Some Contestants Felt Pressured to Sign Their Contracts

Source: NETFLIX'Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser' revealed shocking truths about the reality competition series.

Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser gave a thorough examination of the hit reality competition show and the harsh realities contestants went through during its run.

In the three-part Netflix documentary series, several former contestants expressed the contract process felt hurried before appearing on the show.

The Biggest Loser Season 8 star Tracey Yukich said her contract was "very thick," adding, "I remember reading it and thinking, 'I am not qualified to read this.'" When she requested an attorney to guide her, the producers allegedly hinted that her spot on the show could be at risk if a delay was to happen."[Producers said] 'Sure, we can get you an attorney... But I got 10 other people waiting for your spot... So sign it and move on,'" she continued.

Meanwhile, Season 8 winner Danny Cahill admitted he was worried about the terms, as they included the possibility of death. Still, he signed the contract to take advantage of the opportunity to appear on the show.

Suzanne Mendonca Was Told to Gain Extra Weight

Source: NETFLIX'Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser' is a three-part documentary series on Netflix.

In the documentary, The Biggest Loser Season 2 alum Suzanne Mendonca recalled telling the producers she had begun exercising and eating healthy meals. Instead of supporting the path she was on, she reportedly received a negative response."They would say, 'No, we don't want you to do that. We want you to gain more weight,'" she continued. "I wanted to be on the show so badly that I did gain extra weight."Mendonca pointed out the show eventually caused her to lose her sense of identity, stating, "I didn't know who I was, financially, emotionally, mentally, physically. I came back with a severe eating disorder. I stopped eating."

Tracey Yukich Almost Died During the First Challenge

Source: NETFLIX'Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser' premiered on Netflix on August 15.

According to Yukich, she "cheated death" when she contracted a rare muscle injury during the first challenge."Rhabdomyolysis is your body saying, 'I'm going to shut down on you,'" she said of her injury, which happens when one's muscles break down. "It started with my liver, then it went to my kidneys and then it goes to your heart. And that's where I almost died."

Contestants Endured an 800-Calorie Daily Diet

Source: NETFLIXNBC premiered 'The Biggest Loser' in 2004.

The Biggest Loser's medical advisor, Dr. Robert "H" Huizenga, and several contestants claimed trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels told the competitors to consume an unsafe amount of calories per day despite the medical professional's advice."My calorie count was lower than I think it should've been," said Cahill. "I was eating 800 calories and burning 6,000 to 8,000 a day. When I lowered the calories, I lost more."

Contestants Were Allegedly Given Caffeine Pills

Source: NETFLIXEach winner received the final cash prize of $250,000.

On Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser, cast members claimed they were given non-approved caffeine pills although they needed to shed pounds through diet and exercise."At some point I was given stackers, and a stacker was like a caffeine pill," Cahill said.

Dr. Huizenga noted the pills broke the imposed guidelines, explaining, "Caffeine, a weight loss pill, was absolutely against everything in the show. It was in the show rules, and the patients signed off to that and the trainers signed off to that, and all the producers signed off to that."

Contestants Worked Out for 8 Hours a Day

Source: NETFLIX'The Biggest Loser' featured contestants who had to lose as many pounds as possible during the 30-week competition.

Season 7 contestant Joelle Gwynn described contestants' workout routine as something that was burning more calories "than maybe even the military did in a day.""The first week, we needed to burn a minimum of 6,000 calories a day. Minimum," said Gwynn.

Cahill shared a similar comment, saying they worked out at the gym or outside for "five, six, seven, sometimes even eight hours a day.""I don't think it's realistic for anyone to maintain that level of activity unless they're a professional athlete," Season 3 contestant Jen Kerns expressed.

Most Contestants Gained Back the Weight They Lost

Source: NETFLIX'The Biggest Loser' ran for 18 seasons, including the 2020 reboot.



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