My name is Rochelle Rice, The Plus Size Movement Expert, and I do NOT want first lady Michelle Obama to appear on The Biggest Loser. Since 1995, I have been working passionately with the plus population. I believe all people have the right to a movement program that works FOR the larger body– not against it. The abuse that The Biggest Loser trainers lay on contestants is unacceptable. I felt the show was so over the top that in 2009 I auditioned for the show hoping to be cast as the compassionate trainer.
If Michelle Obama was to appear on this program, I am concerned this would further endorse the trainer to client abuse. When people are passing out, falling off their treadmills, puking and conducting ridiculous activities such as pushing a tire down a football field while being screamed at– tell me, HOW is this inspiring people to have a healthy relationship with their bodies? It’s our job as trainers to empower our clients through movement. The Biggest Loser does nothing but exploit the overweight person, and the trainers are an ethical disgrace to the fitness industry at large.
We absolutely need to lead an active lifestyle. But you should NEVER be disgraced, humiliated, cursed at, or set up for injury. I believe in helping clients develop a pleasurable experience with movement based on the Health at Every Size paradigm. I believe in teaching clients solid technique to avoid injury. And above all, I believe in helping clients create a peaceful relationship with their body. We must do this by teaching the JOY in movement. This is what we can do as health professionals to facilitate and encourage LASTING, POSITIVE change.
This is where I stand. I am asking the fitness industry associations like IDEA, ACE, AFAA and ACSM to review their code of ethics to include an end to weight discrimination. If you stand with me, you can begin by signing the change.org petition pleading Michelle Obama to not appear on The Biggest Loser. Thank you.
If you would like to get more involved:
Call: and ask her to please reconsider her appearance and to study the contents of the package she receives from BingeBehavior.com and the Binge Eating Disorder Association. The comments line is 202-456-1111.
Write: First Lady Michelle Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Tweet: RETWEET IF YOU AGREE @FLOTUS Raising my voice & asking others DO NOT APPEAR ON @BiggestLoserNBC. It is harmful & unhealthy entertainment.
If you are interested in the letter or other components of the package being sent to Michelle Obama, please visit: http://bingebehavior.com/biggest-loserfirst-lady-protest
Dear Rochelle,
God bless you and the work you do. Your insight and passion for movement for plus size people is amazing. You are amazing. Thank you for bringing attention to this but more importantly for doing what you do.
Robin
Robin – you are so very welcome! It is because of people like you – who have shared with me the challenges and triumphs – that I am able to bring this information forward to fitness trainers and health professionals. Blessings to you! And lots of love! :)
Shelly, perhaps you remember me, perhaps you don’t. But I applaud you for writing that. Yes, the objective is to move. But big people have other considerations, such as joints that might not react favorably to certain things that insensitive trainers might NOT take into regard. And you are correct about one more thing: Whatever “movement’ might be necessary for big people to start being in one with their bodies has to at least be enjoyable. Maybe not FUN, per se, but something you look forward to doing. For some, that’s as simple as a walk down the beach. Thanks for your stand on this.
Steve – of course I remember you! The man – and the family – who love to dance! Thank you very much for your comments! We certainly enjoyed our movement/dance at Sandra’s School of Dance and those memories live in me always! Being in one with the body has to start very slowly – one molecule at a time. How lucky we were to have community as well – like one big family! My very best to you and Linda! With appreciation to you for you taking the time to write. :)
Thank you Rochelle for speaking up so articulately. We have strayed so far away from self care and so many are not even aware how cruelty is normalized in the way trainers and others treat larger individuals.
I totally agree with your view on training overweight people, for being myself overweight I know that what those trainers are doing with the contestants is so wrong and dangerous for ingeries… doing exercise is important for a healthy life and loosing weight in a sensible way, but if your injured, you can’t exercise so where is the logic ? Humiliation is infuriating and the yelling to, I can’t even watch the program it makes me so sorry for those who are living this day after day… I’m for exercising and healthy eating, in a logical and sensible way, for the condition you’re in beggining with and progressively chalenge yourself to doing better and better. :)
Well, here’s the thing: These folks know what they are signing up for when they sign up for the show. After the first season, it became obvious what type of show it is. Whether Michelle Obama attends or not is NOT going to stop the style of the show. I think this video is a waste of time and so is your petition. I think you have a problem with Michelle herself, because you haven’t screamed for the boycott of any one else coming on the show. So stop being an attention hog and keep it moving. SMDH.
Thanks, Rochelle for you perspective. I know being shamed never works for me when it comes to body image or getting up mentally for the daily workout. Isn’t there some huge backsliding with these participants after the show is done yelling at them when they’re contestants? Keep spreading positive energy.
Janet – you are so right! ‘Many are not even aware how cruelty is normalized in the way trainers and others treat larger individuals!’ And then the plus size woman feels it is ‘her fault’ and the vicious cycle begins all over again. Sigh.
Author-Loves to Write – I certainly respect your viewpoint – that the contestants know what they are signing up for. I completely love and respect Michelle Obama. We are concerned that her status as a leader and champion of children’s health will implicitly condone the negative behaviors and outcomes of weight cycling. We are asking her to reconsider her participation and find a healthier vehicle to promote her Drink More Water campaign. This is all part of a much larger campaign including numerous organizations.
http://bingebehavior.com/biggest-loserfirst-lady-protest#.UmrRxVOs3a5
Great to hear from you Michael! Indeed there is a lot of back sliding after the show. But even more important to me is the lack of fun and joy in movement! Dropping f-bombs and screaming at contestants does nothing to create a healthy relationship with one’s body – male or female. Miss you so much my friend! NYC isn’t the same without you! Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it.
Annie – thank you so much for your comments. I think sometimes people are afraid to speak up thinking it’s their ‘fault’ or ‘no pain, no gain.’ Yes – we need to be active. But creating a Buffet of Movement(c) can certainly help make it a pleasurable experience! Here are the Health at Every Size (R) principles that guide me. All the very best to you!
https://www.sizediversityandhealth.org/content.asp?id=152