If you have a lot of weight to lose and you've given it your best shot with little success, you probably wonder how those folks on the TV show "The Biggest Loser" drop so many pounds so fast. But they have a few things going for them that you will be hard pressed to duplicate at home.
The Trainers
The trainers on "The Biggest Loser" are key to the show's success, but also to the success of the contestants. Not only are they tough, but Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels "walk the talk," living out the healthy lifestyle they impose on their clients. The fact that both have refused to sponsor "diet" products that are not healthful is testimony to their commitment to health and wellness. Their "in your face" toughness is tempered by a genuine caring for their clients.
The Doctors
Contestants on "The Biggest Loser" are closely monitored by the medical team of Dr. Rob Huizenga. Huizenga is heralded as a weight-loss expert, and has an impressive resume that includes an associate professorship at the University of California-Los Angeles and a history as a doctor for the Oakland Raiders. Members of his team are equally well-credentialed. While some have labeled the extreme exercise and nutrition program at the Ranch "medically unsafe," the doctors who oversee the program know that being morbidly obese is at least as dangerous.
The Environment
The environment at the Ranch is a big part of the contestant's success. After all, being away from the stress of job and family, with nothing to do but focus on your weight-loss program, has got to be easier than trying to juggle it all. Located in Calabasas, California, the Ranch has 588 acres of land, along with a pool and a gym. Being isolated on the Ranch pretty much eliminates all the excuses we make to avoid working out and eating right.
The Intensity
Depending on the trainers' plans for the day and whatever challenges the producers throw their way, workouts for contestants can add up to six hours per day or more. The competitive atmosphere combined with the trainers' relentless oversight raises the bar for workout intensity. Most of us would not work out that hard on our own, nor could we afford to pay a trainer for six hours per day, every day.
The Nutrition
While the nutrition plan on "The Biggest Loser" is based on nutrient-dense organic fruits, vegetables and lean protein, some critics say the diet is dangerously restrictive. Grains and fats are definitely sparse on the Ranch, and calories are restricted to around 1,200 per day for women and 1,800 per day for men. Contestants do get one day per week where women can have up to 2,000 calories and men can have up to 3,000. Contestants enjoy three meals and two snacks daily.
Sleep
Adequate sleep is another commodity that may be rare at home but plentiful at the Ranch. Many of the contestants have businesses, jobs and busy family lives. Being away from the stress of it all would help anyone sleep better. Add in six hours of exercise, and sleep should be a cinch. However, many obese individuals suffer from sleep apnea, which prevents them from getting restful sleep, and contestants on "The Biggest Loser" are no exception. Season seven contestants participated in a sleep study and received sleep therapy while at the Ranch. Weight loss is often a permanent cure for sleep apnea.
Motivation
With cameras rolling 24/7, the chance of getting caught raiding the fridge or wimping out on your workout is a big deterrent to bad behavior. The last thing you'd want is to be humiliated with the whole world watching. But the community of contestants, hosts and trainers is highly supportive. And contestants are hugely motivated knowing their loved ones have high expectations for their success.
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