It’s hard to believe I’ve been coaching clients in fitness and nutrition for over 20 years. I started fresh out of college, working at the local 24-Hour Fitness as both a personal trainer and group fitness instructor.
At that time, 24 Hour Fitness was a sponsor of The Biggest Loser, which was just starting to gain traction. I felt like I should watch it since it was connected to the industry I worked in—but after just a few episodes, I was horrified.
The way the trainers treated contestants was appalling-the yelling, belittling, pushing them far past their limits until people collapsed, vomited, or even got injured. Not to mention the extreme exercise demands and restrictive eating protocols that were pushed on them. It was clear this show was a massive red flag.
As a coach, I couldn’t support it. It went against everything I believed in, and everything that drove me to become a coach in the first place. I’ve always believed that exercise and healthy eating can transform lives—not just for weight loss, but for reversing chronic pain, preventing disease, and helping people feel stronger and healthier every day.
For me, weight loss has never been the only goal for my clients. It’s always been about helping people build healthier habits—learning how to eat well, move safely, and live a sustainable healthy lifestyle. When you focus on habits, the results follow naturally. And more importantly, they last.
Years later, after I’d long dismissed the show, I wasn’t at all surprised when reports surfaced that most contestants had regained the weight and then some. That’s what happens when you combine severe calorie restriction with extreme exercise. It wrecks the body, slows metabolism, and makes long-term success nearly impossible.
As coaches, we’ve known this for years: the slower and more gradual the weight loss, the more likely it is to last. Unfortunately, our culture is obsessed with quick results—which is exactly what keeps fad diets, extreme programs, and companies that prey on insecurities in business.
Looking back at the 17 seasons of The Biggest Loser, I think the biggest lesson is this: sustainable weight loss (if that’s your goal) comes from simple, consistent habits:
Eating mostly whole foods with a focus on protein and fiber.
Moving regularly with daily walks, stretching, and strength training 2–3x per week.
Prioritizing quality sleep, managing stress, and staying connected socially.
It’s not glamorous. It’s not fast. But patience and consistency are the keys to real success. When you get the basics right, everything else falls into place.
So, I’m curious: did you ever watch The Biggest Loser when it aired? What were your thoughts back then? And have you seen the Netflix documentary Fit for Life: The Reality of The Biggest Loser? If so, what did you think after watching it?
I’d love to hear your perspective.
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