ABC's Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Addition Help or Hellish?

Last night I watched ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition. May I just say, “UUUGGGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!”

Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled for the young woman who lost over 160 pounds in one year. As a former fattie, how could I not be? But this show, just like it’s predecessor, The Biggest Loser, is only adding to the dangerous psychological environment that is contributing to the rise of obesity in our world.

It is just so frustrating for me to watch! These shows physically and emotionally batter and bully these obese people into losing weight. And yes, I hear you. It works. This is only more frustrating for me because I know these shows are not going to revisit these people in years to come when they have not been able to maintain this torturous lifestyle and have regained all the weight and more.

Now I know there will be the few who will dedicate their lives to this newly found religion of disciplined exercise and eating, capitalizing on their big extreme loser fame, thumping The Good Book of Healthy Eating, and shouting at their overweight congregation from the pulpit of Necessary Exercise. These are the converts, the zealots, the cult followers - the ones who believe only a life of pain and deprivation will yield you the desired result of a thin body.

Okay, but does that sound like fun?

Of course not, and that’s why people ultimately fail in keeping on the “straight and narrow” of diet and exercise. Luckily in conventional religion, there are things you can do to instantly get your spiritual body back in shape - when you’re talking weight gain and loss, not so easy.

And what happens to the millions of overweight people watching these tv shows from their sofas at home? They become more and more convinced that it will take a team of screaming trainers, on-the-call nutritionists, world-class chefs with the best possible foods available, and daily 8-hour workouts if they have a chance in hell to lose weight.

And when they get up from the sofa during the commercial break, what snack do you think they are going to grab out of the kitchen - a celery stalk out of the refrigerator or the tray full of brownies on the kitchen counter? Exactly.

Again, may I say “UUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!”

Susanna Dee ~ The Donut Whisperer

Author of “I’ve Tried It All! Now What?”
Exclusively sold at: http://www.thedonutwhisperer.com/
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