Biggest Loser Challenge: Overcoming Injury

Hannah was an athlete in college. She could propel her body into the air to slam a volleyball across the room. And then she fell on the stairs and injured her back. She had emergency back surgery to repair slipped discs.

The Biggest Loser contestant said it was then that her weight problems began. In one month, she gained 30 pounds.

Like so many people today, injuries set us back. Even small ones, temporary ones, can lead to sedentary behaviors like sitting on the sofa and watching TV instead of taking the dog for a walk.

For Hannah, the weight gain was big. She started the show at 248 pounds. It was her back injury that kept her physically – and mentally – from exercising for years.

The show’s producers at NBC aren’t naive. They know that almost all of the contestants are going to enter the competition with some type of medical problem. Some of the contestants have bad knees, shoulder problems or high blood pressure.

That’s why the show employs doctors, physical therapists, registered dieticians and personal trainers to work with the contestants.

Indeed, fitness and medical professionals can help people who have chronic injuries become stronger and overcome them. They have the knowledge to do this without hurting a client if they can gain their trust.

It has served Hannah well. This week, viewers got to watch celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels help Hannah do a back bend in the middle of the gym.

“I got your back,” Jillian told her as she reached around and supported Hannah’s back.

Later at the weigh-in, Hannah cried as she explained what a powerful moment that was for her: “It changed my life.”

Sometimes the biggest challenge in the gym is working things out in your head.

Alice Warchol is a fitness instructor and freelance health writer.