Biggest Loser Review

Gosh, it's almost over. Who will win? I have my favorite. Want Michael to win. Although Ashley's okay as well. And Darus. That would be fine with me. But not Koli. His intensity is frightening and I fear he will starve himself before the finale to win. To maintain the loss, it has to be a lifestyle and I don't believe that Koli has fashioned a lifestyle for himself. I think that the other three faced some of their demons when they were home. Darus still has some work to do since he turned to food right away. Ashley is working it out. Michael has a wonderfully supportive family. And I believe he will want to help his sister so he should be able to stick to the plan. It's hard to think of Michael as being as young as he is since he's such a huge guy. He seems, even with the loss, to be older. But I'm reminded of how young and inexperienced he is whenever he speaks. I am impressed with what he's accomplished, though. And I feel his pain--that he is still a fat man even though he's lost over 200 pounds.
I must reiterate how much I hate hate hate the product placement in the show. Jennie O turkey. Come on guys. It's annoying. It turns me off. Isn't it enough to say to use ground white turkey in the show and then follow that up with a commercial from Jennie O? I don't watch infomercials. If Biggest Loser becomes one big long infomercial, I'm outta here. 'Nuf said.
Interesting how Jillian has become a different person-still a little cursing but none of the insane Marine style training and name calling from the past. A nicer kinder Jillian is a better trainer and infitely more watchable. Bob? I'm neutral on Bob right now.
I look forward to the finale. And how will the winner look in six months? One year?
Arizona Ali has made being the Biggest Loser winner her life's work. She looks great. She is a motivating individual. What a gift for her to have lost the weight and found her "calling".
Is that what it takes? I would love to hear about all the finalists and how they've fared. Not because I want to point a finger and say nah nah nah, they couldn't maintain it. But because I'm curious. Is it necessary to become totally involved in fitness (a la Ali) or can one go back to regular life, regular job and maintain the weight?
Since we all can't be on the show (I'm not showing anyone my navel and I'm not jumping off tall buildings), what is the advice that we take from the show to help ourselves? Exercise? Gosh, we already knew that. Eat less? Eat Jennie O turkey? Drink Biggest Loser protein drinks? Eat Cheerios? Chew sugarless gum? I'm not sure any new knowledge has been imparted.
I know I watch because I get involved in the stories of the contestants. I want to know more about them; I want to watch them succeed. And that's all it's about. This show only changes the lives of the contestants. Although I guess that hundreds of people watching the show may have been empowered to make changes because of the success of the contestants. So, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there is lasting good. Or maybe it's just entertainment.