I don't know if you are like me and have jumped on the band wagon with all of the weight loss shows on TV today. It started years ago with, "The Biggest Loser" and right now my new show is, "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition." It comes on Sunday nights...they document the one year transformation of an individual working with trainer, Chris Powell. The transformation is broken down into 4 quarters (3 months each) with the last quarter being a healing process, because of the need of skin removal surgery. In the end, the results are incredible!!! It's sorta, Biggest Loser, on steroids! It gives us the quick fix of getting to what everyone is looking for...seeing the transformation!
Although this can be incredibly motivating, it can also be very misleading!! It gives the impression that "big number losses = success," and even more detrimental at times that, "speed = success" for getting rid of a problem that has taken years and years to get you to the unhealthy spot people are at.
A couple of thoughts:
1) To maintain the, "big number losses," you'd have to be on a TV show or doing something that's somewhat unhealthy. Unless you are reading this and you're at a weight of over 400 pounds, I never suggest more than a 1000 calorie deficit per day which will give you a loss of 2lbs per week and for ladies looking to lose 30lbs or less should never have more than a 500 calorie deficit per day or a loss of 1lb per week. Remember, YOU are not on a reality show, giving 100 percent of your life to lose weight. There is not a $250k giveaway or prizes at the end of this "game" or "contest!" You are changing your lifestyle and learning to enjoy life in a new way, without having it centered around food. This is a process and a mindset that changes overtime. I am now down at total of 107lbs and it has taken me 1 year and 4 months to get there. Only one week in this entire journey did I loose 3lbs at once. The rest of the time it was 0-2lbs a week. Big numbers are great for TV, but not reality and shouldn't be the determining factor for feeling victory or success in your journey.
2) Speed is not success... True success is determined by keeping your healthy life style forever, enjoying the journey, and doing it the healthy way....not by getting there quick and doing things at all cost to get there! Remember for many of us it has taken years of slow and consistent weight GAIN...slowly, day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year.
Speed will get you a quick-fix mentality, a jacked up metabolism, a greater chance of regaining your weight, and excess, saggy skin. However, speed will never teach you portion control, moderation, that healthy living is not an "all or nothing" deal, nor the discipline needed to never gain a single pound back again! It will not get you the long term results you need to stay successful long after you reach some sort of "goal weight!!"
Here is what you SHOULD pull from shows like this....Motivation, inspiration, and the knowledge that no matter how fast or slow, life-change IS possible!!!
Believing in you!!
By the way...if you haven't checked it out yet, here's an article done on my weight loss a few weeks back: http://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2012/05/22/north-suffolks-weight-loss-pastor/
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