Every time The Biggest Loser premieres, I watch the first weigh ins. And every time...EVERY TIME...I realize that I would have weighed in at nearly or pretty nearly the heaviest girl contestant, at my starting weight. Every time I watch them struggle, throw up trying to work out, run a mile, and burst into tears when they see their weight...and every time, I burst into tears too. Because that? Was me.
I didn't have Bob or Jillian or a ranch or a Bodybugg or even a gym membership to start. But what I did have was everyone here at 3FC.
At my highest weight, I couldn't ever watch BL, because it made me feel deeply ashamed...ashamed of where I was, in comparison to the contestants. Now I watch and I still cry, but because I know that I've been where they are, and more, I know that I won't ever go back there.
So, while watching yet another group of contestants weigh in tonight, and realizing that, once again, I would have been one of the heaviest girls there (heavier than ****SPOILER**** the girl who had to be hospitalized after attempting to walk a mile, even) I was overwhelmed with a desire to say thank you, 3FC, for guiding me and helping me and supporting me on my own journey.
In the UK we won't get your current series until probably next year, but I watch them when they are shown here and I know exactly what you mean and I do feel empathy for the contestants as they start out. My DH doesn't understand how the people on that show can get so emotional but I do, weightloss really is an emotional rollercoaster.
The only thing I do think to myself is that it really does not have to be as punishing as TBL to get to goal. Although I had aches and pains when starting exercise, I never threw up, had to have oxygen or had an injury that required medical treatment. I think the show could do with reminding people at times that the bootcamp approach is not the only way to significant weightloss.
Oh Mandalinn, I know JUST what you mean. I have had these same EXACT thoughts and feelings.
I didn't catch the show last night, but in the past I would watch these people and think - this. was. me. And then I am so grateful that I didn't have to resort to "those measures" to get the weight off. That I did it on my own - with 3FC by my side.
The year I was losing, I DID watch the show faithfully. And I exercised as I was doing so!
I could NEVER have gone on a show like that. NEVER. I was not physically fit enough to do any of their challenges. I for sure would have had to been hospitalized. No doubt in my mind about it. I look at them and see what they go through on that show. Scary. But they do get some amazing results. I just pray for them that they are LONG LASTING results. I want to scream at the TV set - "sustainable lifetime permanent changes." "DON'T FORGET ABOUT MAINTENANCE." "Please someone, anyone tell them about maintenance!!!"
Last season, I tried watching a few episodes but even watching them online without commercials they were way too long to sit and watch. (And I should say we have a laptop attached to our living room tv but not our exercise room TV). I did cry a lot though watching them because I knew their struggle, pain, etc.
I watched that last night and try to every season. Mike was awesome alast year. I find it motivating now to watch instead of depressing as I have in the past.
I didn't see it last night, because I was out at a meeting for a new club I belong to -- part of my goal after losing weight is to get more involved in my community and I am!! So, I am living the life after weight loss all those contestants are looking for!
But when I have watched that show, I also feel for them. I WAS them too. And I think about the fact of my weight loss every. single. day. of my life. every day. I am so grateful to 3fc for being a partner in my journey.
So, yeah, second thrird and fourth me on Amanda's post!
Be proud of how far you have come! It's little realizations like this that will keep us all motivated. I need to record the Biggest Loser. I've never really watched it before, just seen clips now and then.
Every Time! (aka Thanks, 3FC!)
