Recently, the New York Post published a story about this popular television show, and they gave us an inside look at some of the experiences of a few contestants. These contestants talked about how they were shamed on a day to day basis, and made to feel like lesser human beings because of their weight. One contestant, Kai Hibbard, went on record to say that the show, "...is a fat-shaming disaster that I'm embarrassed to have participated in."
Other contestants "weighed in" as well, claiming that they were quite sure their computers and cell phones had been bugged, and saying they were not permitted to leave their hotel rooms unless they were filming.
Hibbard stated that when the show began, all of the contestants were given a preliminary medical exam and then they were thrust into their workouts, which lasted anywhere from five to eight hours at a time. She says it was common for people to collapse from exhaustion, only to be screamed at by the trainers to get up. Hibbard and other contestants also claimed that it was common for trainers to say things to them like, "We've picked out your fat-person coffin," "You're going to die and never get to see your children grow up," and "You'll die just like your mother died."
The Biggest Loser has dealt with criticism before, and in a recent article in People Magazine, the show's producers decided that enough was enough. Dave Broome, who serves as the Executive Producer for the show stated that Hibbard's and other contestant's claims about the show were false, and many former show participants back him up on that. He says they've put together a great team of doctors, nutritionists, trainers and other professionals to make sure everything that happens on the show is safe.
Last year, one of the contestants got down to 105 pounds, which sparked a bit of controversy in the media as well as with fans of the show. This is her before and after picture.
There's no doubt that the transformation was incredible...but at what cost?
Hibbard states that when you sign up for The Biggest Loser, you sign a contract that forbids you from talking negatively about the show in the future. That might explain why so many people are hesitant to come forward.
If you've been trying to lose weight for any period of time, you know how difficult it can be, especially for us women. To think that so many of these contestants dropped the pounds in such a short period of time in a healthy manner is hard to comprehend, and if you put too much stock in this show, you can end up feeling like a failure.
Today, I want to encourage all of my Sisters to keep your eyes on Jesus, and not on your television screens. In John 6:63, Jesus says, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and life."
Speak life over your weight loss journey!
Regardless of what you think about latest scandal from The Biggest Loser, it's important to remember that you are God's child, and it's not in His plan for you to measure up to anyone else. He wants you to take care of your body because it's His temple, not because someone on television was able to drop over 100 pounds in six months, so you should be able to do it too.
Yes, you should be consistent. However, you also must remember that if you're overweight, that didn't happen overnight. In the same way, taking it back off isn't going to happen overnight either. It's going to take some work, of course, but you're going to get there.
If you're looking to lose weight, you're in the right place. I'm glad you're reading this blog post! Every time you make good choices, you're one step closer to being free from the weight you've been carrying around all this time. Just keep your eyes fixed on your Savior. Make Him first, and the weight loss will follow.
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