Tonight, Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back, returns for its second season with an all-new 16 episode order on the Style Network!

The series documents the incredible journeys of a group of obese teens as they bravely fight emotional and physical hurdles to drop hundreds of life-threatening pounds at the acclaimed weight-loss boarding school, Wellspring Academy, in Brevard, N.C. New and returning students enrolled in the school’s intense mind/body curriculum adjust to life away from their families, befriend other students who are on similar journeys and come face-to-face with the food and feelings that threaten to end their lives.

Three students from Season One return to Wellspring Academy for Season Two and you’ll be surprised at their progress from over the hiatus! After having lost the most weight of the students, 160 pounds in her first semester at Wellspring, Tanisha is 350.5 lbs at the season 2 premiere weigh in! Job well done Tanisha! Scotty, 14, is also back though after an unsuccessful summer away from the academy, having gained 15 pounds. He’s starting off the new school year with a very defeated attitude and it is very disheartening to see. Still the youngest student at Wellspring, Emily, 12, from Raleigh, N.C. has lost 55lbs since her first semester but is back to reach her goal weight of 130 lbs.

Joining the academy for their first year are four young students: First there is Rachel, 14, from Greenwich, Conn. whose family back home has decided to get their health in order in support of Rachel. Second is Hayley, 17, from Warren, Mich. who’s starting weight surpassed Tanisha’s at 511 lbs. This now makes Hayley the largest student in Wellspring history. Prior to her initial weigh-in, Hayley thought she weighed in the high 300’s but is surprisingly shocked to learn the truth. Then there’s Carsyn, 17, from Warrenton, Va. whose parents are all star athletes, so there’s a lot of pressure there to not be at the 203 lbs. that she is currently at. Lastly, there’s Lia, 14, from Montrale, N.J. who is as lazy and rebellious as it gets which attributes to her 196 lbs weigh in.

Aside from the emotional first week weigh in and updates on the returning students’ successes and struggles, the introductions to the new Wellspring students reels viewers in just as much as last season. As one student talks about avoiding public places to avoid ridicule and one athletic mother talks about her rough relationship with her overweight daughter, it’s clear that the students at Wellspring are in the right place. Watching these obese children go on this life-changing journey, probably the most important journey in their life, it is so incredibly inspirational. Not only is it inspiring but it is so exciting to know that (based on the first update) the majority of these kids will succeed in not only keeping the weight off after the school year, but continuing to lose weight on their breaks. The update on the returning students almost makes me want to see the students at home when school is not in session. Talk about temptation and perseverance.

The nutrition culinary instructor, behavioral coaches, and the entire staff are incredibly optimistic, reassuring, and strict in helping these kids get their lives back. It is wonderful to finally see these kids being not just pushed but taught in a positive way to build a healthy lifestyle. But the season 2 premiere gives just a glimpse at the physical and psychological struggles that these young people face all year long. Season 2 will feature the students completing the first annual Wellspring Triathlon, so the premiere really only gives viewers a taste of what there is to expect in regards to major goals. My only concern is for first time viewers, as the premiere does not give an overview as to how Wellspring Academy is run. Still, Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back Season 2 is just as compelling as Season One, so the premiere tonight is not one to be missed!

Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back Season Two Premieres Monday, March 7, 2011 at 8pm on The Style Network.