S04.E14: The Skinny

[ClareWalks]

It's a very unusual dynamic because her weight actually financially benefits the entire family (since they are all paid, even a bit, to appear on the show). Which I'm sure is something Whitney would throw in their faces if they tried to talk her into losing weight. Same with the friendships, they probably feel somewhat indebted to Whitney for their "fame" (such as it is) and a little extra pocket money.

[Ketzel]

32 minutes ago, ClareWalks said:

It's a very unusual dynamic because her weight actually financially benefits the entire family (since they are all paid, even a bit, to appear on the show). Which I'm sure is something Whitney would throw in their faces if they tried to talk her into losing weight. Same with the friendships, they probably feel somewhat indebted to Whitney for their "fame" (such as it is) and a little extra pocket money.

I agree that the money and the fame (such as it is) can be powerful influences. And I can see how friends around her age or younger could not fully understand, or could shrug off, the risks as Whitney repeatedly does. But I cannot see how her parents, who appear quite comfortable financially, and who have demonstrated that they see and understand what Whitney's choices are doing to her (I remember Babs' letter to Whitney at the "intervention") would be willing to ignore the clear and present danger just because TLC writes them a check.  I wonder if Babs and Glen got involved in all of this believing the original premise of the show (Whitney takes on PCOS and dances her way to weight loss) in the hope that having a TV show about losing weight would inspire Whitney to better health? And now that it\  hasn't worked out the way they thought it would, they don't know what to do next? Get her off television, where she is being enabled in her junk food addiction non-stop, and get her some real help!

Oh, now THIS is very interesting. The original description of the show published by TLC on their website and in press releases gave the premise of My Big Fat Fabulous Life as following the chronicles of the life of a slender dancer who was diagnosed with PCOS in college, gained 230 lbs, and is now on an mission to  become fit and lose weight through dance, while leading a full and happy life, regardless of her current size. I remember this description quite well, although as of now, I can't find it anywhere on the home page or social media page of MBFFL.  The Wikipedia article on the show still references her mission to lose weight. ("My Big Fat Fabulous Life is an American reality television series that chronicles the life of Whitney Way Thore, a woman who weighed 380 pounds at the beginning of the series (which Thore attributes to polycystic ovary syndrome) [2][3][4] and is determined to lose weight throughout the course of the series.")

As of now, the official description of the show makes NO reference to weight loss:

"My Big Fat Fabulous Life" follows Whitney Thore's emotional journey after being diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The disorder caused Whitney, a slender dancer at the time, to gain more than 200 pounds in one year at college. Feeling trapped in a big body, she struggled with self-doubt and negative stereotypes. Now 380 pounds and eager to continue sharing her passion for dance, Whitney has learned to embrace her body and love herself again. She teaches dance classes for plus-size girls, explores the dating scene, confronts bullies, and wears a bikini on the beach for the first time in 10 years. She also spearheads a campaign that fights body-shaming and promotes self-love and acceptance. To that end, Whitney Thore is no longer letting her fear of people's judgment dictate the way she lives her life."

Or dies her death, apparently. Babs and Glen, your daughter is an addict. Step up!

[Complexity]

10 minutes ago, Ketzel said:

Babs and Glen, your daughter is an addict. Step up!

It's not their place to step up. As with any addict, recovery is the addict's job. The best thing Glenn and Babs can do is put the problem squarely on Whitney's shoulders.

[Me from ME]

Quote

It's a very unusual dynamic because her weight actually financially benefits the entire family

Yeah, maybe for now. They'll have a lot more screen time if she is alive and actually losing weight and becoming healthy.

[Ketzel]

10 minutes ago, Complexity said:

It's not their place to step up. As with any addict, recovery is the addict's job. The best thing Glenn and Babs can do is put the problem squarely on Whitney's shoulders.

That's what I mean by "step up." They have to stop enabling.

[leighroda]

It drives me crazy... she was never a "slender" dancer... she was average before college, and definitly thin in comparison to now, but not slender. I normally would not nitpick such a thing but her whole narrative that she was robbed of her dance career she rightfully deserved because she was thin until pcos makes me stabby.

[auntjess]

1 hour ago, Ketzel said:

But I cannot see how her parents, who appear quite comfortable financially, and who have demonstrated that they see and understand what Whitney's choices are doing to her (I remember Babs' letter to Whitney at the "intervention") would be willing to ignore the clear and present danger just because TLC writes them a check. 

Yes, I really don't believe money is an incentive for Glenn or Babs.

[Kid]

1 hour ago, Complexity said:

It's not their place to step up. As with any addict, recovery is the addict's job. The best thing Glenn and Babs can do is put the problem squarely on Whitney's shoulders.

Amen!  Quit enabling.

[Honey]

I'm amazed at the amount of people online who have been charmed by Babs' Southern charm act.  Lol  Poor Glen.

[TaylorTalk]

Ok, only now am I able to watch this episode.  Thanks [SRIGGA] for torrenting this whoever you are.

 

She's the worst person!

IT WAS NEVER A PREGNANCY!

If you really wanted kids YOU"D BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.  Stop getting teary eyed.  You get over it soooo quick.

 

Next up.  Roy.

 

Poor guy.  I feel Twit is bullying him on this because he's fat and 'not attractive'.  If he was a tall slender hunk, Twit would slow her roll and understand that 'I'm not interested' from a tall hunk makes sense, but since it's Roy, he OBVIOUSLY has to be attrracted to her, because obviously, no one else would be interested in him.

 

Holey smokes Kiss her F-ing hand?

Todd level gay? I read it on this forum, but now seeing her behave this way.  Wow, she is @#$%-ing toxic.  I really hope that Todd and Amanda pre approved that pic of them smooching.

 

Gezz Manny, you are the slyest shitlord.  Everybody on set thinks you're being 'funny' but we read through that.

Jiya, mostly a yawn.

 

Wow, the Buddy segment.  I can see why he's pissed.  That's not scripted.  That smug look on her face.  I love how she so sly when she's got the facts on Buddy, but can't handle it when people have the facts on her.  "This is what you guys want right?  F-ing drama." well said Buddy.

 

On to Todd, now THAT'S scripted.

 

That's it? Wow, pretty boring.

 

 

[Dot]

3 hours ago, Ketzel said:

 

The original description of the show published by TLC on their website and in press releases gave the premise of My Big Fat Fabulous Life as following the chronicles of the life of a slender dancer who was diagnosed with PCOS in college, gained 230 lbs, and is now on an mission to  become fit and lose weight through dance, while leading a full and happy life, regardless of her current size.

While I don't recall the original premise with your clarity, I certainly remember it's why I was led to watch MBFFL. Even in the 1st episode, I found this Whitney woman somewhat off-putting, e.g.,  her yelling, "Look at me! Look at me!" when her parents complimented Todd's dance moves on their patio. But I put it down to her age v. mine & continued to watch. As Season 1 rolled on, however, I began to wonder what other viewers thought about what they were seeing. Suffice it to say, I began with the premise & have moved to the snark.

The comedic writing, the breadth of knowledge & experience, the intelligence -- I find this forum far more entertaining than the series itself.

[Alapaki]

Just watched.

"I'm sure it's going to be one line on the pregnancy test" . . . 20 seconds later . . . "I mean, I could feel that I was pregnant".  Fuck you for still pushing this lie, you piece of shit.

I'm on board with Babs being a thinly-veiled stealth bitch.  Most telling line for me: when she heard Whitney was "pregnant": "I was just glad it wasn't me".  No. Maternal. Instincts. Whatsoever.

Roy has gotten big.  But Whitney's shtick was just bullshit.  "I thought you made it up so I would leave you alone".  HE'S YOUR FUCKING SUPERVISOR!!!  You're completely out of line stalking him at all.  

It's clear that Maney and Roy are done humoring Whitney's bullshit.  And I loved Todd nodding along with them.  I realize the "conflict" with Todd is mostly for show, but I think there's an underlying element of truth to the tension on Todd's end.

I think the treatment of Buddy was fucked up.  And I don't think his reaction was scripted.  He's been portrayed as a deadbeat.  Is it true?  I don't know.  From the reactions I'm guessing he might be behind on rent.  It may also be par for the course with their history and no big deal.  Either way, amidst a season that was fully of patently made-up scenarios, why do they pick Buddy to be the one to "get real" with and push?

Has the host ever pushed Whitney to answer a question, asserted herself as "I'm the host, I ask the questions", or pulled the "well, Whitney doesn't want to answer that question" attitude?  No pushback on Whitney publishing photos of positive pregnancy tests online as the season was airing when she knew she wasn't pregnant.  No pushback on Whitney having several ringers who aren't "big girls" dance for BGDC for the dance challenge?  No pushback on anything that we all know is bullshit about this show.  But she's going to be hard ass about Buddy and the rent?!?

"Dating is the thing I'm most hopeless about" . . . "but I'm an eternal optimist".  You stupid fuck.  

[auntjess]

2 hours ago, Dot said:

The comedic writing, the breadth of knowledge & experience, the intelligence -- I find this forum far more entertaining than the series itself.

I try to watch some shows often enough to keep up with the forum.
On 600 lb, I love to read the live chat thread, though I don't watch the show until later.

[scoopski potata]

4 hours ago, qqererer said:

 

She's the worst person!

IT WAS NEVER A PREGNANCY!
 

This pregnancy nonsense REALLY burns me up. I am not her doctor. I do not have access to her medical records so I am speaking purely on statistics and what is just...likely and makes the most sense given...logic. I'm not even an OBGYN, but I did do an OBGYN rotation years ago. Ha.

So, this idea that it was a false positive...those are so unusual. Pregnancy tests are simple. They check for the presence or absence of a hormone in urine. If you're pregnant, it's being produced. Once you've been pregnant long enough, it's present in high enough concentrations that those pee tests can catch it (long enough is a couple of weeks...right about when you miss a period). A couple of other things can produce this hormone, though. But they're mostly cancers. The typical cysts you see in PCOS are not one of those things. 

As a matter of fact, there is a type of cyst that can cause a false positive/can cause this hormone to be released but you *have to be ovulating to have this kind of cyst.* The cyst is called a corpus luteum cyst and it occurs when the little sac (the follicle) in the ovary that held the egg, has released the egg but wasn't broken down and reabsorbed into the ovary and gets filled with blood/fluid and sealed off, creating a cyst. Oddly enough, these usually happen during pregnancy. But not always. The corpus luteum (that sac) releases that pregnancy hormone and tada! False positive. 

Now, how this relates to Whitney. Well, it makes me think she's a liar liar pants on fire because due to a myriad of factors, I would be flat fucking astonished if she was ovulating at all. First, she says she's on birth control. But she's shit at taking it. Fine. But she hasn't had a period in over...how long? Over a year? You're uh, gonna have those if you're ovulating. And frankly, at that weight, just medically speaking, statistically I would not expect her endocrine and reproductive systems to be functional and healthy. My armchair (I'm actually laying on the floor right now) diagnonsense is no ovulation, no corpus luteal cyst, no cyst caused a false positive. If she is being truthful about a false positive, she needs a much more in depth medical work up. I'd be looking for bladder, ovarian and uterine cancers, as well as endocrine disorders particularly of the pituitary. 

TL;DR: false positive? I call bullshit.

[TurtlePower]

10 hours ago, Alapaki said:

Just watched.

"I'm sure it's going to be one line on the pregnancy test" . . . 20 seconds later . . . "I mean, I could feel that I was pregnant".  Fuck you for still pushing this lie, you piece of shit.

I'm on board with Babs being a thinly-veiled stealth bitch.  Most telling line for me: when she heard Whitney was "pregnant": "I was just glad it wasn't me".  No. Maternal. Instincts. Whatsoever.

Roy has gotten big.  But Whitney's shtick was just bullshit.  "I thought you made it up so I would leave you alone".  HE'S YOUR FUCKING SUPERVISOR!!!  You're completely out of line stalking him at all.  

It's clear that Maney and Roy are done humoring Whitney's bullshit.  And I loved Todd nodding along with them.  I realize the "conflict" with Todd is mostly for show, but I think there's an underlying element of truth to the tension on Todd's end.

I think the treatment of Buddy was fucked up.  And I don't think his reaction was scripted.  He's been portrayed as a deadbeat.  Is it true?  I don't know.  From the reactions I'm guessing he might be behind on rent.  It may also be par for the course with their history and no big deal.  Either way, amidst a season that was fully of patently made-up scenarios, why do they pick Buddy to be the one to "get real" with and push?

Has the host ever pushed Whitney to answer a question, asserted herself as "I'm the host, I ask the questions", or pulled the "well, Whitney doesn't want to answer that question" attitude?  No pushback on Whitney publishing photos of positive pregnancy tests online as the season was airing when she knew she wasn't pregnant.  No pushback on Whitney having several ringers who aren't "big girls" dance for BGDC for the dance challenge?  No pushback on anything that we all know is bullshit about this show.  But she's going to be hard ass about Buddy and the rent?!?

"Dating is the thing I'm most hopeless about" . . . "but I'm an eternal optimist".  You stupid fuck.  

If this circus is renewed, I see Todd running for the hills. And Buddy, well, they must want him out. There's no other reason to make his look like such as ass.

I'm hoping TLC pulls the plug on this show and Whitney has to get a normal job via normal means. 

[auntjess]

4 hours ago, TurtlePower said:

I'm hoping TLC pulls the plug on this show and Whitney has to get a normal job via normal means. 

"You want fries with that?"

[ClareWalks]

11 hours ago, scoopski potata said:

Now, how this relates to Whitney. Well, it makes me think she's a liar liar pants on fire because due to a myriad of factors, I would be flat fucking astonished if she was ovulating at all. First, she says she's on birth control. But she's shit at taking it. Fine. But she hasn't had a period in over...how long? Over a year? You're uh, gonna have those if you're ovulating. And frankly, at that weight, just medically speaking, statistically I would not expect her endocrine and reproductive systems to be functional and healthy. My armchair (I'm actually laying on the floor right now) diagnonsense is no ovulation, no corpus luteal cyst, no cyst caused a false positive.

Yes yes yes! I am not a doctor whatsoever (although my NP-gynecology friend says my experience with/research on infertility is beyond that of most non-specialist GYNs that she knows) but I have a very hard time understanding how she would trigger a positive pregnancy test with hormones from a cyst. Maybe a positive ovulation test, which tests LH. But not a pregnancy (HCG) test. And how the doctor's office would just give her a damn 'nuther urine test instead of a blood draw. Sigh. And Whitney has said in the past that she has ovulated maybe 10 times IN HER LIFE. It would be a literal loaves-and-fishes MIRACLE for her to be pregnant. It really did spit in the face of so many of her fans who would kill for a real positive test. There is simply no way IMO that she ever had a real positive pregnancy test, regardless of what she posted online or showed on TV.

ETA: Come to think of it, I'd bet $$ that those "positive tests" were actually ovulation tests that she pretended were pregnancy tests. We almost always have some LH so there are almost always two lines (they become darker when we're ovulating). It'd be easy to "show two lines" for the storyline on those.

Edited April 30, 2017 by ClareWalks

[John M]

Speaking of loaves and fishes does anyone believe she was having sex with Lenny in the first place? Like ever?

[Cherrio]

59 minutes ago, auntjess said:

"You want fries with that?"

I wouldn't hire her. She has an entitled attitude, a big mouth and looks like she does not have even average hygiene.

Nobody would put up with her.

[Dot]

I agree with most of what @Ketzel, @Me from Me & @ClareWalks wrote about the Thore family dynamics. Here are my 2¢:

? Fame & fortune are not motivating Glenn & Babs. They don't need whatever pittance TLC is paying them. Glenn is an executive VP with a printing company & obviously is one of those old men who can't quit working becuz he has nothing else to fulfill his life. As far as fame goes, he is very uncomfortable when the camera turns his way. And, while Babs seems to enjoy the attention -- she's a former model, after all --  it's not the end-all & be-all of her life as it is with her daughter.

? The armchair diagnosis, with which I agree, is that Twit has histrionic personality disorder. She probably was one of those kids who had tantrum after tantrum until she got what she wanted. Yes, they probably indulged her. But I don't think parents can do much about someone as emotionally defective as Twit is except wring their hands. 

? Glenn, esp., must have been very unhappy he funded his daughter for 4 years to a BA in Theater. (And, yes, I don't think Twit had a loan; by now we would have heard her moaning about trying to get it paid off.) Twit's degree gives her only one career path: actress. Yet, somehow, she managed to stumble into that career. Of course, Babs & Glenn are proud of what she has become.

? Paradoxically, they are also horrified by what she's become. Glenn made it clear that a 100# reduction from 380# is not enough. And for a couple of seasons he tried to encourage her to lose weight. (He's obvious given up.) Babs openly expressed her embarrassment about what Twit looks like. But it's not just the massive weight; it's also the flagrant exhibitionism. Could Glenn have been more uncomfortable as Twit waved her huge breasts  & butt in his face when belly dancing?

? Like Twit's friends, Glenn & Babs have become her enablers. But I see no other choice for them if they wish to maintain a relationship with her. She's a 33-year-old adult; they can't send her to a fat camp. All they can do is wait & hope she herself will see the error of her ways.

BTW, "The Skinny" took a hit in the ratings, only ranking #54, with a 0.18 rating & 732,000 viewers.

Edited April 30, 2017 by Dot

[Dot]

1 hour ago, John M said:

Speaking of loaves and fishes does anyone believe she was having sex with Lenny in the first place? Like ever?

I doubt she got him into bed often, but I do believe it happened a couple of times. The only piece of tape that wasn't play-acting was when Twit was doing a split on her skis. She called Lennie "Honey" several times when she was yelling at him to come help her. I don't think, in the stress of the moment, she would be remembering he was just an actor, not her lover, no matter how occasional.

[ClareWalks]

I remember that moment during the reunion where the host asked "who here thinks Todd is just jealous of Whitney?" and everyone raised their hands except Buddy. I was like "yes, THANK YOU, Buddy!" 

It is funny that Whitney whined in a TH, "let me have this ONE THING BECAUSE I'm fat!" Um, bitch, you have a whole television show BECAUSE you're fat. Your size has gotten you a whole hell of a lot in the last few years. A book deal, a TV deal, YouTube "fame," a legion of rabid fans...

[Alapaki]

3 minutes ago, ClareWalks said:

I remember that moment during the reunion where the host asked "who here thinks Todd is just jealous of Whitney?" and everyone raised their hands except Buddy. I was like "yes, THANK YOU, Buddy!" 

The side-eye that Todd was giving Whitney all night just screamed "you know I know the truth about [insert whatever bullshit Whitney was shoveling]"

[AZChristian]

3 hours ago, auntjess said:

"You want fries with that?"

And suddenly the customers would be complaining that their fries orders seemed smaller.

[scoopski potata]

5 hours ago, ClareWalks said:

Yes yes yes! I am not a doctor whatsoever (although my NP-gynecology friend says my experience with/research on infertility is beyond that of most non-specialist GYNs that she knows) but I have a very hard time understanding how she would trigger a positive pregnancy test with hormones from a cyst. Maybe a positive ovulation test, which tests LH. But not a pregnancy (HCG) test. And how the doctor's office would just give her a damn 'nuther urine test instead of a blood draw. Sigh. And Whitney has said in the past that she has ovulated maybe 10 times IN HER LIFE. It would be a literal loaves-and-fishes MIRACLE for her to be pregnant. It really did spit in the face of so many of her fans who would kill for a real positive test. There is simply no way IMO that she ever had a real positive pregnancy test, regardless of what she posted online or showed on TV.

ETA: Come to think of it, I'd bet $$ that those "positive tests" were actually ovulation tests that she pretended were pregnancy tests. We almost always have some LH so there are almost always two lines (they become darker when we're ovulating). It'd be easy to "show two lines" for the storyline on those.

Wouldn't even have to be ovulation tests. Just used (negative) pregnancy tests left sitting out for awhile. Evaporation lines. After the urine evaporates from the test strip, the second line can become visible. 

[Irate Panda]

I watched the reunion.  It was underwhelming at best, but I guess that could describe most of the season.  Tal and Heather really served no purpose being there other than Buddy should be concerned with the faces Heather was making when the rent question came up rather than the host's actual question.  YMMV but it doesn't seem like Heather and Buddy are together any more if they ever really were.    I don't think the host asking Buddy about the rent was out of line since it was talked about on the show and supposedly a "huge" issue at the time between Buddy and Whitney.  Buddy looks like a complete mess, the whole stomping off playing victim, was ridiculous.  The other thing that made it more preposterous was him saying that Whitney owes him for internet.   Of course, Whitney's such a great friend that she doesn't answer (which basically is answering) when the host ask if Buddy is up-to-date on his rent. Not that I believe these people are actually living together, but geez these people are so nauseating.   

 

I feel bad for Roy.  I feel bad for anyone who has to bear the brunt of Whitney or her minions.  I'm glad he didn't kiss Whitney.  It's bad enough he was forced to touch her butt that one episode.  I'm glad Todd and Maney got a few digs in at Whitney.  It must be exhausting to be her friend in real life. I know the TLC check makes it a lot easier, but it's really creepy the way she seemingly clings to even the most inconsequential interactions as people flirting/wanting/being in love with her.  Todd said it best where she just takes affection wherever she can get it.  I'd love to know what the other people on the show really think of her. This show should be called My Big Fat Delusional Life because besides whatever money she's making off this I don't see one thing fabulous about her or her life.

[Maggienolia]

On 4/26/2017 at 4:37 PM, Dot said:

Actually, Twit is hetero-desperate.

TRUTH! 

[Brooklynista]

I learned all I needed to know about this group when Babs said she was only feeling 60% normal and they all chuckled. Where was the joke in that? I would be heartbroken if my mother said that weeks after a stroke, but Whit chuckled. 

The show must go on i guess.

[Maggienolia]

On 4/27/2017 at 3:43 AM, Bunnygirl said:

Will someone please tell me, why oh why does she persist in displaying those Hog Legs she calls her arms?sleeves are your friends Whitney!!!

( I know, I know, Hand basket to hell and all that.)

I don't know. I'm kinda torn on the whole sleeveless or not argument for big girls (or super big girls). My mother (very old school Southern lady) is firmly in the camp of sleeveless shirts are for people with small and/or toned arms. I agree that it's more flattering on people with small and/or toned arms but at the same time I can also get behind the "no body shame"-I'm-going-to-wear-what-I-want camp. It's not the same as super-mini skirts or leggins with tops that don't cover the bum for me. So I go back and forth. I don't wear sleeveless because I do have larger arms (nothing like Twit's) but I'm just not "there" on my "body acceptance" journey. I know. Twit would be so sad for me. Whatever. Sleeveless without a little jacket or over-blouse just isn't my thing. I will say that this is NOT a flattering look on Twit but nor would a tight sleeve. It could be more comfortable to wear sleeveless tops as they are cooler. But then my SIL is a very large person and wears sleeveless tops ALL the damn time AND is almost always cold (she runs a space heater in summer in MISSISSIPPI!) so I really don't get that logic. But that's a whole other can of worms. 

[Maggienolia]

On 4/27/2017 at 9:21 AM, AZChristian said:

The idea above about turning BGDC into a franchise is the ONLY concept related to this show that has real-world value.  I'd go to a BGDC.  Unless Whitney is there as a special guest teacher.  I'd be sick that day.

The problem is, setting up a real company involves real work (not twerk).  Twitney has shown no interest in or propensity for real work.  Real work is not fabulous (in Twit's eyes), therefore it has no place in her life.

The thing is... Twit acts like the BGDC is an original idea that she came up with and has franchised so she has cornered the market, that wily, business-savvy woman! (gag). It's NOT!!! IT'S NOT!!!! Jiya is proof that there are classes IN THE AREA that welcome bigger girls. Now, Jiya's classes are more competitive so there's that. But there are options out there for bigger people who want to take a dance class for fun and exercise in a low-key, encouraging environment. Oh, and... they're real. They meet regularly. They have actual teachers, not fame-whore wannabe dancer types who can't tie their own shoes. 

As to the 2nd paragraph above. Spot on and ITA. 

[Dot]

16 minutes ago, Maggienolia said:

The thing is... Twit acts like the BGDC is an original idea that she came up with and has franchised so she has cornered the market, that wily, business-savvy woman! (gag). It's NOT!!! IT'S NOT!!!! Jiya is proof that there are classes IN THE AREA that welcome bigger girls. Now, Jiya's classes are more competitive so there's that. But there are options out there for bigger people who want to take a dance class for fun and exercise in a low-key, encouraging environment. Oh, and... they're real. They meet regularly. They have actual teachers, not fame-whore wannabe dancer types who can't tie their own shoes. 

As to the 2nd paragraph above. Spot on and ITA. 

Isn't that franchise called Curves for big women? Or, at least, don't they particularly invite big women to join?

[Maggienolia]

On 4/28/2017 at 3:37 PM, scoopski potata said:

Haha this is slightly pedantic on my part but on the whole an enormous pet peeve of mine. Calling someone an animal cannot at all suggest they are less than human because humans ARE ANIMALS.

I love this more than life. I'm not in the sciences (PhD in foreign languages though) and that Absolutely. Drives. Me. NUTS! 

[AZChristian]

36 minutes ago, Dot said:

Isn't that franchise called Curves for big women? Or, at least, don't they particularly invite big women to join?

Not specifically, but it's a fairly good combination of cardio and resistance training in 30 minutes, so big women are more likely to join.  You don't find skinny young people in skimpy workout gear there (and no men), so it really is more comfortable for those who are a little more modest.

[Maggienolia]

On 4/29/2017 at 6:44 PM, leighroda said:

It drives me crazy... she was never a "slender" dancer... she was average before college, and definitly thin in comparison to now, but not slender. I normally would not nitpick such a thing but her whole narrative that she was robbed of her dance career she rightfully deserved because she was thin until pcos makes me stabby.

Yes! This! I keep wondering where are these people getting this "slender" description! I thought maybe there were pics of a young Twit that I hadn't seen (didn't start watching until somewhere into S3 so watched S2 after the fact and never saw any of S1) but the pics I have seen show her as average and not with a dancer's body-type (not a professional ballet dancer's body-type I should say). Her ankles alone would have damned her to second-rate, very local, not-a-full-income-giving kind of company. 

[John M]

On 4/29/2017 at 5:00 PM, Ketzel said:

But I cannot see how her parents, who appear quite comfortable financially, and who have demonstrated that they see and understand what Whitney's choices are doing to her (I remember Babs' letter to Whitney at the "intervention") would be willing to ignore the clear and present danger just because TLC writes them a check.

I think they have just basically given up on Whit, she is lazy entitled narcissists with basically a useless degree that couldn't function in any normal workplace and has no intention on changing

I think they probably see two options, let her eat and drink herself to death in their home as a leech or pray that she can turn this TV show and no body shame thing into something that allows her to support herself and if that means supporting the TV show by appearing on it that's what they have to do.

[SunnyBeBe]

Regarding Glenn and Babs' tolerance of Whit's obesity.  You know, they did stage an intervention, though, it's likely that was show driven and not  really their idea.  So, I'm not so sure what else they can do.  It must be painful to watch a fairly healthy young lady struggle with her mobility and just living her life.  If not for the extra weight, she might be much safer health wise.  Of course, there is no guarantee that being thin will make you happier, but, it would take away some of her disabilities.  I'm not sure if they have support group meetings for family members of the obese, like they do for alcoholics and drug addicts.  I would guess that Glenn and Babs have tried a lot to convince Whit to enter a program or get under a doctor supervised plan.  In the end though, you have to deal with your own life and let others make their own choices......whether their choices are good or bad.

I do wonder if her family and friends have suggested to Whitney that her losing a substantial amount of weight and getting fit on the show, would be a boon for marketing.  It might be just what the show needs to give it a boost, though, I think the ratings are pretty good, so, she's got a hit show.  I hope she is able to enjoy the rewards.

I do think that this show has merit and that perhaps, it has helped educate people and give them an opportunity to learn what a serious condition obesity is and just how pervasive this condition is in our country.  It occurs in many social settings, economic groups, and academic levels.  If it can be discussed in an intelligent manner, much can be learned and shared.  Whit's attitude about her condition may be frustrating.  I know that it's frustrated me.  I hope the experts are watching so that something new can be developed.  WHAT IS THE ANSWER for people in her condition?  We know what hasn't worked.  Maybe, it's a process and that she and only she has to have that light bulb moment.  I hope it's soon, for her sake. 

[Complexity]

22 minutes ago, John M said:

or pray that she can turn this TV show and no body shame thing into something that allows her to support herself...

It seems that's been accomplished already (e.g., moving out of parents house, buying her own house). No accounting for her taste (e.g., hair, clothes).

I think TLC wants Whitney to make a fool of herself. That's what sells*. It also fits the TLC model of circus sideshows. TLC doesn't care about Whitney, her friends and groupies, or her family. They don't even care about their audience. They only care about money. Whitney is the car crash we find repulsive, but still want to watch. We are actually programmed to watch the unusual which is one reason why circus sideshows have always made money. TLC has capitalized on it.

*Notice the number of comments and veracity of those comments about the 600-lb Life show for terrible patients (James K, Steven Assanti, Penny) compared to the ones who do well (trying to remember their names; I think Brittani and maybe Doug). People naturally get more emotionally involved with people who elicit negative emotions than those who elicit positive ones.

Edited May 2, 2017 by Complexity

[Complexity]

44 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

In the end though, you have to deal with your own life and let others make their own choices......whether their choices are good or bad.

Exactly! It is one of the hardest things for loved ones to understand and accept. There is truly nothing a person can do to force an unwilling person to make changes in their life. The only thing loved ones can do is to not shield that person from the consequences of their actions so they can experience the pain of their choices. Allow them to hit the proverbial rock bottom.

As long as a person is relatively happy or comfortable with their situation, they will not be motivated to change. Change is scary, painful, and difficult. If a person's current situation is LESS scary, painful, and difficult than change, they will not change. Change will occur only once change becomes less scary, painful, and difficult than not changing. Some people reach this point early and some reach it late (sometimes too late).

Parents naturally want to remove the pain their children feel (kiss and make it better). It is unnatural to sit by and watch their own child experience the pain of their actions. But that's what must be done. The parent has to remain focused on the long-term goal and not what feels good in the moment. This is really hard.

44 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I do wonder if her family and friends have suggested to Whitney that her losing a substantial amount of weight and getting fit on the show, would be a boon for marketing.

I have no idea, but as I said above, I don't think TLC is encouraging it. They like Whitney being a sideshow.

However, there may be another problem interfering with Whitney changing the show model back to her losing weight. She may be afraid she won't be successful. That would mean she's a failure. That would then leave her with nothing. She would have failed in her concept that being fat is fabulous (by wanting to lose weight) and then fail at actually losing weight. This may have already happened which would explain the change in the show's original concept.

I don't think Whitney sees her current behavior as a failure. So it's safer for her to keep things as they are. All her "fans" aren't helping because they are encouraging her to continue the path she's on.

44 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

Maybe, it's a process and that she and only she has to have that light bulb moment.  I hope it's soon, for her sake.

I often wonder if this will happen once the show ends and her "fans" fade away and she becomes just another obscure person in the world. Then she can focus on herself and not be so distracted by being a "reality TV star." The question is how much damage will she have done to her body by then—if it's not already too late (death).

Edited May 2, 2017 by Complexity

[Dot]

2 hours ago, SunnyBeBe said:

 It must be painful to watch a fairly healthy young lady struggle with her mobility and just living her life.

 

I guess I just don't see her as "fairly healthy." She uses a CPAP machine because her breathing while sleeping stops periodically if she doesn't. She broke a toe, which still bothers her, while trying to execute a dance step that is routine for a professional with an actual dance career. The cartlidge on one knee is so almost nonexistent that she can't execute other dance moves -- goin' low -- that other professional dancers can. She can't climb upstairs because she is so morbidly obese. She was barely standing, much less moving, by the end of Mr. Fit's dumb 4- minute video. This describes a 78-year-old woman (me), not one who is only 33.

Edited May 2, 2017 by Dot

[Complexity]

6 minutes ago, Dot said:

I guess I just don't see her as "fairly healthy." She uses a CPAP machine because her breathing while sleeping stops periodically if she doesn't. She broke a toe, which still bothers her, while trying to execute a dance step that is routine for a professional with an actual dance career. The cartlidge on one knee is so almost nonexistent that she can't execute other dance moves -- goin' low -- that other professional dancers can. She can't climb upstairs because she is so morbidly obese. She was barely standing, much less moving, by the end of Mr. Fit's dumb video. This describes a 78-year-old woman (me), not one who is only 33.

Plus, she may have diabetes (she was so close in the beginning so she likely has it by now), as well as hypertension and high cholesterol. Her heart is probably enlarged to keep up with the blood flow for such a large physical body. She probably also has a fatty liver by now. Her toe and dance career are only a fraction of the real health problems she's probably facing.

[ClareWalks]

And let's not forget that she almost never ovulates, so her hormones are a disaster. 

I do wonder why no mention of the prediabetes this season. It was such a huge storyline in the previous one. I guess I wouldn't think that Whitney had such control over how she is portrayed, because she always comes off so poorly. Maybe she threw a fit after seeing what a joke they made of her in season 3.

[Dot]

7 minutes ago, Complexity said:

Plus, she may have diabetes (she was so close in the beginning so she likely has it by now), as well as hypertension and high cholesterol. Her heart is probably enlarged to keep up with the blood flow for such a large physical body. She probably also has a fatty liver by now. Her toe and dance career are only a fraction of the real health problems she's probably facing.

Good additions that I had forgotten. Diabetes 2 is a given, I think, since her eating habits haven't changed since the pre-diabetes diagnosis. And hypertension is another reason for a CPAP.

[Complexity]

3 minutes ago, ClareWalks said:

I do wonder why no mention of the prediabetes this season. It was such a huge storyline in the previous one.

I think the diabetes storyline was on the show because of the cliffhanger drama it created (does she have it? does she not? tune in to find out!). It was okay to show it back then because it turned out she didn't get the full diagnosis which fit with her fat and fit concept (never mind that prediabetes is definitely a health problem).

But things take a turn when she is actually diagnosed with diabetes. That flies in the face of her being fit. It is an indisputable measure of her health problems caused by her weight. So that, of course, cannot be mentioned on the show.

[ClareWalks]

13 minutes ago, Complexity said:

But things take a turn when she is actually diagnosed with diabetes. That flies in the face of her being fit. It is an indisputable measure of her health problems caused by her weight.

<Whitney> But THIN people can get type 2 diabetes too! Rarely! Therefore my weight has nothing to do with it AT ALL! </Whitney> ;)

[Complexity]

1 minute ago, ClareWalks said:

<Whitney> But THIN people can get type 2 diabetes too! Rarely! Therefore my weight has nothing to do with it AT ALL! </Whitney> ;)

Or <Whitney> PCOS also causes diabetes!! </Whitney>

[TurtlePower]

On 5/2/2017 at 11:17 AM, ClareWalks said:

And let's not forget that she almost never ovulates, so her hormones are a disaster. 

I do wonder why no mention of the prediabetes this season. It was such a huge storyline in the previous one. I guess I wouldn't think that Whitney had such control over how she is portrayed, because she always comes off so poorly. Maybe she threw a fit after seeing what a joke they made of her in season 3.

Given how they portrayed her this season, an epic temper tantrum should ensue. 

[Ketzel]

She's repeatedly said on her Facebook page that TLC shoots thousands of hours of film and she has no control over what they choose to broadcast or how it's edited.  But I have my doubts. Judging from the "Whitney is (fake) Pregnant" storyline, I think she has some input into what they focus on. Even if it's only by deliberately creating some particularly memorable images.

[Complexity]

14 minutes ago, Ketzel said:

She's repeatedly said on her Facebook page that TLC shoots thousands of hours of film and she has no control over what they choose to broadcast or how it's edited.  But I have my doubts. Judging from the "Whitney is (fake) Pregnant" storyline, I think she has some input into what they focus on. Even if it's only by deliberately creating some particularly memorable images.

I agree. By now, she has to have an idea of what TLC wants so she can intentionally give them what they want on some subjects while playing it down on others. TLC wants conflict, drama, sensationalism, anything out of the ordinary, and Whitney definitely knows how to deliver when she wants.

[cdp73]

25 minutes ago, Ketzel said:

she has no control over what they choose to broadcast or how it's edited.  

It's not MEEEEE!  It's the editing!!

[Brooklynista]

1 hour ago, cdp73 said:

It's not MEEEEE!  It's the editing!!

I'm sure Whitney remembers good old Heather B. from the first season of Real World who would later drop the pearls "they can only use what you give them."