At first, i laughed. Shaquille O’Neal? six-episode reality show? about 6 obese middle schoolers? Shaquille O’Neal? seriously? i didn’t think it would amount to anything other than another summer tv reality show that i’m NOT watching (think: age of love)
but then i watched. and i was hooked.
through the six episodes, you watch these six children…six children who are morbidly obese, who can’t even do one sit-up, who get winded walking to class, who are socially ostracized because of their size, who feel awful about themselves, who have poor eating habits….turn into well-rounded, happy, healthier kids.
incredible.
it was certainly an uphill battle for Shaq and his team
to try to fight childhood obesity in the home and in the schools. to try to teach families how to change their eating habits, to motivate their children to exercise more. to try to teach school systems that fast food at lunch is not a smart idea and that mandatory PE is.
it’s a wake-up call. a stepping stone to something greater. it really opened to my eyes to how serious childhood obesity is…and how important it is to fight it.
i was a big ole blubbery mess during the finale last night. seeing these kids – Chris, who lost 77 pounds, who looks like a completely different person. Walter, who was so socially awkward and played video games all day, who was joking around and at one point, ripped off his shirt to show off his svelte body.
i never thought i’d say this…but my hat’s off to Shaquille O’Neal. 🙂
well lookie what i got me:
from not one, but two amazing women – Andi from Poot and Cubby and ~JJ! from Gaining Balance. i’m touched. and now i’m sharing the love with:
1. Sam at Temporarily Me. Sam is my online twin, my doppelganger, if you will. i heart her. and so should you.
2. miss Bossy at I Am Bossy. creative is a word that does not do this woman justice. she can make a post about tampons creative. seriously.
3. Becca at DasBecca. it’s no secret that i have a raging girl-crush on Becca…but, seriously, when i think creative, she automatically pops into my head.
4. Schmutzie. any person who admits to being eosophobe deserves an award. oh, and sometimes her labia go numb. kidding aside, i love her and was proud to be a part of her cockroll.
5. Kate at Sweet|Salty. i only heard about Kate after her twins were born. but after reading a single post, i was hooked. i spent way too long stalking her poking through her archives. it amazes me how she rolls up painstakingly heartfelt and roll-on-the-floor funny all into one.
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