The season finale of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” shocked viewers on Feb. 4. The winner of the 15th season of the reality show, Rachel Frederickson did her final weigh in at 105 pounds.
The 24-year-old began the show about seven months ago weighing 260 pounds. After leaving the ranch about three months ago, Frederickson weighed in at 150 pounds. Now, Frederickson is down to a size 0/2, losing a total of 155 pounds over the last seven months.
Frederickson is 5’4”, and being at 105 pounds places her below her body mass index, according to the National Institutes of Health.
With people concerned that Frederickson may have taken dramatic measures for weight loss in order to win, she claimed that she absolutely feels healthy, according to “People.”
“First and foremost, my goals are to be healthy and strong,” said Frederickson. “I am an athlete. I’ve been an athlete since I was a little girl. I went on ‘The Biggest Loser’ to find that confidence that I lost.”
Frederickson was a swimmer throughout her childhood and high school. After moving out of the country with her then-boyfriend at the age of 18, Frederickson began to put on weight.
Dolvett Quince, who was Frederickson’s trainer on the show, stated on Facebook, “Please try not to look at one slice of Rachel’s journey and come to broad conclusions. Rachel’s health is and always has been my main concern and her journey to good health has not yet ended!!”
In regards to her three months after leaving the ranch until the reveal on the finale, Frederickson said, “I just continued to follow the support system that I have from “The Biggest Loser’s” (diet) plan, Dr. Cheryl’s nutritional advice and… continued to eat super healthy.”
Frederickson said that she consumes 1,600 calories a day. She added that she works out three to four times a day.
According to E!, Frederickson admitted, “Maybe I was a little too enthusiastic in my training to get to the finale.” She took home $250,000 as the winner.
Frederickson was asked if she had an eating disorder, in which she responded, “I am very, very healthy.”
The contestants on the show are monitored closely, and Frederickson passed all of the medical tests required.
A source connected to the show told E! that the show may make some changes due to Frederickson’s dramatic weight loss.
The source claimed that producers of the show might start paying more attention to the contestants once they leave the show, such as having check-ins and support. NBC had no comment about this claim.
This show is targeted for contestants to go through dramatic weight loss. NBC shows a disclaimer before each episode, which states “Our contestants were supervised by doctors while participating in the show, and their diet and exercise regimen was tailored to their medical status and their specific needs. Consult with your own doctor before embarking on any diet or exercise program.”
Over the past week, there has been both outrage and support for Frederickson’s transformation. But, no matter what the opinion on the subject, as long as she is happy and healthy, her body and her weight should be no one’s business.
Many people believe that Frederickson obtained an eating disorder to win the grand prize. But just because someone is skinny does not mean he or she is anorexic, like people have speculated about Frederickson.
Body bashing should not occur at all in this society. Fat or thin, tall or short, no one should be put down because of his or her body type as long as the person is healthy and happy with himself or herself.
Though this dramatic weight loss is a concern to many, I believe if the show regulated Frederickson as it said it did, then we all should be happy for Frederickson’s life-changing transformation.
I wish her the best and hope that she maintains her happiness and her new health that she found by doing “The Biggest Loser.”
