Check out my progress on I Used to Be Fat
Earlier today, I was doing some channel-surfing (I vetoed the Food Network for once—Down Home with the Neelys was on). I soon stumbled upon a show on MTV that piqued my interest; it was a show entitled simply I Used to Be Fat.
Consider this program something like a less-hyped (and competition-free) version of The Biggest Loser. The show’s subjects are young adults endeavoring to lose a large amount of weight within a defined time span (e.g., 100 pounds in 3 months); each episode is devoted to a single individual. As you might expect, I was immediately sucked into Gabriella (this particular episode’s subject) and her efforts to shed her high school image of “the fat girl” before entering into college life. My interest in such a show shouldn’t be surprising for two reasons:
1) I, too, have struggled with my weight for the majority of my life. Before reaching even the age of 8, I was made aware of my size. I can identify so much with the subjects on this show. While I was never nearly as obese as the people featured on I Used to Be Fat, the feelings are all the same.Quite frankly, life really sucks when you feel inferior to others due to your overabundance of stature.
2) As a future dietitian, supporting people through the weight loss process is something I look forward to doing. My dual interest in psychology and nutrition makes me eager to assist individuals as they progress on their journey to optimal health.
Do you enjoy shows centered around the topic of weight loss? Why or why not?
Switching gears from weight loss to weight maintenance, let’s take a look at my eats today…
Last night, I prepared Ellie recipe #4, Pumpkin Pie Muffins. There is quite a long list of ingredients, but the intoxicating aroma that filled my apartment during baking was well worth the trouble of gathering all the components.
My tweaks:
-I used 2 cups “white whole wheat” flour rather than a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat pastry flours.
-I used 2 T blackstrap molasses as opposed to the 3 T regular unsulphured molasses required in the recipe.
If you’d like to try the recipe for yourself, it’s available from FoodNetwork.com: Pumpkin Muffins
I incorporated a muffin into a parfait this morning. I heated it up slightly before crumbling it and smothering it with cinnamon-spiked Greek yogurt and apple. ‘Twas truly divine.
For lunch, I made a batch of my Mock Tuna Salad and served it alongside a pear-walnut slaw.
Dinner was another old favorite, Cashew Ginger Tofu. I’ve probably had this exact meal close to a hundred times, but it never ceases to satisfy my taste-buds completely.
‘Til tomorrow!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Those muffins look great! I wish you were still in Bama so you could give me some
Your food looks great! Those muffins sound so good to me right now…
I always get sucked into shows like that too. I’m a wellness coach, and when I work in the corporate setting (and actually outside of that too), the number one goal is always weight loss. It’s an interesting concept, because education about what’s healthy only gets a person so far…then it’s about strategies for change and long-term maintenance.
I like your blog!
~Lisa
never heard of that show. in general i try to avoid mtv altogether. how was it presented? responsibly?
i dont really watch any of the weight shows. as much as i LOVE jillian michaels, ive actually never seen the biggest loser.
BroccoliHut Reply:
January 4th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Agreed–I generally avoid MTV, but this show was a worthwhile way to spend an hour of my time. The weight loss tactics are sound, and they completely discourage fad diets. I say, points for MTV for promoting weight loss in a healthy way.
i studied psych and deal with my own ED issues, but I think that a person’s weight journey is SO personalized and should be treated as more than a generalized physical condition… but that’s just me
oh i watched that show..it sucks me in too!!!
OMG i want one of thosemuffins!
TOTALLY watched that show too!! It was a good one, my boyfriend kept wanting me to change it – but he eventually got sucked in too
I can only imagine how good those muffins smell and taste. They look divine!
I do enjoy shows centered around weight loss. Ironically, when I was heavy, I refused to watch The Biggest Loser because I thought it exploited obese people. Now, it’s one of my favorite shows. I often wonder how many others who are overweight feel like I did and refuse to watch. The sad thing is that’s when I could probably have benefitted most from the info.
I’m drawing a complete blank on the name of the show right now, but I’ve watched a few episodes of the show that follows a camp for overweight kids. It’s enlightening, but so sad at the same time.
BroccoliHut Reply:
January 5th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Was it Bug Juice by chance? I used to watch a show by that name on the Disney Channel–it focuses on a “fat camp” for adolescents and I always found it really entertaining.
I’m on the Ellie kick currently as well– haven’t gotten around to making any of her recipes yet, but I sure love her ideas, advice and spunk. I’m SO super sad she doesn’t film her show anymore; oh well, there’s always re- runs
HAHAH i boycott the neely’s, too! i love that you said that.
BroccoliHut Reply:
January 5th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
I just can’t take it–way too much PDA for a cooking show.
You’re right, the batter for these delightful muffins does look like baby poo, but the end result is definitely perfect for a healthy breakfast.
Your muffins looks delicious!! Happy new year
i saw the first episode of that.. it was okay..but I def want to keep watching- im addicted to show slike that!
Nothing like a little baby poo to make me happy.
I’m going to have to check out I Used to Be Fat. Does sound very intriguing. I’m interested to see how they go about helping the kids lose weight. I do enjoy shows about weight loss b/c like you, I struggled with weight at a young age, and it did suck.
I too have struggled with my weight for years due to an eating disorder, and am studying to become a dietician, what a coincidense
.
I used to be heavily interested in wieght loss shows/series/anything really, and it was my goal to help people lose weight once I graduated, but my goals and interests have shifted a lot over the course of last year. My interest now lies more with fitness and wellbeing, the spiritual and mindful components including.
those muffins look scrumptious by the way!
x sabine
Ps- you are so right in stating the feelings are all the same. the weight is just a metaphor really. I think the same about addictions, and see an eating disorder as an addiction too. whatever the addiction: drugs, alcohol, weight/food, the letting go and recovering is so tough..
BroccoliHut Reply:
January 5th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Amen to that!
ooh, you can watch it online . . . i think i will check out the first episode! i have never been overweight but did used to obsess about my (totally normal, healthy!) size growing up. i blame cheerleading (at least in part).
Katie made some broccoli slaw last night!! We ate it and some turkey enchiladas while watching The Biggest Loser.
BroccoliHut Reply:
January 5th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
I’m impressed! I don’t like cabbage (the typical basis of cole slaw mix), and I obviously have a fondness for broccoli, so the broccoli slaw works for me. Sounds like a delish meal–is the turkey enchilada recipe from the Pioneer Woman Cookbook?
I get sucked into shows about weight loss. Mostly because I have been on that journey (and still am on that journey)!
But my issue with The Biggest Loser and some of the others shows is that they show such dramatic weight loss results in such a short amount of time. Then people who are trying to do it at home feel like they aren’t that successful if they only lose 1-2 pounds a week– which is actually a good loss.
And I wish they woudl make the shows mostly about the weight loss and not the eliminations, I would like that. I’d still tune in to TBL, even if they didn’t vote someone off. It would be inspiring to me to just see the transformations!
BroccoliHut Reply:
January 5th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
I have the same issue with The Biggest Loser. I’ll be honest, I’ve only watched a few episodes, but they seem to teach the complete wrong mindset for weight loss–it’s a lifestyle change that takes time!
I watched the show last week and thought it was decent, especially compared to many other “weight loss” shows out there.
those muffins look so great!
Those muffins look good.
I got hooked on a show called Whats Eating You on E-tv channel. It is also about weight loss but more so about eating disorders. Those types of shows interest me because I was going through an ED and felt the same way as some of the people on the show.
never seen the show! i do watch shows centered around it, when its done in a healthy way. i like seeing people get through their struggles and achieve a new radiant self that they never thought they had
I saw an episode of that show and thought it was pretty interesting. I’m not a big fan of biggest loser because I think their tactics are little….extreme. But this show seems to be pretty good (at least the episode I saw). Those muffins look perfect. And incorporated in a parfait? Gorgeous!
I’ve been following your blog for a little while, and I love your dedication to eating healthy, clean foods, but I have one quick question: do you never eat dessert? I don’t mean this in a mean way at all, just wondering!
BroccoliHut Reply:
January 6th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Good question, Caroline. I actually get asked this a lot. First of all, I don’t post everything I eat, so the foods that often go unphotographed are snacks and sweet treats, including desserts. That being said, I’m not one for indulging in ice cream or cake very often. My taste-buds have evolved so that I don’t really crave treats. That being said, I still think it is a very (mentally) healthy practice to enjoy desserts in moderation, particularly in honor of special occasions.
Wow look at all that food! Your muffins look sinful. I always end up watching the biggest loser at the gym because it is on when I am normally at the gym. I haven’t seen I Used to be Fat yet, I have seen it advertised though.
I love weight-loss shows. I’m a fitness instructor and love seeing people motivated and working hard to lose the weight. I also like getting ideas on how to torture my classes!
Thanks for sharing your days meals, helps give us a good idea of a well-rounded day!