Meet the star of new TV show, “Fat March”

Hi everyone!

I have a special treat for you – a one-on-one interview with certified personal trainer Steve Pfiester, co-host and trainer for ABC’s newest weight loss reality show, premiering Monday, Aug. 6 at 9pm EST, called Fat March. During the course of 10 weeks, contestants walk from Boston to Washington, DC (and I thought I was fancy with my MS 3-day, 50 mile walk!) Contestants include Shane, a 6′0″, 500-lb. new dad/youth minister from Texas; Chantal, a 5′2″, 250-lb. comedian from Massachusetts; and others. These people are embarking on a 570-mile journey, people! Steve was there the whole time, from weigh-ins to nutritional education and working out to voting off. Here, he answers a few of Weighting Game’s questions:

Tell us a little bit about your role on the show.

"My role as host was to introduce the show to the 12 amazing cast members and explain what the next 10 weeks of their lives might be like. I explained the rules of Fat March, MC’d the weigh ins, challenges, and the dreaded vote off’s. As a host I got to try to connect the dots between what viewers may see and interpret and what actually was being experienced by the 12 cast.

My role as a trainer was very different than that of playing host. As their trainer I was with them every step of the 570-mile journey. I was responsible for educating them on simple and complex nutritional principals. My biggest role for them was to motivate and push them to reach for a level of fitness that they never dreamed possible. Part of being a trainer was making sure we rode that fine line of pushing them to lose as much weight as safely possible and also developing new belief systems with eating and exercise.

A third role that is an underlying factor in determining the success of the contestants was being able to listen and counsel them in regards to how their initial weight gain relates to how they react to situations in their lives. Together we (cast and trainers) had to find out why they were obese to begin with. The truth of why they were in this debilitating condition. They were all trapped in a circle of addiction and pore self esteem, seemingly finding no end to the cycle. Together we found a way to make it stop!"

What is Fat March’s goal?

"The first goal was to walk form Boston to Washington, DC, in 10 weeks. If all the contestants met this goal they would share a prize of 1.2 million dollars.

Second goal was to break down old belief systems and behaviors that have driven these 12 to almost losing their lives to obesity. To do this they would have to take a long look at why they have these pore behaviors and tell themselves the truth about why they haven’t changes before.

Third goal was to lose weight and get healthy. Not only on the show, but to learn how to reproduce a healthy environment even after returning home."

What can viewers expect when they watch?

"As people tune in they will realize these 12 contestants are telling the story of 65% of all Americans that struggle with their weight and the affects of obesity. Viewers will have an instant connection with the cast. They will begin to connect with some contestants, root some on, and perhaps hate others. But I know intertwined in this story, every viewer will be encouraged to realize a healthy lifestyle is only one pair of sneakers away. (Leslie’s note: I love this quote!) No magical diet or weird exercise routine… Just portion control and a little activity is all it takes to change your life. Viewers should be prepared to get caught up in the experience of this incredible journey. Viewers will want to scream, laugh, and cry with us all the way to Washington, DC."

I hope you turn in and maybe get motivated to make that changed you've been itching to make in your life!

PS for any Florida readers, Steve and his wife, Bonnie, own and operate a fitness club exclusively for women called Longevity Fitness Club – check it out!

Comments

I've seen the ads for this challenge, and I'm not sure what to think of it. For those who make the distance, it would be an important step toward self-confidence. However, for those voted off? How would that feel to be voted off a weight-loss show? Also, how do they expect the "contestants" to fare in the real world when they are forced to make healthy decisions in a world of fast food, where everything is processed?

This might be an amazing journey for a handful of people - but for the rest of us (and the contestants), it sounds a bit like the Trail of Tears.

I'll have to check out the show. At first I thought, OMG, what a long distance to walk! Then I did the math and realized it's probably on 6 to 7 miles a day. Still for people that heavy and out of shape, it will be a good challenge. Thanks for doing the interview - good stuff.

I like this idea though I have to wonder how the "losers" as well. How does one get voted off? I'm assuming it has to do with their attitude, commitment, etc... But I also read that they are fined $10,000 if they get voted off or quit?! That is not cool at all.

I see your point about being voted off and how that might impact the participants. I must admit, i'm not exactly sure on what the voting process is based. I'll have to tune in and see what it's about. I may shoot Steve an email and have him comment....Thanks for pointing this out!
LG

VOTE OFF INFO: The cast doesn't get fined if THEY quit...the remaining cast get's 10K deducted from their winnings if they vote OTHERS off - encouraging them to help eachother and get along. It's the only reality show where the more that make it, the more money they win.

As for the cast getting ready for the real world...the trainers had 570 miles to talk to them about nutrition, teach them and help prepare them for life outside of the world of weight loss reality TV.

This show is meant to be positive and simply encourage people to get active. This was not a show about walking 6 miles a day though. Some days they walked 10, 15, 20 miles plus had challenges along the way. The bottom line is this: Getting fit can be as simple as putting on a pair of tennis shoes and walking. We hope it inspires many people.

Hope that helped everyone understand the show a bit more. :)

absolutely -Thanks, Bonnie! Can't wait to see the show tonight!

Hey everyone - here's a link to Steve's own blog if you wanna check in!
http://stevepfiester.blogspot.com/2007/08/fat-march-journal-day-one.html

This show is meant to be positive and simply encourage people to get active.