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Shaq's Big Challenge

The TVClubHouse: Other Reality Shows ARCHIVES: Archives for 2007 - 2: Shaq's Big Challenge users admin

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Beachcomber
Member

08-26-2003

Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 12:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beachcomber a private message Print Post    
This is my new favorite show, so I was surprised there wasn't a thread for it (or else it is very well hidden). For those who have not seen it yet, it is on ABC Tuesday nights at 9.

I respect Shaq so much for giving of his time and talents to promote the issue of obesity in children. It is astounding that the parents let their kids eat the way they do and to drink that many sodas. The scans of the kid's bodies that showed so much fat around their middles and the term "morbid obesity" was very upsetting to the parents and kids, so why are the parents not riding herd over the kids monitoring their eating and exercising? They are killing their kids with food.

I hope Kit's parents let her participate, but the previews don't sound good.

Nickovtyme
Member

07-29-2004

Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 12:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nickovtyme a private message Print Post    
I've been watching it too.

So far it's been pretty good.

I like Walter the best.

Ketchuplover
Member

08-30-2000

Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 12:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ketchuplover a private message Print Post    
I "enjoy" the show too. I think the parents should have to join in too.

Curlyq
Member

07-10-2002

Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 4:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Curlyq a private message Print Post    
I found the show interesting, and a little frustrating. Shaq seemed to be the only one who understood that these kids are not professional athletes. He was mistaken to think he could just send them to a gym and they'd know what to do without a coach, but those other guys being so hard on them was just wrong IMO. They're teaching them to hate exercise.

The one guy, I think it was the doctor, told the parents that he's worked with champions and never saw such laziness as he sees in these kids. Well, duh! They're not champions. They're obese children. They obviously haven't spent there time in gyms or they wouldn't be in that shape. Of course they wouldn't know how to train themselves. Bringing in someone to punish them won't make them want to keep up the program once the show is done taping and the post-show interviews are all over. They need an inspirational coach, like the ones on the Biggest Loser. They're tough, but they don't turn exercise into punishment.

The parents should be given the same treatment. There's no use teaching these kids better habits if the parents aren't on the same page.

It was shocking to hear that only 6% of schools have P.E. these days. That was always required when I was in school (although I would've been thrilled if it wasn't). The money they're spending on computers to teach kids the skills they need to build Myspace pages would be better used on coaches and gym equipment.

Shel
Member

07-27-2005

Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 8:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Shel a private message Print Post    
I'm not sure where the 94% of schools are that don't have PE programs. Being a military family, we have family and friends spread all over the place and no one I know doesn't have PE in at least the elementary schools. From years of experience working with kids, having PE in their school really doesn't make much difference to kids and their weight. That 45 minutes of semi-exercise (that's including all the standing around doing nothing in that time) is more like punishment for the teacher than exercise for the kids. The kids who will actually participate in class are the ones who will be active without the class anyway.

Shaq and his gurus need to remember that these kids are starting at zero. None of them are going to be able to perform half as well as an elite athlete (or even a high school athlete) because they have no experience. Push them too hard before they know they can handle it and you're just giving them reason to give up because the CAN'T handle it (hence the panic attack). Start slow then step up the intensity and pressure, and the kids will feel like they are accomplishing something, which they will be.

Curlyq
Member

07-10-2002

Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 6:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Curlyq a private message Print Post    
Exactly. They should've started them at a reasonable pace. I can understand why that girl's parents pulled her from the program. Who wants their kid to be pushed to the point of needing an ambulance just to make someone's TV show? Hearing that it was just a panic attack wouldn't be much comfort to an angry father. At least that one boy was on a baseball team. Instead of encouraging him to train harder at that, they punished him with an after-game workout as if he'd been playing hooky. I did like when they showed his family how to cook Cuban meals with less fat. I hope they do that with all the families.

I think the P.E. classes they're talking about are in the middle schools and high schools. In elementary school P.E. isn't so much about exercise as it is about babysitting the kids while they get fresh air. In middle school and high school they would have actual sports they were required to play, or exercises they were required to do. At least that's how it was when it was a mandatory class. I was shocked when my nephew told me his middle school doesn't have P.E. anymore. In the schools that do have it, it's not mandatory, so naturally the kids take the easy way out.

Fast food and processed junk food have been around for generations, so the problem must lie in what has changed in recent years. In my opinion it's all these children walking around with hi-tech gadgets they don't need that occupy all their time and little of their energy. They don't even need to go out and play with their friends anymore because they can call them on their cell phones and play games online. Taking away P.E. means they're moving even less.

Boberg
Member

10-04-2002

Monday, July 09, 2007 - 12:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Boberg a private message Print Post    
While this is only a TV show...the message is so very important. Obesity and diabetes is rapidly increasing in our children.

I think for it to work though (in most cases) it should be a "family affair". Most of these obese children had obese parents. Unless the parents set the example and learn the proper way to cook, eat, and exercise, the child has a slim chance of truly making this a lifestyle change.

The dad that got upset and pulled his daughter out....is he now going to teach her about proper nutrition and exercise. Was her panic attack really more important than the fact that fat is going to send her to an early grave? If he truly cares, he will change his life and lead by example.

Re: PE classes...for many years now it has been optional after you have your 2 credits in PE. You must use one of your electives if you want to continue with it.

I think the premise of this show is great...just wish it were more realistic.

Curlyq
Member

07-10-2002

Monday, July 09, 2007 - 7:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Curlyq a private message Print Post    
Hopefully, there are other opportunities for this girl to lose weight and get in shape that don't involve being put through hell for "good TV." There are thousands and thousands of obese children that aren't going to get on this show but will still need to get in shape somehow. As someone who has suffered from panic attacks for years, I can tell you that there's a natural tendency to want to avoid doing whatever it was you were doing when it happened, and a phobia can develop. What they were doing with her could do a lot more harm in the long run than just a temporary panic attack if it leaves her with a fearful aversion to exercise in the future. Hopefully, that won't happen to this girl. She seems willing to try again, so hopefully she'll put that attitude into working out on her own if she isn't allowed to return to the show. I have a feeling she'll be back, though.

Do they have programs like Weight Watchers that are for children only? If not, that could be the next big thing.

Smartypants
Member

03-09-2007

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 2:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Smartypants a private message Print Post    
I have had a panic attack in the past and honestly I needed someone there to say you're fine...you can breath..just take a deep breath...you're not dying...so I think they did the best they could with her because feeding into her fears and coddling her does not help but intensifies and confirms her feelings of helplessness in the situation which would only make it worse...

However, I do agree that the excecises were way too intense, espcially if they were panic inducing...geez

Kaylasmom
Member

07-27-2005

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 4:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kaylasmom a private message Print Post    
Thank you for starting this thread! I had been looking for this since the start of the show and was disappointed not to find one! (don't really know how to start one myself!).

I am really liking this show and find myself crying for these kids each week...corny as that sounds! It just appalls me that any parent could/would allow their child to sit indoors for the majority of the day and do nothing more than play video games and eat! My daughter is lucky if she sees 30 min. of television a week! I know that for some people, there are other issues that factor into weight gain and obesity but it is a sorry state when such high percentages of our children are obese and I think Shaq is wonderful for trying to do something about the problem.

As for PE classes: when I was in school we had PE every single stinkin' day! And every kid had it! There was no getting around it (except for injury or illness). When I hit high school, it was the same way. Now I teach in an inner-city school where the students are required to take 1 credit of PE...which equals two semesters! In one year they can complete this requirement! That is crazy!!!! So I definately see where the problem is and can't help but wonder if this is the norm in the inner-city, poor school districts or is it starting to branch out into the suburbs as well?

Boberg
Member

10-04-2002

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 11:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Boberg a private message Print Post    
Lack of PE classes is only one small part of the problem.

I challenge each of you who have children in public schools....go up there and see what they have to choose from for lunch.

There are very few healthy choices....and on those are ususally salades. Wheres the healthy entrees and varied and good tasting side dishes?

We need to start a movement as parents...be up at our childrens schools and demand better choices for our children.
\
Tator tots and chicken nuggets just won't cut it anymore.

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 11:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Back when I was in highschool I think I only needed 2 PE credits so that was 2yrs. I was glad too because I hated dressing and undressing for it. I'll have to ask my kids what the current requirement is though cause I can't remember off the top of my head.

Ladytex
Member

09-27-2001

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 11:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ladytex a private message Print Post    
In our high school, they are only required to have 1 credit. I was lucky in that all three of mine were into sports, so they had that class everyday all year, and afterschool in season.

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 12:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Ok #1 is only required to have 1 credit for PE.

Watching2
Member

07-07-2001

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 3:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Watching2 a private message Print Post    
Wow, my kids had to take PE every single year until they graduated and my youngest just graduated last year. His senior year he was able to take a variation on regular gym class. They did various activities like learning to kayak in one of the school's pools, went on hikes during regular class, had over-night camping trips, etc. They had a 4-day rotating schedule, so I think they had it every 3rd day.

There's been a lot of publicity around here about bad choices at the school cafeteria. They also got crap about having contracts with Pepsi or Coke for vending machines. In the last few years there were far more choices for water and juices and they also turned off the machines for part of the day so the kids couldn't get to them. Not sure what's changed in the last year, but that's how it was last year.

The only thing I wondered about this show was about these kids getting picked on even more at school because of being on a show about obese kids. I suppose their health matters more, but when I saw this show advertised, I was turned off by it because adults make the choice to be on TV and show the world how heavy they are. These kids can't consent on their own. I think I'd have more respect for a "private camp" Shaq held for a bunch of kids instead of putting them in front of a camera. Maybe I'm just sensitive because I was also a "big girl." I wasn't inactive either. Before school I was always trying to "beat the boys" at foot races, swimming races, bike races, etc. In HS, I was a cheerleader, but I still was considered on the big side compared to other girls. Now I wish I only WAS that size now! All in perspective...!!

Curlyq
Member

07-10-2002

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 8:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Curlyq a private message Print Post    
The requirements are different for each state, and possibly even for each county and school. I went to school here in Florida where Shaq and the governor are trying to make these changes. When I was in school we were required to have P.E. up through middle school, and then one credit in high school, 1/2 of which had to be a semester of "Personal Fitness" which was basically us running around the track for an hour. Now the requirements have changed. I was never overweight as a child (about 108 lbs. throughout high school), but I was terribly unfit. I'd always be one of the last to cross the finish line and I couldn't run a mile without stopping frequently to walk and catch my breath. I hated P.E. and I hated exercise, or so I thought. For the last 1/2 credit we were allowed to choose from a variety of P.E. classes, so I took aerobic dance. I absolutely loved it, got in great shape, and within the first few weeks I was finally able to run the mile without stopping. To this day I still enjoy working out with the shows on FitTV.

I think the key is to find the type of exercise each individual child will enjoy, because not all kids like team sports and not all kids enjoy throwing balls around or running around aimlessly in the streets after school (I preferred a good book). I don't know that all schools can afford to offer as many options nowadays, but it sure helped me. That was the first time I got A's in a P.E. class.

Shel
Member

07-27-2005

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 9:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Shel a private message Print Post    
My son's school has PE 2x week, 85 minutes each, and Military Drill 2x week, 85 minutes each. That's basically an hour and a half 4 out of 5 days, plus they do extra physical training in other classes (such as finishing math assignments so they can go outside and play dodgeball, football, practice for PFTs, etc). Granted, this IS a military school, but all of the students 6th - 12th grades have the same physical training. Our public high schools require 4 PE credits and the private ones also require passing of a physical fitness test for 1 credit (this can be earned by being on one of the sports teams, or doing the 50 pushups in 2 minutes, 50 situps in 2 minutes, and 1-mile run in 9 minutes).

Food at school (and home) is the main factor in not being fit. Taking the time to make good, healthy meals is just too difficult sometimes. When you have 2 kids in different sports in different ends of the county at the same time, plus you work odd hours... We try, really try, to maintain healthy eating habits. Sometimes it just can't be done unless you don't sit down for dinner until 10:30 at night (which is only 5 hours before my hubby has to leave for work). With as much effort as we put in to it and STILL have trouble, I know that many other people just can't do it either.

Curlyq
Member

07-10-2002

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 11:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Curlyq a private message Print Post    
I am so happy for those kids. That little guy in particular had an amazing transformation. I'd love to see an update on how they're doing today, since this was probably taped a few months ago. Still, I liked the way they ended it with all the kids reflecting on how their lives have changed. Very well done.

That fitness test brought back some unpleasant middle school memories. I'm not sure how I would've handled the dreaded mile run with a crowd watching, but these kids did great. They never explained what happened to Kit. They made it seem like she was stopping for no reason other than fatigue, but I noticed her foot was bandaged and elevated after the run. I wonder if she injured her foot or twisted her ankle on the track.

I visited Shaq's website and it has a lot of advice on improving your family's diet when you don't have a lot of time to spare. It looks like there's a program you can join for $2 a week as well.

Shel
Member

07-27-2005

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 8:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Shel a private message Print Post    
Curly, Kitt had said before the run that her ankle had be swollen and sore since the night before. She finished the mile before dropping on the grass. She was tired and sore but happy.

The meeting with Gov Crist was in June of this year. I think the kids would still be in pretty good shape right now.

Beachcomber
Member

08-26-2003

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 1:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beachcomber a private message Print Post    
Little Chris did so good losing 77 lbs. and is a cute little hottie now! I bet the girls are ringing his phone off the hook. His Mom & Dad are such loving and caring parents and I just cried like a baby when he told them he loved them at the end. What a great family!

The whole show was so uplifting (I boohooed the whole time) and I do hope that the schools across the nation can implement the Shaq wheel and Tyler's menu. They should do this show again, I think that the next group of kids will be eager to take advantage of the program and work hard now that they know what a difference it can make.