I have exercised since I was in my 30's--primarily because I wanted to be fit. I am now 60 years old and still exercise. Albeit--I gained a few pounds when I stopped exercising a few years ago--but got back on track 2 years ago and have no intentions of quitting ever again.
The Extreme Weight loss T.V. show where we watch someone who is morbidly obese--actually lose 1/2 of their body weight in one year is a little too much for me to take. So someone who weights 450 pounds can somehow lose 225 pounds within a year is almost unbelievable to me. Of course they state that this person is working out hard 4 to 6 hours a day--and is on a diet that most rabbits couldn't survive on.
The Biggest loser--is another show on T.V.--that is really competition between some heavy weights--(normally where I see the men win)--because women simply do not have the muscle mass as men do--so typically men lose weight faster than women-and some man (usually the biggest man--9 times out of 10) comes out the winner on the show--sending the women into the backroom with bags over their heads--no matter how hard they have worked or how much weight they have lost.
Now let's be honest here. Julian really didn't get in the shape she's in--in one year. She's been working out for years--probably decades if the truth be told--but somehow we're to believe that this all happens within one year--and or the time the yearly premier starts until the end--and the biggest loser wins.
It's like it's some kind of impossible race--which in fact--is really not the way to lose weight or become fit. We have to look at fitness and our eating habits as a lifetime commitment. Atrophy of muscles sets in 15 times quicker than we gain muscle--spelling--if you stop working out after you won the Biggest Loser--or Extreme Weight loss--you're going to be back to even worse shape you were before you started--if you don't continue this schedule of working out 4 to 6 hours daily.
Furthermore--it's a fact--that people like me--who used to exercise--then stopped for a couple of years--have to come back just as hard when exercising--as we did when we were fit and exercising--to have any benefit.
Everyone knows that weight taken off in a rational way--more slowly--tends to stay off--rather than rapid weight loss. Simply because it indicates that someone has done a real life style change--and not been on some yo yo diet to take off a few pounds because they are getting married and or are going to a wedding or other event in the next couple of months.
It's been my experience that eating right--and exercising hard for 3 to 4 times a week for one hour actually works--for sustained weight loss and physical fitness. But again, I am talking about a lifetime committment of that--not one year--and or the season premier until the end.
So I would like your opinions on these T.V. programs. Do you really believe that they would work for the average person? Does anyone really believe that the average person can sustain a 4 to 6 hour workout a day and LIVE, and more importantly maintain a life of work, kids, husbands, wives, etc.--as they do on Extreme Weight loss. So do these programs give false illusions as what to expect for sustained weight loss and physical fitness?
I guess the point I am trying to make is: No matter how much you weigh--set realistic goals for yourself and do not base them on these T.V programs. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to get discouraged because they didn't lose half their body weight in one year, and or didn't beat the biggest loser in weight loss. Just keep going-and you'll get there.
Your Thoughts?