Ryan Benson Critiques Biggest Loser Experience

Ryan Benson, the winner of ‘The Biggest Loser’ Season 1 in 2005, has publicly criticized the show for exploiting contestants and setting them up to fail. After losing 122 pounds during the competition, Benson gained back 25 to 30 pounds within three days post-show, highlighting the unsustainable nature of his weight loss. He described how producers placed unhealthy food temptations in front of contestants to catch them on camera, suggesting they were encouraged to fail. Benson, who was 330 pounds at the start, admitted to drastic measures taken to win, including extreme dieting and excessive workouts. He noted that trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels were still developing their approaches during the inaugural season, further complicating contestants' experiences. Nearly 20 years later, Benson emphasizes that the show lacked the tools necessary for sustainable weight management.