The Average Loser

I got a few SPAM-my emails this morning, and all of them referred to my blog. My somewhat tech-savvy self decided I’ve been targeted because I haven’t posted a new blog in a long time. SO, here’s what’s been on my mind… just in case you were wondering.

Two years ago, or maybe three, I started a blog to keep up with my New Years’ Resolutions. I did okay. My biggest goal was to run a 5k, which I completed, even at my snail’s pace. I also made a more deliberate effort to be thoughtful—and that’s still a work in progress.

2012- All I wanted was to have a baby, so the goal for 2012: become a mom.

2013- NO resolutions. It was great. The decision to make no resolution was mostly based on the fact I had a newborn baby. I couldn’t think past “When is the next feeding? How long has it been since I changed his diaper? OMG- we need to eat, too, I guess. How does anybody do all of this and have a job at the same time???” No time for a resolution; no crazy expectation to try to live up to.

Until I saw pictures of myself with my little boy from Mother’s Day last May. I thought to myself, “When he grows up, he will look at these pictures. What will he think about his mom—oh wait, … that’s me!?”

My mindset started to shift. I started going to CrossFit because I needed something new and different to motivate me — I know, rule #1, always talk about CrossFit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na9js7OQjXA). This isn’t meant to be an ad for CrossFit, despite the fact it has changed my life. I don’t think about exercise as something miserable that HAS to be done, and I don’t talk about going to “the gym” as an obligation. It’s something that has made fitness realistic for me, and it is part of my real life.

Point is, Jamie and I have been watching The Biggest Loser on NBC over the past few weeks. I found myself feeling kinda bitter towards the show. I had to spend some time really reflecting about WHY this show, which does such great things for people, made me upset. These people get on the scales every week and post ridiculous weight loss. Some of these women are weighing in at numbers I HOPE for. I mean, it’s quite upsetting to see other women lose up to 7 or 8 lbs a week knowing that I worked so hard all week….

What bothers me is that life on the Biggest Loser Ranch isn’t real life for the rest of America. Working in the gym with a small group of contestants and a celebrity trainer for HOURS a day… having meals planned and prepped on the ranch… without the stress of a fulltime job and a family. Oh, and add the monetary motivation to win. I mean, really?! How could I even compare my weight loss journey to that?

I guess I shouldn’t. I don’t have an extreme amount of weight to lose. I don’t want to leave home for California for weeks. I want HEALTH to be a realistic part of my life.

The Biggest Loser has had its fair run and inspired so many viewers, but it has to be running out of seasons. If NBC is looking for a new show, how about The Average Loser? Let’s look at people in their real lives as they find a way to juggle exercise, nutrition, family and work. Can we document these lifestyle changes to show it’s possible for people looking to lose, eh... a little weight? Or even just to be a healthy role model for their own children?