Daytime TV: Hazardous to my health

Yesterday I wrote from the comfort of my family room chofa (not just a simple over-stuffed chair, yet not big enough to count as a sofa) because I had a cold and was hopped up on meds, surrounded by crumpled tissues. Blech. For background noise, I turned on the TV and the following ensued:

- I fell asleep.
- I tried working on an essay and instead painted my nails.
- I got sucked in by a rerun of America’s Biggest Loser...and I don't even watch that show!

Then the following shows came on, in seeming rapid-fire succession:

E! Entertainment’s 20 Skinniest Hollywood Stars

Making the Team – Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (I flipped channels and dance try-out shows always catch my eye)

I Wanna Look Like a High School Cheerleader Again

A Jenny Craig commercial

Something about Janet Jackson’s crazy weight loss.

Finally, around 3pm my appetite came back and I shoved a few spoonfuls of peanut butter down my throat. And some grapes. And a sliver of leftover deep dish.

Why am I telling you all of this?

Because as I was writing/watching/surfing, I couldn’t help but be struck by how everything on TV seemed to be about women and our struggles with weight. On the Dallas Cowboys show, the words “She’s one hamburger away from fitting in that outfit” were actually uttered – in front of the woman trying on the costume, as if she weren’t there. The Wanna Look show was sad and absurd: a group of former pom-pom girls-turned-everyday mothers who were dressed up in silly pleated skirts and made to work out to exhaustion, all in the hopes that the public weigh-in at the end of the week would get them a few steps closer to fitting in their pre-pubescent uniforms. One woman was voted off the show because she lost something like 0.001% less weight than another contestant. Ugh.

And of course peppered throughout the day were various commercials for weight loss, low-fat foods, low-carb foods, gyms, upcoming shows on how Ricki Lake lost all that weight and Kate Bosworth is defending her frame after slimming down from her Blue Crush, buffed-up physique.

Just another example of how inundated we are with messages to lose, lose, lose. And yes, of course it’s important to maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity but must women really subject themselves to the public humiliation of carrying plates of food across a slim beam perched atop a pool, so they can win the “Varsity” challenge and have lunch served to them by the JV team? What does it say that a fantastic dancer with sparkling eyes and a flat stomach and – more importantly – ability, can be kicked off a team for thick thighs? (And by thick, I mean approximately the width of a grande latte.) Why do women constantly have to defend their weights – be they “too small,” “too big,” or “perfect”?

Now I know why I write from a coffee shop. TV can be so depressing.

Comments

Ah yes, I've seen all those shows. The worst part of that "Cheerleader" one was when they put pizza and margaritas in the ladies' cabin, then trained a hidden camera on them. After a bunch of the women indulged (after working out for about 3 hours), the trainers played back the video and then berated them for eating and drinking. It was awful!
There was an article in either "Time" or "Newsweek" a few months ago about "The Biggest Loser" and how unrealistic it is, and they quoted past contestants about the really unhealthy things they would do before a weigh-in (diuretics, not drinking water, over-training). They also interviewed the first season's winner, who has gained back all the weight he lost.

Alyssa - two things:
1) I'm so glad to learn I'm not the only person who watched this show :-)
2) I didn't see the article on TBL you mention, but that's so interesting. Obviously people resort to drastic measures to drop pounds but for some reason, I never pictured contestants on a show like that taking pills to "win". And hey - how messed up is it that, with the title of the show, they've managed to simultaneously insult the men and women ("Loser") while driving them to lose weight so they can be a "winner"?

I love watching shows about weight loss/weight gain...well more documentaries than shows. The "Best Hollywood Bodies" kinda shows don't really interest me. But I will admit I love watching shows like The Biggest Loser or documentaries that take place in fat camps. Just the whole transformation of people and watching them work hard motivates me.

I guess that's what happens when there's that much money involved. Plus, they're on tv, yada yada yada. There was one week where a contestant lost 30 pounds...in a week! How can they possibly maintain that?

I still think women have it far worse then us men when it comes to the media images of being slim and trying to have the "perfect" body.

But the pressure on men is slowly building on us as well. There are a ton of magazines and shows that tell you "you're not a real man unless you're ripped" or "women hate your gut"

On another note, my wife picks up Women's World Magazine from time to time. I hate it. Every month is the latest and greatest diet or new ways to "slash" calories.

What's even more frustrating is that it's our own sexes that are promoting this kind of garbage to each other. (I'm a male)

I think we forget that it's not some big "thing" or company that push these negative body images to us. There are real people behind the information and their motivations are not always to our benefit.

Sorry for the long comment and letting me vent. :)

I really liked your comment Steve - you are so right:) I'm glad (some) guys can see it too.

As for those TV shows, well, that's a major reason why we don't have TV. Seeing that kind of stuff is the fastest way back to my eating disorder (do not pass go, do not eat 200 calories) I can think of. I also limit which magazines I subscribe too for the same reason. And still I feel like I'm a bit too obsessed with my weight. Our culture really scares me sometimes:)

they would do before a weigh-in (diuretics, not drinking water, over-training). They also interviewed the first season's winner, who has gained back all the weight he lost.

But the pressure on men is slowly building on us as well. There are a ton of magazines and shows that tell you "you're not a real man unless you're ripped" or "women hate your gut"

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