Hi...

Does anyone watch "I Lost It!" on Discovery Health Channel? I've watched it for several years now -- it's such a great motivator. But lately I've noticed that like 80% of the people they profile have lost their weight through gastric bypass surgery or the lapband. I know that for MANY people this really is the only solution, but I'm very disappointed that the show is "heading that way." I assume that most of us can't afford weight loss surgery, so I feel like the show doesn't apply to most dieters anymore. I also get worried that by showing so many people who have had surgery, the "average" viewer will think that must be the "only" and/or best way to lose weight -- and if you can't afford it, that can be very discouraging.

It used to be so great to see a woman drop from 250 to 150 by biking and going to WW, but now I'm really disappointed -- I can't relate to these people anymore, or say, "WOW! I CAN do it if I just keep it up!". I'm also irked that they now spend half the show following these people around the mall to watch them put together their "new look."

Random thread, I know, but it's been bugging me for awhile and I thought I'd rant about it here. Sorry to take up forum space -- I just wanted to hear if anyone else has any thoughts (or if it bugs anyone else as much as it does me!!)

(Also, "Shape" magazine has really cut down on the number of Success Stories in each issue. It's a bummer, because I was always so motivated by those stories, too.)

I agree it is very dissapointing the show has turned that way, I rarely see people do it the healthy old fashion way with healthier food choices and exercise, for that reason I no longer watch it.

Yes I am disappointed by the number people who are shown losing weight by WLS. I guess it just amkes for more dramatic TV? But I can relate more emotionally and am more encouraged by the ones who take the old fashioned route. Even the Biggest Loser which lost amounts of weight that were unrealistic showed the hard work that needed to be done. Now if it was just more realisitic (your not going to work out 3+ hours a day after the show is over...)

Likewise I am enjoy the Success Stories in most health mags and am encouraged that these are stories I can relate to (I've been doing that! Now I know it works.)

I love the show too and I've noticed the increase of WLS cases as well. I don't know if it's so much that the show is "going that way" as that the people who share their stories are. I mean the number of people having WLS has skyrocketed in the past few years, so perhaps there are just more of these cases to do shows about now compared to the "good old fashioned way" cases.

Beverly

I've been listening to it on the Discovery channel on Sirius radio. I love the program! I drive all night for a living, and don't even have cableTV at home since I'm gone so much. It was great to discover the show - I even flip channels every hour sometimes to look for it, since it doesn't seem to be on at the same times regularly.

I've been really inspired by the success of the guests, even if they did do it with surgery. Yeah, it isn't quite the same, but they still have to burn off every ounce. It's not like they just went into the hospital and came out 12 sizes smaller. Each of those people does know what it's really like to be obese, too. When I see their success, no matter how they achieved it, I say "*I* can do it, TOO!" I'm strong enough. I'm smart enough. I want what they have - littler butts - and even if they "cheated" (I would too if I could find a way) they found a way to git 'er done!

I DO agree that it would be better if they had more folks doing it the long way, though. Maybe someone here can burn it off without the surgery and will make it on the show. Or we could just write the show producers and let them know we love the show, but want to see less WLS?

my 2 cents,

Good idea, Valerie! Maybe someone could e-mail Discovery Health and add a link to this thread.

I know everyone on that show has struggled, no matter what method they used to lose their weight...that's why I still (sometimes) watch it. Maybe they should have 2 programs -- one for WLS and one for (I love the way you put it) "the long way."

I just don't want people who can't afford the surgery to get discouraged by watching the show and say to themselves "one day I'll have the surgery..." instead of doing something positive TODAY. The show is such a great "public service" and I hate to think it would have a negative impact on anyone. It's starting to seem like a WLS commercial to me.

Thanks for the responses...I was worried the thread might seem goofy.

I've never seen the show you're talking about, but there are a lot of "makeover" shows (extreme makeover, the swan) where they do liposuction and stuff like that, which bugs me. If you are looking for shows that talk about doing it the old fashioned way, I'd suggest VH1 -- Celebrity Fit Club, while it is kind of crazy, is a diet and exercise program. They also used to have this show called "From Flab to Fab" but I haven't seen it lately. Anyway, I'm a big fan of VH1 for putting on these sort of makeover/weight loss shows that don't involve surgery.

I use to watch the show but stop because all I saw were the same shows over and over. Anyway, I agree there is a lack on balance.

I know this is the wrong way to feel, but when these people have WLS followed by tons of plastic surgery - I feel cheated. I have been trying to lose 65 pounds for what seems like 100 years, with diet and exercise. Granted there have been many human 'slips' along the journey. Then when I lose 20, I see some flab, I exercise more.
Now with 15 more pounds to go, there is some flab - with no magic surgery in sight.
blah-blah-blah.......

That's not a "wrong" way to feel, Star. Congrats to you on losing so much weight, I can't wait until I'm as far along as you!

I used to watch this show all the time but stopped for the same reasons, I have basically nothing in common with these people who get WLS, so I find it boring to watch. Yes, they have the struggle with weight and food, but it's so different. There's a show on Food Network called Weighing In, where a group of people (co-workers, friends, etc) will get together and lose weight. On the show the people are taught how to cook various recipes and weigh in periodically. It's not too bad, but I liked I lost It much better before all the WLS.