New T.V. Shows Document Journey to Health!

I have recently been watching a couple of new shows on TV: "Heavy" on A&E and "I Used to Be Fat" on MTV. Both shows deal with people who are overweight and trying to get control of their weight, and as a result, their lives.

The MTV show follows teenagers who have been "BIG" pretty much their whole lives. They want to make a change before they head off to college, so for the summer, they diet and exercise to reach each of their individual goals. Some have goals to lose 10 lbs, while others want to lose 50 lb. The one thing they have in common is a goal and the determination to attain it.

Jordan from " I Used to Be Fat": before and after

Jordan training with Joey, his trainer.

"Heavy" features adults who have anywhere from 70 lb to 200 lb to lose, and it's more of a long-term program, not just a summer like "I Used to Be Fat." It was very eye-opening to watch these people try to do even the most basic exercises, not be able to do them, yell in frustration, cry, vomit, or just shut down.



Both shows have a similar message: Get control mentally and then take control physically of your life and your body. During an episode of "Heavy," one woman said "I don't like to feel hungry. So i eat!" That statement made me stop and think for a second.

Many times in life we do things we don't like to do. I don't like to get up at 4 am to get to work, but I go. My girlfriend doesn't like it when I leave my socks lying on the floor, so I pick them up. I don't like to sit in traffic, but I do it. So why is this any different? No, you shouldn't be hungry all the time. But at 420 lbs, the stomach and brain are not working right. Eating 7,000 or more calories per day shouldn't make someone feel hungry.

Eating is a way of self-medicating, like a drug. Using eating as a drug is similar to the way some people drink, smoke, or use drugs to relax. It's a release, and a way to have control over something. Overeating should be seen as an addiction just like any other addiction.

I urge you to take an hour and check out either one of these shows, as they are eye-opening to how some people live. It's like stepping out of the fitness lifestyle to see how many people overeat and self-medicate with food. These people are making big changes in their eating and in finally being mobile, and are making heavy changes in life!