[Turicum]

I don't know so much about Dave but realistically Chris doesn't get up any bloody earlier than a lot of us anyway. 5:30 is not unusually early to have to get up for loads of people, and he is often not up until well after that. Aled , now HE has an early start. And never moans about it.

If I remember it right, Dave wrote in his book that Dom and Tina are at Radio 1 at 5:00 to prepare the news. And compared to Chris and Dave they don't moan about it as much.

[MK Chris]

The fact it's the gym isn't really my point. Hearing about someone else's exercise routine just doesn't really do it for me. I have no problem with people doing whatever exercise they choose, I just don't see the point in harping on about it. Same with diets.

I understand that but, being on a diet at the moment (my first one ever I think), I know I am boring people silly with it... the thing with me is, if I'm going to do anything, I have to throw myself completely into it - which tends to mean I border on the obsessive - otherwise I feel it's not worth doing.

the start of newsbeat where it says LISTEN , WATCH , SHARE and then chris plays the start of a random CHER (pronounced SHER) song, is getting a bit lame now....

I think that's hilarious. First time I heard it it took me a second to realise why he played Cher, but then I appreciated its genius.

I LOVE the Cher clip on every news jingle too, it's still brilliant.

I don't know so much about Dave but realistically Chris doesn't get up any bloody earlier than a lot of us anyway. 5:30 is not unusually early to have to get up for loads of people, and he is often not up until well after that. Aled , now HE has an early start. And never moans about it.

Blimey - given that I reckon Dominic probably lives in the region of 30-50 miles from London as well, he must have to get up WELL early.
If I remember it right, Dave wrote in his book that Dom and Tina are at Radio 1 at 5:00 to prepare the news. And compared to Chris and Dave they don't moan about it as much.

[Nicola_Red]

The fact it's the gym isn't really my point. Hearing about someone else's exercise routine just doesn't really do it for me. I have no problem with people doing whatever exercise they choose, I just don't see the point in harping on about it. Same with diets.

I understand that but, being on a diet at the moment (my first one ever I think), I know I am boring people silly with it... the thing with me is, if I'm going to do anything, I have to throw myself completely into it - which tends to mean I border on the obsessive - otherwise I feel it's not worth doing.

I used to be the same when I dieted. Then I started to think about why I was doing it and whether other people wanted to hear about it. You risk making them feel insecure, inferior and guilty or maybe even triggering a disordered eating pattern that you had no idea they have. Why would you want to do that?

[chrysostom]

My girlfriend and I are currently dieting - and we talk to each other about it a lot. I find it quite helpful, and it helps me think about it more - which means i'm more likely to stick to it.

[Nicola_Red]

It's definitely the case that having support can help you achieve a goal. What I was referring to was just talking about a diet to people if you don't know whether they have any interest or may feel offended, shamed or upset by the discussion. I don't know whether Toph is talking about it only to people he knows are interested and supportive, so that isn't necessarily aimed at him. More at Moyles and his constant weight-loss talk.

[chrysostom]

Hmm, as someone who wants to lose weight I find it quite interesting. I think if you're in that mind-frame it can be comforting to know what others are doing, and get ideas from them.

It's the same with cooking - if you're going through a phase of constantly making interesting things in the kitchen, it's nice to hear/watch cooking things (which Moyles also did post-Jamie Oliver).

[Nicola_Red]

I guess as a presenter his job is to decide whether his audience are interested enough in it to talk about it on a daily basis. It often makes me feel depressed about my arthritis, and sometimes like I should go back to my old 'dieting' - which to me really means destructive, disordered eating habits. But mostly I'm just bored by it cos Chris' body shape is none of my business, just like mine is none of his.

[RebellionLies]

My random irritations

-Opening Link and there is a problem with one of the mics
-Gym talk
-Holly jingle

[Yudster]

I like the opening link. Its not always the most riveting of subject matter, but I don't care, I'm not exactly scintillating at that time of day myself. And that first half hour has occasionally produced some of the best radio Moyles has ever done I think.

As for the repetitiveness of it, like the problem with the mics, the physio/gym/diet talk - I like it, its comforting and familiar which is what I need as I surface blearily into the day.

[Johnny 1989]

Regarding the dieting talk, there's about 14 of us in our office on one at the moment, each week we weigh in on a Thursday to see if we've lost anything. If anything it's been positive as we've all being sticking to it so far which some at least would have given up already.

[Emmy]

I found that the dieting/food talk was really irritating me this morning, when it's never bothered me before. I blame this thread.

There are loads of the staff in our place on the usual January diets too. I always like to foil them by doing lots of home baking throughout the month and bringing in brownies, cakes, cookies etc. for breaktimes.

[MK Chris]

I think the opening link is often the best part of the show. It's lovely to have no music for a good 40 minutes while I settle into some form of awakened state.

[dimtimjim]

^^ He's right, it is best part of show, by far. And a perfect gradual introduction to each day... And even better in recent times since Chris has been more focused on getting his carcass out his pit on time.

[Travis Bickle]

Yes. The opening link is the best, or at least most consistently good, part of the show. It is a nice way to start the day.

[Nicola_Red]

Regarding the dieting talk, there's about 14 of us in our office on one at the moment, each week we weigh in on a Thursday to see if we've lost anything. If anything it's been positive as we've all being sticking to it so far which some at least would have given up already.

You get on the scales at the office? Or just do it at home and report back? Either way it sounds like weight-shaming hell.

[Johnny 1989]

Regarding the dieting talk, there's about 14 of us in our office on one at the moment, each week we weigh in on a Thursday to see if we've lost anything. If anything it's been positive as we've all being sticking to it so far which some at least would have given up already.

You get on the scales at the office? Or just do it at home and report back? Either way it sounds like weight-shaming hell.

At work we weigh in, oddly enough though it isn't a "weight-shaming hell", I think because so many people in the office have put weight on that is not the case and everyone is supporting each other through it. One of the girls last week put on a pound & yet she wasn't mocked for it at all because they known she had been good that week (I couldn't work it out myself either, the woman opposite her is about 5 stone heavier than her, didn't diet at all & lost a pound yet she was healthy all week & put it on), people were quite sympathetic because of it and told her not to worry as next week she'll probably lose weight anyway.

For the record she's one of the few who doesn't need to really lose any weight at all (if she'd have to it'd be half a stone but not any more than that & IMO she doesn't need to lose anything) but because she knows she has put on a bit she wants to lose it even though everyone else in the office tells her she's fine as she is.

Anyway back on topic

[Nicola_Red]

I'm glad you're okay with it. It sounds like I'd have real issues if I worked there. Scales and diet talk are what people who analyse these things like to call 'triggering' for me, so I'm definitely thankful that nobody talks about weight loss in my office!

[Johnny 1989]

I'm glad you're okay with it. It sounds like I'd have real issues if I worked there. Scales and diet talk are what people who analyse these things like to call 'triggering' for me, so I'm definitely thankful that nobody talks about weight loss in my office!

Oh no in all honesty people only joined it if they wanted to, some people in the office (myself included) have tried diets & failed so a few of us came up with an idea of keeping a record of what we lose, other people have joined in but only about 5-6 of us are really taking it seriously. No one had an obligation to join and anyone can leave when they want, if anything it's been positive because we've all done our own things to lose weight (I myself lost 4lb in the first week just by cutting out beer and the unhealthy breakfast I had had of recent) & if anyone has a bad week we try to help them out & not mock them at all.

We've all set a target as to what we want to lose come Easter, after that passes I could see about half drop out, for myself I need to lose a fair amount of weight (between 4-6st ) and have been picking up tips from some of the more fitter people at work, the fact than my Mum told me the other week that five members of the family on her side all died of heart attacks has spurred me on to do something about it now, especially considering I turn 29 this year.

[Nicola_Red]

And what about the people who chose not to join, do they still have to hear diet/weight loss talk in the office, or is it kept to a specific room or private discussion? Sorry to be a nosey parker, I'm just curious

[MK Chris]

As long as people aren't discussing the weight of those who don't want their weight discussed, I don't see the problem. I take your point earlier, but you really can't tread on eggshells that much, it would drive me insane. That's like refraining from talking about a spider in front of someone who may or may not have arachnophobia.

[Nicola_Red]

As long as people aren't discussing the weight of those who don't want their weight discussed, I don't see the problem. I take your point earlier, but you really can't tread on eggshells that much, it would drive me insane. That's like refraining from talking about a spider in front of someone who may or may not have arachnophobia.

I know what you mean. It's a difficult balance. But saying "I don't want my weight discussed" tends to make people automatically think you must be so upset about your own weight that you can't even hear mention of it without turning into a wreck. It's more that I feel society should stop discussing weight so much as a whole - it's treated as a measure of a person's worth, and people are rewarded with praise when they've lost weight and consoled when they've gained it. That whole culture is damaging (particularly to vulnerable young women, but to everyone to an extent) and much as I adore Moyles, he contributes to that culture. I understand that he's pleased with his own weight loss and I in no way want to detriment that (is detriment a verb?), I just think the constant harping on about it is a bad thing.

[Johnny 1989]

It's only the two departments on our side of the office that are taking part & everyone is taking part, everyone can see the weights but no one has a problem with it, we all surprisingly get on well in our office, the other half of the office consists of 6 people of which two are on a diet but not part of the thing anyway. As for the diet talk, it's coming up a bit at the mo but that's people asking for tips as to what to eat or avoid & exercise, etc. Nothing negative about it at all to be honest it's all been rather positive

[Nicola_Red]

Nothing negative about it at all to be honest it's all been rather positive

You say that, but:

One of the girls last week put on a pound & yet she wasn't mocked for it at all because they known she had been good that week (I couldn't work it out myself either, the woman opposite her is about 5 stone heavier than her, didn't diet at all & lost a pound yet she was healthy all week & put it on), people were quite sympathetic because of it and told her not to worry as next week she'll probably lose weight anyway.

For the record she's one of the few who doesn't need to really lose any weight at all (if she'd have to it'd be half a stone but not any more than that & IMO she doesn't need to lose anything) but because she knows she has put on a bit she wants to lose it even though everyone else in the office tells her she's fine as she is.

If you look at it from my point of view, people are being consoled when they haven't lost weight, praised when they have, and encouraged to lose when they don't need to. That is the product of a culture that measures worth in body size. I'm sorry Johnny, please understand I'm not picking on you personally or accusing you of wrongdoing, I'm just using it as an example to make my point. Don't be cross with me

[chrysostom]

I think that it's a good thing for men in the country to be more conscious about their weight. In the UK especially, obesity among men is a huge problem - and hopefully Moyles' talk of weight loss will inspire others to lose weight too. It should be socially aspirational to be a healthy weight - but it's a much worse problem with people who are overweight.

I thought it was very poignant what he said when Davina came in, about how he wanted to lose weight, and did. I had a similar experience in 2010, when I lost a lot of weight - unfortunately I stopped caring after about 4 months and then put a lot of it back on.

Once January's done, the diet talk will be significantly curbed. It's probably because there are surveys that say people want to hear diet talk at the beginning of the year.

[Nicola_Red]

Yeah, I don't want it to sound like it's enough to make me wanna stop listening to the show or anything even close - it really isn't! I just like to try and make these points when I can, cos we live in such a diet-obsessed culture, and I want to play devil's advocate (or "get on my soapbox" as my mother would say).