Image SourceAlright... rather than writing a huge rant, I encourage you all to go over to Laura's blog and read hers as she took the words right out of my mouth.
My 'beefs' in a nutshell:
- They don't show them drinking water
- They don't show them fueling up
- They don't show any kind of running training during the episodes (if you're curious, here is an example of a marathon training program.)
- The rant that Jillian gave when Daris gained weight after marathon training
- They make it seem like "anyone" can run a marathon.
/end rant.
What are your thoughts?
21 comments:
I haven't watched The Biggest Loser since the fall, but the obvious product placements they began inserting in every episode really annoyed me. It felt like they were making it into a big commercial.
A-frickin-men! The marathon I did was the HARDEST thing I've ever done - and it took 6 months of intense training to complete it (and I walked a lot of it!)
BL doesn't emphasize enough the sheer dedication it takes us 'regular people' to get thru things in the real world!
(I do still love the show though...)
I have mixed feelings about it. That I think I'm saving for a post.
But? It makes my goal seem doable. If they went from beginning to marathon in 6 months, then I am able to go from a half to a full in 6 months.
(I would really like to lose some weight in the process, though. )
I don't watch the show! I Have to say I agree with your "beef"!
It annoyed me at first when Bob and Jillian bashed Daris for gaining weight. Gaining a few pounds while marathon training is hardly unusual or "wrong." But then I realized that actually, their comments made sense. Daris had a very high activity level at the ranch, which I imagine was similar to his activity level at home training for and eventually running a marathon. Yet he still lost weight at the ranch. So what changed? Yes, he got closer to his goal weight, but he overate at home, and not just a little. He admitted it himself. I think Bob and Jill were right when they got on his case for blaming the weight gain on the marathon training. But don't get me wrong, I love me some Daris! I want him to win.
I commented on Laura's post already, but I think it's irresponsible on the part of the producers & NBC to not show the whole story, to continually use the marathon as their draw and to give the audience somewhat unachievable fitness goals in the real world.
Yes, you can run a marathon if you train hard and follow a plan (both running and nutrition), but it takes TIME. We don't get to edit our lives down to one hour slots and have the comfort of 24 hour gyms, personal trainers and putting lives on hold.
It's just not realistic.
Stop sugar coating this stuff and give marathons back the respect they deserve.
They aren't cake walks, ffs!
oh come on Amy, any one can run a marathon...
insert a tiny bit of sarcasm in the above statement... ;-)
a friend of mine in my running group to this day always says she is the only one she's ever known to gain weight while training for a marathon. Truth is, it happens more than anyone thinks! Excessive running = hungry more = eating more. And then there's the mentality "i just ran 10 miles so i can eat what I want" which is dangerous b/c while there is SOME truth to that, it isn't always the case. So I can easily see how he gained weight while training. As for the show, I was SOOOO annoyed last night. Just ask my husband...oh wait... :)
I agree with all that you mentioned. But I was still hugely inspired.
I agree with everyone's thoughts on how easy they make it seem to run a marathon, and I'm not even a runner! I read quite a few blogs, though, and remember reading that others have gained weight while marathon training, so I don't really get the rant from Jillian and Bob.
I felt sorry for Daris, because his marathon was amazing, and the weight gain just wiped out that accomplishment for him. :(
Right there with ya!!!!! After that thing they had before where it was revealed that one of the contestants received a ride for a few miles, I haven't trusted that since.
I think they definitely simplify the marathon quest and I DO NOT like it!
Check out my blog today for a mini rant on part of this too. I just have a hard time believing that Daris finished in 4 hrs with really not adequate training prep. Or that Ashely and Mike who walked lots of it finished just a teeny bit after Koli who appeared to run it all.
I agree with your rant for the most part except for the last point you make.
I think anyone can run a marathon. There is nothing special about the body of a marathon runner (i.e. they are no more talented or special) they just work really hard and treat their body well (through fueling and hydration, running a marathon may not be described as treating your body well haha)
But I truly believe that anyone can walk/run a marathon (disregarding the possibility of injury or doctors advise not to) with hard work and correct advise/training. Otherwise, I don't think I would be able to try!
I couldn't have said it better myself Amy! SERIOUSLY... I have questioned the show on some of the things they have made the contestants do right off the bat. Remember in season 8 when they had to run a mile right off the bus and that two of the contestants (Tracy and Coach Moe) were injured as a result?
Some of the things are misleading. They do make it seem as if anyone could just jump right off the couch and run a 5k and they do not show all of the work and routine that goes into it beforehand!
I have so many issues with the Biggest Loser (especially the shameless advertising) BUT the show does motivate me. For that I will stomach all of its faults.
I was a little surprised myself, especially about Jillian's reaction to Daris' gain. I've read in marathon training guides to not expect to lose a lot of weight. Heck I've done a marathon and the training didn't have a major impact on the scale. I want Daris to win as well.
I stopped watching TBL this season. A few reasons:
- overboard with the product placements
- Bob & Jillian always being surprised by the challenges and outcomes. Really?
- Bob is a vegetarian (maybe vegan) and I can't stand to watch him push meat
- the show has lost its excitment
The show used to be great entertainment but over the last few seasons it just became boring.
I just finished watching that episode last night and I was also a little upset at the way Jillian and Bob just hammered into Daris. I'm sure there are many more reasons why he didn't lose weight, but the reaction was a little hurtful. He ran the best race of his life and all he gets is a yelling?? Hrmp.
I was also not impressed that they didn't show any sort of training, refueling, or personal struggles during his training (or anyone) etc. They showed a 2 second clip that Daris needed a knee brace because of over-training. Bah, that show frustrates me. I'm not sure I'll be watching future seasons...
I just found your blog today via "ohsheglows". I LOVE it. and yes, i totally agree with you. i almost cried when they ripped into daris...
the "little" things that they don't show, really annoy me. They act as if these people are doing these incredible acts by working out for a 30 min. time period a day, not drinking water, not really changing a whole lot at all.
I totally agree. I love the Biggest Loser but the Marathon show always rubs me the wrong way. I've done a few marathons in my time and it hurts a bit to see how they down play the time commitment, proper fueling, hydration and mental prep that a endeavor of that kind takes. Yes this type of show is inspiring,and I get that the point of this show is to try to get the public up off the couch but by leaving out all the gory training details I feel like its a disservice and that they are not telling the whole truth.
Jillian's rant about Daris gaining weight also got me going. I always put on a few pounds in the height of training. I blame it on muscle swelling and water retention, although I am sure that my increased appetite also has something to do with it :) It wasn't until I got injured and had to stop training that I actually dropped weight.
I second you all! I did my first marathon at Disney World this past January and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done! Here's the training schedule I followed (18 weeks!) http://www.fitandfabliving.com/index.php/overall-fitness/1468-you-can-run-a-marathon-too.html.
I totally agree, they always seem to make everything look easier than it really is. And who really cares that Daris gained 2 lbs. He looks amazing. The only think I hate about this show is that its all about the POUNDS you lose. They don't seem to care about body fat percentage or health because they barely touch on those things.
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