Biggest Loser Winner Rachel Frederickson Fights Back Against Weight Loss Criticism

The Biggest Loser winner Rachel Frederickson debuted the result of her weight loss on Tues, Feb. 4 in the season 15 finale of the long-running NBC series. However, many have felt that her weight loss is "too extreme," and after receiving tons of backlash, Frederickson is speaking out in defense of her 105-pound frame.

"First and foremost, my goals are to be healthy and strong," Frederickson said in a statement to Us Weekly on Feb. 5. "I'm an athlete and have been an athlete since I was a little girl. I went on the Biggest Loser journey to find that confidence that I lost. Through the challenges I fought to get into the finale, I found that girl again. I'm embracing this new part of the journey."

"I followed the advice and support of the medical team at the Biggest Loser the entire journey," Frederickson added. "So it's been natural, and I've enjoyed every part of it. I'm going to continue on that path, maintaining this healthy lifestyle and really just enjoy this new life."

Frederickson, 24, started off on the show weighing in at 260 pounds and after dropping 155 pounds, she finished the show as the first-ever underweight contestant on the series, claiming to be down from a size 20 to a 0/2.

At the moment in which her weight loss was revealed, Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper's jaws dropped. Michaels was even seen mouthing the words, "Oh my god."

On Twitter, many fans reacted to Frederickson's weight loss with concern. One fan mentioned that she "does NOT look healthy," while another said that she has "gone too far," and Frederickson's drastic weight loss was sending a "horrible message." A third told her followers that "poor Rachel looks sick."

In the wake of the criticism, NBC and Shine America also spoke out.

"We support Rachel and all of the Biggest Loser contestants who have shared their journeys over the past 15 seasons," they said in a statement to Us. "We remain committed to helping contestants achieve healthy weight loss and live healthier lifestyles, and to inspiring viewers to do the same."