I've never been much of a reality T. V. fan (except, of course, when Chris Daughtry was on American Idol). The bickering, "off camera" plots, ugly, back-biting nastiness made my stomach roll and churn more than the Bering Sea (Okay, busted...I'm a sucker for The Deadliest Catch). However, this year my daughter has tickled my curiosity (along with the fact that her former English teacher is one of this year's contestants and she won't tell us the outcome...grrr). This year the reality T. V. is closer to home in more ways than one. This year something has caught the corner of my eye, and its roots are deeply embedded in reality T. V.
Biggest Loser is into its second (?) season.
I'm sure you've heard of it. Men and women struggling with obesity are paired up and paired off in a competition to take off pounds...and let me tell you...are they ever. You'd have to see it for yourself to believe it. Seriously, due to the week long intervals between shows, the pounds seem to literally melt off. However, if you've even tuned in to one show, melting is definitely what is not happening. These guys are working their asses off, and competition or not, the support they provide to each other makes one wonder if you're actually watching a back biting, hash slinging reality show of the twenty first century. When it comes time for elimination, contestants are literally in tears at having to make the decision to send someone home, knowing full well the hardships and temptations that person will have to face minus the support group they have come to depend on over time.
Having been in the boat they are in, and finding myself still taking a ride in that same boat, I sit and share the pain they are experiencing. Yes, I cry. Yes, my daughter laughs at me, but still, the tears come. Whew, the courage. Phew, the pain, Whoa, having to walk out and be recorded wearing those damn exercises bras. Jeez, is it really worth it?
Apparently, it is. And I say more power to them. Live long and prosper. May the road rise with you. Shake your booty. You're a brick...house.
Gotta love it.
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yeah, reality bites. You wouldn't catch me out there in a sports bra, I try never to look in a mirror. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by today and leaving your nice words about fall. I've missed chatting with you. How are things?
You're mighty mighty, jus' lettin' it all hang out.
ReplyDeleteIn a sports bra and cycling shorts.
The sports bras are at least better than when the men take their shirts off, I wish some of them would wear a sports bra............seriously!
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched this season, but I have in the past, it's a rather amazing transformation for most of those participants!
I've been in the boat way too long...........ugh!
Oh geez, I was just telling my friend last night that I can't watch it because it makes me wish I was motivated...how lazy and sad is that?!
ReplyDeleteWe watch it yearly lol. Love the show! This year the teacher you mentioned is one of my favs. Her story is so heart breaking...Before I had Izabella I sat there and cried watching Biggest Looser, I mean flat out ball my eyes out crying. I still don't know how she survived...what a strong woman. But yeah, except for the crazy one (Tracy I think), it's a great bunch of people with the same goal...to live.
ReplyDeleteI quit watching a couple years back, and I'll tell you why: (Like there was any chance I wouldn't) People were crying and considering themselves a failure if they only lost 2 pounds in a week. Two pounds is EXACTLY what is medically recommended as a safe rate of weight loss for a week. Two pounds EVERY week is unheard of success. Losing pounds in the teens in a week is not realistic or safe. Sure, it's dramatic. Losing weight is ALL those people are doing. They eat (heh) sleep and breathe losing weight. They work out almost every waking hour. They get amazing results. Results we can't even dream of duplicating at home. They have their moment to feel beautiful when it is over and the world cheers for them and their accomplishment. And then a great good many of them - long off camera - go on to gain all or a good deal of it back when they start exercising one or two hours a day - like a normal person - instead of eight hours a day.
ReplyDeleteIt IS very motivational and inspirational, but it is also very unrealistic and promotes very unsafe practices. I was a frustrated disgusted with myself fan for years. Now I'm not.
That being said (phew!) I wish - sincerely - your daughter's teacher all the luck in the world...
Hey Tammy,
ReplyDeleteDon't keep quiet on this one (kidding!). You made some very accurate points, esp. concerning the amount of weight loss. Rapid weight loss is lethal to the human heart. It is the main reason why diet pills should be avoided. My heart doctor, who has put me on a strict diet due to my weak heart, told me no more than one pound a week...or else.
My daughter's teacher looks wonderful. She literally lost two people from her body. I hope she is successful in keeping it off.
That's wonderful for the teacher. I'm not a big TV fan to begin with and reality shows really aggravate me because I always think they are maniplating the viewers. A couple times I've stopped by the BL show and I agree that they are very brave to put themselves out there like that! I hope good comes out of it for them.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I'm a big fan of this season Biggest Loser and Abby specifically. This is the first season I've watched and really love how they all support each other. I have to agree with Tammy that the way they are doing it is not actually achievable by those of us who still have to live our lives. But I think for many of the contestants this is probably the only way they will be able to take the weight off. Keeping it off, no matter how you lose it, is always the bigger challenge.
ReplyDeleteI will never forget where I was the night Chris Daughtry was voted off American Idol. :-( Sad day for reality TV. Great post. Enjoy your SITS day!! Earned and deserved, Girl! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being FB today! I love watching BL but I agree that it is not likely to work for people at home. I have enjoy the trainer tips they added the last couple of seasons. I hope you have a great SITS day!!
ReplyDeletehappy SITS day!!
ReplyDeletehave a great tuesday! justyna
Happy SITS day!
ReplyDeleteI don't watch Biggest Loser often, but every time I do, it makes me cry, too!
These people are amazing; to put themselves through that with all those people watching AND a chance of elimination...I couldn't do it! Happy SITS Day!! x
ReplyDeleteLOL, I'm crying because I got sucked into doing the 30-day Shred, the exercise dvd by Jillian Michaels of The Biggest Loser fame (right? -- i'm not up to speed on my reality tv either). But dang, that workout makes me cry. My before photos (yes, i took them) will not be made public. Seriously, kudos to those contestants!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being SITS featured blogger!
Hey! Congrats on SITS FB! :) I just joined SITS this week and am LOVING all the new blogs I'm introduced to each day. Loving yours & so glad I found it :)
ReplyDeleteThat said, I never used to be in to reality TV much at all... but since I now work from home, the TV haunts me during the day and I'm always catching reruns of reality shows. (I'm also a closet Deadliest Catch junkie... oh, and Ice Road Truckers, who knows why haha)
OK ok, I admit I did watch Dog the Bounty Hunter a few times too. Don't judge. ;)
Linds
Happy SITS Day!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHere to say Hello on your SITS day :)
ReplyDeleteI have never watched The Biggest Loser. I dont know how I didnt get sucked in...I normally do :)
I share your view of reality TV. But, hey, I succumb to it occasionally, too. There is no escaping it, anyway.
ReplyDeleteHappy SITS Day!
I've never seen it as we don't watch much T.V at all but it seems very popular. Being on the weight loss journey myself atm I know how much encouragement can mean.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your SITS day!!
ReplyDeleteWow, me in a sports bra donning it all on TV? Errrr, it's not happening. But do I ever get the struggles of weight loss, oh yes. I find it hard to lose weight myself and even more so the past few years for some reason. Now I'm pregnant with baby number 4 and believe you me, when this little one is finally born in April, I will focus on loving him/her to little bits and pieces and breastfeeding to help shift pounds and then...
Try and stop me from resisting a doughnut...it ain't happenin'. I WILL lose this extra weight, NOT to be stick Hollywood thin but to just be healthy and happy. There I said it.
Great blog by the way! xx
Happy SITS Day to you! I haven't watched The Biggest Loser, but I sure do know of it. I'm not sure there's enough money in the world for me to parade around in spandex shorts and a sports bra - I wear long yoga pants and a baggy t-shirt over my sports bra on my daily jaunts to the gym, and even then, I'm mildly self-conscious!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your SITS Day in the Sun!
ReplyDeleteClimbing The Hill Again: Red & Black Attack!
Congrats on your SITS day!! ) I've often thought that The Biggest Loser was one of the few reality shows that actually does something positive for its participants. (not that i've ever seen it but from what i've read. LOL)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from SITS! I've written a couple of times about reality tv as well. I'll admit it - I'm addicted to several shows. Never really watched Biggest Loser but I may need to start!
ReplyDeleteI don't watch much TV but The Biggest Loser is one show I really enjoy watching. Watching these overweight people work so hard in the gym gets me motivated to keep at it. I like this show but sometimes I think they are very cruel to the contestants with some of the "temptations" they challenge them with.
ReplyDeleteThese people are way heavy, some over 300 pounds so for them the big weight loss in a week isn't really dangerous--they are under doctor care and have all been examined before they begin the show so have doctor's clearance. Once they lose the weight to get down to their healthy weight goal, they won't have to workout as much to maintain that weight. People can really learn a lot from watching this show.
First time visitor from SITS--Congrats on your SITS day!
I call it Fat People Crying. Shame on me. I'm going to hell.
ReplyDeleteBut they do work their fannies off.
I think the bras are humiliating...and i would never go on there because of it. bleck
ReplyDeleteHave a great SITS day!!
ReplyDeleteOh! I cry and cry when I watch it, too! Happy SITS day!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being the featured blogger today on SITS!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have to confess...I'm a reality nut. Love The Biggest Loser. :)
I love reality TV...at least some of it including The Biggest Loser. Very inspiring.Sandra
ReplyDeleteMy favorite reality show is "Real Housewives of NYC" and "NJ" -- those NJ girls? They don't play!! I used to love "Bridezilla" but it just got too ghetto--when the whiskered girl was stuffing her face and grease was running down all three chins and she was snorting for more fries with a full mouth while people were filing away at her prehistoric toe nails, I had to turn the channel. My hair stylist T loves BL and says he has to watch the finale alone so he can sob at will.......happy SITS day! Great blog!
ReplyDeleteIce Road Truckers!!!!!!!! That's a GREAT show and I have no idea why - it's literally just people driving!! But it's so compelling....I love it. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, BL is good for the mere fact it doesn't force conflict between the ... players? characters? -like other reality shows. And I truly believe being overweight is like being on drugs in so many ways. I'm skinny, but a couple of times I've tried to eat healthy or exercise ... man... can't stand it, actually. Though I know it would make me sleep better, have energy, achieve world peace and solve the environmental crisis...
ReplyDeleteSo I go off to watch shows w/plots for escapism, and I end up w/Law and Order SVU and Criminal Minds- all shows about torture and rape. Thanks. Just the kind of escapism I was looking for. NOT.
Biggest Loser is my favorite show. I've been a faithful watcher since season 1 episode 1.
ReplyDeleteIt's wrong that I watched last night's episode sitting in bed and eating a large piece of chocolate cake, isn't it?! I could practically feel Jillian wanting to strangle me through the tv screen!
I have 5 kids too - ages 18 to 5. I'm a single mom, working full time (hahaha, what mom doesn't work full time?!) Sounds like we have a bit in common!
I always watch the Biggest Loser.
ReplyDelete