Others' Struggles

I'm fascinated with reality shows about overweight people. I know that sounds totally insensitive, but I don't mean it in a negative way. I don't see them as freaks or as part of some circus for the world to see. On the contrary, I'm intrigued by their struggles and the steps they take to try to overcome their situations. Take "Ruby," for example. It's a show on Style network about a severely obese woman in Georgia working to battle her food addiction. Cameras follow her around Savannah while she fights her demons. I love her story because it's full of heart and vulnerability. Ruby knows that if she doesn't shed the weight, she'll probably die. It's morbid, but it's true.

Ok, so I'm not obese or even close to being in Ruby's shoes. I just need to lose about 20 more pounds to be within my "healthy" range. Still, I find inspiration in her story. If she can re-work the only lifestyle she's ever known to become a completley different person, can't anyone? Maybe... but maybe not.

TLC's "Big Medicine" profiles multiple overweight people with a variety of issues. Most of them are addicted to food, just like an alcoholic is addicted to drinking. The difference is that we HAVE to eat food to live... How successful could an alcoholic be if he or she needed to have one shot a day... just one... to keep going? I can't even imagine how difficult that would be.

Some doctors insist that the urge to overeat is genetic (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5342552.ece). While most people can eat a meal and be full for hours, others search for more food shortly after filling themselves up. They might not even be hungry, but they want to eat because of how their brain is wired. Sometimes I wonder if this affects me somehow. Again, I'm not obese, but I love food, and I could eat all day if I wanted to. I get full pretty easily now, and I have major heartburn after stuffing myself. Still, I wonder if my genetic makeup plays a role in my eating habits. My mom eats like a bird. My dad likes food, too, but he's not obese; he just likes to graze.

Either way, the stories I hear on "Ruby" and "Big Medicine" are motivating me not to want to overeat anymore. You should check those shows out if you have a chance.