Celebrity FIT Club Needs an Overhaul
Somehow the other day, I found myself watching Celebrity Fit Club for the first time. (That show where "overweight" celebrities lose weight with the help of a doctor, personal trainer, and psychologist).
Maybe what drew me in was the fact that Marcia Brady (Maureen McCormick), a teen icon from my youth (My favorite show growing up was The Brady Bunch--need I say more), was on one of the teams. Okay, that's a lame excuse.
But I found myself completely disgusted at the absolute obsession with weight loss (especially because they had celebrities on who didn't look that overweight and weighed like 120 pounds or something like that). If it were truly Celebrity "FIT" club, the emphasis would be on fitness, not pounds. Why not measure muscle mass or stress test results or blood lipid values or lung capacity instead of pounds lost?
While on the elliptical machine at my gym, watching E! Entertainment and all the TOO THIN celebrities in Hollywood right now, I found myself wondering, why don't they have a Celebrity FIT Club that helps all the celebrities who are scary thin get healthy -- where pounds gained would be the goal. Imagine that! That would really give that psychologist something to do. Seriously though, they would need a well trained team to tackle the sobering issues that would come up if they were to take on those celebrities and the reasons why they are so underweight.
Just a thought!
~~Elaine
Related Topics: What is a Healthy Weight?, Get Fit!
Technorati Tags: celebrityfitclub, bodyimage, diet
Maybe what drew me in was the fact that Marcia Brady (Maureen McCormick), a teen icon from my youth (My favorite show growing up was The Brady Bunch--need I say more), was on one of the teams. Okay, that's a lame excuse.
But I found myself completely disgusted at the absolute obsession with weight loss (especially because they had celebrities on who didn't look that overweight and weighed like 120 pounds or something like that). If it were truly Celebrity "FIT" club, the emphasis would be on fitness, not pounds. Why not measure muscle mass or stress test results or blood lipid values or lung capacity instead of pounds lost?
While on the elliptical machine at my gym, watching E! Entertainment and all the TOO THIN celebrities in Hollywood right now, I found myself wondering, why don't they have a Celebrity FIT Club that helps all the celebrities who are scary thin get healthy -- where pounds gained would be the goal. Imagine that! That would really give that psychologist something to do. Seriously though, they would need a well trained team to tackle the sobering issues that would come up if they were to take on those celebrities and the reasons why they are so underweight.
Just a thought!
~~Elaine
Related Topics: What is a Healthy Weight?, Get Fit!
Technorati Tags: celebrityfitclub, bodyimage, diet
Labels: body image, fitness
15 Comments:
I totally agree with you! I thought that "Marcia Brady" did not need to lose a ton of weight.
In Venezuela we have a similiar TV program and the only goal is lose weight (not to be healthy)
I would have to disagree with that assessment of Celebrity Fit Club, at least partially. They do take body mass into account when they do the group weigh-ins on the large scales. If you caught it from the beginning of the season, Maureen McCormick weighed in at 150. While not obese by any stretch, she was having other health issues due to what excess weight she was carrying. While I do agree with the fact that we are a weight obsessed culture and Hollywood does glamorize being underweight, there is no denying that carrying extra weight in any varying degree is unhealthy and will (eventually) usher in other health issues. Even with the ones who don't have a 'ton' to lose.
I would also disagree. If you watched the first episode, you would see that all of the celebrities were clinically overweight. For example, Maureen McCormick's BMI was almost 27 and 25-30 is overweight and over 30 is obese. She is only 5ft.3in. tall! I do agree that most of Hollywood is obsessed with being thin, but the stars on this show are trying to do something good (except maybe Dustin Diamond) and I don't think they should be criticized.
I agree some what.. Some of the celebrities on there are NOT that overweight.. TRUST me keep looking for other ones.. there sure is alot of overweight actors/actresses out there.. if you only need to loose 20 or so pounds.. come on. your not that obese. GET a life! I am sick of watching this show and they only need to loose 20 lbs or so ..
I would applaud the show. It has helped a lot of celebrities as well as non-celebrities such as my husband who was inspired by the show and lost 42 lbs using Dr. Ian's diet.
I am concerned that some of the celebrities lost 34 pounds in a 100 days. That is not healthy and is unrealistic for most people.
Well, there were celebrities on there that technically by the standards we've created by the BMI Index, etc., that needed to lose weight, but I think they needed to attack the emotional issues linked to their weight a lot more and not so much on pounds lost like you said. I TOTALLY agree with the statement regarding how underweight celebrities seem to be a major issue and people should focus on that instead of it kind of....being a goal. It's just as unhealthy and life-threatening.
I agree on a lot of the comments about "Celebrity Fit Club". However I watch the show and most of the celebrities were overweight when beginning the show(especially in previous casting) and this show is to help celebrities to lose small amounts of weight in a healthy fashion instead of fad diets that the tabloids are always selling. I think showing these celebrities battle with weightloss and gain makes the viewers relate with the celebrities (makes them human) and on the other hand it also reinforces the fact that hollywood is obsessed with their weight.
You are so on it. I am a trainer that works mostly with women. I also know that Maureen McCormack has had a history of eating disorders and addictions so I thought it was very dangerous to put her under this kind of pressure. The therapist on the show should have really taken that more into consideration.
There's always atleast 3 or 4 who need to lose NOTHING as far as weight goes. Attitude though, is something else. I couldn't believe what an a-hole "Screech" and "Isaac your bartender" were! The season that Gary Busey(sp) was on there, HE was the voice of reason and not the crazy man we were always led to believe he was.
Rick
I occasionally watch that show. It has some good and bad points.
I like the emphasis of dieting and exercising, portion control, psychological counselors on hand , etc.
Now for the parts I hate. I don't think that the shows goals of losing 3 to 5 pounds a week are that easy or healthy, though. Could rapid weight loss over a short time lead to other problems like gall bladder problems, etc??
Is that standard practice for very obese people? If someone can enlighten me, please help!
I believe Celebrity fit club speaks in its name celebrity hype. Its not truly about losing weight but more emphasis on showing celebrities from 70's, 80's and 90's.
How can one critize this show without knowing the content, goals, purpose, etc.? Look at the panel - I'd think one would recognize that there's a whole body concept here: Physical health, psychological/emotional, physcial fitness. It's okay to encourage total wellbeing. Note: Obesity is determined by height & weight. Remember those in Hollywood are people! Perhaps it's not Hollywood that's the problem, but the consumers that buy the negative crap that's on sale. If we did not buy it or watch it, Hollywood would change. We cas consumers must recognize and exercise OUR POWER!
On the contrary, health is determined by fat % and cardio and strength and suppleness. BMI is a terribly inappropriate for assessing health and that is well known among scientists.
Most of Hollywood's FIT celebrities (not underweight ones) have a BMI that places them in the overweight or obese categories: stallone, schwarzenager, Angela Bassett, Tom Cruise, Wesley Snipes, Denzel Washington. They are heavy because they have muscle and probably good bones as well.
So get your facts straight people
Post a Comment