The Biggest Loser Still Draws Viewers

Did you watch The Biggest Loser this week? It’s back again – for its 12th season.

You have to wonder why this show is still compelling. It’s pretty much the same each season. People struggling with obesity exercise for hours on end, learn how to carefully choose nutritious foods and portions and ultimately lose a huge percentage of their body fat.

I think the shows popularity speaks volumes about how rampant and widespread obesity is in America. Anyone who grew up in the 1970s or earlier can attest that fewer people years ago were overweight.

Today, two out of three adults is either overweight or obese. It is an epidemic.

Here’s another reason why the show is a magnet: it gives us hope.

What better way to teach people they can overcome obesity by showing them someone who does it.

Granted, the results you get at home from trying to lose weight will never mirror the kind of weight loss millions of television viewers see during The Biggest Loser show.

And that’s important to remember. If you’re trying to lose weight, be realistic about it. A pound a week is a decent pace.

Think about it. In a year, that’s 52 pounds!

Alice Warchol is a freelance health writer and fitness instructor.

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