Abby and Andy were Labrador Retrievers of mine who have since passed away. I started this blog to chronicle their lives. Now that I've told their stories, I will post whatever pops into my head.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Weight-loss Reality Shows & Shaming
There have been several reality shows with a "weight loss" theme such as Thintervention or The Biggest Loser. The cast members almost always lose weight. What makes the programs so successful? It may be the exercise regimen crafted by the outgoing and enthusiastic trainers or the sage diet advice from the registered dieticians.
Those things help, but I think the real common denominator of the shows is the elements of accountability and shame. There's nothing like the cold, hard numbers from the scale staring one straight in the face saying "Hey Fatty" and subsequently shaming the contestant to get with the program.
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Meh, for me, the common denominator is either hope or inspiration, or both. I don't want these people to fail; I want to see them succeed. Many people in our fat country want inspiration; these shows provide a message of "hard work pays off".
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