Clinical hypnotherapist and Fat Families host Steve Miller tells us why he has chosen to tackle the weightly issue of obesity in the UK.
What attracted you to Fat Families?
The straight-talking element – the production company wanted someone with an engaging personality and a no-nonsense attitude, and that’s my thing.
How would you describe the series?
It’s incredibly funny, incredibly direct and incredibly results-driven.
And what do you hope to achieve?
Britain has a problem with obesity and it’s great to be bringing a televised incentive to shed the pounds into the public domain. Plus, seeing people shrink before your eyes, and seeing them feel good about themselves, is fantastic.
What triggered your interest in obesity?
The fact I used to be fat. I know how much obesity affects your confidence and esteem, and how that feeds into your ability to get a job, start a relationship and even step onto a bus or plane. But all that can be changed. Instead of crying into my doughnut, I told myself I was eating too much and set out to, successfully, lose weight.
How would you describe your belly-busting methods?
I’m firm, but fair. I’ve been trained in clinical hypnotherapy and counselling, but a lot of it doesn’t work. There’s no point sitting someone down and discussing the problem, you need to confront it head-on. My style is honest, motivational and to the point. I cut through the crap; when my clients come to me with an arsenal of excuses, I just say no one's fat in a famine. I’m the first to admit that I’m a tough taskmaster, but I care a lot about the people I work with and genuinely want them to succeed.
You have bestselling books under your belt and a long list of clients, including a few famous faces. Why do you think people come to you for help?
They’ve discovered that the soft approach doesn’t shift the weight. You need to know that you’re incredibly fat, and I get people to confront their current state before starting the turn. For me, weight loss is black and white, and there’s no room for grey. People seem to think that losing weight is difficult, but it’s easy, and that’s coming from someone who used to be fat.
What obstacles have you had to overcome during the documentary?
Fat people always want to blame someone or something else for their predicament, so there have been tears and tantrums. Some of the families haven’t kept to the regime, so I’ve had a few stern discussions. Another challenge has been getting a connection with the clients. I spend five or six days with them and it’s important I befriend them before I lay down the rules.
Statistics show that British families are officially the fattest in Europe - why do you think the country is gripped by this obesity epidemic?
Britain suffers from 'can't-be-bothered-itis'. We're a nation of lazy and spoilt people who expect others to pick up our slack. The country is too touchy-feely and politically correct, and we need more punitive measures. I wish the government would stop banging on about health education, because everybody knows what to eat to get slimmer; if you Google weight loss, you'll get thousands of responses. Obese individuals need to take personal responsibility for their problems - eat an apple instead of a chocolate bar!
We live in a culture that is incredibly focused on how people look. Do you think it's odd that, despite this obsession with appearance, more people are getting fat in Britain?
It's surprising because we are imagist and live in a culture that screams 'slimmer is better'. I think it comes down to being lazy; even the prospect of looking good isn't enough of an incentive.
There was a recent media furore where models and celebrities were criticised for being too thin. On the other end of the spectrum, the seriously obese Beth Ditto, lead singer of The Gossip, posed naked for the front cover of NME and was commended for being content with her body. Obviously, being both underweight and overweight carry health risks. Do you think this further perpetuates the belief that as long as your happy, it's okay to be fat?
I do have a degree of empathy with that - if you're happy, why should you change? But, at the same time, there's a degree of selfishness when it comes to staying fat, especially if you're someone who's in the public eye, who's a role model. Obese people need to think about the health implications and the drain they are on the NHS.
Do you agree with cosmetic surgery as a means of losing weight?
Absolutely not. It's the coward's way out and reinforces the current lazy culture.
You have a long list of dos and don'ts when it comes to losing the pounds. If you had to pick a top tip, what would it be?
Ditch the excuses and get on with it.
There's an overwhelming amount of fad diets out there. Do they work, or do you think a person should have a complete lifestyle overhaul instead?
I'd ban every fad diet going. All you need is a balance of fruit, vegetables and the odd treat; instead of three takeaways a week, reduce it to one. The problem with these fad diets is that they're a quick fix. It's a yo-yo, because you lose the weight and then pile it straight back on; who's going to be able to live on cabbage soup for the rest of their lives?
What celebrities would you most like to sort out?
Eamonn Holmes, Natalie Cassidy, Russell Grant, Tony Hadley, and Ricky Tomlinson need to lose the lard. I was going to say Jo Brand, but she wants to stay fat and jokes about it all the time.
