Why I don't watch 'Biggest Loser....

I choose to watch some TV programs and,  even if only by exclusion, not others - such as 'Biggest Loser'.

Rather than whinge about the show, I change channel or find something more exciting or entertaining to do - like watch night arrive.

Confession,  I did see 20-30minutes of one episode in it's 2nd season, and occasionally see/hear a snippet or ad.

Given my line of work - sports coaching, fitness coaching and Physical Education teaching - I'm asked what I think about BL. "Not much!" is my double-gilded reply.

I'm not saying the show is good or bad, or shouldn't be produced nor viewed.
I'm simply explaining my reasons - right or wrong - for choosing not to watch it.
If it floats your boat or 'inspires' you...great!
If it makes you feel good about yourself, well, umm...errr, good for you too.

Me though, "I choose not to watch it because..."

Ethics:
I find it difficult to see individuals, families, parent & child or towns taken out of their 'normal' contexts, put through a series of exercise, nutrition and weigh-in charades, and compete for money in front of cameras and crowds. 
And...then have it portrayed as REAL. 
REAL(ity) TV, bahaha.

"We're changing the world" I've heard one of the trainers say.
I  passed out laughing, "yeah, right, but you have no idea how!"

What of those who don't make it through the screening process -  for entertainment, current or past emotional wellbeing, or health reasons? Why are some chosen and not others? Is it because some are likely to be a better story or show than others? Who has the right to say that those "reality TV" show are more-or less real (or deserving) than others - TV producers, scriptwriters, production designers, and sponsors? Not in my world. REAL life is neither screened, edited, scripted, post-produced, marketed and sold. It's usually what we make of it.

What about the liability waivers, exclusivity rights, and back-room sponsorship deals and editing? Oh sure, the story-telling makes it more "real". Life changing, huh?

And the scales? In the 21st century is weight still the cornerstone of "health"? Is this the same television station that, in other productions (shows) aims to discourage the focus with thinness, wellbeing, advertising magazines, models as messages sent to youth? What messages does BL send to youth about health, weight, exercise and 'shame'? Maybe BL is a synonym for hypocrisy.

What about  blood cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose blood levels, and blood pressure as indicators of cardiovascular health;  coritsol and urea levels - indicating the enormous catabolic and physical stress their bodies are going through? And the injuries, and puking, and feinting?
Not one off success-cases...ALL participants.  Where are those "real" results?

I'd like to know the REAL figures on how many apply, then screened are rejected - yup that'll make them feel great about themselves! And, how many successfully maintain their weight loss, and lifestyle change. I'm tipping those figures aren't too high, maybe inversely proportional to ratings.

Sure, aspects of Western/consumer culture is competitive and, unfortunately, people are exploited - some knowingly, others unwittingly. That doesn't mean I have to or should watch it on TV.

Exploitation:
 I'm appalled by what I've seen and heard in the manner and tone in which the trainers push, prod, cajole, force, undermine, embarrass and ridicule the participants - both to their faces, and in personal interviews - all under the guide "don't be a failure". Finish that rep, climb that step, do it with pep and make money for the TV station's owners, shareholders and advertisers.
No wonder they're called "trainers". Give them a whip and send them off to the zoo - apologies to all animal lovers, and m my pets.

Money, entertainment and careers are being made on the participants' waivers, sweat, ridicule, life history, emotional wellbeing, and shame - all where exercise has come to be viewed as excessive "working out" and accepted as normal.

When is it okay to shame, bias, discriminate and exploit by race, creed, religion or gender? But it's okay to do it by weight and fatness and emotional fragility, on public television? Hmm.

I'm sure the trainers are doing well for themselves too. Good luck to them. Like all of us, they have a right to make a living, and rub shoulders with celebrities. I hope they feel good and sleep well at night exploiting the participants the way they appear to, and undermining the good work many health professionals do in instructing and educating about sustainable lifestyle choices, habits and routines by exploiting the myths, misperceptions and fallacies about what is 'appropriate' and 'normal' exercise and nutrition for individuals.

And what of the viewers? Exploited too. Sponsors? Ditto.

Professional Prostitution:
The BL exercises, activities, motivational strategies and nutritional practise are neither mainstream nor professional. They're for drama and ratings. Don't view and accept this as standard practise by most certificated PTs or by more appropriately trained and qualified health, exercise and nutrition professionals

First and foremost the most important principle of (fitness/exercise/sport) training is individuality - what suits, works for and is effective and sustainable for some, isn't for others. Arguable, some will say specificity is most important. Ok, sure, be specific to the background, current capacity, lifestyle, motivation and goals of each participant.  

For supposedly professional PTs on a national television show, where is the individuality? Activities and exercises are "one for all" on BL. That is neither ethical, professional nor effective.

For years, organisations have worked hard to improve the qualifications, experience and application of professionals who work in health, exercise and fitness- related areas. ACHPER (the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education & Recreation) is one, albeit predominantly aimed at 3 and 4 year graduates and those who practise/teach in schools.
I wonder what ACHPER members think of BL?
I'd assume health and PE teachers would use BL as a great resource to be 'critically examined' with students.

ESSA (Exercise & Sport Science Australia) is another, promoting 3-4 year trained graduates (as a minimum part registration requirement) to work predominantly with health-related issues and allied practitioners as different to sport science, sports conditioning and generic fitness.
ESSA members must (or, should) shake their heads in BL disbelief.

Then there are the Personal Trainers who may complete a weekend, 20-40 hour, and/or online course to become registered. I'm sure some PTs do a great job, yet I see EVERY day - in gyms, parks, pools and beachside - PTs explaining, prescribing and instructing things that, well - to be kind - probably should be modified. Yet, I digress...

That said, the "in your face", "attitude", "bad ass", "one more rep/step", "failure now means failure forever", "you're fat, lazy and dishonest" approaches that seem to dominate BL practise are not the way most PTs, PCs or coaches practise. Be wary assuming and accepting that it is.

The exercise routines, circuits and activities of BL are certainly not standard practise either. Of course, most are devised with drama, the story, viewers, and ratings in mind.

And the dominant  motivational tactics of shame, ridicule, embarrassment, isolation, peer pressure and failure is shocking.  I know who the Big Losers are.
Yet, the reps must be done, the food shunned, and the drama must rate!

Similarly, although areas overlap, PTs, Instructors, Teachers, Coaches and Educators aren't the same things, nor strategies used. Aim to be educated, not trained.

Does anyone know if the doctor/s and nutritionist/dietitians, who support these charades, have never shown their faces and/or real names? Surely, given the risks the participants go through, there is professional medical and nutrition advice?  If they don't exist, how do you spell 'liaBiLity'?

Dramatisation:
From an ad. 

On the possibility of a 20+yo being evicted, a teary participant says, "this opportunity means the difference between life and death for me".

Puhh-leeez...that opportunity presents itself EVERY time we all sit down or drive-through to eat, snack, binge or drink; say 'no' to exercise, find the closest car-park to a destination, or take the escalator instead of the stairs; or, won't consider getting 'real' and professional help.

I've already commented on the motivational shenanigans the trainers use to dramatise the compulsion that the participants "must do one more rep, or one more step, or be a failure for the rest of your life".

Choices. First, honesty. Second, professional help and guidance. Third, moderation, Fourth, persistence and patience. Limit the drama.

Misappropriation:
(noun) to put to a 'wrong' use.
'Wrong' comes in various shapes, sizes and guises.

That said, from my perspective(s), I feel what is portrayed as professional, normal, respectful, and just is simply not indicative of "real life" for those who may be challenged by health, emotional, and discriminatory issues associated with weight, body fat, and exercise.

In some ways this encapsulates the reasons why I won't and don't watch BL.
In one sense I wonder who the Biggest Losers are - the participants for losing weight at the expense of drama and being shamed and exploited; the viewers for accepting that it is real and what is being done is professional, safe and standard practise; the PTs for their "do it my fail or fail forever"  portrayal of health, exercise and professional practise; the producers and sponsors who may simply make ratings and dollars from exploitation, dramatisation, professional prostitution and call their entertainment 'reality TV'.

Maybe I'm the Biggest Loser. 
Maybe I've got it wrong, and am missing out by not buying in.
Maybe.
Yet, I choose not to watch. 
And, now you know why.

Run Training Traps - 1

We all got into running for one reason or another – some of you recently, a few of us many years ago. You enjoy the active and running lifestyle for your own reasons: health, fitness, wellbeing, state-of-mind, participation, performance, perfection or podium and, in some sense, pride.

Some things have changed; some things haven’t. Your training comes to reflect the reasons why you run. The basics haven’t changed: you still need to run to get running’s benefits: swim, cycle and gym are good, but not as good.

You want training to be what you want it to be, and effective. Yet, amongst the technology, self-professed gurus, and Coach-google, basic training errors are still made: many out of running’s present culture, some out of habit and ego. Are you trapped by these?

Remember, what works for the pros and what are promoted as “the best”, “the most effective”, “the ideal”, “the latest” or “short-cuts ” are rarely what they are made out to be. They simply don’t work for most. Perhaps these are your trap?

Through 2010-14 I have held discussions, meetings, race and program reviews, and constructed strategic performance plans with over 700 runners and coaches (and 350+ triathletes). Here are the Top Ten Run-training Traps as a summary. There’s also a cure or ‘get-out’, and a long-term prevention strategy for each.

Trap 1: Training habits: Many do what or how they were training when they started. You’ll improve for your first few years regardless of what you do, so you keep doing it.  Some habits are positive, some aren’t. As your body and experience change, so must your training.

 Get out: read, ask, listen, learn and, importantly, educate yourself about yourself and how you respond to different types of sessions, and how your body adapts to accumulated sessions (training)

Prevention: keep a log and journal. Use these, with race and test results to review, revise and re-work your training, races, and macrocycle or year. Plan to do differently next race (or season). Then act.

How have you been  'trapped' by your training?

What did you do to get out?

The BIG Race 3

Mornings in Melbourne deliver all sorts of things.
Particularly in Winter.

At 7 this morning, when the 10km and 21km Run Melbourne events started, it was crisp and a northerly wind detracted from any bonus warmth the approaching Sun may have promised. Yet, it didn't deter the many of thousands running, jogging and walking.

A handful of us (in2runners) had the pleasure of enjoying parts of our Sunday long run while running alongside the course.

Although few words were uttered, the faces of many told much of their journey. Particularly at the finish-line.

A race is often a BIG thing for athletes; for people that compete against others or themselves, and against the course and the clock. For some it's about participating and finishing.

Yet, what is it that can make a race BIG?

A BIG race can come in all shapes and sizes, obviously. More importantly, the 'big' is more pertinent as to why it is important to the people that enter, participate, race and finish.

Although the origin of the word BIG is a bit of a mystery, it's evolved from a meaning of powerful or strong. I like this idea. It's a different perspective on BIG as large. This sense creates the idea of BIG conviction, strength and determination.

A BIG race, then can be any of:

• a race that is longer or further than you've ever done, or dreamt possible
• a race distance you complete faster than before - an IWR, an Individual World Record (or PB)
• a race or course that only goes up - a mountain run
• a race or course with large changes in elevation
• a race you paid big entry, travel and accommodation fees to enter and attend
• a race with 5-, 10-, 50- or 70-thousand people in it
• a race in a big city: London, Tokyo, Berlin, Rotterdam, Paris
• a famous race: Comrades, Sydney's City to Surf
• one of USA's BIG four: Chicago, New York, Boston
• the only race you do, ever
• your first race, your first marathon; your first cross-country, trail-, mountain-, track-, parkour- or urban-run
• a race you enter and raise money for charity
• the key focus or priority race for your season or year
• your first team or relay race
• the only or first race you beat your training partner, spouse, child, parent, coach, boss
• the race that sends you off to a representative team
• the race that opens the eyes of selectors, recruiters and scholarship providers
• the race you beat your ultimate rival in: Coe vs Ovett, Tergat vs Gabrisellesie, *Scott vs Allen
• a race you need to finish or beat someone for a bet
• a race (event) that see you travel interstate or overseas
• a race set along one of the world's natural or built wonders: by the Nile, the Grand Canyon, the Great Wall of China
• a race at a championship level: school, region, province, state, national, international
• a race at the Commonwealth, European, World championship, or Olympic Games
• a podium finish
• a first place
• just finishing
• a race that provides proof
• a race that let's you know you are okay
•  a race that inspires you
• a race that reminds you of why you run
• an event that reminds you that you're of the human race

Races can deliver all sorts of things. Some are BIGger than others.

Their importance to individuals has the potential to deliver moer than a crisp Winter morning in Melbourne.

At least, they deliver a knowing and warm smile.

And something so small can be so big!

Programs 102: The puzzle

A good (training) program is like a jig-saw puzzle.

You know where you want to finish, you can see your destination - the completed puzzle. You've got a bunch of pieces (or sessions) to put together. And, you've got time.

Jig-saws are puzzling, haha. Everyone knows how to do them yet, there are no rules for completing them. Or are there?   Training programs are similar.

Try this:

Scenario One: you purchase your puzzle. You take it home. You look at the picture.  You empty all the pieces from the box. You check the time. You begin: collate the corners and edges, then group the objects and colored features. Piece by piece, over time, your puzzle - your destination - comes together. You have a break every now and then. On return, refreshed, you complete more.

Scenario Two: you have an event to train for, a race. You've entered. You sit down to plan your journey. You've got 16 weeks. You know the race length, the topography, the  likely conditions. You note your family and work demands. You draft a plan. You note down some favourite sessions, some need to do sessions, and some must do sessions. You take pride in outlining tougher sessions. You plan some easier sessions, and schedule some 'lighter weeks'. You re-wrok your plan.

The completed jig-saw puzzle is your race, your destination - the end-product. The unwritten rules of jig-sawing (corners, edges, objects, colors etc), are the training principles that underpin "good" program design and implementation. They're often implied, but need to be mastered. The pieces you put together are the individual training elements, activities and sessions you juggle with the rest of your life(-style). The mental breaks equate with lighter sessions, rest days and 'unloading' weeks.

The point of difference: life is four dimensional, at least. You live and breathe it over time; your program requires flexibility. The jig-saw, modern versions aside, are 2-D. Their pictures are static. The 'picture' which is your destination - the race - evolves a little as time strides by, and you need to juggle the newly shaped pieces.


We need to jiggle and juggle, and jog and wiggle to complete the puzzle that is a race, and running


And life.