Introduction
Reality TV is one of the most captivating pieces of media, as some of them picture drastic changes in people’s weight or personality. One of those shows is Secret Eaters, which is dedicated to weight loss. The second episode of season 3 follows Helena and Murray, who used to be thin, however, later gained too much weight. They realized the severity of their situation, so they decided to take part in the show.
Discussion
The plan was successful for multiple reasons and important factors. First, Secret Eaters featured a dietician, who explained to the participants why their eating habits were bad and how they were gaining so much. Second, Helena and Murray were being watched by investigators and surveillance cameras, monitoring their usual diet at home and outside. Third, the man had to be more active and start eating healthier, while the woman was required to replace sugar with sweeteners.
The aforementioned surveillance is one of its flaws, as it could have put them in a stressful situation, making them eat more. Moreover, they could have eventually gotten annoyed by the constant control of their eating habits, in spite of having consented to these circumstances. In the beginning, they were most likely reluctant to confess their bad eating habits, which could have continued until the end of the episode (All Real, 2019). Finally, the outcome depended heavily on their willpower, which does not fully guarantee a suitable result for the couple’s desired goals.
The effectiveness of the goals is predominantly based on strict surveillance and the help of professionals. Besides, Helena and Murray were given a weight loss plan based on their individual problems (Murray’s lack of activity and affection towards takeaway food and Helena’s love for anything sweet). The couple was informed about the amount of calories they consumed (with pictures of the meals that they ate), the possible health risks, and other aspects. That way, not only was the plan tailored for them individually, but they had the opportunity to understand how and why this weight gain happened.
Although the show seems rather realistic compared to other similar ones, there are some flaws as well. Primarily, it has not been stated if they were being watched while they were losing weight. Considering the participants were unwilling to admit that they had an unhealthy diet, there was no guarantee that they did it on their own. Second, while they may seem determined, it is unclear if this dedication would still persist. Unfortunately, the show feeds into the illusion that one’s eating habits can be defeated with the help of a few visits to the dietician. It is more probable that they would have needed regular assessment from healthcare professionals so that they would be able to stay faithful to their plan and weight loss goal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the show Secret Eaters followed Helena and Murray, who had poor eating habits and gained weight. They were watched by private investigators and surveillance cameras, and they were consulted by a dietician about the amount of calories they consumed and the healthcare risks. Due to the aforementioned surveillance and their poor willpower at the beginning, the plan could have failed. Moreover, the show provided an unrealistic picture that one would have needed a few visits to the dietician instead of regular visits. Thus, some aspects of the plan were quite notable, while others could have resulted in failure.
Reference
All Real. (2019). Secret Eaters S03 EP2 | How to Lose Weight | TV Show Full Episodes. YouTube. Web.