08/22/2025
Recently I watched the documentary on Netflix about “The Biggest Loser” and I was doing some thinking about why so many of the contestants struggled to keep weight off after the competition.
Why did so many gain their weight back?
Yes, I believe a metabolic down regulation is a factor. But the other things to consider are:
1. They lost all of their weight in a controlled environment under the immense pressure of being on a nationally televised competition. They had zero pressures of everyday life.
2. They lost weight in such an extreme manor that even a 1/10th of their exercise is unrealistic under normal circumstances back home.
3. They learned nothing about how to stay thin. They came away with no knowledge of how to move forward in their life in a healthy long term way. They came away with no knowledge of how to exercise or eat.
4. Most likely many of them were dealing with moderate to severe mental health issues, none of which was addressed. Very low self esteem, depression, anxiety, and I’m sure the list goes on.
5. People win 100’s of millions of dollars in the lottery and go broke shortly afterwards bc they don’t know how to live like a rich person. These people had no understanding of how to live as a healthy person.
6. Many contestants had eating disorders which were not addressed. On the opposite end of the spectrum, would you expect someone with anorexia or bulimia that competed in a weight gain competition to then go home and magically be cured and have a “normal” relationship with food.
If all of the above was in place, would the contestants have been able to maintain a large percentage of their weightloss? Maybe.
