With the release of the docuseries Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser last week, a reality show that was once a starting point for casual conversation is once again at the front of people’s minds.

With some time removed since The Big Loser aired (it ran from 2004 to 2016, with a brief reboot in 2020), society has had some time to reflect on the lifestyle the show promoted—mostly about what not to do. Here are some of the top lessons we learn from The Biggest Loser era.

1. Extreme weight loss isn’t sustainable or healthy

Contestants on The Big Loser often lost a ton of weight in a short amount of time. This makes for great television, but not great health. Most contestants regained the weight back later, and the extreme techniques they used to lose weight—such as severe calorie restriction and overexercising—did more harm than good, even causing problems like slowed metabolism or eating disorders later on.

Weight loss should be a journey, not an event. The best way to maintain weight loss is to incorporate healthy habits you can actually sustain long term.

2. Health ≠ the number on the scale

The show also fixated on how much each contestant weighed, with hitting a certain number being the only barometer for success. While weight is an important aspect of health, it is not everything. Muscle strength, mental health, blood pressure, blood sugar, and mobility are just a few aspects of our health story the scale doesn’t tell.

At Shed, we celebrate the non-scale victories just as much as weight-loss progress. Maybe you can climb a few flights of stairs without losing your breath now, or your wedding ring fits for the first time in a decade, or you’re spending more time with your kids because you can actually keep up with them now (some of the time, at least—no health transformation is going to give you the energy of a child!). All of these moments are part of your overall health, even if they can’t be tracked or measured as easily as your weight. 

3. Willpower isn’t enough

Contestants on The Biggest Loser lost weight through sheer strength of will, enduring extreme diets and exercise regimens as well as the punishing culture on set.

But if there’s one thing the GLP-1 era of weight loss has taught us, it’s this: it’s not always up to us how much weight we lose. Weight management is about more than diet, exercise, and good intentions. Hormones, cravings, the big food industry, our busy schedules, and even the environment we live in all affect our weight too, and we can’t always control these factors. GLP-1s like semaglutide and tirzepatide have helped thousands of people hit elusive weight-loss goals and take back control over their cravings—without having to rely on willpower to succeed or endure shame and guilt to stay motivated.

4. Slow and steady is better than fast and dramatic

As we saw in The Biggest Loser, quick “fixes” like heavy calorie restrictions and unrealistic amounts of exercise may have given the audience and showrunners the dramatic results they wanted, but it came at a cost. Contestants dealt with dehydration, disordered eating, and slowed metabolism during and/or after the show, a price too heavy for the weight loss they achieved.

Any program promising rapid results often overlooks long-term safety, which is why Shed focuses on sustainable results and building healthy habits. GLP-1 medication, and any weight-loss plan, is a behavior-change tool, not a shortcut to quick weight loss. 

5. Science matters more than drama

The Biggest Loser capitalized on the drama of weight loss, using whatever means necessary to get the results the show wanted, whether it was safe or not. And if viewership is any indication, it worked.

Flashy trends and dramatic weight-loss transformations are still all over social media, but society is more aware than ever of the need for science to inform our decisions about health. At Shed, we go with what the science says, rather than chasing the latest fads.

The big picture

The Biggest Loser shows us that while extreme weight-loss methods may create exciting TV, they don’t lead to lasting health, or even lasting weight loss. Long-term habits are what truly matter and will help you reach health goals beyond the number on the scale. Visit tryshed.com today to start your weight-loss journey.

‍

FAQs

Why was The Biggest Loser considered unhealthy?

The show pushed contestants to lose extreme amounts of weight through starvation-level diets and punishing workouts. Many faced dehydration, injuries, and long-term metabolic health issues. While losing weight is generally considered a good thing, The Biggest Loser’s approach to weight loss was not sustainable or safe.

Why did most contestants on The Big Loser regain weight?

Most participants regained a significant portion of the weight they lost, partly due to slowed metabolism and habits they adopted during filming that weren’t sustainable. Long-term weight management is best achieved through gradual, realistic lifestyle changes. 

What’s the healthiest way to lose weight?

Weight loss should be slow and steady. Aim for losing 1–2 pounds per week through nutritious diet, regular exercise, good sleep, and, if recommended by your doctor, weight-loss support like a GLP-1 medication. This steady approach protects metabolism and makes results easier to sustain.

Is it possible to be overweight and still be healthy?

While weight is an important part of health, it is not the only measurement that matters. Blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels all should be taken into account too, and so should things like sleep, stress management, fitness, and mental health. Having healthy levels across most aspects of health is more important than hitting a certain number on the scale. That being said, losing weight tends to improve other health markers, so weight shouldn’t be discounted altogether—it’s all connected! 

What is Shed’s approach to weight loss?

Shed offers a science-backed, coach-supported approach to weight loss. Because health is personal, and every person’s weight-loss journey is different. Visit tryshed.com today to learn more about the products Shed offers or to set up a consultation with one of our health coaches.