It’s almost been a week now since they crowned Asia’s FIRST Biggest Loser here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - and being one of the more prominent health and fitness blogs, and also someone who’s talked about the show quite a bit over the last few months here on my blog, I’ve had more than a few curious people writing to me wondering why I have had nothing to say about the crowning of the winner.
To be honest, I am not as shocked as most people are at what has happened. And as a week has gone by, it’s pretty obvious that all over the Internet, people are ‘unhappy’ about what the winner, David Gurnani, has achieved. Again.. I’m not surprised.
If you read some of the forums around, you’ll find that people are upset and are crying foul that David seemed ’sick’, ‘obvious that he starved himself’, won the title ‘unfairly’. People are saying ‘how can he be chosen to be the winner’, ‘he is not the picture of health’, and so on.
Well, I have one thing to say to you - ‘I TOLD YOU SO!!!’. (click to read)
I mean… what were you expecting?
In all fairness - yes, David is the winner because he lost the most weight - which is exactly what the show is about - weight loss. It doesn’t matter how you did it - just as long as you’re the lightest.
And yes, the transformations are amazing, jaw-dropping, and inspiring - but unfortunately, the show has not shown to millions of people that a healthy way of life is a realistic and an achievable goal. It has merely deceived everyone and set thousands of people up for failure already. People are now starting exercise programs and going on ‘diets’ thinking they’ll be 20kgs lighter in a few weeks - well, good luck. I just hope you’re not heavier 6 months down the road. What a huge blow to Asia’s obesity problem.
Please feel free to disagree with me, but in my opinion, anyone who thinks that David’s transformation is what healthy living and weight loss is all about needs to have their heads examined. Moreover, if you work in the fitness business and you’re speaking highly about what he’s achieved… then you need to consider another career - cos obviously… you’ve lost track of what you’re supposed to be doing, and I feel sorry for you.
On another note, I’m somewhat relieved because I know deep down that many people aren’t stupid and it doesn’t take a genius to realise that the ‘right way’ to weight loss doesn’t involve 8 - 10 hours of exercise per day, 7 days per week, and eating 800 calories per day. Come on… how the heck can you work out for 8 hours? I can’t even sit in front of my computer 8 hours per day!!
The Trainers
As for the trainers in the show - well yeah, there were some episodes where they may have shown some ugly sides, but I think that overall, they have done an awesome job. They have inspired and motivated thousands of people out there to get off the couch and do something. I had the privilege to have a really brief chat with Blue Team trainer Dave Nuku, and the Red Team’s Kristy Curtis on the day of the finale, and I think they’re great people who truly walk the talk and love what they do - and I look forward to watching them on the show’s second season.
So… with that, I’d like to conclude this post. It’s time for my next meal (I’m here at Bangsar, KL, and I’m SO gonna grab that grilled chicken sandwich from d’lish), as I intend to EAT, and not starve.
Oh.. and speaking about starvation… did you know…
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, India’s pre-eminent political and spiritual leader during the Indian independence movement undertook long fasts as a means of both self-purification and social protest.
And in 2010, David Gurnani starved himself followed the right dietary guidelines to win a grand prize of US$100,000.
Sorry - but if that’s what a healthy lifestyle, plenty of exercise, and strength training will make me look like… I’m giving it all up. Anyone wants my new pair of Under Armour trainers I’ve just ordered?
Fitness is a lifestyle, not a diet.
DM
P.S. - I’ve come to realise that some folks are pretty upset about my opinions of the show - well it’s too bad that you’re taking my opinions personally, cos they are not. I’m not condemning individuals, but instead, what the show tries to teach people. Take a step out of your shell and smell the air outside - realise that a majority of fitness professionals the world over, professional organisations, and even medical experts absolutely disagree with what the show is about - and I’m not just talking about the Asian version. So to that gentleman on Tuesday night who was really vocal and upset about my opinions… (I know you’re reading)… grow up. Shame on you for who you represent.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s really ironic what Google Ads is showing on your site right now.
There’s a really, really fat “Before” picture, and a skinny “After” picture, “Lost Fat Without Dieting”.
David obviously have not heard of Turbulence Training. If he did, he’d be banging his head on a wall right now for wasting all those precious time being stuck in a gym and working out 8 hours a day.
The man’s got determination, I’ll give him that. But sadly, it’s misplaced.
Haha yeah - I noticed! Darn google ads.
Yeah - actually, I do admire his determination. If every gym goer had just that alone, their success rates would jaw-dropping too.
I think Carlo looks way healthier than David!. David looks so unattractive I think the psychology aspect of losing weight should be incorporated in the BLA. If I’ve known better, anorexia nervosa also have the same obsessiveness about extreme exercising and dieting.
Why don’t u do an interview of the trainers with questions from your viewers? Since you’ve met them.
That would be a nice round up to hear their thoughts about the show. Hopefully they don’t get too defensive but at least to hear the other side of the story.
OMG David looks like druggie! He looks awful. And the way he did it? Do we really want to promote working out 8 hours a day, 7 days a week and limiting our calories as the way to a fit and healthy lifestyle?
Carlo should have won. At least he looks healthy.
Agree with Wena on the interview. And double agree with Yazmin about how sick David looks right now! Losing weight is not ALL about altering those numbers on the weighing scale. It’s about shedding those weight healthily and safely! What’s the point of being scrawny and look so ill? :P
I so agree with every single portion of this entry (incl PLEASE PASS ME YOUR UA Compression stuff!).
David is a winner and a loser at the same time. He won the money (i doubt he really need it) and he lost the faith of many people.
I would, like you, rahter eat, than look like him.
Ironically, before he lost his weight, ppl were calling him Gorilla.
After he lost it, he looked like a chimpanzee…
hi its really amazing
Love you Gandhi = David pic. Found another similar one on facebook. :D http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=245884&id=100000028964781&ref=mf
Let me put a twist to this. David WON the biggest loser -period. For money he did it. In theSun paper few days later, interview with him, he agreed that he starved to win the show. But he did mention that he would put some weight on to get back to his ideal weight of 84kgs. For that, I strongly believe deserved winner for a GAME.
Beside the money, there were a lot more other winners than Philiphino Fanatic Carlo and Aaron, I strongly believe Tony, Garry, Hafiz did extremely well and looked extremely great in the finale. Also not ruling out famous Kevin, who looked better with his new weight. This was a GAME program but it gave hope to a lot of people, hats off to Dave Nuku and Christy Curtis - job well done!!
As usual there a things that we can follow and can’t, so leave it to our discretion on these. Weight loss is a serious business and to do it, information plays a vital role - information about exercise, diet and lifestyle must, i repeat MUST be followed in order to lose weight and stay healthy.
Sorry, but I am not an expert of this as myself, I am on my journey to lose weight now, motivated by the Biggest Loser US and Asia.
Thank you.
Wena: Nah.. I’d rather not. Dont wan’t to open the Pandora’s box.
Razs: All the best! Eat well, train hard.
Stupe: Cannot la. They’re mine. heheh.
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