Weight Loss & Obesity related TV Shows

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

I've noticed that I have really picked up with being interested in Weight Loss & Obesity related Television programming. Once I see something that I notice is going to be about these subjects, I set my DVR to record them. I'll even set a Series Recording to catch any repeats I may have missed coming into the show late.

I find these topics absolutely fascinating, and I look to them for inspiration! I see folks weighing up to 400+ Lbs working out and working hard to lose the weight. I love this, and I laugh, I cry and feel their pain with them. For only someone who has been in their shoes can.

Here's a list of shows I'm currently viewing:

Biggest Loser: http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/

Most definitely and I've been watching this show since day one. Yes, absolutely they do certain things on the show to boost the ratings and Jillian is a monster. However, I do not watch the show for those reasons at all. In fact I usually turn their 2 hour show into more of a 1 hour viewing. I FF so much of the craziness and things that do not interest me. I do love watching them struggle with eating, working out so hard and of course the weigh in. The finale and seeing how far they have come at the end of the show is so incredible and touching. I never miss these.

I Used to be Fat: http://www.mtv.com/s...at/series.jhtml

This is a relatively new show and I've found it is such a positive approach to how hard and difficult life is being obese. Young individuals strive for a few months to lose a certain amount of weight. This show is what inspired me to write down every single day exactly how many days are left to reach my mini goal I set for myself to my goal day. I do not believe I would've come up with this all on my own. I can't say enough about this kind of programming and how much these folks I do not even know have helped "ME" along the way!!

Ruby: http://www.mystyle.c.../ruby/index.jsp

This is probably the most heartwarming, touching and REAL show I've ever come accross. Ruby is the most inspirational weight loss person I know. She's not perfect - she struggles so much, yet she keeps picking herself back up and keeping on!! I think I look up to her so much, and every single time I feel like I'm failing and wondering why do I keep trying, I simply think about her. She started out at over 700 Lbs!!! I do believe in the last season finale she was down to the low 300's. Her new season begins in March, but it does mention she gained 60 Lbs back. Yet, she still decided to continue with her Television show and keep on keeping on!! She's so totally amazing and awesome, and just a genuine sweet lady.

Heavy: http://www.aetv.com/...esity%20surgery

This is going to be a new Television program and my DVR is set!!!

One Big Happy Family: http://tlc.discovery...g-happy-family/

I haven't seen this show around in awhile, and I do hope it comes back soon. It follows around a Mother, Father and their son and daughter as the entire family works to shed the weight. I really liked it. They were doing so well the last time I seen it.

Brookhaven Obesity Clinic: (Sorry couldn't find a link)

I also haven't seen this one in a very long time. These folks were in a live in Hospital where they needed to lose anywhere from 300 to so many pounds. These folks, some struggled a lot even in the hospital and yet some worked really hard to lose the weight. I miss this one!

Big Medicine: http://health.discov...g-medicine.html

Oh how I wish this show would come back!! It just wasn't around nearly long enough - and I truly enjoyed watching the WLS patients and their journeys. Even to the point where they would need plastic surgery once they were complete to their goals. Come back!!

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Do you have any that you watch?? Please share it here - I'd really like to find some more shows that I can watch... for maybe this is my transfer addiction!!! LOL Ok not that, but you know what? I'm really finding some motivation with watching these programs. I need all the motivation I can get!!!

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Here's another show I like: http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/shows/toofatfor15/index.jsp

Too Fat for 15... So sad to see such young kids going through this. I forced myself to not be like this when I was that age. I was ridiculed as a child for being a little overweight by someone who was supposed to be a father to me. So, it transformed into an eating disorder just to not hear the ridiculing anymore.

The new season my be starting soon, and it will be interesting to see how the children are doing!

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

I haven't had a TV for 5 years now, my hatred of reality TV being one of the reasons for it. I've seen episodes from some of the TV shows you've mentioned, but I find that most of them (like any reality TV show) are too slow-moving, manipulative towards their subjects, etc. I just don't like how a lot of them portray obese people and what's considered to be "healthy lifestyle" (working out til you vomit). That said, I LOVE watching documentaries and exposes about obesity, weightloss, WLS, etc. I'm a member of the Canadian Obesity Network at my university, and we're planning to screen either "FAT - what no one is telling you" or "Killer at Large - Why obesity is America's greatest threat" at our next public discussion. I've seen excerpts/previews on YouTube and they looked quite interesting to me. Maybe you'll check them out, too!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/fat/index.html

<a href="http://killeratlarge.com/main.html">http://killeratlarge.com/main.html

[Tiffykins 673]

I prefer the documentary/science/geeky shows. I refuse to watch Biggest Loser. The exploitation of obese people and whoring out of products on that show nauseate me to the core. I try to find inspiration in the people's struggles, but with a 85% failure rate of the participants, and Jillian's half-ass attempt to be compassionate counselor to the fat people, I can't bring myself to watch it. I've always thought Jillian was scum of the Earth, and my opinion isn't going to change in the future.

As for Heavy, I was going to watch it, but for me, it's the same as going to support groups. We all know why we're fat, yet we still did the same things over and over expecting different results. I can't handle the whining. I know that seems harsh, but really I never questioned why my ass was huge. I knew why, and I finally did something about it by having surgery and working through my own food issues after years of failed diets and weight loss attempts. I know I'm not explaining this correctly, and something is getting lost in translation here over the net.

I did enjoy watching one season of Ruby. That was until she went out with that long term guy friend, and he acted like he loved her out of pity. She is inspirational, and a very compassionate person, but I still feel that a lot of production editing is done to spur viewers interest and increase ratings.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

I haven't had a TV for 5 years now, my hatred of reality TV being one of the reasons for it. I've seen episodes from some of the TV shows you've mentioned, but I find that most of them (like any reality TV show) are too slow-moving, manipulative towards their subjects, etc. I just don't like how a lot of them portray obese people and what's considered to be "healthy lifestyle" (working out til you vomit). That said, I LOVE watching documentaries and exposes about obesity, weightloss, WLS, etc. I'm a member of the Canadian Obesity Network at my university, and we're planning to screen either "FAT - what no one is telling you" or "Killer at Large - Why obesity is America's greatest threat" at our next public discussion. I've seen excerpts/previews on YouTube and they looked quite interesting to me. Maybe you'll check them out, too!

http://www.pbs.org/w.../fat/index.html

<a href="http://killeratlarge.com/main.html">http://killeratlarge.com/main.html

You are absolutely right with a lot of the reality TV shows. I guess I kind of overlook some of the bad, because I just really am interested in others stories and struggles. I find so much inspiration with them losing weight and working out a lot of their issues.

I do also like to watch the documentaries as well! I always set the DVR for any I notice that are coming on. I never *not* watch any I know are airing. I will check them out, thank you!!

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

I prefer the documentary/science/geeky shows. I refuse to watch Biggest Loser. The exploitation of obese people and whoring out of products on that show nauseate me to the core. I try to find inspiration in the people's struggles, but with a 85% failure rate of the participants, and Jillian's half-ass attempt to be compassionate counselor to the fat people, I can't bring myself to watch it. I've always thought Jillian was scum of the Earth, and my opinion isn't going to change in the future.

As for Heavy, I was going to watch it, but for me, it's the same as going to support groups. We all know why we're fat, yet we still did the same things over and over expecting different results. I can't handle the whining. I know that seems harsh, but really I never questioned why my ass was huge. I knew why, and I finally did something about it by having surgery and working through my own food issues after years of failed diets and weight loss attempts. I know I'm not explaining this correctly, and something is getting lost in translation here over the net.

I did enjoy watching one season of Ruby. That was until she went out with that long term guy friend, and he acted like he loved her out of pity. She is inspirational, and a very compassionate person, but I still feel that a lot of production editing is done to spur viewers interest and increase ratings.

I totally do understand where you are coming from. I do try to fast forward through all the annoying "commercials" especially the phony outings to Subway. What a crock!!

As far as the weight re-gain, well I do believe the contestants do have a better percentage of regain than the general public, so I guess it's not all that bad. I do know though I love my chances with my sleeve the best!!

RE: Ruby, it's looking like she's kicking that jerk to the curb which she needed to do from day one. He's a terrible person and I personally think he's just looking for an opportunity to be on TV and pretend her cares for her which we all can figure out (except her) that he does not. All her friends mention the fact they don't believe he has her best interest at heart at all.

I hope she sticks to her guns when it comes to leaving him behind and starts kicking butt again!!

[Susysleever 265]

Oh I've got one to ads to the list. It's called Fat Doctor. I found it on you tube. it's about a british doctor that does surgery and it features two patients that undergo it per episode. Lots of surgical procedures are shown

[Banterwonder 63]

I like watching, 'My 600-Pound Life". Very obese people traveling to Texas for WLS. Very moving and inspirational.