I've been watching Huge this summer, a TV show that chronicles the adventures of a group of teens at a weight-loss camp. The cast is headed up by Nikki Blonsky, star of the movie Hairspray. I'm totally hooked on this show... the characters are believable and well-acted... I really admire this XL cast of beautiful guys and gals who are full of heart and passion and depth.
And guess what? It seems that none of them have gotten noticeably thinner as the season has progressed. In fact, Nicki's character is attempting to gain weight over the summer at camp, in rebellion against her parents who own a chain of fitness gyms and have farmed her out to the fat camp against her will. Appropriately, her character's name is Will.
The camp director is a well-meaning but conflicted and paranoid woman...a former "fatty" and recovering food addict who, sadly, can't have a cookie in the room without breaking into a cold sweat.
Huge takes me back to my own disordered eating days. It makes me realize how much I have healed in my attitudes towards food and my body image, and fills me with compassion and empathy for those who are in the midst of this difficult battle.
