Tonight I watched the first episode of The Biggest Loser Season 12. I also followed along with the conversations around the show on Twitter.
Interesting tweet, I thought.
Then after a few minutes of rumination I realized that I could have tweeted this myself. Every season. For 12 seasons (yeah I’ve watched them all even though I dislike aspects of the show). I’ve watched every one of them yet I’m still categorized as obese. I’ve been inspired and I’ve watched them sweat and wanted to do the same but I’m still at a weight just below what could get me on the show (though I’m not totally sure of my weight right now).
I watched all those seasons of The Biggest Loser and wanted to do what they did but I just didn’t. Or at least I didn’t enough. I didn’t reach the same level of success that season upon season of contestant has reached. I lost some weight and stalled. I’ve kept off 40ish pounds (go me!) but I haven’t gotten to my goal yet. There are reasons for it like the obvious fact that I can’t workout 6 hours a day. But really? The only thing that matters is that they have succeeded where I haven’t.
Sometimes this fact, the fact that I’ve not made massive progress when I could have, makes me insecure about blogging. Why would anyone want to read the story of a girl that has taken years to do what some people do in 5 months? Why would anyone want to read the story of a girl who still hasn’t accomplished what she set out to do? Sometimes I wonder these things and I know that people stop reading my blog for these reasons.
But you know? It won’t change the fact that I’m going to keep going.
So I watched the first episode of season 12. It felt different this time. This time I felt inspired in a way that I know will translate into action because I’ve already started down that path.
As it turns out I’m not the only one who has done this same thing and feels the same way. Swim Bike Mom just wrote a similar post about the Biggest Loser this season.
Like Meredith, I’m not setting any goals to be as thin as the competitors by the end of the season. I’m not setting weight goals but I am planning to workout as hard as possible and eat as clean as possible and see where it gets me. I want to be an athlete and that’s what athletes do. Really I’ve already been on my way towards this and The Biggest Loser season 12 just came along with an extra boost of motivation.
Though I’ve done a triathlon and other athletic endeavors I still don’t feel like I can call myself an athlete, yet that is my biggest goal. I feel like I’m right on the edge of claiming that word. Almost an athlete but not quite there yet. For some reason I always feel like people leave the show as an athlete and that’s what I want. It’s a level I haven’t yet reached but I feel like I will this time. I feel like I’m close. Very, very close.
Will this be the season I watch where at the end of the show I’m as athletic as the people who finish? Will this be the season where I transform myself into an athlete? I think it will be.
Will this be the season you finally are inspired to lose weight/get strong/become an athlete?
Mary, you shouldn’t feel bad cause it is taking you longer too lose weight, you are working hard and that’s what matters, you want to be healthy and there is people who don’t even care. I am losing weight and I know how hard it is, so far I’ve lost 13 kg and this blog has really helped me. Keep up the good work!! :) btw good luck with your wedding
I do watch the show too (dvr it so have not yet seen the episode). It’s funny that I have never felt the need to compete with the people on the show. I feel like what they do is s beyond normal life that it does not compute as real. I am always inspired by it and I usually watch it while I am on the treadmill. I usually feel like I can run a little longer because look at that guy/girl on the TV pushing it.
I’m not sure I necessarily want to compete with them. I don’t want to be the same size or lose as much weight (my goal weight is higher than theirs obviously) or even run a marathon. There is just something they have that I don’t, which is mostly just that feeling of being an athlete. I’m not even sure what this would mean for me… not the same as a contestant on the show, but it’s something closer to what they end up with than where I currently am.
If that makes sense at all?
Aw, Mary. Everyone does this at their own pace. If there’s anything I’ve learned about my journey it’s that I always have to compare me to myself and nobody else and it has helped me tremendously. I’m not saying that’s exactly what you’re doing here but just remember that this is your own journey and you should never feel bad because it has taken you longer than someone else. You should be proud. We all come and read your blog and find your journey just as inspiring and as interesting as you might find one of the people on the biggest loser. In fact, I find journeys like yours even more inspiring because I relate to them more than someone who is doing a drastic weight loss battle with loads of help on TV.
<3 keep at it. You rock!
The people on those shows are also like lab rats in a prison and the people on that show typically gain back a majority of what they lost because they couldn’t adapt to the grueling harsh reality of the real world. The only good thing about the show is being able to witness loose skin in all its glory.
Last night was the first FULL episode Id seen.
It has been on for ages.
That speaks volumes to me :)
It’s television but not reality.
I want and my body feels the need for this to be
“THE” season for me.
I don’t watch that show anymore but I remember how it would always
want me to be like them all and lose weight and get fit.
I find when I read about people who have lost a large amount of weight
in “real life” they seem to often say that there was one triggering moment when
they sad enough is enough- a flash of reality, like seeing a photo of themselves
and being shocked by what they see,or someone saying something to them,
or something embarrassinf happening…. I want to feel that lightbulb moment too-
I feel I have had many in my life but have never truly said to myself
enough is enough. I have to say to myself am I really wanting to the rest
of my life unhappy with my weight when I can make the change if I really
disciplined myself? I need my time to be now, this season too-but will I
MAKE this be the time. I must make this a no-choice, no-brainer
plan and stick to it.So many others around us have done it-I have to believe I can
SUCCEED and not rely on failure.
Thanks for such a thoughtful post Mary.Totally resonates with me !
I don’t watch the show because I don’t want to compare myself and my weight loss journey with theirs. It’s not realistic. I’m sure if anyone trying to lose weight had the ability to stop their life and just focus on their weight with the help of trainers, dietitians, and a slew of other professionals would have amazing results too. I’m not able to do that and I don’t know many people who are.
I read your blog because you’re real and you share your ups and downs with us. Real life results aren’t that rapid, but 40 pounds is a great achievement! Celebrate your accomplishments no matter how long it takes. The important part is we keep going and never give up! I’d only stop reading when you stopped trying!
You understand. YAY! I’m glad someone does. :)
It will. We can be awesome athletes together.
We watch the show but it more about watching the transformation at the end and maybe picking up an exercise or two when they bother to show it (you know between humiliating camera shakes when a contestant falls as though their girth has shook the Earth’s core). We always say we’re not going to watch but we DVR it and fast forward through most of it after episode 3 when the ‘game play’ takes over the desire to lose weight.
Your post struck a note with me today because I feel exactly the way you do. I’ve been watching BL as well, it really inspires me (especially when I’m on the treadmill) but I know it’s not realistic for us regular humans. I’ve been overweight all my life, and probably will be in some form or other forever, but to me the important part right now is that I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been. It is a tough battle, but totally worth it, and I think you’re doing great!
I am a long time reader and first commenter. Let me just say that I would rather read your blog than watch Biggest Loser any day. To me, you write your blog with such honesty and tips that REAL PEOPLE CAN USE EVERYDAY. I’m sorry, but to me The Biggest Loser just is just so out of touch for me. I’ve lost 40lbs. since December. I feel as though it is more important to loose weight healthy than quickly. Keep up the awesome work and don’t doubt yourself.
Thank you so much for your comment Emily! :)
Here here to Emily’s comment. Biggest Loser isnt reality. you are reality. You are doing what you can everyday to make healthy decisions for yourself–and that is inspiring.
I don’t really feel like the weight loss on that show is either realistic or healthy. You live in a very realistic and healthy way. Or really, your level of healthy eating and lots of exercise is WAY above the norm for most people. Plus, no one should compare themselves to reality shows. They’re all somewhat to totally scripted. I did see one season a while ago, it felt inspiring that these people were changing their lives, with some of the usual reality show drama and competitiveness and alliances that are so addicting in all reality shows, but also I just spent a lot of time worrying about them and they didn’t inspire me to work out better or run a marathon. They actually inspired me to go eat something lol. On the other hand, ooh someone blogging with my name? I will def check out Meredith’s blog…there’s not many of us Meredith’s out there!
Yes! This is the season! I have a love/hate relationship with the Biggest Loser but have watched it every season and it wasn’t until Season 10 that I was actually in the groove of losing weight. I even went to the step challenge in Boston that year and got my ass kicked by Jillian. It is so unrealistic to lose so much so fast but still very inspiring to see these people change their lives. It has taken me almost 2 years to lose what these people lose in 5 months but it doesn’t matter how long it takes, all that matters is that we keep heading in the right direction. Last season I wouldn’t have qualified to be on the show and this season I’m at my goal. Who would have thought that was possible when I started this blog over 4 years ago?
What have you done today to make you feel proud?