It?s much harder in the real world than in a controlled environment
THE BIGGEST Loser Asia Season 1 last week announced its first batch of winners, which included Filipino chef Carlo Miguel. The show made a great impact on Asians who are trying their best to lose weight.

However, TV viewers are wondering how ?The Biggest Loser? contestants lost so much weight in just one week. Most of these viewers have been dieting and exercising all their lives and yet, their weight loss programs don?t offer significant results.

Articles on the unrealistic weight losses of contestants, inappropriate exercises done in the show and even the training styles and personalities of the trainers were published.

We will help you realize that losing weight in a more natural environment with the right motivation can help you achieve results safely and maintain it long-term. You don?t have to join a show or an isolated weight-loss camp to lose weight.

Ideal rate

Health and fitness professionals don?t encourage people to lose more than two pounds a week. However, the show rewards those who lose the greatest amount of weight per week. This confuses viewers about the ideal rate of safe and effective weight loss.

So why and how do these participants drastically lose weight?

First, the show requires all participants to lose a significant amount of weight to surpass the weekly elimination. The task is to deliver their best when it comes to exercise and diet in order to win.

Second, they have all the time to exercise with their teammates and trainers, so they burn more than 2,000 calories a day.

Finally, their food intake is closely monitored by a medical team and fitness trainers. The show does not tell viewers to lose as much weight as they can and do exactly the same thing as the participants.

You can?t compare yourself to ?The Biggest Loser? contestants. Your schedule allows you to devote only 30-90 minutes of daily exercise, making you burn 2,000 to 3,500 calories a week. You can, therefore, lose two to five pounds a week in your present situation.

Inspiration

Instead of feeling bad for not achieving greater weight loss, be inspired and learn from the participants? experiences.

If you cannot imagine yourself doing all the tiring exercises and physical tasks, it doesn?t mean you can?t lose weight.

Exercise must be a gradual progression. Adapt to a particular training routine to increase your fitness level and progress to the next level.

Losing weight requires time, commitment and motivation. Contestants were able to lose so much weight because they devoted half of their waking hours to physical activities and disciplined eating. Their total workout time of four to six hours a day might be the sum of one?s workout for the week.

Don?t force yourself to devote so many hours of exercise during the day because you are based in a natural environment where there?s access to high-calorie foods. Studies show that over-exercising leads to overeating. The show?s contestants are well-guided and their eating environment controlled.

Challenge

Studies have shown that motivation is crucial to maintaining weight. Improving one?s health and wanting to be a good role model to family are examples of long-lasting motivation.

If you make money the primary motivation, there?s a greater chance that weight will be regained.

The other contestants who did not win but successfully lost weight and changed their lifestyle will have greater chances of losing more or maintaining their weight and improving their fitness levels if they find more meaning in their lifestyle transformation.

According to Amanda Vogel?s article published in the Idea fitness journal, Mark Koops, an executive producer of ?The Biggest Loser,? estimates that about 50 percent of contestants maintain their goal weight after the show, 25 percent keep off a significant amount of weight, and the final 25 percent still struggle.

Weight maintenance in the real world is much harder than losing weight in a ranch. Follow-ups by fitness coaches and health specialists, and support from family and friends, are needed to avoid weight regain.

E-mail the author at mitchfelipe@gmail.com.