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Stay Strong Tommy! 
How real is reality TV?
Without a doubt, there are a lot of people who watch the TV show "The Biggest Loser". You know, I think that while the concept behind the show is good - and anything that can get someone off their butt to make a positive change is a good thing. But, (and there's always a but with me), just how realistic is the TV show, and how many people get discouraged when they don't attain the same results as the contestants on the show and then stop working out & striving for change all-together?
The thing that gets me now while watching the show, is that "The Biggest Loser" is not based on reality. Reality TV that's not real? Whatever do you mean?! Well, let me try to expound on this a bit. I watch the show now and realize that these contestants are set up for success - all they need to do is commit to making a change and everything they need is right there in front of them. They have UNLIMITED time; a fridge stocked FULL of the healthiest, best foods; they have a trainer staying on top of them and pushing them EVERY day, several times a day; they have unlimited - day or night - access to all the cardio and fitness equipment they could ever need. And don'e even get me started on what they don't have - they don't have the stresses of everyday life - no job to go to; no family schedules to coordinate; no personal schedules to coordinate; no outside commitments at all. All they have to do for the time they are on the ranch is commit to being healthy and making a change.
Who among us who have been pushing, and striving, and struggling with diet and fitness and weight-loss couldn't succeed when put in a situation with those paramaters? I think anyone who has truly decided to make a change would take full benefit of that opportunity. That would be the ideal.
But, hey, this is real life we have to deal with, so let's get back on the same page here.
Everyday we are faced with choices we have to make - and ultimately we are accountable to ourselves. From the minute the alarm goes off in the morning, you have to choose to make the time to work out - whether it's 10 minutes or an hour - the choice is yours. The choice never seems to be the path of least resistance - when I wake up every morning at 5:30am, the temptation to stay under the covers all warm and cozy and comfortable. But I make the choice to strap on the running shoes and drive into dowtown Milwaukee while most people are still ion their slippers and robe having their first cup of coffee.
There are days where you are sore, or discouraged, or the motivation just isn't there - and it's how you deal with those situations that will determine how successful you will be. No one ever said that eating well and losing weight was an easy proposition.
I would be remiss to forget to talk about the psychological side of weight loss - this along with food/portion distortion are two of the things I wrestle with daily. You may lose the weight, but your mind is set is a certain mindset that you need to consciously try and break through. I was heavy my entire life - from a kid to when I was 33 years old. And now that I'm down the weight, you'd think everything would be all wine and roses, but as with so many things, there's a catch. I had no idea that I would still struggle like I do with self-image and self-perception. Just because your weight changes, your mindset may not always follow. It really helps for me to talk that side of things out - both here, with my family, my fiancee, my trainers, my friends......people who know me and people who can really try and understand what I'm thinking. You have to reach out when you need help - that's a main ingredient in having success, at least in my opinion.
And that brings me to eating well....Anyone who has read this blog before knows what a struggle that is for me - from the time I get up to the time I go to bed, food creates an under-current or stress for me still to this day. I have to consciously make the choice to resist temptation, and decide exactly what I want to put into my body every day. And what I've learned is that the best way isn't always the easiest way. Again, it's another level of commitment to resist the lures of quick and easy fast food and less than perfect food choices that are out there. Am I perfect in my food choices? Absolutely not. But, I am constantly learning about food and nutrition and making tweaks every day to my diet. I'm always will to try a healthier alternative even if I am a little hesitant.
Yes, I've lost 284 pounds in the last 2 years.....Could I have done it faster if I would have been on the Biggest Loser TV show? Oh, for sure. But, would I have aquired the knowledge that I needed to maintain my loss for the rest of my life? I'm not sure....my gut instinct would be no. All the follow-up stories I've read about former contestants on the show have all gained back a considerable amount of weight - who wouldn't when taken away from a facility where your main, no, your ONLY focus is to lose weight? I don't need "Bob" or "Jillian" to yell at me and convince me that "I am worth it" because I already know that I am - every one of us is - we just need to let the walls come down a bit, pray for strength and ask for some assistance. Gah...makes my head spin thinking how they fool the general public into thinking how extraordinary this TV show is.
What is extraordinary? Other clients I see at Fitness Together coming in several times a week commited to making a change for themselves. People who trudge in and get on the elliptical or treadmill or bike and sweat it out - those are the ones who really desire to make a change. And the amazing thing is that my trainers at FT really seem to understand the "real world" aspect of losing weight and becoming healthier from the inside out - they have been able to help me understand the process - that it's the combination strength training, cardio, and nutrition. Sure, I have a desire to be accountable to myself, but when I have my trainers and friends - Ryan X2, Aren, Jon, Catherine, Nick, Myra - who really seem to have a vested interest in my success - that really helps to push and motivate me and keep me accountable even more-so. They always seem to know when I need a little extra encouragment or words of wisdom when I'm feeling a little(or a lot) lost. And that to me is so amazing. I believe it is beyond crucial to set up a support system if you want to succeed. A friend of mine (thanks Dave) once told me, "If you want to be successful, position yourself around successful people." I believe a higher power put me on the path to where I am now - where I can strive to be as successful as those around me. What a blessing, hey?! Now I'm in a place where I feel like I want to, no I have to try and help others. I know what is't like to be 500+ pounds - physically, mentally - I know how exhausting that is. And if I can help one person out there, then I'll be happy.
So, I guess to sum things up, if you need help, ask for it - but, ask the right people. Find people you can relate to, and that can relate to you. Don't look for the "quick-fix" - nothing in life is easy - And I've learned that nothing that matters comes easy, nothing that comes easy ever really matters. Good things take work, desire and commitment - are you ready to make that commitment to yourself? Look within yourself - when the time is right you'll know - and you'll be ready.
Love & Stuff -
Tommy
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