Biggest Loser gripe

13 years ago

I love this show, was in tears within the first few minutes. But I wonder what is the purpose of having these people take off their t-shirts to weigh in. C'mon, like a few more ounces of t-shirt weight is really going to make a difference! I think it humiliates them more than necessary.

I suspect that it has something to do with having the contestants be totally honest about what needs to be done, almost like a catharsis, but I still find it wrong. What do you think?

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Comments (12)

kacram
13 years ago
It has always bothered me. They make the guys weigh in
shirless and the women in those sports bras, right?
then in the end ... when they have dropped all
that weight, dont' they wear shirts to weigh in.
I think it would be humiliating, also.
kacram
13 years ago
oops! i forgot! LOL T-shirts, sspecially that size
would weigh more than 2 or 3 ounces. i forgot to take
off a cotton shirt. Lightwieght one that I threw over
my tank top when weighing in at weight watchers.
ONE POUND! WHAT? lol she said, YEP... when she
re set the scale when I took it off... ONE POUND!
it is a thin, lightweight cotton shirt! LOL
well, it did have long sleeves! lol
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sleeperblues
Original Author
13 years ago
Kat, I know a t-shirt weighs a pound (or thereabouts) but if you ALWAYS weigh in with a shirt on, what difference would it make. You would still lose the same amount of weight. I just think it's unnecessary.
kacram
13 years ago
oh, yea! LOL duh! I wasn't thinking! LOL you are right.
I try to wear the same thing at WW every week.
I first weighed in with out the shirt... so I try
to not wear it now! LOL.. sorry.. need more coffee!
bigack
13 years ago
I agree with you! I didn't watch last night, usually do, but will start watching next week, when all the preliminaries are over. Sometimes I cringe when Jilian or Bob are so hard on them, but the end results are wonderful. I really enjoyed seeing Michael's transformation last year.
sleeperblues
Original Author
13 years ago
Bigack, they showed Michael last night and also the guy who won last year and the brother from Boston who always cried. I think his name is Mark. They all look good, but Michael and the winner have put on a little weight. Mark from Boston looks really good, nice and muscular.

Kat, tee hee as I sip on my huge mug of french roast!
matti5
13 years ago
I cried throughout the entire show, as most of the stories were so heartbreaking. I don't remember past seasons being so emotional.

I agree about why the need to take off the shirts, but I guess once you start the challenge it's all about baring more than your soul. We don't always see ourselves as others do. Plus watching the physical transformation each week can be motivating.

I think what bothers me most is having to leave one contestant behind in each city. That broke my heart. Hopefully the show will provide these people with the help they so desperately need and want.
lavon46
13 years ago
Its one of my favorite shows, but I didnt like the way they left the third person behind either. I am "hoping" maybe they have a secret plan to bring them back to the show in a couple of weeks ? You never know what they are going to pull.
I agree, its just sad when they take their shirts off, and I felt really bad for the big guy that fell down.
sleeperblues
Original Author
13 years ago
Matti, I hear you girl about the crying. Many, many times did I have tears streaming down my cheeks. As for the player left behind, I think they will have a chance to make it into the house. Did you see the clip with Jillian telling them "it's not over for you"? And even if they don't make it to the house, they will have begun their weight loss journey on their own, and hopefully be succeeding at home.

I totally agree with you that maybe it's about baring their souls, and not seeing ourselves as others do. Did you hear the one guy say he thought he was overweight, but not obese. I think he weighed close to 400#!
paula_pa
13 years ago
Those aren't even the real weigh ins. At least when they are at the ranch, that big scale is fake - the official weigh-ins take place behind the scenes. It's for the shock value. They put the shirts back on them eventually so that we don't see all that saggy skin they are left with (although they aren't smart enough to keep the women out of sleeveless clothing at the finale).
vannie
13 years ago
I think the producers do it for the shock appeal. You just look a lot WORSE when more of your fat shows. It's just all about the ratings. More shock? More viewers.
Marcia Thornley
13 years ago
Those people left behind are getting a chance to come back. They showed previews after the show last night. It's not over, till it's over!
Taking off the shirts may be a bit humiliating but I think it helps motivate as well. And it shows them that they are not alone in their challenge.Getting to see how the weight is coming off of someone would really get me going. I tend not to see it in myself.