What do you think of the new show, “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition?”
Before it started airing, I was hoping it would be more realistic than some of the other shows like Biggest Loser. It represents a powerful platform for delivering information to the public regarding weight loss, clearly an issue of importance when two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese. Unfortunately, I think it raises many of the same concerns, in particular, an insufficient emphasis on achieving safe and enduring change. In the process of condensing one year down to one hour, many things that people trying to lose weight need to pay careful attention to get lost. Issues like determining a safe and realistic rate of weight loss, beginning exercise at an appropriate intensity, the role of medical supervision in the process, and how to cope with the challenges of adherence. If it helps motivate people to get started, that’s great, I just worry that it perpetuates many of the myths that lead most new exercisers to quit within the first three to six months.
Anything on television is going to be unrealistic and a terrible illustration of how it works in reality. Obviously television is fueled by unrealistic and very dramatic events and anything relative to weight loss is completely on the opposing end.
I am sticking with staying away from television as it bad for the mind.
Fuel the Movement,
JM
I like that show. It really captures the effect of a person’s accountability. Depending on how much someone is committed to making a change through following a calorie-restricted diet and exercise program really shows how dramatic their transformation can be. I really wish that he would do more behaviour change earlier on, I think that would truly benefit the clients in helping them stick to the plan.
I like the show and taking the viewer through a year in the transformation of the client. I follow Chris on Twitter and used his Stax system before and I believe in what he does. As fitness professionals, we know what to look for and what are red flags; the general consumer does not. I think it’s part of our professional responsibility to engage in conversations with our clients and others outside of our industry about potential problems. Part of our job is to educate and we can use these shows as teaching tools.