Origin: Healthy Weights
- emotional state suffered by dieters
- hopelessness, despair, self-doubt
di•et tired: (adjective)
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Biggest Loser? Human Dignity.
Submitted by Drew on Sun, 04/19/2009 - 09:03
Being overweight is not a lifestyle choice. Car accidents, injuries, eating disorders, teased as a child, rewarded with food, body image disorders, depression and the list goes on.
Just because a condition is readily visible doesn’t mean it should be treated as a simple lifestyle choice.
Why then do trainers such as Jillian Michaels of the TV show "Biggest Loser" treat human beings as lazy, fat, slobs? Does she not have any challenges of her own? Are there any parts of her personal and professional life we should be scrutinizing?
Has she ever struggled with confidence, emotions, relationships, academics, or eye brow waxing? Worse, other trainers act like she does because they don’t know any other (better) way. Plus, of course, it makes for entertaining television. At this point though, I must admit, I’ve never made it through more than 5 minutes of the program without changing the channel in disgust. Some say that the mean and degrading approach to her training makes people step outside their comfort zone and pushes them to new heights. Others argue that she is the cause of many set backs like stress fractures and dropouts. If you argue that what she does is effective, so is what we do. But we never treat anyone with anything less than respect, empathy and concern.
The Healthy Weights Clinic also shows people new heights, builds confidence, and helps them lose significant amounts of weight. But I choose to allay guilt rather than humiliate my clients.
When was the last time you rubbed your dog's nose in sh#t? When was the last time a child was beaten with a belt or a ruler at school?
Oh, that’s right. We now know that there are better, more effective and more humane ways of treating animals and children.
I’m not saying Jillian Michaels is an evil person, I’m simply pointing out that her limited knowledge and abilities cause her to resort to the most primitive form of treatment – abuse.
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DISCLAIMER
This blog is presented for informational purposes only.
Content does not constitute medical advice. Views expressed are solely the author's. The author makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or adequacy of the information contained herein or linked to via this blog.
Reader comments published on this blog do not reflect the views of Drew Harvey, www.DietTired.com or The Healthy Weights Clinic www.HealthyWeights.ca
Comments
Amen! I couldn't figure out
Amen! I couldn't figure out why I just couldn't see the value (entertainment or otherwise) in this show as other people do!! I think the entire show is abusive! Of course someone is going to lose weight exercising 4-5 hours PER DAY!!! How can you take people who have spent considerable time being unactive and push them into intensive activity for 5 hours per day!!! You are just asking for illness and/or injury to occur.
Worse, my confidence had
Worse, my confidence had gotten so low that I felt that I deserved to be treated that way.
It is about time we speak out against this treatment. I realize this is just television but does set a precedent.
Thanks for speaking up for us!
Who would have thought that
Who would have thought that weight loss would be such a spectator sport! What are the odds that there could be a show based on a caring and compassionate approach? I guess it just wouldn't sell. Great post by the way.. i couldn't agree more.
I'm tired of fat people
I'm tired of fat people acting like its not their fault. Eat less and exercise more and stop complaining.
OK, so you want to be treated
OK, so you want to be treated nicely by us trainers... but us trainers work hard to be fit.. why don't you? (you being overweight people of course). I have been active all my life and can't get why it is so hard for fatter people to get into shape. Sorry to sound insensitve... i just dont' get it. get moving and eat less damn it!
why don't depressed people simply cheer up?
- why don't kids with autism snap out of it?
- why don't addicts simply quit?
- why don't those with adhd pay attention?
Well put.
Well put.
I've been a trainer myself
I've been a trainer myself for many years and I'd like to give you some advice. Part of being a good and knowledgeable trainer is having compassion and understanding along with patience. Everyone has a story, everyone has different issues to deal with and everyone responds differently to different styles of training. For some, Jillians style may work well, but for others they may need more of a gentle approach. Being a good personal trainer isn't just about coming up with a great workout, there is alot more to it. You need to know when to be tough, when to be patient, when to get harsh and many other things involving the mind and feelings of your client.
I'm trying damn it! Raise 3
I'm trying damn it! Raise 3 kids, work full time, pay a mortgage and look like a rockstar? Where is my reprieve! To heck with glorified weight loss shows...
Those people who are on
Those people who are on Biggest Loser know what they are going to subject themselves to. They have walked into that show with open eyes. I can't really feel sorry for them, nor their treatment from the trainer. Everyone is different, but personally, I don't appreciate being humiliated. I have worked with a couple different trainers, never was I humiliated, and I learned a lot from them.
To respond to the trainers that have posted on here - you really have no clue what is involved with overweight people (in my life, fat is like a swear word, and quite insensitive). Yes, eat less, move more, works. I couldn't agree more but there is emotional stuff that you know nothing about nor take the time to learn about. It all goes hand in hand. The gyms, instead of making overweight people feel comfortable & optomistic so that they will attend on a regular basis, the employees (trainers included), sit & stare. Why don't you try walking over and saying it's so great you made it out today! Do you understand what a difference that would make in an overweight person's life.
I hate being overweight, truly I do. I have learned how to change the binges from Drew & the HW program and deal with some of the emotional stuff. I have also learned how to weight train properly from a trainer. I have become the person I am due to dealing with thin people all my life who don't get it. I would never judge anyone, for any reason - can some of those thin people say the same??? I think not.
Getting fit IS hard work, no
Getting fit IS hard work, no doubt about it. Trainers have every right to expect dedication and hard work from their clients! And there's no denying that these people on TBL *signed up* for the very treatment that they are getting out of Jillian Michaels and her co-star Bob Harper. But just because these trainers are on TV, that doesn't mean they're doing it right. Imagine if your boss treated you the way a drill sergeant treats recruits - yelling in your face, telling you that you'll never be good enough in front of all your co-workers. Is that motivational? Or abusive? Talented trainers work *with* their clients to achieve safe, realistic fitness goals while building knowledge and self-esteem. Yelling, insulting, and demeaning your clients only makes you a "good" trainer if your biggest goal is television ratings! Any trainer that genuinely wants to help their clients succeed would never resort to such deplorable tactics. Fitness IS hard work, but it shouldn't include emotional or physical abuse.
There was a time when I was
There was a time when I was smug like Dawson. Then, I had 3 kids, a full time job and other obligations that come hand and hand with these. Sometimes healthy eating is hard to do in these circumstances let alone getting exercise. But I'm not complaining, just stating the facts!
Funny to hear a personal
Funny to hear a personal trainer refer to us people as "fatter people"...lol. Anyways, us "fatter people" don't understand why we can't just get up, eat right and excercise regularily either. THAT'S THE PROBLEM! Why don't crack heads just stop smoking crack...they don't know either, or smokers stop smoking. Maybe there are some emotional issues that cause us to eat which then gives us comfort. It's a never ending cycle. The more we gain, then the less confident we feel, and it's such a loooong road to get to the end, it seems like it's impossible. There is food all around us everyday, we need to eat. It's hard, especially if you don't have support at home, friends/family who don't help, and always bring bad foods around and offer them. It's hard to say no sometimes, if we were good at saying no, we wouldn't be overweight! I used to be smaller, but after having 2 children and being in 2 emotionally abusive relationships with cheating men, I gained almost 100 pounds over time. I now realize it was because I was so unhappy, but when your in that place, you don't even realize you've gained that much wait until it's too late. It's such a hard thing to explain, How could I not have noticed? I ask myself the same thing, but maybe because my boyfriends made me feel so bad about myself, and unworthy of having a faithful man in my life, I lost all my self esteem, focused my time, energy and life on raising my kids, never put myself first becasue I never felt worth it, I lost all hope. Eventually I got out of those relationships, and saw the light.
The point of this note, is to let you "thinner people" know that sometimes, it's not just as easy as eat less, move more. Even though in the end that's what it comes down to doing, its all the baby steps in between to get you to that point that are the hardest to overcome. I wish people werent so judgemental about bigger people.
I personally like Bob and Jillian as trainers, only because I know that is the type of trainer I need. Someone to push me out of my comfort zones, make me stop feeling sorry for myself, and realize I can do these things if I am pushed, put my heart, and mind into it. The trainers obviously work, and everyone has such a close bond with the trainers in the end, so I don't think anyone feels abused. They sometimes break them down, but that's what people need to move on to the next step. It helps them to find out what is making them big, and eat. The reasoning behind the weight gain.
Congratulations on having the
Congratulations on having the strength to get out of two abusive relationships, all the while taking care of your children. Don't ever let your size make you feel as though you are not strong; clearly you are. Good luck in all that you do. Love. xox.
why must trainers try to
why must trainers try to uncomplicate such a complicated situation?
if i was 21, working at a gym and living at home.... weight loss would be much easier..oh wait, i wouldn't have gained weight yet.
Jillian is hero. you don't know what you're talking about.
wow, some of you people have no idea what you're talking about. if you've been thin all your life, you HAVE NO IDEA. I've been both - fat and anorexic. now i'm healthy and fit, and the biggest loser is a great, inspiring show. do you really think that if you're depressed, morbidly obese, and so unfit that stairs are a big deal, that you'll just turn around and say, "hey, i think i'm gonna go for a run today." you're parents are big, you've been big and teased about it all your life, and you've never had anyone really talk to you about it, so you haven't the faintest clue that "a," there's a problem with it, and "b," how to fix it. Jillian may sound harsh, but honestly, its what these people need! its not about esthetics, these people are killing themselves! exercising is extremely uncomfortable when you're out of shape, and until you get fit and built up that pain tolerance, you don't think that you can do it. Jillian pushes people to beyond anything they could possibly do on their own, and she does it safely. yeah ok there was ONE stress fracture in 7 seasons. but seriously, all those people started the show way sicker than that. the stress fracture will heal, but now the girl is healthier, fitter, and HAPPIER! you don't see any of the contestants hating Jillian at the end. yeah ok in the beginning they're afraid of her, but honestly, there's no other way. patting them on the back and telling them "its ok" is like telling them, "Alright, i won't help you. I give up on you and I'll just let you keep killing yourself." cause honestly, that's what the biggest loser does: SAVE LIVES. if you people don't get that, then YOU are the uninformed ones. Jillian is actually extremely intelligent and know way more than any of you idiots do. I'm a biochemist and she actually knows a whole crapload. way better than any trainer I've ever worked with, and I've worked with a lot, cause I'm a pro athlete. everythign she does is totally safe. its actually amazing what she does.
Go Jillian!
Wow, somebuddy missed the whole story.
Are you serious? Nobody said she doesn't help people, they simply indicate that there is a better way.
Clearly the truth of these comments has touched a nerve!
She knows alot? Clearly you are not a biochemist... any biochemist would know that her latest book about metabolism is complete bullocks.
I think the point of a
I think the point of a trainer is to be a bit of a bitch. Someone who won't let you stop when you want to. Otherwise we'd all be fine exercising by ourselves.
I probably still wouldn't put up with being yelled at the way the contestants are on biggest loser but hey, they're in a competition to see who can lose the most weight. Jillian is probably doing them a favour by pushing them as hard as she does.
In any case, public humiliation seems to part of the faustian bargain if you want to be on reality TV regardless of what you're competing for. It always takes two to tango and all those contestants signed up to the show knowing exactly what to expect. Some probably even wanted it at some level. Who are we to judge?
Jillian michaels is the best
Jillian michaels is the best trainer in the world. people need that type of motivation to change their habits. I find it funny that noone knows who 'you' are (author) but the whole world knows jill. Thats because her methods work. If you think that she has no knowlege or ability then why does she make such amazing connections to her trainees and why does she produce such amazing results? I think you're frgetting that JIllian was once overweight herself and she knows what it takes to get healthy, and what you have to overcome. If you can't take her tough love, then dont train with her. But don't try take away from her accomplishments and success because she's earned every single ounce of that.
I wish Jillian lots of luck
I wish Jillian lots of luck and love! Hope she finds "the one"... I will be watching! So happy that my favorite show is on for another season!
Has she ever struggled with
Has she ever struggled with confidence, emotions, relationships, academics, or eye brow waxing? Worse, other trainers act like she does because they don’t know any other (better) way.
Um, yeah she has sturuggled with being fat as a kid. Pay attention.
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