Even more significantly, would you want the whole country to watch you as you were struggling to lose weight? Josanne Cassar spent a day with the 10 participants taking part in the weight loss reality show Kilo, to find out what they are going through
The 10 people sharing a villa to lose weight have now spent a total of four weeks together. For some, the experience has been distressing, not so much because of the change of diet and the introduction to rigorous exercise, but above all, because of the lack of personal freedom and the separation from their families. While producer/presenter Antonella Vassallo has not been as stringent with her “house rules” as other foreign reality shows are (where contact with the “outside world” is heavily restricted), the participants have still found it psychologically challenging.
Apart from qualified fitness, yoga and Pilates instructors who are putting them through their paces, they are being helped to adjust to their new lifestyle by a psychologist who ensures that their mental well-being is not being adversely affected.
The women, in particular, have had to overcome their feelings of guilt at leaving children and husbands to cope on their own in order to do something for themselves – something they’ve never done before.
Breakthroughs have already taken place: their flexibility and stamina has greatly improved, kilos are being shed, inches are being lost and clothes which used to fit tightly are now too loose.
Participants who have never walked anywhere in their lives are now walking for over an hour. Last Sunday, two of the women, Carmen and Sera, walked from San Gwann to Valletta, a distance of almost 6 kilometres. The rest of the participants have also been set similar “challenges” which they will try to accomplish over the next few weeks.
This afternoon they will all be weighed again to determine how much they’ve lost in four weeks.
VIOLET BAJADA (starting weight 81.2kg – has lost 7kg in 3 weeks)
Violet, 59, from San Gwann is a volunteer with the San Gwann local council. She is a widow with two grown-up children and three grandchildren.
“When my husband died five years ago, I became very unhappy, and I turned to food for comfort – I just used to eat and eat. I became self-destructive, thinking ‘so what’? My daughter encouraged me to apply for this programme.
At one point, I left the villa because I found it too hard. I was missing my family too much, but they convinced me to come back.
The worst thing is being away from my family. I’m getting used to the diet and exercise because I used to go walking anyway. After we leave here, I’m determined to continue with what they’ve taught us because I know I will feel much better.
Being here has been much harder than I thought it would be – you have to be in it to realise how difficult it is. After all, you are being kept away from what you want to do. You have to prepare yourself mentally, you have to forget your commitments and concentrate on working hard to forget your family and think about yourself. You have to learn to let go. However, I would still say go for it.”
SILVIO AGIUS (starting weight 112kg – has lost 9.3kg in three weeks)
Silvio, 41, from San Gwann is a Senior Tradesman with the Care for the Elderly Dept. He is married with three children, the youngest of whom is only a year old.
“I’ve been meaning to do something about my weight for a long time, so when I saw the commercial for Kilo I applied. I had been gaining weight over these last 20 years until finally, I decided that I had to turn my life around. I’ve always been ambitious and thanks to this programme, I think I will manage to do it.
Living here, cut off from everyone, is very difficult. Although from the outside it may seem like we have it made – living in a villa, with every possible creature comfort – the reality is that we are separated from our families, and that’s hard. My family has supported me immensely because they know it’s important for my health. Yoga and Pilates were completely new for me and I’m enjoying them because they’re very mentally relaxing and effective. The change in the diet was not easy, but I’ve learned to eat every three hours, taking small portions and eating only healthy food.
As for the rules of the house, I don’t mind them because I’m quite disciplined. What I don’t like is when we’ve agreed on something and then it is not carried out, or it changes – I can’t stand that. Apart from that, I’m happy here and I’m happy with Antonella because she is very understanding and helps us a lot.”
CARMEN ELLUL (starting weight 135.5kg – has lost 6.4kg in three weeks)
Carmen, 48, from Paola is a housewife with two grown-up children.
“I wouldn’t describe this experience as being ‘locked up’ – I think it’s more like studying because we are constantly learning. It’s difficult to have all these rules, but you try to get used to them. The change of food was the easiest thing actually, because your body adjusts to the new food and here there are no temptations. I knew what I was coming in here for, and mentally I’ve already got used to doing without things like sweets and biscuits.
Although I never really cared that I was overweight, I can’t say I was happy. I was always complaining about my weight. I used to make all these plans to diet and exercise, but I never managed to stick to them because I love food. If I’m in a bad mood, I turn to food.
It was my daughter who really encouraged me to do this programme. While I wanted to be chosen, there were times when I hoped I would not be! When I found out that we would be living here for three months, I almost backed out. Although my children have grown up, they are still very dependent on me.
When I was young, I was a bit plump but I didn’t have a bad figure. After I had the kids I started to put on weight, then I went on a diet and became as thin as a rail; that was around 17 years ago. It didn’t last long however, and gradually I put it all back on.
When I’ve tried to diet alone, it never worked – I’d say, ‘oh it doesn’t matter if I eat a bit of this or that’, whereas here we have to keep to the rules, it’s like we’re at school! I’ve learned a lot about which food is good for me; I’m eating food I’ve never eaten before such as Al-Bran.
I think society can be very cruel towards people who are obese – when I used to go for walks, even kids would stop and say to my face ‘look at her, how fat she is!’ It hurts; it’s humiliating. I used to keep going, pretending I’m not paying attention but deep inside I used to wonder why their parents didn’t stop them. People who are overweight suffer a lot, even within their own families. My mother was constantly badgering me, ‘you have to do something, because you’re going to die young. You used to have such a nice figure.’ Sometimes it’s worse when someone is on your back all the time. Even though I know she meant well, I would tell her, ‘leave me alone, you’re bugging me.’ And I’d turn to food even more.
My children have already told me they will change their eating habits – they’re overweight as well. We are used to cooking very rich food and eating big portions, so it’s hard to change, but it’s possible.”
MASIELLE DIMECH (starting weight 151.7kg – has lost 7.5kg in three weeks)
Masielle, 21, from Qormi is currently unemployed and is the youngest of the group.
“I really needed to do this programme, so when I saw the commercial I was determined to apply and my family really supported me. The only problem was that my mother is not well at the moment, but I’m allowed out to go visit her.
I’ve tried to lose weight many times but have never managed. Every Monday I’d start a diet and I would manage to last a whole week without sweets (because that is what I love the most). Then on the weekend my six siblings with their husbands, wives and kids come over and everyone brings cakes, biscuits and so on. So I think, ‘it’s Sunday, it won’t matter if I take something today,’ and I’d end up nibbling again.
I’ve always been fat, even as a child – we are all quite big, except for my parents! My father’s side of the family are quite obese however.
Sometimes I used to get into such a black mood because of my weight that I wouldn’t want to go out. Other people don’t understand how hard it is to be big, and how hard it is to cut out certain foods. This is my fourth week without sweets – and so far, I’m surviving!
I’m missing my family a lot, but I realise I have to put them out of mind for now. Sometimes I lose my temper because of all of the rules because I don’t like people telling me what to do – not even my parents order me around. I know there has to be discipline, but having a timetable for everything really gets to me. For example, we have to get up at 6am – I used to wake up at 11am! That is quite an achievement for me.”
SERA FARRUGIA (starting weight 127.3kg – has lost 7.4kg in three weeks)
Sera, 45, from Fgura, is a housewife, married with two grown-up sons.
“Well, I don’t think it’s so bad being in this house. I know what I came in here for; I know I have to make some sacrifices which I never made when I tried dieting on my own. Of course, occasionally there are things you don’t like because we are on the go the whole time and everything is planned for you. But when you start seeing results, then it’s OK.
It wasn’t being deprived of certain foods that bothered me, because once I don’t see things which are tempting, I’m fine.
The hardest adjustment for me was being away from my family. When we first started doing yoga and Tessa would tell us not to think about anything, I couldn’t help it, I couldn’t get them out of my mind. I was constantly crying.
I feel a bit better now because I’ve found a new family here, we really get along. I think I panicked because my boys never did anything for themselves before, but now they’re getting used to my not being there and are managing.
I used to weigh around 75-80 kilos but I started gaining weight after I had my kids.
I’ve spent the last 25 years dieting on and off, and I’ve spent a lot of money but nothing’s worked. I’ve gone to slimming clubs, but after a few weeks, I fall back to my old ways of eating badly and I give up. Last season I was very disappointed not to be chosen for Kilo, but this year I was lucky to get in. I told my family that the only thing keeping me from going away for 3 months was them, but they said, ‘don’t worry about us – do it, because this is what you’ve always wanted.’
Since I’ve been here, my appetite has already decreased. And the good thing is that at home, my husband has started walking and they’ve all changed their eating habits. I admit I used to cook very rich food.
I don’t want to waste these three months; I’m trying to get the most I can out of them so I’m doing my best. As for the other participants, we all have our ups and downs. When they’re happy, I’m happy and when someone cries, I cry with them – I’m very sensitive.
Thank God, so far we’ve never fought.”
CARMELO BORG (starting weight 123.1kg – has lost 8.7kg in three weeks)
Carmelo, 50, from Attard is retired, married with two grown daughters.
“I started gaining weight after I got married. I used to have a 28” waist! I really started putting on weight about ten 10 ago when I stopped all my training.
I think the most difficult time of day, when all of us start getting a bit tense, is in the evening. During the day we’re occupied, but speaking for myself, I’m used to going to the football club and to my children’s shops for a chat, so I am missing that. Four weeks have passed by pretty fast, but until you find your feet it’s hard. We’ve all cried – being away from our families was the most difficult adjustment of all. I even wrote a poem about it!
We came here for our own health, and it’s working; I can now tie my own shoelaces again and my breathing is better. I used to breathe so hard it was like a had a heart condition. I thank God and Antonella for this programme because my health is already improving. My wife and kids really encouraged me to apply for this programme, and so did my in-laws. I’m very hard-headed so it took me time to understand that I cannot be the way I was when I used to play football – I can’t try to do everything too fast. Like Mark (the fitness instructor) tells me, it’s going to take time to regain my fitness, but it will come.
It’s no joke to come here with the cameras and mikes on you all the time. You have to obey the whole time and watch how you behave – because we are on the Education Channel after all. I’m learning not to be so stubborn and to bite my tongue.
The toughest part is going to be when we leave this house. Temptations are going to be all around us, so we need to keep on training, and to keep hold of the spirit we have found in here, otherwise it will all have been for nothing.”
SYLVIA CARUANA (starting weight 81.1kg – has lost 5.2kg in three weeks)
Silvia, 52, from Mellieha is a housewife, married with two children.
“I’ve always been fat, and I put on more weight after I had my children. We are four sisters and I’m known as the chubby one because I’m big-boned. I’ve tried many different diets but I’ve always said that in order for me to succeed, I have to go into a house like this one. I even contacted organisations abroad to see how much it would cost, but it was much too expensive. This was the best option, and I feel I’m doing well. I can tell that I’m losing inches. I’m missing my family of course, but I’m enjoying it. I give all the instructors their due importance and I do what they tell me because in order to succeed, it requires a bit of everything. My problem has always been big portions – and I was always eating everyone’s leftovers; I was like their rubbish bin!
When I go back home, I’m already planning to turn a room I have into a kind of gym – I’ll do my exercises in the morning after everyone has gone to work. I will also make sure to reduce my portions. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what I want to do when I get home, because I would like my husband to lose weight as well, although it won’t be that easy. If I had to give someone advice about losing weight, I would say, first you have to get it into your head that you really want to do it. That’s what I’ve learned here; you have to control your mind first. At home, I used to be watching TV and start nibbling even though I wasn’t hungry– so that is something I have to control. I’m also getting used to eating every three hours to get my metabolism working. Before you begin something like this, you need determination and then you will succeed.”
CHRISTOPHER DEBONO (starting weight 142.1kg - has lost 13.7kg in three weeks)
Christopher, 35, from Xaghjra, is an electrician/technician, separated, with four daughters aged between 13–4 years.
“I think I started to put on weight when I became self-employed about four years ago.
I hurt my knee, and I was getting tired very quickly when I was walking. I realised I had to take care of myself.
You need a lot of discipline to be here for three months. Although we only get to see our families on a Sunday, I know this is all for our own benefit, to lose weight. Someone has to keep us in line and only good can come out of it. Personally, I’m the type who thinks rules are made to be broken but I’ve adjusted. I was not used to waking up early and I’m still working on it! My biggest problem was that I used to wake up at night and eat – but inside here they’ve showed me that I don’t have to wake up any more. I woke up a couple of times at first, opened the fridge, had some water and then went back to bed.
I realised there was is point in my making this sacrifice and then ruining it by snacking. I used to eat a lot of junk food and here you won’t find anything like that. I’m learning that the most important thing in life is to control yourself in everything you do, including your temper and the way you speak. Over three quarters of my anger has gone away now.
I did complain at first, don’t get me wrong, but the experience is what you make it. I’ve also learned that when you’ve got a problem, don’t keep it inside; express yourself right away.”
MARLENE BORG (starting weight 101.9kg – has lost 9.1kg in three weeks)
Marlene, 47, from Qormi is a housewife, married with three children.
“The way I see it, we are here for our own good. When I have tried to lose weight in the past by myself, I never managed to do it. I get to a certain point and I can’t lose any more, so I give up and start eating again. Here, we only find healthy food, we support one another and if you are about to give up, the others help you. I applied because my doctor had been telling me to lose weight for a long time. I didn’t get in the programme last season, but I used to attend as an audience member. When I applied this time I didn’t realise it was for three months, and I kept changing my mind until the last minute, but my family really encouraged me to do it. I’m so happy that I was chosen, and for me, that was the first success.
I’m really determined to make it until the end and to come out of here with a good figure. I’m not finding it hard at all to be in this villa – even though there may be a few problems at home, I’ve put up a barrier so I won’t think about them for the time being. I’m enjoying everything: the gym, yoga, Pilates, swimming, everything. I’ve found a lot of support in here. When you’re at home you just eat what’s in the fridge, but here everything is controlled.
When I was young I was thin, but I started to gain weight as I grew older. After I had my first son I put on a lot of weight, then I lost it, but put it back on again. I used to lose three kilos and get to a certain point where I would be unable to lose any more weight.
Personally, I’m not bothered by the fact that we can’t go out; I understand it. For me, this is a treat. Before we entered the house, the only thing I was praying for was that we would all get along, and in fact, we do. I’m very happy to be sharing a room with Sylvia.”
CHRIS CUTAJAR (starting weight 232.2kg – has lost 14.5kg in three weeks)
Chris, 36, from Zabbar is a policeman, and is separated with two young children.
“I applied because I knew I needed to lose weight. When I applied last season but it was already full, so I tried again. I found a lot of support from the Commissioner of Police, who was always after me to do something, my colleagues, my parents, my sister, my wife and children – everyone basically.
I started gaining weight about four years ago after a car accident. I couldn’t walk for six months, started putting on weight and it just got worse and worse.
I’m finding this experience quite difficult because the worst thing you can do to me is to keep me constantly stuck indoors. I’m getting used to it, but it’s hard. Even though we have an outside patio and a pool, I still feel very confined. When I find that it’s getting to me, I try to remember that what I’m doing is for my own good, and that I need to stay here.
People can be quite nasty to obese people – as we say in Maltese, jaraw il-farka f’ghajnejn haddiehor u ma jarawx it-travu f’ghajnejhom (they see the mote in your eye but don’t see the beam in their own). They’ll say, ‘look at that guy how fat he is’ – they don’t say it to my face because I would break their neck – but I can tell they’re talking about me because when I look back I can see them laughing at me. I always tell them off, that’s for sure.”
Tune in to Kilo this afternoon on TVM at 3pm
Daily live transmissions from the villa on Education 22 at these times: 7am–9am, 11.30am–1.30pm, 3.30pm–4.30pm, 7pm–8pm and 9.30pm–11.30pm