Weight just a minute

[Guest guest]

TWO contestants on The Biggest Loser have warned dieters they are destined to fail if they try to emulate the weight-loss techniques portrayed on the show.

It comes after the top-rating Channel Ten series was slammed by Food & Nutrition Australia (F & NA) last week for promoting an unrealistic weight-loss regime.

NSW contestants Donaghy and Mel agree it would be impossible to maintain the diet and exercise program they undertook.

"We're under extraordinary circumstances in there," Ms said. "I always tell people you can't expect to lose the amount of weight we lost on the show. All we did was train 24/7. Who in normal life can fit in four hours of training a day?

"Of course it's unrealistic. Realistic weight-loss is half a kilo to a kilo a week."

Ms , of Wollongong, who weighed 108 kilograms when she joined the The Biggest Loser, and shed more than 30 kilograms, says her weight-loss slowed dramatically once she left the compound where the contestants live.

"Since being on the outside I haven't had the massive weight-loss I had while inside the house," she said. "That's because I am trying to lead a normal life."

Last week an expert from F & NA warned that the program presented an unhealthy and unrealistic weight-loss regime and some contestants would put the weight back on.

F & NA dietitian Sharon Natoli said: "It's easier for them to lose that weight when they have that support [within the show], but at home it will be a lot harder to lose weight."

Caringbah-based police officer Donaghy said she continued to lose weight after being eliminated from the show in its second week, but it had been a slow process.

"When you're in the house you have the trainers there and the food there and no outside influences or temptations," she said, having dropped almost 30 kilograms from her 116-kilogram frame.

"But once you have learnt all of those things there is no reason why you can't continue your weight-loss journey outside the house. It will be slower, that's inevitable, but it doesn't mean you can't still get a good result."

Both women are delighted with their new shapes and will compare results with fellow contestants at this week's grand final, to air on Thursday.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/weight-just-a-minute/2007/04/21/1176697146983.html