Weight-loss reality TV shows have benefits, dangers
Speaking as a D-list celebrity who recently took part in VH1's sixth season of "Celebrity Fit Club," I feel the need to stomp on a couple of the nasty fires you set in your article [“TV’s Tip of the Scale,” June 2].
Obviously, there have been a handful of contestants who've used the show for publicity's sake and, frankly, came off looking silly in the process. But I can tell you that the boot camp version of the show I took part in was no joke. You can say what you want about the majority of us being a bunch of "has-beens," and you can go ahead and quote L.A.-based personal trainer Harley Pasternak (whoever that is) saying that we are people in "a last-ditch effort to get some media attention," but it all comes across as mean and ill-informed.
As for this D-list celebrity, I had parents who both suffered with, and died from, heart disease and cancer. I lost them in my 20s. Now that I am in my mid-40s (and inherited high cholesterol and high blood pressure), I felt the show was a great opportunity to get some diet and exercise structure and give me a better opportunity of staying healthy for my three kids ages 18, 3 1/2 and 4 months. I elected to do the show between seasons of a successful poker show I co-host on GSN. This town was gripped in a writers strike and I felt fortunate to be able to stay busy for 10 weeks while getting healthy and pocketing probably more than most journalists earn in a year.
I dropped 16 pounds, lowered my cholesterol and blood pressure and no longer have to depend on painkillers for all the various ailments I've amassed over the years. I'm happy to say, since the show ended six months ago, I am still at the gym and still at the same weight. And that has as much to do with my attitude as it does with what drill instructor Harvey Walden did for my head and Dr. Ian Smith did for my dieting techniques.
I didn't do the show to look better for paparazzi (who goes out with three kids at home?) and, speaking for some of the celebrities I worked alongside, the last way you should refer to Tina Yothers, Erin Moran and Willie Aames is as "has-beens." TV icons is more like it.
A.J. Benza
Burbank
I'm a former bodybuilder who is a middle-aged lady and a hardly exerciser and just a little overweight. I watched "The Biggest Loser" for the first time, and was so inspired by the folks on the show.
