Biggest Loser Last Night

Hi August Friends... I was watching last nights Biggest Loser this morning while on my treadmill & there's a girl on there that had Gastric Bypass 9 years ago & has gained her weight back.... Hmmmm, do you mind if I get up on my soap box for a minute here??? Ok, first of all I love this show. Probably because I can relate to every contestant that's ever been on it. I'm sure we all can... I love Bob I think he's so motivational & has a wonderful spririt (Jillian..well she bothers me sometimes, especially when she called the one girl Dawg...uuggghhh)... Anyway..it just really REALLY bothers me how the show always puts down WLS as a "quick fix" or "easy way out". They always say....These people lost weight & regained their lives the "Hard Way". What the &^*%???? Obviously, they've never experienced what we've gone through. Granted, their is a benefit of the surgery in that we can no longer say "Oh today I'll eat that whole sub, or have some cake or pizza & be back on track tomorrow" (as I did soooo many times in the past)... This wonderful "tool" of ours will not allow us to do that. At least, not in this stage of the game. The surgery, however, does NOT fix what's in our heads and I think that is the reason that some people will regain their weight after wls. Sometimes, I get so frustrated because I see others who have lost 120 lbs in 6 months or already hit their goal, but then I think to myself that the longer it takes me to hit my goal, the more apt I am to learn this new lifestyle and to continue it for all my years to come. Is it that some people lose their weight so quickly that they become victims of "old habits" & never get the chance to change their lives? Is it that some people come into this surgery misinformed, or with the mentality that it is a "quick fix"...(lack of education on the process)? Is it lack of journaling their journey & they have nothing to look back on to say "I never want to forget from where I've come"???? Our minds are so, so powerful and if we do not learn how to deal with what is in our head, isn't it just so easy to revert back to what we've known for so many years of our lives? I for one, am here to vow to everyone that I will NOT turn into a wls failure statistic. I am committed to continued education on the process. I will continue to lead our support groups (along with our 3 other leaders) -- the further out I get, the more important these meetings become. I will be an obesityhelp.com advocate forever. I WILL NOT ALLOW MYSELF TO FALL VICTIM TO OLD HABITS...... I WILL WIN THIS BATTLE........ (i will now put the soap box away) Thanks for listening everyone Tammy

Amen Sistah!!! I TOTALLY agree with you Tammy! We are in charge of our own destiny! It's up to us to fix our bodies and our minds and make sure that we except this new lifestyle with open arms! This is not just a short term problem that we are dealing with. This is a lifetime journey that we MUST accept. This it the way we NEED to live the rest of our lives! We can't just eat this way, exercise this way, etc. only until the weight is gone. We have to do this FOREVER if we want to succeed. That is why I think people fail with this surgery. Like you said, they think this is a quick fix and that is true to some extent in the beginning of our journey, we will lose weight. But, you won't lose all your excess weight if you don't work at it. Sure there ARE people who's bodies just drop the weight with little or no effort. But most of us aren't like that. And I, like you Tammy, would rather take longer to lose it so I can LEARN to keep these habits with me for the rest of my journey here on earth. I also think that the slower you lose it, the more you appreciate every stinkin pound that comes off! Now of course, this is MY OWN OPINION! Others out there may have a totally different one. You are entitled to yours and I am entitled to mine. Remember, we are all in the same boat here! We are here supporting each other and giving each other hope that WE CAN DO IT! I love this board and everyone on it. We are like one big happy family and I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Ok, I am off Tammy's soap box, NEXT???? Love you all! Lori 281/198/140

Ditto to Tammy's and Lori's!!! I'm not much of a soap box person though... hugs to all on this board. RIta

Amen Sistas! I watched last night's show too and thought the same thing. This is NOT a quick fix, this is hard work! I do not want to be a failure. I will succeed. I can do this. I WILL DO THIS! I'm so glad to be part of the exercise group/challenge we have going on. It makes me want to do better for myself. Everyone is so supportive and I really need the support. I actually like writing down what I eat, I like eating healthier things, and I look forward to my exercises... and LIKE IT!!! I ain't crazy, I just want to be healthy for ME and there is no way I will ever go back to the way I was. -Lynn Lap RNY 8-16-05 297/210.5/140

TAMMY! OUTSTANDING.. You have really impressed me with this motivational speech..I think everyone should bookmark this page and keep it for those times we are depressed and we question how we are doing and where we are headed and worry about our "outcomes" and worry about making goal..Tammy I was feeling a little depressed tonight- and I forgot to watch that show last night- Ive never seen any season. And I do not understand- like you - how someone can re sabotage or abuse their new body, after all the work and effort it takes to lose this weight.. AND T., like you I also do not understand how someone achieves 120lb WL in 6 mos- Ive seen those posts as well..I understand exactly how you feel..Look at how we work our butts off exercising..does anyone from WW or Jenny Craig work to this extent?..I think we work harder because we are more determined- because we've seen failure too many times, and its my feeling , that many of those around us (not family, not supporters) but those on the extended sidelines, are sitting back and saying..WAIT until she finds out how unsuccessful her surgery is..so Im constantly aware that there are some negative people out there- and I dont care what anyone thinks (except of course you gals & guys) .. But most importantly, I care about ME..we neglected ourselves and our needs and settled for a lesser life for so long..I always say now- WHY NOT ME? when I think of success I think WHY NOT ME ..when I think about achieving my WLS goal- I think Y NOT ME ( u know it) and when I think of achieving the body that I WANT, because I WANT IT FOR ME, I say WHY NOT ME? Of course and I think everyone here should think that way, because as Tammy said- how we think - predicts our journey and predicts how we achieve our goals..so the next time you read about someone having lost their weight or bought a size (or two) smaller skirt or shorts..think along and say- WHY NOT ME? and then decide what action you will take to achieve it..and all along keep asking Y NOT ME, and U will see the efforts of your hard work take effect and how empowering that will be - for you and for all of us. If you want or need help- we are here . I dont know all the answers, but I know we are all human, and the support here is awesome, and I couldnt be happier to be supported by a greater group of people..LADIES U ROCK!! OH- and when you get the urge to binge out and eat inappropriately- that is not the time to say Y NOT ME!! ..THAT is precisely the time to say- THAT USED TO BE ME- THATS NOT ME .. and come here and reread all our posts and do something to clear your head and tomorrow you will be so happy you made the BEST CHOICE... OK- thats all for now.. thanks for listening and Tammy thanks for being such a wonderful , and insightful leader and friend. Hugs DONNA

Donna.... Great response... Amen to you.... I must say that I think my girls are getting sick of me saying Why Not Me.... Think they liked when I was saying "What can I get my girls today?" Seriously, though, everyone here is wonderful..... Love You All Tammy

AMEN & DITTO!!! Dawn 258/144/135