Shaq's Big Challenge
I'm posting my comments on this show here because I couldn't find a way to complain to ABC. I was skinny as a kid and teenager, but I think this show is hurtful and is exploiting these kids. I also know it's hard to judge after just one show, but I don't like the way it's going so far. I do like having Shaq as a motivational speaker for the kids in the Miami area. But, the make-up of his team is just wrong. He's the head of the team and it includes a medical doctor, a nutritionis, and a trainer. That would be fine for dealing with some adults, but it's the wrong team for kids. Where's the pediatrician and a child psychologist? I don't think it's reasonable to expect kids to act like adults when they try to lose weight. Kids will be kids. And, adolesents are in a transitional phase of life. I'm sure they want to lose weight and that the only choice available for them is diet and exercise. I understand the need for a radical change in diet, but the team's expectations for exercise are just ridiculous. You can't expect a kid who's morbidly obese to run a mile, do pushups, or even do crunches (sit-ups). They should start with easier exercises that the kids can do and will enjoy. Then they can increase duration and difficulty over time. Consider the kids' weight and the fact that they are all from the Miami area, I'd suggest that they get them in a lap pool. Even if they just start out walking laps in water, their weight will not be a deterrant to exercise. I looked at the website for the show. Shaq had invited people to log onto the website where they could get 200 recipes. He didn't mention that it's not free. I didn't see a price listed but it does ask for credit card info. I assume the kids will lose weight over the 6 months of their program, but I wonder where their weight will be in a year. I know that many of you have battled weight problems from your youth. It will be interesting to read your comments.
