I want to see FAT people working out

kyle4jem
kyle4jem Posts: 1,400 Member
edited October 1 in Fitness and Exercise
Now I suppose you could take this statement in two ways:

1) I want to see folks who struggle with their weight getting more exercise

== or ==

2) I want to actually see a workout video or clip where fat people take part rather than these ultra-fit, super-toned PTs.

While I wholeheartedly encourage #1, what I really want to see is #2. I've spent the last couple of hours on YouTube (maybe not the best place to start, but you've gotta start somewhere :huh: ) and there's quite a few good exercise clips which give tips and hints for the obese and overweight to start gentle exercises. But in none of these clips do we actually get to see fat people attempting these exercises. :frown:

It's the same with all those fitness infomercials you get on cable and sattelite TV. You too can have super abs, or drop 50lbs and get your figure back etc etc. All we ever see is a gym bunnie in tight black lycra, muscles so toned you could bounce 50p of them and showing us effortlessly how this gizmo and that gadget can change your life (for only £139.99 excl. P&P) :laugh:

Sorry folks, but I'm fat and I think it would be really motivational to actually see other fat people working out together, because then I wouldn't feel so freakish. It's bad enough when I'm out on the bike and you can see the fitties all look at you in wonder because you're over 200lbs and riding a bike!! :angry:

Anyway, am I odd or has anyone else thought about this? :ohwell:

Replies

  • lindalee0315
    lindalee0315 Posts: 527 Member
    The Biggest Loser DVDs have "fat" people working out in them. (At least the two that I have do).
  • ambercole
    ambercole Posts: 426
    the biggest loser workout videos have very large people doing the workouts. try those.
  • kalcide
    kalcide Posts: 120 Member
    so does billy blanks!
  • mashanda
    mashanda Posts: 120 Member
    Biggest Loser DVDs do!
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    Richard Simmons loves his fat ladies!
  • joyfulmom4him
    joyfulmom4him Posts: 110
    I was going to say Biggest Loser too but I also have Shapely girl that has plus size ladies working out. It can be so frustrating. Hope you find something soon. Hang in there!
  • MochaBlues
    MochaBlues Posts: 197 Member
    I think Richard Simmons- (showing my age now) always had larger people in all his exercise videos.
  • JJLive
    JJLive Posts: 88 Member
    It's all about marketing. "See how crappy our workout program is? All our people are still FAT!!". That does not sell DVDs, Lol. :-)
  • leilani♥
    leilani♥ Posts: 579
    Richard Simmons - Sweating to the oldies :)
  • mcomo
    mcomo Posts: 1
    While I think the prevailing mindset in marketing is that you want to be inspired by fitter people, don't discount the fact that it's much easier to see the correct form on a thinner, fitter body. If you can see the joints more clearly and what muscles are being used it's more effective at instruction.
  • penny39
    penny39 Posts: 266 Member
    I agree 100%! I do believe the Biggest Loser Videos have what you are looking for.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I agree - I use a lot of exercise videos, and many do not use "regular" people, let alone heavy people. Spokesmodels do not motivate me in the least. I would like to see more "regular" people in my workouts.
  • Cakepiebeer
    Cakepiebeer Posts: 392
    There's a series on Netflix called "Heavy" that documents the struggle of two severely obease people.

    I was gonna say Biggest Loser as well.. bit I figured for the length of time that show has been on the air, it would of been the obvious choice
  • gatorflyer
    gatorflyer Posts: 536 Member
    The suggestions from above are good - biggest loser ones (some of them) have fat people working out. But I think the real question you are asking is, have you been motivated by watching videos of skinny people working out? I know that at times I have been frustrated by seeing these body builders working out and having some instructor (thru the video) tell me to work harder, blah blah blah. The reality is, it can be very discouraging to see toned people able to do these things, and make you think you'll never be that thin or you'll never be able to do it. So, my suggestion is to check out some of the biggest loser videos - particularly the early ones with people starting out. Then, when you get to feeling a little confident, I think you should videotape yourself working out. Maybe after you've gotten some confidence and start building more stamina with exercise, you can go back and look at your earlier recordings and see how far you've come. Heck, you might even be able to sell them as motivational videos after you've lost a lot of weight. Just a thought. Good Luck!
  • ncqueenbee
    ncqueenbee Posts: 147 Member
    LOL! I'm rolling on the floor right now! I think they use "fit" people in their videos for inspiration. I say to myself "okay...a little bit more and I can look like the skinny, toned girl right there, who, by the way, is barely breaking a sweat. Just a few more workouts and i'm there." Unfortuantely, I'm not there yet, but I'll keep trying!
  • kyle4jem
    kyle4jem Posts: 1,400 Member
    Thanks everybody :flowerforyou:

    To be honest, I never thought of The Biggest Loser, becasue it's not really a show I'm familiar with. I think I remember seeing part of an episode of the US version on one of the sattelite channels a good few years ago but it was just way too schmaltzy for me.

    There has been a UK version on ITV1, but again, although mainstream, this is a commercial channel which I seldom ever watch and certainly wouldn't watch any kind of reality TV show. Most of the shows I watch are on the BBC which has no ad-breaks within shows and only programme trails between them

    Anyway, I've ordered a couple of dvd's from Amazon so I'll see if this has the desired effect on me. :laugh:
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    I don't really care for "Biggest Loser". I think the name freaks me out a bit. I have watched the show on MTV about 18 year old kids that lose weight over the summer, and I can relate to what they are going through. They work out until they throw up and then they go home and try to eat well while the rest of their families are eating crap. My workouts aren't quite as long or intense, but I do feel the same emotions and side effects that they go through.

    As far as exercise videos go, get some Richard Simmons Sweatin to the Oldies. :) Those people look crazy, but I admire them for it.
  • fudgebudget
    fudgebudget Posts: 198 Member
    I don't know if you have access to the streaming shows on ABC in the UK, but they just did a miniseries called "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" where morbidly obese people spend a year getting into better shape and losing weight without any kind of weight loss surgery. They did a pretty good job with it, I think, since they really do let you see how difficult it all is.

    All 8 of the episodes are streaming on abc.com.
  • carrie1128
    carrie1128 Posts: 267 Member
    I don't know if you have access to the streaming shows on ABC in the UK, but they just did a miniseries called "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" where morbidly obese people spend a year getting into better shape and losing weight without any kind of weight loss surgery. They did a pretty good job with it, I think, since they really do let you see how difficult it all is.

    All 8 of the episodes are streaming on abc.com.
    I love that show!
  • lovey0707
    lovey0707 Posts: 5
    Richard Simmons loves his fat ladies!

    That is exactly what I was thinking when I saw this post. I have to agree though. when I watch my 30 day shred and even the girl who does the modified versions is in better shape than jillian it isn't motivational. I have struggled with my weight my whoel life and the owrth this was when the "teacher" of my prenatal aerobics/strength/yoga class was a skinny twig who had never been pregnant telling us to stand up on the bikes and work harder lmao
  • kyle4jem
    kyle4jem Posts: 1,400 Member
    I don't know if you have access to the streaming shows on ABC in the UK, but they just did a miniseries called "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" where morbidly obese people spend a year getting into better shape and losing weight without any kind of weight loss surgery. They did a pretty good job with it, I think, since they really do let you see how difficult it all is.

    All 8 of the episodes are streaming on abc.com.
    Thanks for the ehads up.

    My work VPM connection passes through our servers in AZ so I think I might be able to check this out. Many years ago (when I was a couch potatoe) I used to watch Extreme Makeover where the contestants go their da Vinci veneers and their lipo and tummy-tucks, a stunning wardrobe etc. I'd prefer to see Ty pennington come in with a sledgehammer :laugh:
  • fudgebudget
    fudgebudget Posts: 198 Member
    Thanks for the ehads up.

    My work VPM connection passes through our servers in AZ so I think I might be able to check this out. Many years ago (when I was a couch potatoe) I used to watch Extreme Makeover where the contestants go their da Vinci veneers and their lipo and tummy-tucks, a stunning wardrobe etc. I'd prefer to see Ty pennington come in with a sledgehammer :laugh:

    Oh man, the first Extreme Makeover was terrible - the Home and Weight Loss editions are both much, much better - they don't cater to people's insecurities. Every once in a while on the first Extreme Makeover they'd help people with real issues (like the people that needed $10,000 worth of dental work because of a car accident or something), but for the most part it was "I don't like my nose!" or "I was so upset that being pregnant stretched my skin out!" The new show Bridalplasty is a reality show where women compete against each other to win plastic surgeries before their weddings. I refuse to watch it, the whole thing makes me super depressed.

    I have a hard time not getting verklempt while watching the Home edition, ha, but for completely different reasons :)
  • krysydawn
    krysydawn Posts: 231 Member
    There's a series on Netflix called "Heavy" that documents the struggle of two severely obease people.

    Exactly what I was going to say!!! I just finished all 12 episodes of that!
  • andarta
    andarta Posts: 1 Member
    I purchased a DVD through Amazon.com called --HeavyWeight Yoga 2: Change the Image of Yoga
    Abby Lentz-- everyone in it is overweight and/or obese and so is the instructor--I love this dvd because you're right, I feel more of a connection with these people cause they are all overweight like me and I use the dvd 2 to 3 times a week and don't think I'll stop.

    I feel great after the work out and it is because I can do all the moves in the dvd as well as seeing others my size doing it as well doesn't wonders for my self-esteem.

    Hope this helps!
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I was going to say Biggest Loser too but I also have Shapely girl that has plus size ladies working out. It can be so frustrating. Hope you find something soon. Hang in there!

    Try collagevideo.com (for video clips ...... You can see what you're getting.

    Yes- Shapely Girl - Debra Mazda is a lot of fun, she picks fun music too.

    Not a big fan of Biggest Loser DVDs... people (Bob & Jillian) walking around and not doing the workout ...bugs me.

    Lesllie Sansone has a lot of "regular people" in her videos ... young & old, big & small. 3 Mile Weight Loss Walk is a favorite ..... watch out for Leslies newer vidoes though .... some new videos feature only "fitness model" types.
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