Baby steps reminder
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Did you see this story on Friday morning’s Today Show? This guy lost over 400 pounds in 5+ years.
Okay. That’s a good story — although I’m somewhat annoyed by a personality that chooses to call the local TV station in search of weight loss help, but whatever… I’m also always interested by people who lose a bunch of weight and then become personal trainers. (This happens to Biggest Loser contestants a lot, I notice.) Honestly, I have a really satisfying, fulfilling life that I have worked really, really hard to build. I can’t imagine totally changing my career and life’s purpose because I lost weight.
BUT.
The thing that really struck me from the segment was the trainer’s approach to discourage a great dramatic change. He did so by encouraging the guy to alternate good-eating days with “free days.” For someone who weighs 650 pounds, this represented enough of a change to help him start losing weight.
I’m reminded that my own most successful weight-loss year started off in exactly the same way — by making a series of small (sometimes VERY small) steps.
This is an important reminder for me this morning, as I head off to my first Weight Watcher meeting in months. As I recover from last night’s binge, which actually made me sick. As I feel daunted by the task ahead — losing 100-120 more pounds.
Here we go.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Losing weight and maintaining is a lifestyle. It is for life. As great as it would be to lose a lot of weight in a short period, it is not safe nor healthy.
Great reminder for everyone.
July 11th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
I enjoyed the clip
several things I caught -
he had NO career (nor life according to him) before this –
and
the personal trainer told him from the beginning that after he lost his weight – he was expected to pay it forward to someone else
and
I think he might be the smartest person that I know – for calling the TV station – because it sounds like he got the personal trainer to work with him for free – and now they are roommates – which might be the safest way of adapting to maintenance that I have ever heard.
July 12th, 2009 at 10:08 am
not an e-mail person – so not on very often – but I wanted to let you know that I saw your note and loved it. I had no idea that you were ‘out there’ reading. feel free to comment if you are comfortable – emails are fine – but if it is ever ‘urgent’ – comments I see every day – emails just every once in a while.
August 1st, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I have read your blog since last year and may have never commented before but I wanted to just say how much I agree that baby steps are all that it takes in starting a successful purge of the pounds.
Good luck on getting back on track. I loved reading your weekly updates because it inspired me to keep on going.
August 5th, 2009 at 4:28 am
I still check in nearly every day.
NO pressure to write (every day) if that is not helpful to you.
but a little update – say once a week – would be so nice. And it might be good for you – so that it is not so hard to come back after long breaks. . .
September 4th, 2009 at 10:04 am
just wanted to say hi….wondering how you’re doing. hope all is well.