Biggest Losers = Biggest Brats

I took to the elliptical two nights ago and put on an episode of "The Biggest Loser" from the on-demand channel. If you aren't familiar with this show, it's a pretty extreme weight loss game show. There are competitors who are put into teams and people get voted off every week. It's a good perspective on how a complete change of lifestyle and choices can make you healthier. It is an extreme perspective, however, mainly because the contestants on this show get to leave their daily lives and go somewhere to focus on nothing but changing their diets, learning to exercise and working on themselves and their issues. They don't have to work. They don't have to check their kids' homework. They don't get annoying telemarketer phone calls. They don't go to the grocery store and I suspect they don't even do their own laundry or housekeeping. If I were placed in a situation like that, I better damn well be in the very best shape of my life by the time I leave.

Thousands of people audition for this show and only a few get selected every season. (This season features twelve teams of two or something like that.) They have the privilege of having excellent trainers, comfortable living conditions, and all of the right equipment, gear, food, etc. to put them on the path to success. All they have to do is put the effort in.

But so many of them whine, cry and complain about how difficult it is. They whine because they are too tired or because it is too difficult. They cry when they only lose 3 pounds in one week. They complain that their world renowned highly successful trainer is too hard on them.

They make me embarrassed to be part of the same species. Surely this MUST be a dramatic act to make the show more interesting. Surely there is NO WAY this many of them are looking a gift horse in the mouth. Surely they cannot be serious about feeling like a "failure" for making progress, no matter how small, that they would have neverevereverever made on their own at home. Surely they are not even dare thinking of giving up this rare opportunity to change their lives forever all because it's difficult. Please someone tell me that when this bratty behavior comes about, that they are not serious.

It gets worse. If being ungrateful enough to complain, whine and cry about having this rare and highly desired spot on this show is not enough to make me wonder who the hell these people think they are, my shock and disdain only multiply when they start fighting amongst themselves!!! Let me get this straight- not only are you going to bitch and moan about how difficult your once in a life time amazing opportunity is, but you are going to get all catty and particular about your surroundings and living circumstances???? You are seriously going to allow a clash in personalities to affect this shot at finally getting healthy? Really? How many people would practically give a limb to be in your position while you are wasting breath and energy and air time complaining about fellow contestants? I would give nothing short of my utmost effort to live harmoniously if given such an opportunity even if the rest of the contestants were covered in their own feces. Yeah, I thought that through. And I'm certain that I would.

While I understand that they are human beings with real emotions and they ought to be given the freedom to express themselves, I do not get it. Even if every single one of their mommas didn't raise them right, I find it so hard to comprehend how in the world one could even utter a single word that implies anything but and attitude of gratitude on this show. Where did the producers find these people? Was this negative attitude part of a casting requirement? Is the lack of good footage such that they must subject millions of viewers to such a disappointing amount of bull shit?

If you had a shot at this kind of redemption, would you behave this way? In front of a camera? For the whole nation to see? These people ought to be hanging their heads in shame even though that won't burn as many calories as bitching about their privilege. They ought to look straight into the camera and apologize at the end of every episode and express their gratefulness for the honor of being on this show. An opportunity to change and EXTEND your life. A blessing of help and guidance. A chance at AN ABSURD AMOUNT OF MONEY IN EXCHANGE FOR USING EVERYTHING THAT IS HANDED TO YOU TO MAKE YOURSELF HEALTHY. Where do they find the nerve to utter a single complaint?????????