After 17 seasons, the popular NBC reality show, The Biggest Loser, was canceled on Feb. 22, 2016. The reality show features contestants attempting to lose an unrealistic amount of weight in four months. On May 20, 2019, it was announced that a reboot of the show would premiere in the year 2020.

The Biggest Loser is currently airing on the USA network, however, the show must be canceled for good. Contestants are trained to lose as much weight as possible each week and if unable to do so, this results in their elimination. This unhealthy program manipulates contestants to stay for the reward of a grand cash prize that is presented to whoever loses the most weight.

I grew up watching The Biggest Loser and believed the dangerous lifestyle taught on the show was normal. Many kids, teens and adults engaging in the series are influenced to trust that The Biggest Loser represents how to lose weight. The fitness trainers put the audience under the impression that they are honest professionals seeking only the best for their contestants.

After becoming educated on healthy eating and exercising, it is evident that The Biggest Loser represents the exact opposite of a positive way of living. Before falling into the trap of watching The Biggest Loser, it is important to understand why this show has completely missed the idea of a lifestyle transformation.

My first major concern about The Biggest Loser is the workout time and type — the trainers have the contestants work out for at least four hours a day. It is not realistic for someone to spend four hours a day at the gym. Working out for a substantial amount of time is dangerous because you are overworking your body to an unhealthy extent.

The workout intensity levels are extremely high for beginners. People who have never worked out before can not immediately run miles a day; it is not realistic. Many episodes reveal the contestants throwing up and passing out while trying to complete their workouts, which is also caused by their scarce diet.

An example breakfast option on The Biggest Loser consists of one egg white and one apple. When working out excessively, the body needs to use nutrients as fuel. The contestants are not receiving enough calories or nutrients (like carbohydrates and protein) needed in order to recover from their exhausting workouts.

People who favor The Biggest Loser may argue that the show helps the contestants turn their life around. The Biggest Loser does not disclose a positive lifestyle transformation and encourages negative eating and workout habits for the future.

Throughout the 11 weeks, the contestants are stripped of their humanity. They are told to eliminate all “bad” foods, which does not allow them to indulge in unhealthy foods in moderation. Any fitness expert would argue that in order to maintain a consistently healthy lifestyle, you have to allow yourself to “cheat” every so often.

If it appears at the weekly weigh-in that a contestant did not lose “enough” weight, they will be knocked out of the competition. This puts a plateau on their progression because they are discouraged from the numbers on the scale; a healthy body is more than just numbers. When they return home, they will not have the proper education on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and will go back to their past eating habits.

The Biggest Loser encourages a dangerous lifestyle rather than teaching consistency. If you are trying to lose weight, eat healthier or start a workout program — The Biggest Loser does not represent the best way to transform your life. I hope this is the last season on all media networks — The Biggest Loser is canceled.