Why you should lose the Biggest Loser from your TV schedule…
I have never been a fan of the show due to its’ unhealthy practices. Therefore, I choose not to support the show by not watching it.
The unhealthy practices that are being presented by the TV show participants are not a good role model for anyone and not a picture of health. Unfortunately these unhealthy behaviors has become the “norm” for the contestants on the show. Millions of Americans tune in weekly, season after season. A contestant is surrounded by others engaging in these unhealthy behaviors, and they know intellectually their behaviors are disordered, they may not realize it because everyone around them is doing it too.
A former contestant shares how the show has triggered her eating disorder. She speaks the truth on how the show claimed she was healthier when leaving the show, due to her weight loss but that she was not healthier. She shares she was losing her hair, had black circles under her eyes, was covered in bruises, suffered from insomnia and had stopped receiving her menstrual cycle. These are all symptoms of disordered eating and exercise behaviors!
The show promotes a disordered mentality of food and exercise and it is no surprise it has induced an eating disorder. The praise and admiration one gets for their weight loss is a false sense of worth and self and is unhealthy. There is no freedom in living this life. There is so much more to us than our weight and bodies. We are amazing and have so much to offer our families, friends and the world.
This season angers me the most and I didn’t think it was possible to be even angrier at the show’s concept. This season is featuring children. In their attempt to fight child obesity, they are setting these children up for torture. Yes, torture is a strong word but what these children are going to be e exposed to is horrific. Anyone who knows a teenager, has seen a teenager use Facebook, or has read about teenager bullying in the news can agree that these children are going to be scrutinized on television and prone to become victims of cruelty and bullying.
It saddens me dearly that these children are being taught disordered behaviors to lose weight. The show claims that they promote fighting against child obesity but what they are doing is contributing to unhealthy children. What the show really promotes is unhealthy weight loss with the focus on high intensity exercise, starvation diets and an unhealthy focus on ones’ weight. The show is teaching children that dieting is okay and that weight loss is important and worth sacrifices. THIS IS NOT OKAY. Let me clarify something: It is NEVER okay for children to diet. As adults, we need to be the healthy example for children and have a healthy attitude towards eating and exercise and practice living this way daily. Children are smart and will be impacted indirectly by our behaviors. We want them to live a life free from disordered thoughts and behaviors and grow up loving and accepting their bodies. And grow up knowing that their worth is not based on their weight.
Please join me in Dr. Freedhoff’s advertiser boycott to help send a message to The Biggest Loser. Let’s take a stand for these kids.
Always Be YOU,
Jenn
You read my mind. I feel this too. Children should never be on diets. it actually killed me to see the clip where the lady was telling them they can keep no junk in the house because they will have plenty of it outside. What? I mean you should be able to keep anything in your house in moderation. that annoyed me
Alex @ therunwithin recently posted..Roll with it.
It annoyed me too! That “all or nothing” thinking is not healthy and instead resembles disordered thinking. Poor children having to live with extremes on exercise and nutrition.
Hey Jenn!
Came here from your comment on my blog, because you said your husband was a Navy pilot! My boyfriend is just finishing flight school.
I LOVE your project here, as a fellow ED recoverer. I’d love get involved!
Clare
YAY! Another pilot getting his wings! And even better, another woman in ED recovery! Yes, I’d love to have you be involved. Email me what interests you most about Be Me and we can discuss ways to get involved : )