A History of The Weight-Off

A couple of months ago I was asked to be an outside eye, or in other words, to direct The Second Helping's DC Sketchfest show. For those of you who don't know what The Second Helping is, it is a plus sized sketch comedy troupe who love themselves for who they are. I immediately accepted the invitation to direct, yet, within a couple of hours was horribly insulted when I realized that my weight was more of a factor in their decision to ask me for help than my brilliance. Regardless, I had said yes and I am a man of my word.

During out first meeting, I was shocked at the amount of food that they brought for a simple planning meeting. Chips, candy, a pineapple upside-down cake...they brought it all, and devoured every last crumb. I began to get concerned for their health and well being...along with my own, knowing that I would be working with them in some capacity for a while.

I choreographed a dance routine for their closing number. It wasn't incredibly complicated but at the end of it, the room temperature had risen 17 degrees and Jim, Meegs and Laura were dripping wet...I decided something had to be done.

I suggested we all do a highly publicized weight-off. I played it up as a way to promote the group, but really, it was my way of helping prevent inevitable heart attacks. At first, they thought it was a joke. Meegs actually said "it would be hilarious if we all actually GAINED weight." I stared blankly. Finally, they agreed and were excited about the prospect of losing weight as a group.