Yesterday I heard a lot of buzz about the look of NBC’s “Biggest Loser” participant Rachel. I am not a big fan of the show and I do not watch it, so I after I had heard from a few different people about their opinions, I decided to do some internet research to see what the buzz was all about. Rachel who is 5’4″ tall, initially weighed 260lbs and left the ranch weighing in at 150lbs. She lost an additional 45lbs at home before the finale aired, results in a weight of 105lbs. Many were saying she looked underweight, unhealthy, and some even used words such as anorexic or eating disorder. Those last two words are something I never take lightly as eating disorders are just as complicated as being overweight as they have many psychological factors to them, making them very challenging to deal with.
Well I was curious to see if she really was underweight so I did the BMI calculation and yes, she surely was…her BMI is 18, which means she is truly underweight according to this calculation. A healthy BMI is between 18.5-24.9. Even her trainers from the “Biggest Loser” wouldn’t comment on her weight loss (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20783820,00.html) which was very interesting to me. I am sure she feels like a whole new person but going from one extreme to the other in a short period of time is very unhealthy for our body and I think that’s what had most people concerned. Especially since she is in the eye of media and this can provide a lot of mixed messages to our population.
I have never been a fan of biggest loser type of programs as they are hard to stick with and most people do it for a short period of time (typically to win some money) and eventually revert back to their old ways while never adapting their lifestyle or habits. I know the good ol’ fashioned method of weight loss that I promote ie- healthy eating in moderation and regular activity results in a slower weight loss (1-2lbs/week), but it is something that most people can stick with and is a healthier way for our body to lose weight as we slowly adjust allowing our bodies to be more apt to keep the weight off in the long run. Our 12 week STRIVE 2 Survive program promotes balanced and healthy living. We teach you how to improve your diet and activity in ways that you can stick with and be successful long term. We never keep track of a total weight loss per session because that is not our goal. Instead we focus on individual improvements in body composition and lab work. There is always going to be the next best weight loss pill, method, or tool, but before you get involved, I encourage you to think twice and ask yourself if it’s something that you can stick with, is it realistic, is it healthy, etc. If you want to achieve a healthier body and a healthier weight in a healthy way, consider joining our 12 week wellness program starting March 4th! We can help you achieve a healthier lifestyle long term!!
-Kelsey
