Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Extreme Makeover

So I'm obsessed with Extreme Makeover Weight Loss edition.

I've never watched the Makover version of Houses so I don't know how it compares. 

I find it fascinating to meet these morbidly obese people trying to lose weight and take control over their lives.  I know I wasn't near their positions when I started my own (slow) weight loss journey but it's hard not to find a bit of a myself in them. 

It's so inspiring to see them conquering their demons and pushing through their pain to come out on top.

Last week the subject was a guy who weighed almost 500 pounds and was working with the adorable and perky (but not too perky) host to do that... but this guy kept eating in secret and lying to his family and the trainer and put almost all the weight he lost back on. 

Turns out he's addicted to food and the episode ended with him checking into an outpatient therapy program.

I found it fascinating, I think most of us have grabbed an unhealthy snack or meal and then lied about it to ourselves or someone we felt accountable to... but when does that go from a bad habit to an addiction?

It's interesting to see the changing attitude about food and obesity, as more people start to think of this as a disease. 

What are your thoughts on food addiction?

3 comments:

  1. I think it's very real and I think I suffer from it. Although some people might think saying that is a cop out. How can you really know? You can walk away from other vices like drugs and alcohol forever, but you can't walk away from food. It's easily accessible, the worst for you food is the cheapest to buy. It's not like they make it easy on us.

    However, just like any addict, I am responsible for my actions. I can't blame anyone else for what do or don't do.

    It's vicious.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i'm in recovery from alcohol addiction and in my education on the subject, research shows that food, sex, and chemical dependence all come from the same part of the brain and i've found that to be true. I guess it depends on if someone has the addict mind and if circumstances push someone past the point of no return. i've found addiction is very much a perfect storm type of a situation.

    i've really wanted to watch this show for awhile, loved this post and i'm definitely going to watch it now!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's a great show! And I do thing food can be just as addictive as drugs and alcohol.

    It was really fascinating to see the lengths one man went to to feed his habit without his family knowing.

    ReplyDelete