Biggest Loser Addicts Step Forward

My name is Lea and I am addicted to The Biggest Loser!

I have my DVR set to record all new episodes! So, yeah, I am an addict too! And I don't delete them right away after I watch them either! I sometimes watch them again before I delete them...

I really like Tara and her dedication and commitment, but I hate her attitude. She can be such a bitch sometimes! And, the way she acted about Laura going home... It truly was in Laura's best interest as she would not have gotten better on campus because she would not have stayed off of that leg.

Mike and Kristen were my favorites though. I can relate to Kristen, especially since I started at 410 pounds and truly felt helpless and perhaps like I didn't really deserve it. It kills me that just when she finally realized that she DOES deserve it, she ends up going home. That sucked! And, we know she won't do quite as well at home as she was at the ranch. Mike is becoming a bit arrogant as he sees the competition thinning a bit. But, does he have the percentages that Tara does? I think she's at 41% and he's only at about 39%. That can change rapidly if she slows down and he keeps going steadily, but who knows! Tara lost 5 pounds this week! She's down to what--one seventy something? 5 pounds of that is a LOT compared to the same amount for someone who is still like 235 or so. Tara is also at a point where she is converting to muscle and I'm surprised she lost so much this week!

Biggest Loser update...

Some weeks, you can see it coming... You know what is going to be the outcome before it happens. THIS week was NOT one of those weeks! I honestly figured it was going to be Joelle going home! And, when it came down to it, the two below the yellow line were Joelle (silver team) and Damien (red team). Joelle had been asked point blank "do you want to be here in the house?" and she stalled and couldn't answer. The answer was obviously NO. She did not want to be there and this last two weeks made that clear. Damien very clearly wants to be there and has been working hard to bring his partner/fiance back after next week. But, when they went to vote, some of them still voted for Damien. It was a tie. And, as he had the lowest weight loss percentage for the week, he got the boot. In their clips of him and his fiance and how they are doing so far, he and she both looked great! They were having their engagement announcement pics taken and they looked healthy and very happy. I bet they make one heck of a showing at the finale!

New Season of The Biggest Loser

Tuesday night, NBC aired the first show of the newest season of The Biggest Loser. This year's format is a bit different. They started out as couples--husband/wife, brothers, friends, etc. But, not only did they vote a couple off this week, but they also sent home half of all the other teams. Each team sent a member home and if the member who remained on campus is still there after 30 days, then that home-bound member gets to return. So, the folks who remained on campus are working their butts off (literally) in order to bring their partner back... Could be interesting!

I also read that one member of the brown team had RNY surgery but gained all his weight back.

More info from BL site--Feeling Good

Yep, I'm still cruisin' the Biggest Loser website! LOL Not sure what drew me over there as I sure can't sit and watch the many video clips on this awful dialup hell connection! But, there are some articles to be found that contain some good info for even a WLS postop! This latest example is one on the Feeling Good page by the show's psychologist... This particular piece is called "Long Term Weight Loss Success." There are other articles there as well. Some titles include "Social Sabotage" and "Coping with Cravings."

Long-term weight loss success

The one question that people often ask me is, "What are the psychological factors that lead to long-term weight loss success?" Clearly, there is not one answer, nor is it the same for every person. However, my clinical experience and observations made from my work with contestants last season have led me to believe that there are many psychological similarities amongst the successful losers. As you read about these psychological factors I encourage you to examine your strengths and weaknesses. When you notice an area of particular strength, take a moment to assess how this has helped you in attaining a healthier mind and body. It is helpful to acknowledge what you are doing well and what is working. When you notice an area of particular weakness, notice how this may be limiting your success or contributing to unhealthy behaviors. How can you begin to build or strengthen one of these areas?

The top 5 psychological factors that contributed to long-term weight loss success.

1. Stay connected to personal goals
What is your intention? To stay on course you must first know what the course is and what the finish line looks like. If you were running a race, wouldn't you want to know how far you had to run, the course map, how to train and what equipment is required? It is important that your goals be realistic, clear and measurable.
Successful "Biggest Losers" write or look at goals daily.

2. Create and expand support.
If our social environment resembles a dry, hot, barren, desert, we will have a difficult time growing and developing. We need a rich and fertile environment to grow. We are social beings that require social connection and support to maintain our health and vitality.
Successful "Biggest Losers" developed and nurtured their social network.

3. Gray thinking
Most of us think in black and white. I am "good" or I am "bad". We divide our world into nice and neat categories. (This behavior reduces an overwhelming amount of information and processes it into more manageable pieces). This is a set up for disaster, in that one small mistake becomes a failure.
Successful "Biggest Losers" don't interpret a small slip up as a failure; they get back on the horse right away.

4. Utilize resources
If I told you that you were about to go on the longest journey of a lifetime, you would want to pack your bag and make sure you had enough clothes, water, food, etc. Resources are anything that contributes to your success and wellbeing. There are no extra points awarded by doing this alone. It is necessary to establish what resources will be needed for success. Do you need a nutritionist, fitness instructor, support group, food journal, online support, recipes, or psychotherapist?
Successful "Biggest Losers" utilized and developed new resources.

5. Identify problems early
What is getting in the way? Is it emotional eating, depression, anxiety, recent losses, work stress. Do you want to address the big roadblock right in the middle of your path, or continue to walk over and around it? What do you gain by continuing to avoid what might be sabotaging your success? This is an opportunity to make real life changes.
Successful "Losers" identify emotional roadblocks and ask for further support, referrals to mental health professionals, or referrals for medication.

This list is meant for you to begin acknowledging what has contributed to your success and celebrate the gains you have made. If you notice there is an area that you believe needs further attention, don't beat yourself up about it. This is an opportunity for you to expand and enrich your life.

Biggest Loser Season Finale and How It Affects ME

I will admit that I am a fan of the TV series The Biggest Loser. I watch it most weeks of the season and will catch reruns of previous season's shows on cable. I don't Tivo it 'cause I don't have one! If I did, I would as at least one week per month I'd miss the show completely. I LOVE that this year's winner is a woman... Only took FIVE seasons for a woman to win! Not only did she win, but Ali also lost more weight than ANY other woman on the show--EVER. She lost a whopping 112 pounds!

I know that many people won't watch it as they think it is demeaning to overweight folks, etc. Many think that the ONLY reason these folks are successful is their ability to use a dietician and having their wonderful trainers to kick their asses. And, many feel that it is just a matter of time before they regain it all when they no longer have that same level of support. I did, however, see a note on the Biggest Loser website that stated that all 14 of the season four participants have supposedly maintained their weight loss to date.

I enjoy watching these folks work towards this common goal of weight loss just as we WLS postops are doing. I like seeing the things that the trainers have them do. I enjoy watching them compete in challenges each week. I especially enjoyed the triathalon they did a couple of weeks ago. I find it empowering to see these folks who are making a comeback from morbid or super-morbid obesity do things that they'd only dreamed of doing before.

And, who wouldn't LOVE to have the muscles they build during their loss! Some of those bodies at the finale were freaking AWESOME for someone who'd just 20 weeks prior been obese at any level. Like Melting Mama, I'd SO like to have Bob or Jillian come live with me! I have lost 212 pounds now (down to 198 from 410). That is more than ANY of them lost! Heck, it is more than some of the teams lost including both partners' weight loss amounts! But, I don't have muscles! I want muscles! But, alas, it hasn't worked that way for me. Now I'd like to say YET, but who knows! I have been seriously lacking in a weight training program. I live too far from a gym to use one regularly (25 miles each way to a small town "fitness center" that is in NO way a true "gym" for someone seriously intent on bodybuilding), so I can't get my money's worth out of a gym's monthly membership. I have a few exercise tools/items here at home that I could make use of, but I lack the true motivation to do so. Perhaps this "muscle envy" that I am currently suffering will do it for me? Hey, it could happen! What I really need is a PLAN. I need someone to take a look at my list of available workout tools and help me come up with a plan that will work... Volunteers are welcome!!