Most of us have tried dieting (or at least skipping dessert) at one point or another. But for some, the struggle of keeping off the weight can become all-consuming. Read on to hear what True Life producers had to say about how they cast this particularly moving episode.

When we first sent out the casting call for people who couldn’t stay thin, we received emails from over 1,000 people interested in participating in the episode. Some of these people only needed to lose a mere 5-10 pounds. Others had to lose 20-30. And still many others had to lose much, much more.

But when we started interviewing and meeting with potential candidates, it quickly became clear that this was an intensely private and often embarrassing topic for them to discuss. All of them were desperately trying to shed the pounds, many were ashamed that they couldn’t control their weight, and most agreed that their weight was actually controlling them.

We were faced with the challenge of allowing these people to let us into their unsettled — and often unhealthy — worlds, and get them to trust that we were not going to make fun of them or make light of the subject. Once we cast Adam and Kinsey, we knew that we had two compelling subjects who would really opened up to us, and share their stories and their fears.

What did you think of their stories? Have a weight-loss success story of your own? Do you have any advice for others who are struggling to stay thin?