2011
I Used to Be Fat: Five Things We Love
While we may criticize MTV for their scripted series, MTV really shines when it comes to reality series. We are so addicted to their new series, I Used To Be Fat. I Used to Be Fat is inspirational unlike MTV’s other popular reality series, 16 and Pregnant,Teen Mom and Teen Mom 2, which are more cautionary tales that preach the “do what I say not what I do” method. Despite their differences, there is one common theme between I Used to Be Fat, 16 and Pregnant and the Teen Mom series, they all feature teens facing an obstacles that prevents them from reaching their goals. What we love about I Used to Be Fat is that we get to witness the teens featured on the show overcoming their obstacles and working towards a better, healthier, stronger self.
There a couple elements in each episode of I Used to Be Fat that makes the show entertaining. Here are the things we love the most about I Used to Be Fat:
The Introduction
Every episode of I Used to Be Fat starts with the featured teen telling us who they are, all the obstacles they face and their goals. We love the introduction because it exposes the teen featured on I Used to Be Fat. We discover how much their weight has impacted their lives. It’s a very sobering moment in the series. Every time we see this introduction we realize that being overweight has not only effected the health of the teen featured on I Used to Be Fat but has also effected their social interactions, their view of the world and who they are overall.
The First Workout
What we love about the first workout for the teen featured on the show is that is one of the most honest moments of the series. For some reason the teens who start the I Used to Be Fat workout plan seem to think that losing weight is going to be easy. The reality sets in during the first workout that it is not easy to lose weight, it requires a commitment. The teens realize they must be dedicated in order to get the body they’ve always dreamed of.
What surprises us every time about the first workout is how the teen featured on the series thinks it’s going to be easy to lose weight. The post workout video of the teen on I Used to Be Fat always features the teen lamenting over how difficult the workout was and how they thought it was going to be less difficult. We always have a laugh at this post workout video. It seems like these teens think they are going to lose a significant amount of weight by doing a quick jog or doing a couple workouts on the machines at the gym. After the first workout the teens have this glazed over look of pure fear that seems to represent their inner feelings of “what did I get myself into.”
Another plus of the first workout on I Used To Be Fat is when the teens puke and the trainers immediately push them into the next segment of their workout without even skipping a beat. The teens are always under the mistaken impression that puking will get them out of their workout. The trainers have no mercy and seem to take pride in seeing their new trainee hovering over a trash can begging for mercy.
The Parents
The parents of the teen on I Used to Be Fat are either the teen’s greatest resource or their biggest enabler. Last week’s teen, Daria, had a mother who tried to sabotage her weight loss and criticize her for trying to lose the weight. Eventually Daria’s trainer got through to Daria’s mother but that was not before Daria had a lot of set backs. This week Kirsten’s dad became her biggest supporter, cooking her healthy meals and even working out with her. We almost cried during the scene where Kirsten’s dad encouraged her to not give up on running a 10 minute mile. We also were impressed by his introspective interviews where he admitted that letting her eat so much unhealthy food was abusive.
The Breakthrough
At the beginning of the series the teen’s featured on I Used to Be Fat think that they are committing to losing weight but in all actuality they have truly not made a commitment. At one point in the series, the teen actually realizes that they could actually lose the weight and that their goal is obtainable.
Last night Kirsten had that moment on her episode I Used to Be Fat when she was on the treadmill trying to run a 10 minute mile, her goal for the summer. When she finally accomplished it, we almost jumped out of our seats. Every week there’s that moment and without fail we feel a sense of pride and happiness for the teen that they have finally committed and are one step closer to meeting their goal.
The Big Reveal
By the end of the show we are so invested in the teen featured on I Used To Be Fat that we cannot wait to see their big reveal. On every episode of I Used to Be Fat there is this moment where they show off to their friends and family how much weight they’ve loss.
Each time we see the “final product” we are shocked. These kids manage to lose 80, 90, 100 pounds in a matter of months. Their weight loss is impressive and inspiring. It makes us realize how much we could lose if we only put our minds to it and how dedicated you have to be to lose weight and how hard it is to keep it off.
The thing that is great about I Used to Be Fat is that it is a realistic portrayal of how difficult it is to lose weight. It also shows teens and adult how committed you have to be in order to reach your goals. The series also show also shows the viewers a realistic portrayal of weight loss. We love that the series shows us that losing weight is not a short term process, it’s a long term process that requires a complete change in lifestyle.
I Used to Be Fat is reality tv programming at it’s best. It’s inspiring and motivating. It’s real and authentic. It’s not only entertaining to watch but it’s also a huge motivator for us to get up and be active. Can’t wait for the next episode.
