When losers become winners

MANILA, Philippines - What do you do when you’re overweight and need a major boost to shed extra pounds? For some, the answer is simple — join NBC’s hit series The Biggest Loser, Season 6 which airs Tuesday nights at 9 on Hallmark Channel.

The series, which centers on the transformation of overweight contestants into healthier, thinner people with $250,000 as an incentive, now has local versions in several countries including Australia, India, Brazil, the UK, the Netherlands, Israel and Germany. People from all walks of life have joined, but in recent seasons, The Biggest Loser has focused on helping couples and families.

Hosted by Alison Sweeney, alongside trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, The Biggest Loser is structured to Survivor, where contestants literally live, eat and do things together. Of course, typical of any reality show that involves everyone living under one roof, both bonding and personality clashes tend to occur.

With the help of Harper and Michaels, contestants learn how to eat and exercise their way to a fitter and healthier lifestyle. A lot of them struggle with this as they grapple with several problems — adjusting to a new way of living and getting along with teammates, among others. Some have emotional outbursts and difficulty accepting failures in team tasks, and as such, end up blaming themselves or others. However, they are constantly reminded by their trainers that it is not about becoming stick-thin, but about improving quality of life.

Parents and kids have expressed appreciation for the show’s positive take on becoming and staying healthy — that being fit does not necessarily mean having a supermodel’s body, but by taking care of it through a nutritious diet and regular exercise.

Perhaps that is the reason why The Biggest Loser has gained such a massive following. The overall relevance of the show is evident, as we now live in a world plagued with issues of self-esteem and confidence, and where many believe that being a size zero is the key to acceptance in a weight-conscious society.

Whether you are overweight, underweight, or even just a person who is too busy to eat right, The Biggest Loser is a great series to follow. No matter what type of weight or diet problem you have, it all boils down to the same reasons — the struggle to fit in, ignorance, or the passive acceptance of a state of your health. The choice is up to you. Just like the contestants, you have every chance to take that step forward and proactively pursue a life well-lived.