The Biggest Loser

I've been pretty tough on The Biggest Loser in the past--the extreme weight-loss techniques don't seem very safe, especially when dealing with 526lbs people. But, I've never watched a full episode--well, until last night.

There were some really inspiring moments--there was also brutality and way too much puking in the "last chance work-out." So, I'm going to try to watch this season to see what all the hubbub is about, with my ever critical eye intact.

Some in the FA movement might regard watching weightloss as spectacle as the ultimate act of self-loathing, but I think that shows like the Biggest Loser have more to offer. For one thing, although under constant doctor's supervision, the contestants do show that very fat people can do extremely challenging physical acts.

I don't run on the treadmill myself, but on the elliptical I feel safe enough to go as fast as a run while protecting my knees. Lately, I've been dabbling with the idea that I could actually try to do some running--and idea that never occurred to me in the past, greatly inspired by Jeannette Fulda's story of going from a nearly 400lbs woman to a runner. If she can do it, significantly heavier than me, then perhaps I can. Now, of course, she wasn't running day one, but neither were most of the contestants on the BL I saw last night.

There are tons of valid criticisms of the BL (and I'll voice several as I watch this season), but there are things to be lauded as well. So stay tuned...