Why Weight Loss Should NOT Be A Competitive Sport

Let's begin with the obvious; contestants on the various incarnations [17 versions worldwide currently, including separate presentations for the "Arab World" and Israel, as well as a pan-Asiatic series] of The Biggest Loser are almost always successful in their weight-loss efforts. Then again, with the advantages they have, why shouldn't they be?

Think about this for a moment; in addition to whatever personal motivation the contestants bring to the table, they have:

-access to a full medical staff, including a doctor [no sane network would sanction such a show without one] and dietitian;

-their choice of trainers [in the US version, that's Bob and Jillian (at right), working the classic "good cop/bad cop" routine on the challengers;

- an isolated location to live in [usually known as "the ranch"], separating the players from the temptations and stresses of everyday life;

- a fully-equipped health club on-site;

-instructions on preparing more healthy meals, as well as a supply of healthy foods [many provided by sponsors, in exchange for endorsements, actual or implied, during the program. Many overweight and obese persons are at or near the poverty level; they'd like to eat more nutritious, less fat- and sugar-laden foods, but frequently can't afford to do so];

- and the freedom of time to exercise three and four hours a day [which means that the program is quietly covering household expenses for the contestants while on "the ranch". Would any of my fellow Obese-Americans hit the gym more if they didn't have jobs, household responsibilities, etc, to take care of? I'm pretty sure they would].

Understand; I'm not trying to talk people out of weight-loss, if that's what they want to do. I'm not discouraging people trying to lose weight from getting motivation where- and when-ever they can. But consider the weight-loss totals each week. Most doctors will tell you a weight loss of one or two pounds a week is about the best the average person can expect. On The Biggest Loser, losing "only" that amount of weight would see you "off the ranch" in a week or two at best. Of course, with all the advantages TBL contestants have, higher amounts are more easily lost [and, because of continual medical supervision, more safely lost. How many people, even in the middle-class with health insurance, could afford daily, or even weekly, visits to their doctor to ensure their health is not being compromised?].



I remember a story I once heard about Raquel Welch [at left]. In the 1960's, she made several USO trips to see the troops in Vietnam. A reporter reportedly asked her how she felt about the tours. She said, if I remember the story correctly, that she was pleased to go over for the troops, but that putting her onstage in front of tens-of-thousands of soldiers, almost all male, seemed to her like showing red meat to a hungry lion. She suggested that the Army hire, and send to Vietnam, battalions of prostitutes instead. Building up unrealistic, and, for most people, unreproducible expectations seems just as wrong. Maybe it's time for a "Real World" mix of TBL, not one that features glamorous 20-somethings being petulant, but a version that shows real people how to lose weight realistically.

Maybe I'm alone, but I'd watch...

-Mike Riley

Feeling Exploited?

Do me a favor. Go here and read the first four or five paragraphs of Jeff Simon's review of the new movie Precious. Then come back and let's talk...

...Thank you. By the way, we're not here to discuss the merits of Precious. Perhaps another time. No, I want to look at Simon's assertion; namely, that producers for David Letterman's show, and probably other similar programs, "prefer" to keep fat people out of the camera-visible seats. Truthfully, I am sure that no TV program would make an official policy to that effect, on- or off-the-record [if memory serves me right, Letterman at least seemed to be more disturbed by quixotic weight-loss crusader (and exploiter, through his Deal-A-Meal and "____ing to the Oldies" offers) Richard Simmons than any larger-than-life guests who've graced his stage. What he thinks of the make-up of his audience is officially unknown and, given Letterman's publicity of late, I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt until shown otherwise]. That said, Jeff Simon is probably dead-on. Not that any of this is new, by the way. I was by no means a regular viewer of "The Tonight Show" during Johnny Carson's long reign as host, but I can't remember seeing anyone but the photogenic in areas that got on camera. I'd wager that if someone went back and studied footage from, say, Your Show Of Shows, or any other variety or game show of the era, the same would be true. And let's be clear here. By photogenic, I mean thin, attractive and, in most cases, white.

Actually, if anyone wants to call out a TV show for anti-fat "issues", let's start with American Idol, and Simon Cowell. Unfortunately, Simon is probably right when he notes that fat contestants are at a decided disadvantage in the post-Idol world. Despite the fact that overweight people are in a majority in the United States, we don't seem to embrace our overweight brethren, either in media or everyday life. Concider Ruben Studdard. He was the winner when he faced off with Clay Aiken in Season 2. But the self-proclaimed "Velvet Teddy Bear" went nowhere, while Aiken had a few hit recordings [at least until his sexual preference became public; the "Claymates" apparently weren't ready to fantasise about an openly gay performer, I wonder how many of them were Elton John fans?].

In the interest of fairness, it should be pointed out that Idol probably does not exploit its overweight contestants (Simon saying that one singer or another is "too fat" for a music career may develop an audience for such candidates; for the moment, though, I'll assume his comments are not meant to do so). Exploitation of the overweight in media comes up in odd places, at unexpected times. Take a recent episode of the crime-adventure series Bones. A key sub-plot concerned the alleged existence of "clubs" where fat people were fed by the thin. If I understood it right, the whole point was some kind of sexual gratification. I'm not stupid, people. Given the size and diversity of planet Earth, I don't doubt that such groups exist [I am aware of cultures, mainly in Africa, that prefer to fatten up potential wives, because larger women are believed to be more attractive. But that is not the same thing]. But I've been grossly overweight my whole life. If anybody would have run into this kind of thing, you'd think it'd be me [for that matter, I've always been sceptical of the similar theory that there are "thin" people who get some kind of sexual "rush" by pairing off with a fat person. Again, such persons certainly exist. But, while one hears of "thin" men aroused by "fat" women, you seldom, if ever, hear of the opposite (and would expect to)]. Could it be that those thin men in question are taking advantage of women who are judged as "unattractive" by most of the media they deal with? Sounds like exploitation to me. Oh, well; the sub-plot gave the show a chance to put fat women on the dance floor [and you'd be surprised how many people find that a hoot]...

It's hard to get feedback for this blog, since many of the traditional promotion sources for blogs are not available to it [too few posts]. But, if you hear about it, and want to help open the discussion, please tell your friends about it. Next time around, a look at the biggest exploiter of all: The Biggest Loser.

-Mike Riley

Why We're Here...

Have you been following this controversy in the news lately? My God, this woman is 5'10" , weighs 120 pounds, and wears a size 4! If anything, a randomly-selected height/weight chart would list her as underweight! Maybe I'm crazy, or under informed [as a man, I don't guarantee my opinion of female beauty is in sync with the womanly viewpoint], but I just don't get it!

A few facts upfront: as noted, I'm male, 5'9", and weigh around 360 pounds. I don't know if I should be talking about healthy/unhealthy weight, but I do know that there is a lot of prejudice against overweight people in America. Unlike discrimination based on gender, nationality, religion, sexual identity, or any number of other factors, this is perfectly legal and generally accepted. Yet, according to current studies, one-third of Americans are classified as "obese", and a majority of us are "overweight" [Interestingly enough, being a few pounds above your ideal weight may turn out to be more healthy that being thin].

So if most of us are in the same boat, why the negative reaction towards fat people? The Kansas study noted here gives the basic factors; several other studies, noted on the same page reinforce the observations. But those of us who are overweight, if pressed, can probably add some details:
- we don't dress well; I'm not talking about keeping up with fashions that, as noted in the article at the top of this post, are designed for people who are unnaturally thin. Many of us dress sloppily, or in unflattering styles. Some of this is because we can't find, or afford, clothing designed for our shapes. No matter what your clothing budget, though, an attractive look is available for almost anyone. This blog will pass on articles addressing clothing decisions that will help you to look good;
-we don't care about our grooming; This one is closely connected to the first issue. When the images we see in advertising and entertainment seem to exclude "people like us", it's hard to get enthusiastic about style and [yes] hygiene issues. I don't really know what to do about this one, except to remind you that you are responsible for yourself - and that includes your appearance;
-we don't seem to care; How you feel about yourself has a great deal to do with how the world sees you. I will include stories about being positive, believing in yourself, knowing that you are worthy of looking good, no matter your weight.

Of course, the real solution to "the overweight issue" is to not be overweight. You will also find information here on weight-loss issues, exercise tips, and other information that can help in your journey. This is not a "quick fix" problem, so you'll also find items of encouragement, stories of those who had a harder, longer road than you, but found the strength to change. I hope you, the readers will also contribute to this "road diary"; I could certainly use the encouragement, the advice, the humor [if there can be humor in sex, there's humor in this too]. Others who read this could use it, too. Please share.

-Mike Riley

PS: To get us off to a good start, here are eight weight-loss tips from around the world.