February 7th,2010 
Last week,The Biggest Loser Asia Season 1:Episode 9 saw some of the most exciting events and the comments in The Biggest Loser Asia Facebook page reflected it. Among them I noticed that some commenters brought up an issue that has been on my mind for sometime now. I did bring up this issue in an earlier post of mine titled The Biggest Loser Asia Season 1:Random Review but I think it deserves its own post now. The issue in question is ”Which is a better method to gauge a contestant’s weight loss?”.
Normal calculation of weight loss (that is currently being used in The Biggest Loser Asia)
Previous weight = 200kgs, Current weight = 195kg, Weight loss = 5kgs
Percentage calculation of weight loss (that is currently being used in The Biggest Loser US)
Previous weight = 200kgs, Current weight = 195kg, Percentage weight loss = [5(weight loss)/200(previous weight)] x 100 = 2.5%
The Biggest Loser US switched to using percentages in it’s second season and has maintained it since. This leads us to believe that after much deliberation and experimenting they feel that calculating percentages is a better measure of weight loss. Even so let us consider some of the factors involved in measuring a contestant’s weight loss.
When weight loss is considered in terms of kgs/pounds instead of percentages,a heavier contestant,given adequate time and training,can lose more weight because he/she simply has more weight to lose. The smaller contestant has less weight to lose and has to stop losing weight at a certain point or he/she would run the risk of being underweight.
A bigger contestant whose fitness is on par with a smaller contestant and who is able to perform the exercises equally well and adopts the same diet plan will lose more weight because he/she carries more weight around when moving or exercising therefore expending or using up more energy(calories) which will result in a bigger weight loss.
On the other hand if percentages are used a bigger person will have to lose more weight to reach a certain percentage compared to a smaller person. If the heavier contestant is too big or unfit to perform the required training this will definitely cause him to lose less weight and consequently show a lower percentage. But again given the time frame an unfit contestant will get fitter in time enabling him to perform just as well in training and ultimately become a bigger threat. Using percentages are also better for smaller contestants because despite showing smaller numbers in kgs or pounds their percentages will give them a fighting chance against the heavier contestants.
Therefore in comparison,percentages does seem a fairer method to measure weight loss that benefits both bigger and smaller contestants whereas weight loss in kgs/pounds seem to favour the bigger contestants. If percentages are in fact a better method my next question would be why is it not being used in The Biggest Loser Asia. Do the producers of the show think that Asian viewers will not be able to comprehend the percentage method of calculation? Or is there a valid reason for starting off with just weight loss in kgs?
If you have a view that supports either method,or helps explain why The Biggest Loser Asia has chosen not to implement percentages in weigh-ins,please share it with us!
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Well. Firstly i think you are doing a great job here with all these write up and alot diet information to share with many people.. If i had not gotten into the show most properly all these tips you are putting up here will be a great use to me too..
I applause to what you are doing and simply loving every bit of it..
Thank you for taking time and effort into doing this..
I am very blessed to get selected onto the show and i simply must say your write up will also benefit me in my weight loss journey..
With lots of appreciation,definitely i will be here more often if i can.
Luv ya.
Thank you again
Marilyn Tay
Wow! Thank you so much Marilyn. Your encouraging words spur me futher!!
We will all be routing for you in the show! Go Marilyn Go!!!
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howdy,that’s a great post!
Its been a long time since i came here and i read my post,Its has brought back alot of memories.
Since 2010 i came back to work and i just slow down on my workout.
I should have left current job then and there and move into fitness,But i have plans for this March to start working out Daily and finish what i started.
I got alittle lost but i had never once given up.
Indeed like i said,Without your wonderful post and updates.. I might still more lost
I believe and i know i can do it again with the right diet and workout.
Thanks shamala.
It should be me who thanks you Marilyn. I'm in the same boat as yours,busy with work and obligations and neglecting exercise and diet and struggling with just maintaining my weight. I guess for people like us who are not blessed with thin genes,there is no end to weight loss. We will need to watch what we eat and keep to our workouts.
I believe in you Marilyn. You were a wonderful example then and will always be. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and giving me the encouragement that I need now. Bless you and I wish you all the best!!!