Is the point not to lose weight and get in better shape?
What’s next? Match of the Day criticised for focusing on football?
People will be complaining about fit athletes at the Olympics next.
It’s just like Love Island & Normal People etc, if it’s not your thing don’t watch. No one’s going to force you!
Of all the things to criticise the show for, focusing on weight isn’t one of them.
I don’t believe that statistic at the bottom of the article
Easy to say “if you don’t like it don’t watch it” but honestly it’s fuelling a lot of weight stigma and there’s no need for it.
Similarly, no extended help and support for participants after the show, questionable resources available to deal with trauma that may be a factor of weight…. we’ve moved on.
Edit – to those engaging in downvotes please let me know how I’m not contributing to discussion, and I’d like to know why you don’t agree with me.
In recent years I’ve been working on myself a lot more following a trauma that led to a binge/purge eating disorder. I’ve started looking at concepts like intuitive eating to get a bit more in tune with my body, and I can happily say I’ve lost weight as a result. Restriction on the back of trauma (which many participants suffer from on OT – didn’t they do the “circle of truth”) without adequate supports just kicks the can down the road. I don’t like the idea of people being exploited with my TV licence money, only for them to be completely open about how horrible and nasty the programme was, and how a lack of support ruined them.
This isn’t about hating a concept of people losing weight and eating healthier. That in itself is great. The unrealistic calorie restrictions and unsustainable lifestyle overhauls overnight make for good TV but not a good lifestyle for the participants and it doesn’t factor in things like menstrual cycles.
The show itself should look to a more holistic approach that isn’t centred on screaming on people in lycra because they didn’t lose 6lb this week, they lost 5.5lb.
Edit 2 – to whomever commented “RTE is not to blame for your eating disorder” before swiftly deleting it – you’re right. My BED was the result of trauma, rape actually, and RTE has no bearing on whether I’m “fixed” or not.
What’s inappropriate is this supposed support offered to leaders when it’s evident they’ve gone through some unresolved traumas that isn’t right to be camera fodder for the next few weeks. Former leaders have spoken out about their ill treatment on the show.
I’m not fat, I’m sassy!
Change the channel. Not just if you have an ED or would prefer a more body positive approach. Turn it off coz it’s shite TV. I’d choose Tipping point over it.
Yera fuck off. You’re overweight and weight loss shows make you feel bad. Change the channel ya fucking clowns.
The problem with OT is that it’s utter shite.
Being Fat is not healthy, Losing weight and getting in shape is good for you. People are so soft now, Jesus.
[deleted]
Am I wrong or is this an article about an organisation claiming it has a negative on people with anorexia but the headline makes it sound like the woke brigade are at it again?
Did anyone here even read the article?
An eating disorder charity is pointing out that people suffering from eating disorders or their family members are contacting Bodywhys about how the show is triggering them and half the comments here are mocking them for being fat.
It’s disgusting.
I was in a taxi today when this story came on the radio and jaysus the guy complaining about the show sounded like a total melt.
If you suffer/suffered with an eating disorder and have traumas from that experience, what the fuck are you doing watching a weight loss show? You can’t blame the show, that you chose to watch for triggering your trauma.
The issue with this show and others like it is the focus on dieting culture, something that does not last long-term. This can lead to any form of disordered eating. It focuses on scales and how much people weigh when what they should be focusing on is helping people build strong habits that they can maintain, with focus on holistic self care. There is also a massive blame culture on that show and it quite blatantly encourages fat shaming.
It’s not about not watching the show if you get “triggered”. It’s about the affect these shows have on people. The shows like these promote fat phobia and weight stigma in society. Also if parents are fans of these shows it can lead to disordered eating in their children and also in themselves. These shows are more for entertainment and not for medical or health reasons.
The show promotes unhealthy behaviours and ideals that someone’s value as a person can be measured by how much they weigh. It will be all over media for the next few weeks so escaping it for some people isn’t possible making it understandable why people would be triggered by it.
Actually helping people implement sustainable habits for life doesn’t make for interesting television. So they shame or praise the contestants each week to make it interesting for viewers.
You wouldn’t see a show like this ‘fixing’ people’s mental health issues over a few weeks through intensive therapy sessions or group workshops.
I get criticism of some aspects (like making them weigh themselves wearing underwear, which gas changed) but I don’t think we should outlaw any discussion of weight or weight loss. Overall, i think it’s one of the better programmes in this genre, and past successes shows that it works for many people.
While we shouldn’t shame people who are overweight, promoting a healthy lifestyle is in everyones interest imo. I used to have some weight on, and weight loss honestly made me feel a lot better, not because other people had made me shit for being overweight, but just because I felt a lot happier and more confident in myself.
Now, there’s obviously people who suffer with eating disorders or unhealthy obsession with their weight. But that’s not reason to criticise publicising information on weight loss. Just as the existence of gambling addictions is not reason to outlaw sports.
I swear some people’s whole entire reality is just Twitter drama.
Personally my issue with it is its utter shite like 90% of rte content these days
People should not be abused or bullied over their body shape or weight. However, people who are obese, eating unhealthy and excessively, can be called out for it.
FWIW, my 💭 for on Operation Transformation.
In 2019 I came close to restricting myself to death by fixating on what I was eating and how I was exercising. I believed that by doing so would make me ‘good enough’. I used a popular fitness app to fuel my behaviours; congratulating weight loss, encouraging excessive exercise, and creating food fear. I have lived experience of how dangerous that thinking can be.
I feel the current model of Operation Transformation uses, among others, all the same features as that app:
⚖️ ultimate approval weigh-ins
👏🏻 for weight-loss
📔 fear of ‘bad’ foods and absolute calorie logging
👨🏫 expert opinions
👤 visual body-shaming
Now maybe you can watch and/or take part in the series with a strength of character that allows you to be immune to the negative thinking these features create; to only enjoy positivity from it. I admire you for that.
But there are others who, as a result of engaging with it, will end up in an unexpected dark place where they feel they are NEVER good enough. That’s how an eating disorder starts.
Weight-management for medical reasons is absolutely appropriate; weight-loss for ratings is not.
The values of the show appear skewed. Weight-loss will literally transform a person; it may not be for the better. I have first-hand proof of that. The secondary social community elements of the show are great; the primary weight-loss approval is not.
If you watch the series, pls be mindful of your thoughts 💙
Get active, eat well. Get restful, eat with freedom. Mind your body, mind your mind. Be selfish for yourself, be selfish for others around you.
Don’t log your weight. I once learnt that happiness is not measured on the scales… 🫂
I thought this might lead to some lively debate.
I don’t watch RTÉ so have never seen this. But holy balls have I heard about it. All over the supermarket, on the radio, people in the office, family members are bringing it up.
It did strike me that it’s quite mad that with this concept, they’ve made somebody’s bodily health (and presumably mental health too) into a TV show, a spectator sport.
Also the title has the word “operation” in it when it’s about weight-loss, that’s a bit tactless.
Bodywhys have been doing a lot of excellent campaigning recently, which is very important in this country, particularly at a time when there are waiting lists which mean scarcely anyone will be seen in a timely fashion during such a time-sensitive illness. I know several people with eating disorders, including one 30 year old I went to college with who recently died of heart failure due to AN. She had a three year old.
I’m not suggesting the show should be banned and neither is the article. When a weight-loss competition is being talked about the length and breadth of the nation, it just might be good to listen to the advocacy body who are the authority on the problematic aspects of weight loss.
Also it’s clear that the Internet is full of tough, resilient legends such as many in this thread, but the statistics given in the article require a more nuanced response than “shut up woke brigade” can address.
As opposed to what?
Seems like two very good points of reference for the show, I’m a little confused here. What should they be focusing on, just body fat percentage?
Department of Health has paid out €278,000 to sponsor Operation Transformation, this is what we get for our tax investment.
26 comments
Is the point not to lose weight and get in better shape?
What’s next? Match of the Day criticised for focusing on football?
People will be complaining about fit athletes at the Olympics next.
It’s just like Love Island & Normal People etc, if it’s not your thing don’t watch. No one’s going to force you!
Of all the things to criticise the show for, focusing on weight isn’t one of them.
I don’t believe that statistic at the bottom of the article
Easy to say “if you don’t like it don’t watch it” but honestly it’s fuelling a lot of weight stigma and there’s no need for it.
Similarly, no extended help and support for participants after the show, questionable resources available to deal with trauma that may be a factor of weight…. we’ve moved on.
Edit – to those engaging in downvotes please let me know how I’m not contributing to discussion, and I’d like to know why you don’t agree with me.
In recent years I’ve been working on myself a lot more following a trauma that led to a binge/purge eating disorder. I’ve started looking at concepts like intuitive eating to get a bit more in tune with my body, and I can happily say I’ve lost weight as a result. Restriction on the back of trauma (which many participants suffer from on OT – didn’t they do the “circle of truth”) without adequate supports just kicks the can down the road. I don’t like the idea of people being exploited with my TV licence money, only for them to be completely open about how horrible and nasty the programme was, and how a lack of support ruined them.
This isn’t about hating a concept of people losing weight and eating healthier. That in itself is great. The unrealistic calorie restrictions and unsustainable lifestyle overhauls overnight make for good TV but not a good lifestyle for the participants and it doesn’t factor in things like menstrual cycles.
The show itself should look to a more holistic approach that isn’t centred on screaming on people in lycra because they didn’t lose 6lb this week, they lost 5.5lb.
Edit 2 – to whomever commented “RTE is not to blame for your eating disorder” before swiftly deleting it – you’re right. My BED was the result of trauma, rape actually, and RTE has no bearing on whether I’m “fixed” or not.
What’s inappropriate is this supposed support offered to leaders when it’s evident they’ve gone through some unresolved traumas that isn’t right to be camera fodder for the next few weeks. Former leaders have spoken out about their ill treatment on the show.
I’m not fat, I’m sassy!
Change the channel. Not just if you have an ED or would prefer a more body positive approach. Turn it off coz it’s shite TV. I’d choose Tipping point over it.
Yera fuck off. You’re overweight and weight loss shows make you feel bad. Change the channel ya fucking clowns.
The problem with OT is that it’s utter shite.
Being Fat is not healthy, Losing weight and getting in shape is good for you. People are so soft now, Jesus.
[deleted]
Am I wrong or is this an article about an organisation claiming it has a negative on people with anorexia but the headline makes it sound like the woke brigade are at it again?
Did anyone here even read the article?
An eating disorder charity is pointing out that people suffering from eating disorders or their family members are contacting Bodywhys about how the show is triggering them and half the comments here are mocking them for being fat.
It’s disgusting.
I was in a taxi today when this story came on the radio and jaysus the guy complaining about the show sounded like a total melt.
If you suffer/suffered with an eating disorder and have traumas from that experience, what the fuck are you doing watching a weight loss show? You can’t blame the show, that you chose to watch for triggering your trauma.
The issue with this show and others like it is the focus on dieting culture, something that does not last long-term. This can lead to any form of disordered eating. It focuses on scales and how much people weigh when what they should be focusing on is helping people build strong habits that they can maintain, with focus on holistic self care. There is also a massive blame culture on that show and it quite blatantly encourages fat shaming.
It’s not about not watching the show if you get “triggered”. It’s about the affect these shows have on people. The shows like these promote fat phobia and weight stigma in society. Also if parents are fans of these shows it can lead to disordered eating in their children and also in themselves. These shows are more for entertainment and not for medical or health reasons.
The show promotes unhealthy behaviours and ideals that someone’s value as a person can be measured by how much they weigh. It will be all over media for the next few weeks so escaping it for some people isn’t possible making it understandable why people would be triggered by it.
Actually helping people implement sustainable habits for life doesn’t make for interesting television. So they shame or praise the contestants each week to make it interesting for viewers.
You wouldn’t see a show like this ‘fixing’ people’s mental health issues over a few weeks through intensive therapy sessions or group workshops.
I get criticism of some aspects (like making them weigh themselves wearing underwear, which gas changed) but I don’t think we should outlaw any discussion of weight or weight loss. Overall, i think it’s one of the better programmes in this genre, and past successes shows that it works for many people.
While we shouldn’t shame people who are overweight, promoting a healthy lifestyle is in everyones interest imo. I used to have some weight on, and weight loss honestly made me feel a lot better, not because other people had made me shit for being overweight, but just because I felt a lot happier and more confident in myself.
Now, there’s obviously people who suffer with eating disorders or unhealthy obsession with their weight. But that’s not reason to criticise publicising information on weight loss. Just as the existence of gambling addictions is not reason to outlaw sports.
I swear some people’s whole entire reality is just Twitter drama.
Personally my issue with it is its utter shite like 90% of rte content these days
People should not be abused or bullied over their body shape or weight. However, people who are obese, eating unhealthy and excessively, can be called out for it.
FWIW, my 💭 for on Operation Transformation.
In 2019 I came close to restricting myself to death by fixating on what I was eating and how I was exercising. I believed that by doing so would make me ‘good enough’. I used a popular fitness app to fuel my behaviours; congratulating weight loss, encouraging excessive exercise, and creating food fear. I have lived experience of how dangerous that thinking can be.
I feel the current model of Operation Transformation uses, among others, all the same features as that app:
⚖️ ultimate approval weigh-ins
👏🏻 for weight-loss
📔 fear of ‘bad’ foods and absolute calorie logging
👨🏫 expert opinions
👤 visual body-shaming
Now maybe you can watch and/or take part in the series with a strength of character that allows you to be immune to the negative thinking these features create; to only enjoy positivity from it. I admire you for that.
But there are others who, as a result of engaging with it, will end up in an unexpected dark place where they feel they are NEVER good enough. That’s how an eating disorder starts.
Weight-management for medical reasons is absolutely appropriate; weight-loss for ratings is not.
The values of the show appear skewed. Weight-loss will literally transform a person; it may not be for the better. I have first-hand proof of that. The secondary social community elements of the show are great; the primary weight-loss approval is not.
If you watch the series, pls be mindful of your thoughts 💙
Get active, eat well. Get restful, eat with freedom. Mind your body, mind your mind. Be selfish for yourself, be selfish for others around you.
Don’t log your weight. I once learnt that happiness is not measured on the scales… 🫂
I thought this might lead to some lively debate.
I don’t watch RTÉ so have never seen this. But holy balls have I heard about it. All over the supermarket, on the radio, people in the office, family members are bringing it up.
It did strike me that it’s quite mad that with this concept, they’ve made somebody’s bodily health (and presumably mental health too) into a TV show, a spectator sport.
Also the title has the word “operation” in it when it’s about weight-loss, that’s a bit tactless.
Bodywhys have been doing a lot of excellent campaigning recently, which is very important in this country, particularly at a time when there are waiting lists which mean scarcely anyone will be seen in a timely fashion during such a time-sensitive illness. I know several people with eating disorders, including one 30 year old I went to college with who recently died of heart failure due to AN. She had a three year old.
I’m not suggesting the show should be banned and neither is the article. When a weight-loss competition is being talked about the length and breadth of the nation, it just might be good to listen to the advocacy body who are the authority on the problematic aspects of weight loss.
Also it’s clear that the Internet is full of tough, resilient legends such as many in this thread, but the statistics given in the article require a more nuanced response than “shut up woke brigade” can address.
As opposed to what?
Seems like two very good points of reference for the show, I’m a little confused here. What should they be focusing on, just body fat percentage?
Department of Health has paid out €278,000 to sponsor Operation Transformation, this is what we get for our tax investment.
Life Changing:
https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/recipes/2022/0105/1271994-beans-on-toast-ot/