Why watch "My 600 Pound Life"?

Although I dislike some parts of the show (the shower scene, the lack of referral to a psychologist until after surgery), I do find the show helpful. I sometimes hear the individual making excuses or rationalizations and think, "yup, I have said that to myself before". I don't know, it just helps me to keep my thinking in check. I am not a fan of Dr. Now. I always did worse after visits with doctors like him and better after visits with doctors who took a more encouraging approach.

I have been thinking about your question a lot since I first saw your post. I have conflicted feelings about the programme. I agree with others who have said that showing the person showering is degrading and unnecessary. And there are other, more subtle, ways in which they make the people seem less human, less deserving of compassion. But there is one thing about the show that I really appreciate: It goes in-depth into the psychological challenges faced by the people on the show. And I'm not talking so much about the psychological traumas that they have faced, as the day-to-day mental challenges that they face while going through the programme. So my reasons for watching are:

1. It makes me think a lot about my own attitudes toward food. It reminds me how dangerous it is to use food for comfort.
2. It inspires me to try harder. If they can do it (at a much higher BMI), so can I.
3. I get ideas of approaches to try with my own weight loss journey.
4. It helps me practice compassion. (And by feeling compassion for others, I feel more compassion for myself.)

There are a couple of other shows that are more sensitive in how they show people going for weight loss surgery.

The Fat Doctor - older UK programme, show on YouTube

The Big Ward - on Netflix. Takes place in New Zealand. My favourite!

The show is helpful and at the same time it is trashy entertainment. I used to be the one that would watch it with all my snacks in front of me and eating my take out meal while I tuned into the weeks latest episode. Saying to myself "omg he/she is SO big" omg this...and omg that... all while thinking in the back of my mind "it's already been 1 year since last seasons premier and i told myself after so n so's episode i was going to get back on track and lose the weight"

For me it's no different than any other trashy entertainment show. It goes for the shock factor and it's all edited to make the viewer keep tuning in. Since I have had my own WLS i don'****ch it as religiously as i used too. Mainly because That segment of the show where they show the people shopping and then going home and eating like 20k calories. I don't feel I am ready to watch people basically doing a mukbang at this point.

I gave up on TV years ago. One thing I will say is that "Reality TV" is a lot less real than the other crap that is on TV. While the program just showed up on Netflix this month I have absolutely no desire to watch it, largely because I am living it, though not as a 600 pounder. First off, any weight that is lost is done over significantly longer periods of time than the edited version would have you believe. Second the show likely portrays a stereotype already ingrained in America's conscious regarding obesity. Finally, they undoubtedly support the kind of "pop diet" plans already proven not to work. Finally, I have achieved a level of weight loss success that no longer requires me to watch a fictional account of how to do it.

Brad Miller

SW 447 CW 362 GW 220 (15% body fat)

I like how Dr Now makes them accountable and sees how bad they want to lose weight. One episode reminded me of myself where the guy was told to lose 120 lbs in two months by following the strict 1200 per day diet. He loved PB sandwiches and just figured a few a day would not hurt. Well in the end he only lost 22 lbs! Really shows that what we eat in private will show in public. Food is a busybody and will ALWAYS tell on us. Truly, a second on lips-a lifetime on hips! So when we make just that one exception-it could be like those PB sandwiches! Yet. I do feel for these people, that could be me, that was me! Only difference are the amount of poundage. So we do not want to get on our high horses. Yes, I can do with out the shower scenes, but it shows how mundane, everyday things are so difficult when we are so beyond a normal weight! Also how life-threatening excess weight and fat can be-infections, rashes, skin disease, etc. Also shows how processed food, junk food, fast food are slowly killing us! The biggest thing I get from it-is that there is ALWAYS an enabler-usually a close friend or family member who brings the food to them. Are WE enablers?