do that, especially on TV.

As a personal trainer, I get a lot of ideas from the show (although some of the exercises are not-so conventional). I think the trainers do a great job in coaching the contestants, both physically & emotionally.

Long live Biggest Loser!

Posted by: Gabrielle Maston Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist www.changingshape.net.au | 02-Feb-2010 01:16 PM |

I think the underlying priciples of the show -using Diet therapy and Exercsie for weight loss is great. I do however disaggree with the intensity of exercise the participants undertake. Being obese places a large strain on joints and the cardiovascular system. Undertaking this type of exercise intensity can be very dangerous for these people.
Far often than not there is a participant who injures themselves thats puts them "out of the game" for a significant period of time. This can be very discouraging for the participant, but also I believe shows professional negligence by the trainers.
Often in new clients I see , I am disappointed when they complain how hard it is to lose weight. often referring to the biggest losers. They state that if they also had 6 hours to train they would be able to lose weight too.
The show creates an unrealistic view on weight loss treatment. It causes weightloss to be viewed as a distant unattainable goal in ther circumstances.
Encourage your clients to exercise moderatly and adopt a view on healthy eating and food. This is really all it takes.
In good health - Gabrielle Maston- Dietitian/nutritionist and Exercise physiologist www.changingshape.net.au

Posted by: Joanne Butler | 02-Feb-2010 01:53 PM |

I'm not sure whether I love or hate it because there are parts I think are too much and others, like the fact that it motivates so many to give it a go, that are spot on.

I think any one of us (fitness professionals) can take bits and pieces and use them as motivation for those already on their journey or for those that are yet to begin. Anything that can help motivate people to change to a healthier lifestyle is great in my books. I love the way they use both nutrition and training as the means even though sometimes I feel that the workouts themselves are not quite appropriate. But then again, what we see on TV could be totally different to what really goes on.
Jo

Posted by: Nick Whiley | 02-Feb-2010 02:29 PM |

I love the show, and the good health practices it actively promotes and encourages. To suggest it creates unrealistic expectations because of the amount of weight lost each week is like suggesting I would get an unrealistic expectation of how much money I can make if I read Bill Gates' biography. I believe the show does a great job of presenting solid old fashioned healthy habits (diet and exercise, with appropriate supervision) methods of losing weight. It makes no claim that viewers can achieve similar results without similar focus and effort, and frankly I don't think people are that stupid. Of course the production wants to make the show competitive, so we'll see some people achieving dramatic results. I believe that over-achievement serves more to inspire than mis-lead.

OK, I'm off to make $35billion in business now! Surely it can't be THAT difficult. ;)

Posted by: Anonymous | 02-Feb-2010 04:17 PM |

Could it be that these people really need to see someone about their Psychological problems before they attack their physical one?

Posted by: patricia mclean | 02-Feb-2010 07:56 PM |

as per above yes you can not loose weight and ikeep it of until the psychological demons have been addressed, i know this from perrsonal experince. so maybe there neds to be a psychologist attached to the show, the trainers do address this issue, but i do not think they are trained in this feild, though all personal trainers do act as councellors to some extent

Posted by: Michelle H | 02-Feb-2010 11:52 PM |

I love it - being in the fitness (& personal development) industry I am fully supportive of the contestants and trainers. It really emphasises that with consistency and determination, you can achieve whatever you desire. There may be health risks associated with rapid weight loss but can it be any worse than where they started? Good onto them and providing motivation to those that need it.

Posted by: Gary Hoffman | 03-Feb-2010 02:12 AM |

Yep fitness - good, yep healthy eating - good, yep weight loss for obese - good, biggest loser - good? YEP FOR RATINGS!
Lets not lose sight of why this show exists. TV RATINGS!
think about it, if someone on the show had a heart attack from the exessive strain they are put through and could not be saved the show would be axed, if ratings declined the show would be axed.
'Reality' I think not, as a trainer and assessor for the fitness industry (first qualifed in 1987 - upgraded as recently as 2008 and constantly upskilling), I do not like the message it sends out!
Question: would all those above saying they 'love it' risk their own clients life (do you have a medical team standing by?) in this way????

Posted by: Clayton | 04-Feb-2010 12:07 PM |

It's a love hate relationship really. But having said that, anything that gets people interested in losing weight or fitness or just generally getting of their backside and starting to move is a plus.

While the situation they create on TV is hard to emulate in the real world, ie. food prepared by chefs, the whole drama of the situation and the endless props necessary to entertain people into exercise, ignoring the medium is foolish as is trying to discredit the show.

Have to agree with Matt's comment also... Nutrient rich food, sensible eating and exercise is a sound way to get into shape NO MATTER WHERE YOU START FROM. There are no pills, shakes, etc. required to lose weight.

Regards, Clayton
Adelaide Personal Trainers
http://www.adelaidepersonaltrainers.com.au

Posted by: Elissa | 10-Feb-2010 07:29 PM |

So totally agree with Anonymous. All I see is a mass of emotional/psychological trauma...

Posted by: Esther | 11-Feb-2010 10:47 AM |

As a personal trainer ... all the show does for me is create a false impression of massive rapid weight loss. I am finding it difficult for my clients (those that actually watch the show) to understand that there never is a quick "fix solution" to weight loss and maintaining that weight loss.