Fitness and Health Shows v. Surgery shows

[TryToKeepUp]

After watching biggest loser for over a year now I've found that I've actually started applying some diet and exercise tips from shows like this such as celebrity fit club. Then I think about all the people watching the Swan and Xtreme makeover, and I just think about what kind of mentality that's reinforcing . . ." the only way to be beautiful is to go under the knife. Change your outsides, never mind your insides."
What do you think which type of show do you prefer? Why?

[Zen]

Neither.
But I do like cartoons

[michelem]

Well, I'm not sure if this show qualifies as a "Fitness and Health Show," but yesterday I came across a show in the Discovery Channel called something to the effect of "Riding the Tour de France: Livin' the Dream." Anyway, it chronicled two average-joe amateur cyclists who got the opportunity to train for 6-7 weeks and then ride one of the mountain stages of the Tour de France. Anyway, very inspiring, especially since one of the guys was only commuting about 12 miles a day, 3 days a week when he started. Here's his blog: http://adamletour.blogspot.com

Anyway, I categorize this as a "Fitness and Health Show" because these guys had to increase their level of fitness and health in order to be able to do this ride. While only one completed the entire stage, both increased their fitness levels immensely over the 6-7 weeks time. Very cool.

[Pedal Wench]

HATE the surgery shows, love the fitness and health shows -- especially fun to watch from the trainer.

[TryToKeepUp]

See I think that's cool, but i don't think that ear pinning an rhinoplasty is the way to go on the road to self improvement. I had this conversation with some other people who watch those other shows and they contend that the people have solved there emotional and dietary issues. I just highly doubt it- when they're getting their facial proportions changed. Don't get me wrong i understand burn victims and trauma sufferers of that kind wanting reconstructive surgery- but i just think surgery for vanity leave you worse off in the end.

Well, I'm not sure if this show qualifies as a "Fitness and Health Show," but yesterday I came across a show in the Discovery Channel called something to the effect of "Riding the Tour de France: Livin' the Dream." Anyway, it chronicled two average-joe amateur cyclists who got the opportunity to train for 6-7 weeks and then ride one of the mountain stages of the Tour de France. Anyway, very inspiring, especially since one of the guys was only commuting about 12 miles a day, 3 days a week when he started. Here's his blog: http://adamletour.blogspot.com

Anyway, I categorize this as a "Fitness and Health Show" because these guys had to increase their level of fitness and health in order to be able to do this ride. While only one completed the entire stage, both increased their fitness levels immensely over the 6-7 weeks time. Very cool.

[Eden]

Well, here goes.... I may offend someone... but I think that weight loss surgery is taking the easy way out. Basically those people are saying I can't exercise any willpower or control over myself, so I'm going to have it surgically implanted... I don't regularly watch biggest loser, etc, (though there was as show called Honey Were Killing the Kids, that focused on changing kids/families eating and exercise habits while they are still young that I found to be quite interesting) but I do think that those shows set a really good example of what is possible when a person really wants to change their life. Even really heavy people have proven that weight loss is possible without resorting to surgery.

Yes, the people on those shows get support unlike anything most people have access to, but they have to do it all themselves in the end. They have to control what they are eating and they have to do the exercise. There's no doubt its hard work and they have to have a lot of commitment to keep going.

I've heard that many of the gastric bypass patients end up back at high weights in a few years (the stomach *can* be re-expanded slowly to the point that the person can again overeat.... and I heard about one guy (he was on NPR) who figured out he could "cheat" by drinking full fat latte drinks..). Because they never had to learn better eating habits or exercise habits they just end up going back. I know that some people who lose weight just through dieting end up heavy again too, but I'd be curious to know which group (surgery vs intensive diet/exercise program) has better long term success. I'd also be curious to the long term health implications of the surgery vs diet/exercise.... the surgery has some side effects (possible vitamin deficiencies, etc) and it may be promoting thinness over fitness - so I'd be curious to see how healthy the people from each group without considering how thin they are.

[Biciclista]

I don't watch any of those shows. I try to exercise as much as i can and eat reasonable portions of food.
I have noticed that as I get older i get hungrier for no good reason.

I agree with Eden.