I watched a couple of seasons of that show back before I had ever been overweight. I would make arrogant remarks to my wife like, “It would be fun to gain a bunch of weight and then compete on that show.” Since I had ever experienced a weight loss program, I foolishly thought it would be fun and easy.
Now I know better, and I also know that the contestants on that show almost never maintain their weight loss. I think it’s fair to say that their weight loss strategies, which include dehydration, are unhealthy and completely unsustainable. Now I think it’s a horrible, exploitative show. Instead of providing true inspiration, it makes it seem like gradual weight loss is a failure. Long term, I’d put my money on the guy who can lose half a pound a week for two years, rather than someone who loses 5 pounds a week for three months by abusing himself.