TLC-Big Sexy

Wow.

I watched the show and enjoyed it quite a bit. Of course certain parts (all) of it are staged. It's reality television.

While I haven't been comfortable with my weight and myself for several years, I remember a time when I was and when I too tried the plus-size modeling thing. I still believe it is perfectly possible for other fat women, and men, to be comfortable and confident with themselves. Just as possible as it is for thin people. (I know plenty of thin people who aren't comfortable in their own skin either.)

It makes me really sad to see this show and these girls being judged so harshly by people whom you would think would be more understanding/compassionate. Some of the comments on this thread remind me of recovering alcoholics who become santimonious about people who drink, or born again christians who, despite their former misdeeds, point damning fingers at everyone else. I hope I never become that kind of person when I reach my goal weight.

I was heavily involved in the "size acceptance/BBW" world several years ago. I was confident, had zero issues dating, and never sat at home sulking because my life sucked because I was a fatty. I met, fell in love with, and married a very attractive, physically fit, younger man at my heaviest weight. So, my weight honestly did NOT keep me from living life, or seeking the very best from a partner. BUT, it wasn't always like that, and it took me a long time to get to that place.

All the stereotypes are there, and extremely prevalant in these shows.

Fat girls are easy. We seek approval via male attention, even negative attention. I can't count how many times I heard "I'll f*ck a fat chick, but I won't marry one!" So, you know there are 2 sides to every coin.

I empathize with those women because I see all too much of my former self in them and their lifestyle choices. I had zero health issues related to obesity, other than my refusal to not get pregnant at 270lbs, I was NOT miserable, had no co-morbidities, and honestly, I was tired of being fat. That's why I chose WLS to begin with. My husband loves me, worships the ground I walk on, I wasn't doing it for anyone else other than myself, and my own vanity.

Looking back at my "past" life, I can see how I was self-medicating with attention from men, booze and seeking acceptance for my size because I wasn't ready make that change. Give one of these women at a chance at being skinny, free weight loss surgery, lifetime follow up care, and I can almost guarantee you they'd jump on it quicker than flies on ****

There's a fine line between compassion and enabling. 

Smoking is actually the best analogy.  Smoking is an unhealthy behavior that starts with a choice but has a seriously addictive component.  Our society has significantly curtailed smoking by making it unacceptable and a pain in the ass while at the same time providing incentives for quitting such as lower insurance rates and health-care coverage for medical solutions.  I was a heavy smoker - 1 1/2 packs a day - until 13 years ago when it became too expensive too much trouble.  All the health reasons aside, having to stand outside in the freezing cold or sit on a plane for 7 hours without a cigarette sucked.  

I have compassion for people who continue to smoke, but I also don't want to pay for their statistically far higher health-care costs.  Obesity, like smoking, is costly to society.  It's  harder to treat because one cannot go cold-turkey with food; however, ultimately obesity is largely a 'behavioral' disorder that may or may not have a medical or genetic component.

I don't think it's healthy to tell the obese they're 'fine' just they way they are any more than it's ok to say that to smokers. The truth is, they're not.  The long-term personal and societal costs are indisputable.  That doesn't mean smokers or the obese are inherently unattractive, failures, worthless, or anything of the sort. I never felt badly about myself, and I have a very successful professional career, marriage, and life in general. It's just  a problem that needs to be addressed.  It doesn't do any good to pretend otherwise. 

What I see is a lot of self-hatred projected outward in these comments. I liken it to black people who have internalized societal racism to the degree that they willingly degrade other black people. It's really quite sad.

Like I said, I hope I don't become one of those overbearing, sanctimonious types who feel superior to other fat people just because they aren't fat anymore (for now).

Perhaps your'e reading your own issues into the comments of others.  Self-hatred and self-awareness are two different things.

Love the "Limbaugh debate" skills.

Again. Overbearing. Sanctimonious. Let me never become as obnoxious as you and several others who commented here.

Just as a point of reference, of all the posts in this discussion it's only YOURS that are in any way disparaging of the participants ..   I genuinely wish everyone the very best. I hope people are happy and comfortable in their own skin regardless of their size.  This goes beyond self esteem, however.

I run a manufcaturing facility --  one that employees hundreds of people and does 9 figures in sales a year all over the world. I work directly with our insurance provider, and I review attendance every day.  The cost to business of lifestyle related health issues -- smoking, drinking, obesity -- is staggering not just in terms of insurance costs but also absenteeism, loss of productivity, etc.  That's just reality. 

One example.  Studies show that obese women take nearly three times as much sick leave as those with normal BMIs, on average.  If your weight impacts your attendance at work, it is almost certainly going to impact your pay and employment prospects.  Attendance is often a factor in layoff decisions.  Fat may be 'beautiful,' but it won't keep you off the unemployment line when your employer applies objective criteria such as 'attendance' when making decisions about who to let go. 

Again, I don't dislike, disparage, or otherwise denigrate overweight or obese people. I'm just now 'overweight' myself.   I again, don't think it's healthy to gloss over the implications of being obese. 

I agree about Biggest Loser, but this show (BigSexy) would've been great for me as a teenager/young adult. I actually like this show, I just wish for 1 episode to not focus on their weight all of the time. I can't speak for anyone else but in my everyday life, there was a lot of other ish going on in my life outside of my weight. But, it's a start, nonetheless and I'll continue to support it.

Thanks Frisco....

I will watch this show and see what it's all about and get back with you. Without having even seen the show I totally agree with your comments. Being in advertising myself (Creative Director)...I also know all the tricks of the trade. UGH.....I know all about "Craft Service" and how it's used to keep us Creatives busy while the crew is busy lighting, etc.I know all the illusions that are created to make a good product/show/shot/etc. I made a pig of myself many times at Craft Services... Lunches...Dinners...Drinks after a hard working day!!! It's a very social business

Only being 2 weeks out...but having a lifetime of struggling with weight issues...I'm sure it's going to be hard for me to watch also.

xoS

As someone who's been on a "reality" show, trust me, this stuff is all staged.  I don't really have an interest in watching that show but I can't wait to audition for the spin off, "Loose Skin Lovin'"!