Operation Transformation Week 5

Yes, I did it.  I sat through another week of OT.    If you haven’t read my reviews of the last 4 weeks, I’ll summarise it:  the show is very, very problematic and triggering.

Let’s break down the Worst and Best of this week:

The Worst:

1. Public weigh-ins. It’s still pointless and shaming.
2. Picking up where Week 4 left off, we have leaders being asked to do things they don’t like and don’t want to do. One leader was given a week of inactivity which she did not enjoy and did not find relaxing. We have another leader who is still struggling with anxiety and panic attacks.
3. It is Week 5 and for a show that is trying to convince us that this isnt’ all about the weight (it is all about the weight) – why have we ignored the fact that one of the leaders smokes until Week 5?  I did notice her smoking in the introduction to Week 1. I was kind of waiting for them to bring it up. Seems odd that smoking cessation strategy was not discussed early on.  I mean, if this show wasn’t about weight, we should see a diversity of health goals ….. but it’s all about weight.

What did they get right?

1. Getting your cholesterol checked. There are many factors that affect your cholesterol including diet, exercise – and genetics!  This week, one of the leader’s families was counselled regarding screening for a genetic reason for his high cholesterol.  That sometimes is needed – but not always.  Do you need your cholesterol checked?  The short answer here is ask your GP.
2. Leaders where feeling like they had much more energy – including in the bedroom. I’m skeptical whether some of this positivity was editing or scripting by production team in response to last week’s negativity.  What was a lost opportunity?  While it is true that patients who are making positive lifestyle changes usually do feel better both physically and mentally (and increased libido)  – it can also have a positive affect on fertility! Couples trying to conceive often are counselled to improve lifestyle factors (one of my favourite health goals to work on with patients!).
3. Sumi Dunne advising the leader who wants to quit smoking that she should not feel she needs to do this herself. There is a lot of support out there, and most people need the help.  Talking to their GP or checking out Quit.ie is the best way to get evidence-based (meaning it actually works) advice and support.  It’s tough – I work with a few patients struggling to give up the cigarettes.  But it is do-able.  Ask for help (and don’t take up vaping).
4. The segment showing that many people in the community were unsure how to actually use the outdoor fitness equipment. It’s not the first time I’ve heard this.  Watch this space … I’m going to try to get out on my local on in coming days when it’s dry with good daylight and do some demos.