So last night I got the opportunity to talk with Steve Pfiester (Trainer/Host, ABC's Fat March) and get his take on the show, his role as a trainer, and his advice for those looking to apply for a reality show to get fit. Normally, when I call the Pfiester household, I'm chatting with Bonnie, and Steve's passing by in the background (as most husbands are apt to do), mumbling random things.

After the initial "Hey, how's it goin?" and typical conversation pleasantries, I jumped in and started asking Steve about Fat March. Boom! You could feel how much he cared from the instant shift in his tone of voice. This show, and the people in it have taken root in Steve's heart, and he's fiercely dedicated to them.

We all know that being on a weight loss reality show as a contestant changes your life. But what a lot of people don't realize is the significant impact this experience has on the trainers, the people who invest in the well being of the cast members. When I asked Steve how the show changed him, he said that in the 10 weeks they were together, people grew emotionally close, the relationships were very "raw" and real immediately. With only 10 weeks to make some serious changes and get the marchers on the road to health, Steve couldn't take the time to tiptoe around issues, or worry about hurting people's feelings. He had to step up, address the problems (being severely overweight), and work on changing that as they walked.

During this time, the cast and trainers developed a respect for eachother, and felt like they owed it to each other to give everything they had inside.

As a trainer, Steve sees in people potential that many times, they fail to see, or have given up on as a lost cause. Getting people to believe in themselves is a big part of the challenge, and one of the most significant pieces of the puzzle for sustained weight loss. It was a hard lesson for Steve to realize that no matter how badly HE wanted to help the cast, no matter how motivated HE was, that he couldn't do that for someone else. That was the most frustrating thing about filming Fat March, that he saw so much potential in some, and they just didn't see it in themselves.

For the most part, the marchers gave eachother complete encouragement, absolute patience, and built relationships that are rare to find on reality tv shows. One of the main reasons this happened? Because if they voted someone off, or if someone quit, everyone in the group each lost $10,000! There was no reward in voting people off so a contestant could hoard all the prize money, since you lost a big chunk if someone left. This twist allowed folks with incredibly dynamic, strong personalites to take the time to get to know eachother, and get along by working through issues.

The concept of encouraging teamwork and discouraging the behind the back scheming definitely sets Fat March apart from other reality shows. But according to Steve, one of the main differences is that this show has such a strong story line, a really in depth look at the people as well as the process, is that you almost forget that it's about weight loss until you reach the weigh ins! You'll have a wonderful glimpse into the lives of the marchers, and I have it on good authority that after a long day of marching, Mr. Pfiester himself let's his infamous sense of humor and self admittedly lame jokes slip out.

As the show airs, one of the questions many people at home will be asking themselves is "Is this show for me? Should I try out? Or should I work to get the weight off on my own?" Steve's take? If you wait for a show, it's like saying "I'm drawing a line in the sand, creating a 'Someday I'll' scenario." The problem with "somedays"? They might never come, and where will you be then, how will you feel about sitting there, waiting for something to happen TO you? Instead , forgive yourself for getting heavy in the first place, for holding onto emotional baggage that is literally weighing you down. Draw a line in the sand and say "Today is the day." Set a goal, a reward for yourself by a certain date. Find a support group, and keep yourself accountable!

And if you still want to apply for a weight loss reality show when the time comes, you'll know you're doing it for the right reasons, because you're already putting your health first.

-----------> Next time, more about the marchers' weight loss program.... can you REALLY get healthy just from walking? What they did, and how it's working for folks at home!

** Fat March can be seen on ABC, Monday nights at 9pm (8 central). Bonnie and Steve Pfiester operate Longevity Club in Vero Beach, FL, and are dedicated to helping others through their expertise in the health/fitness industry **

Carrie Falquist is an artist, a mother, and the group leader for http://www.realityofweighting.com/, and online weight loss support group, originally formed from those who tried out for The Biggest Loser and/or Fat March, who are now dedicated to lose the weight on their own and encourage others to do so as well.