Review: Style Network’s “Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back”

Our thoughts:

“Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back” addresses a major issue that our country is facing. Childhood obesity is on the rise and this show documents four overweight teens and a preteen. As a parent, this is an issue that I feel very strongly about. Children need to be taught nutrition at home as well as in school. Children need to be equipped with the knowledge to make healthy nutritional choices. A recurring theme that I saw throughout he show was that the kids weren’t offered healthy choices at home. One girl, 17 year old Haley, weighed in at 511 pounds and admitted to eating fast food at least twice a day. That is 30 times in a week! She said that her eating habits went downhill when her parents divorced and it skyrocketed when her mom died. My first instinct was to blame her dad for not intervening. My opinion changed after I watched an interview with him. He said that he was at a loss on how to handle his daughter’s obesity. He didn’t know if he should be supportive or punish her for being out of control. Yes, we are responsible for our children but sometimes we face issues where we just don’t know what the solution is. I have daughters. One is three and the other is 16. I make a conscious effort to make sure that I offer them a balanced menu at home. Of course, we splurge on take-out but it is not a regular thing in our house. The episode I watched did not address family nutrition education. Hopefully future episodes will focus on that aspect. Obviously obesity has an effect an entire family and all members need to be educated and supported. The teens on the show now have the knowledge but will still face challenges if the entire family does not take on healthy eating habits. This show is an emotional journey for these teens and it is truly amazing to see how strong they are! My 16-year-old and I are hooked and will be following this show for the rest of the season.

Look for “Too Fat for 15: Fighting back” on the Style Network beginning March 7

– Erika

Press release:

THE STYLE NETWORK HIT DOCU-SERIES “TOO FAT FOR 15: FIGHTING BACK” RETURNS FOR SEASON TWO AND CONTINUES ITS INSPIRING JOURNEY BEGINNING MARCH 7

Familiar Faces Are Joined By a New Group of Teens, Including the Heaviest Student To-Date, at Renowned Weight-Loss Boarding School Wellspring Academy in North Carolina

Los Angeles, CA, February, 2011 – The Style Network’s inspirational docu-series, “Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back,” returns for its second season with an all-new 16 episode order. The series documents the incredible journeys of a group of obese teens as they bravely fight emotional and physical hurdles to drop hundreds of life-threatening pounds at the acclaimed weight-loss boarding school, Wellspring Academy, in Brevard, N.C. New and returning students enrolled in the school’s intense mind/body curriculum adjust to life away from their families, befriend other students who are on similar journeys and come face-to-face with the food and feelings that threaten to end their lives. Viewers will witness the difficult struggles to overcome childhood obesity in season two of “Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back,” which premieres Monday, March 7 at 8 pm ET/PT on The Style Network.

The first episode begins with three of last season’s students, Tanisha (17), Scotty (14) and Emily (12), preparing for another semester at Wellspring Academy.  These teens are joined by a new group of students who are about to embark on a life-changing journey, including Hayley (17) who at 511 pounds has surpassed Tanisha as the largest student in Wellspring history.  For returning students, the routine is all-too-familiar but the new residents have a difficult time with group exercise and eating well-balanced meals at scheduled times. This emotionally and physically grueling week is capped off with the first weigh-in and anxieties are high as the teens wonder if this invigorating program will actually help them achieve their goals.

Led by their behavioral coaches, the teens delve into the physical and psychological causes for their obesity, ranging from the tumultuous relationships with their parents — which are addressed in the nerve-racking parent’s weekend —  to deep-rooted food addictions and the painful effects of school-yard bullying. Although these teens hail from different backgrounds, different family lives and different social standings, they are all united in the same goal – to lose the weight that threatens their health and happiness.

Meet the students who have bravely allowed our cameras to document their compelling odyssey:

Tanisha, 17, Suitland, Md.

Season 2 Initial weight: 350.5 lbs. (Season one start: 510 lbs.) Tanisha is season one’s star student. Upon returning to Wellspring, she is 160 pounds less than when she arrived her first semester. She continued to lose weight — even while at home during the summer, and is an inspiration to her classmates who see how Tanisha is on the path to success.

Scotty, 14, Athens, Ill.

Season 2 Initial weight: 305.5 lbs. (Season one start: 366 lbs.) Scotty is back after an unsuccessful summer away from the school, having gained 15 pounds. While his mood and confidence are much improved from last semester’s performance, Scotty’s bad habits resurface and his commitment starts to waver.

Emily, 12, Raleigh, N.C.

Season 2 Initial weight: 161 lbs. (Season one start: 216 lbs.) Emily struggled as the youngest student at the academy last year, and much to her dismay, Emily’s parents sent her back to reach her ultimate goal of 130 pounds. However, her weight loss is truly amazing and she pushes harder than ever to achieve the final goal that will free her from the school.

Rachel, 14, Greenwich, Conn.

Initial weight: 250 lbs.

Having been bullied about her size since elementary school, Rachel started eating more to comfort her unhappiness. After she decided to attend Wellspring, her family resolved to get on their own health and fitness program. The family’s positive effort provides Rachel with a very strong support system and promises a bright future.

Hayley, 17, Warren, Mich.

Initial weight: 511 lbs.

After losing her mother to cancer a few months before starting at Wellspring, Hayley is caught between anger and grief as she attempts to turn her life around. Prior to her initial weigh-in, Hayley thought she weighed in the high 300’s but is shocked to learn that she is at an alarming 511 pounds.

Carsyn, 17, Warrenton, Va.

Initial weight: 203 lbs.

A performer and athlete until her sophomore year in high school, Carsyn’s weight now has gotten in the way of doing the things she enjoys. She yearns to lose the excess pounds and hopes her confidence comes back. Carsyn feels additional pressure because her parents are both all-star athletes, and her relationship with her mother has fallen off-track due to her weight gain.

Lia, 14, Montrale, N.J.

Initial weight: 196 lbs.

Lia epitomizes the classic moody teenage girl — defiant, rebellious and apathetic. Academically, she makes the grades, but Lia will find any excuse to avoid exercising and eating healthy.

Throughout the season, viewers will accompany the students as they take on new challenges, from completing the first annual Wellspring Triathlon, to facing their fears in the 40-foot ropes course and struggling to stay on the program during the biggest food holiday of the year — Thanksgiving. The students are challenged with regular teenage activities, such as playing paintball, celebrating Halloween and dining out, but they must integrate the skills they picked up from school to stay on their weight loss track. In addition, the issue of bullying will be addressed by an expert who comes to the school and advises the teens on how to handle bullies in their lives outside of Wellspring.

Cameras will also document the parents and students’ interactions during Parent’s Weekend visits.  Hidden insecurities, guilt and deep-seeded family issues come to the surface as students finally open up about their problems with food and self-esteem. Inspired by their children’s honesty, some parents even address their own struggles with weight issues and communication. With the help of the dedicated coaches, experts and inspirational leaders at Wellspring, the families work to break down barriers and achieve milestones that they previously never attempted to tackle.

Compelling, inspiring and often heart-wrenching, the unforgettable weight-loss odysseys continue when season two of “Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back” premieres Monday, March 7 at 8 pm ET/PT on The Style Network.  Before the new season begins, don’t miss a look back on last season as the teenagers share the beginning of their difficult journey in “Too Fat for 15: 500 Pounds and Counting,” a clip special featuring never-before-seen footage airing Monday, February 28 at 8 pm ET/PT.

The series is produced by Daisybeck Productions in association with Passion Distribution. Executive producers are Paul Stead, Beverley Doyle and Sally Miles, joined by The Style Network’s Renee Simon, Ruth Rafidi and Katie Buchanan.

The Style Network is the destination for women 18-49 with a passion for the best in relatable, inspiring and transformational lifestyle programming. Style currently counts 65 million cable and satellite subscribers and is one of the fastest growing women’s networks in the U.S.  Mystyle.com keeps women up-to-date on all of the latest fashion and beauty news on the web. Style’s popular series include “Ruby,” “Giuliana & Bill,” “Clean House,” “Jerseylicious,” “Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane,” “How Do I Look?” “The Dish” and “Whose Wedding is it Anyway?” The Style Network is a network of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

* THAT’S IT MOMMY DID NOT RECEIVE MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR THIS REVIEW. THAT’S IT MOMMY DID RECEIVE A SCREENER FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.
 THIS WILL IN NO WAY SWAY OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE.
 THE REVIEW IS IN OUR OWN WORDS AND IS OUR OPINION. YOUR RESULTS AND OPINIONS MAY DIFFER.