NewMeNewbie
Biggest Loser & Me
Sep 27, 2010
I have watched The Biggest Loser on NBC pretty regularly since it has come on, probably subconsciously thinking that somehow watching it will make me lose weight. It’s very inspiring and the results are dramatic. I enjoy watching their success, but can’t stand the drama of the “game”. The show is doing a service in educating those who don’t have the knowledge about nutrition, counting calories, exercise and breaking through psychological barriers. I do have concerns about whether the habits are sustainable long-term for such obese contestants. I’ve heard them talk that they are in the gym all day and calories are severely restricted. That works for awhile and teaches the skills. However, then they go home and are faced with going back to work, spouses, children, stressors and a schedule. Going from working out all day everyday to trying to fit in a two-hour workout 6-7 days a week appears to be an unrealistic expectation. That’s just the working out. Imagine how these individuals are dealing with hunger from their enlarged stomachs. Some have been able to keep it off (but I question if they have real jobs), some have gained back a little and a few have gained quite a bit back. I’ve heard one even went onto have WLS. I do enjoy the show and am proud of contestant efforts and their success. I had to turn the channel the other night when this season premiered as I didn’t care for how they were deciding who got on the show. There were a lot of tears, excuses and drama. No drama for me thank you.I do think they help contestants identify their psychological barriers. Maybe if I let Jillian beat up on me for a few weeks, I’d figure it out. Dr. Phil says you continue self-destructive behaviors because there is some sort of payoff. I have wracked my brains trying to figure out how I’m benefitting from extra weight or why I never seem to be able to get past a certain weight. I know my size keeps other people at bay in a number of ways. I tend to be claustrophobic so I don’t like crowded events, crowded stores, crowded streets, cities (I live in the country), etc. So, my definition of personal space is larger than others and my wide pear hips keep people out of my face. It also takes awhile for me to get comfortable with others and trust them so maybe there is a psychological space involved as well. My weight also tends to keep men from getting googley around me though it doesn’t stop others – particularly at Jimmy Buffett concerts. I didn’t like dealing with oggling when I was younger, but now I feel better equipped to handle it in my wiser 40’s. So, perhaps my eating behaviors have worked with me on my personal space preferences. That would make sense though it’s not nearly as dramatic as Dr. Phil would need for his TV show.
There is also the anxiety element where food works for me. In blogging and focusing on getting ready for WLS, anxious feelings often trigger my poor eating choices. Looking back at the summer I was 10 years old, I thought it might be loneliness, but I suspect it was because I wanted to be left alone by my cousin. I’m thinking the anxiety eating gives me something to focus on when I’m wound-up, obsessing on an issue, irritated, worried, etc. I get where I’m shaking my hands like a kid having a hissy-fit trying to figure out what to do with the feelings. No wonder I’m on drugs for this! Food gives the hands something to do, the mouth something to shut up on and the brain something to focus on. No wonder I crocheted so many scarves last fall when I was trying to curtail habits. There is really little for me to be anxious about as I have a wonderful family, job and life. I just seem to find something be it work-related, family-related or project-related. They say recognition is half the battle so maybe I’m getting a better grip on how to manage this. It’s a journey they say.
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About Me
Salem, OR
Location
27.4
BMI
Surgery
11/29/2010
Surgery Date
Sep 21, 2010
Member Since
