Ep 1. JJ / Ray
- TVPG
- January 19, 2016
- 42 min
Fit to Fat to Fit is a reality TV show that explores the struggles of losing weight by following personal trainers as they intentionally gain weight to better understand the challenges their clients face. In season 1 episode 1, we meet JJ Peterson and Ray Cronise, both personal trainers who have never faced significant weight gain in their lives. Over the course of four months, they will eat a high-calorie diet and avoid exercise to gain weight to aid them in better understanding their clients.
JJ is a father of three with a passion for fitness. He believes that he has always understood the struggles his clients face in their weight loss journeys. However, as he embarks on his journey to gain 60 pounds, he quickly realizes how his once-healthy habits have long since given way to his bad eating habits. After consuming twice as much food as he usually eats, JJ finds himself struggling to keep up with his daily tasks, and his energy levels crash slowly. Despite this, he is determined to remain committed to his project and learns the importance of discipline and pushing through the uncomfortable moments.
While JJ focuses on mental toughness, Ray Cronise is a scientist who wants to challenge the conventional wisdom of weight loss. He believes that by immersing himself in extreme temperatures, he can lose weight without dieting or exercise. Ray's theory is that by exposing his body to extreme cold, his body will warm itself and expend calories in the process. Ray's experiment excites him, and he is intrigued to see if he can prove his hypothesis right.
As Ray gains weight, he notes how his culinary preferences begin to change. His craving for high sugar and high-calorie food also increases, which leads to some significant additions to his daily diet. Since Ray spends most of his day exploring the hypothesis and how well his body responds to different types of temperature changes, he becomes more sedentary, eliminating workout routines from his regimen. He is focused on eating pizza, pasta, and pies to fuel his experiment.
Throughout the episode, we watch both JJ and Ray as they struggle to consume the required calories to put on the desired weight. Being deliberate about gaining weight turns out to be as challenging as losing weight the usual way. The trainers express frustration with their sudden lack of control over their bodies, which can be a powerful tool for better understanding their clients' experiences.
As the season progresses, both trainers set out to shed their gained weight. JJ focuses on exercise and strict dietary choices. He notes that no matter how hard he works out or pushes himself, the weight is still not coming out as quick as he would like. He learns about the importance of patience and remaining committed to his goal, despite setbacks.
Consequently, Ray decides to immerse himself in the science of weight loss to get the desired results. He begins to experiment with eating specific foods following scientific study conclusions. Some of these foods include salmon, potatoes, and fruits, which he finds to be great for weight loss. He also discovers how his body cooperates with exercise routines to achieve his weight loss goal.
Throughout the season, the trainers learn the importance of living a balanced life, including taking care of their mental health. They also find common ground in terms of the best methods to help their clients with weight loss. Both JJ and Ray come to understand why weight loss can be a challenging process, despite their role as professional trainers in the fitness industry.
In conclusion, Fit to Fat to Fit season 1 episode 1 follows the journey of two personal trainers as they gain and lose weight to better understand the struggles of their clients. Throughout the episode, JJ and Ray learn the importance of discipline, patience, and self-awareness in achieving their weight loss goals. From their experiences, the trainers discover new insights that will help them better serve their clients in true understanding.