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 Ryan weighs 300lbs and it's killing him. He's a great guy who volunteered with me a few weeks back at the battered womens' home and we've become fast email pals. Ryan's a nice guy, somewhat quiet, obviously a huge heart of gold and very self conscious about the weight he says he's gained the last few years. Saying I relate is a gross understatement. I've tried to gently push him towards cardio, especially Spinning; but what works for me apparently doesn't come so naturally to others.
Our conversation renewed an old frustration of mine though. Ryan has no obvious inspiration where methods are concerned, no weight loss plans or diets targeted at him aside from the occasional Dan Marino NutriSystem commercial.
As with most things, advertisers target a female demographic when it comes to things like fashion, beauty/looks, personal hygiene and of course, the holy grail of them all, weight loss.
While nothing prevents him from trying any method across the weight loss spectrum, nobody is out there speaking to HIM, the way Dove targets those pretty fat women by telling them their curves are beautiful and that "real beauty" is not what you see on the cover of Vogue. That's all fine and well, and I love Dove for doing it but there are fat guys out there too you know.
Maybe if L.A. Weight Loss would show some successful male weight loss stories, or Kirstie Alley's new sidekick would be the fat guy from her Star Trek days who lost a load, that might help. Sure, we had Jared the Subway guy, but how long can you milk inspiration from that?
Companies, like daytime television marketers need to realize there are more and more men who don't fit the traditional advertising demographic. Many work from home. We like to shop at Target too. Plenty of us have some weight to lose. Lots of men are self conscious about THEIR bodies and are willing and able to spend money on products we feel a kinship with, on companies we know want our business.
Who's asleep on Madison Avenue and why?
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