Necessary Mutilation

Weight: 212.5 lbs.

When I was at the dentist yesterday, they had a copy of “Star” magazine, dated 1/25/10, in the wait area. In it was an article on behind the scenes with The Biggest Loser, and it was quite eye opening. If anybody has ever had any questions about the tricks that are played regarding registering huge weight losses for the show, this answers to that. For instance, a contestent (Kai, I believe her name was) wrote about how people purposely dehydrate themselves for days before weighing in, and take laxatives and do other potentially harmful things. Also, Jillian refers to the fact that although it may seem as if only a week has transpired between weigh-ins as it is a week for the viewers, that often it is a longer period of time, allowing for that much more of a weight loss. Shockingly, the article said that the actual average amount of weight lost by contestents per week is only 1.9 lbs. (!!) and not the huge numbers that we are tricked into believing. But, people are worked out hard and heavy, and the dangers associated with this and with trickery tactics people use to boost their numbers, can be very dangerous and that many struggle afterwards due to this and poor habits learned while there. Kai referred to the physical and mental anguish involved, and having gained I think 27 lbs. just on water after returning home, due to how dehydrated and ill (bruisey, losing her hair etc.) that she became while there. She added that the psychologist that they were supposed to be able to consult with was elusive at best, and that the show is more into sensationalism than caring for its people. A lot of “wow” in this article!

Oh, and I got my teeth cleaned!

Before this I put in a few hours at work, and am now momentarilly thrilled to actually be caught up. I have a long and difficult day scheduled today, with many clients to be seen. Last night we headed to the casino as pre-planned, and came home poorer rather than richer because we are stupid and stayed a played a little and put back in the $55 that we had won, and then some. And, to feel even more badly today, I also came home with a belly full of buffet, although I had already eaten a large serving of my leftover chicken soup/stew for lunch AND breakfast, and shouldn’t have probably have eaten quite so much at dinner. (Although, at least I chose relatively well by sticking with shrimp, some chili, chicken and veggie dishes, although I did cheat and have a tiny bowl of ice cream for dessert.)

So…today once more is back to reality and “the grind”, and the lessons learned are that I can’t be entirely trusted even on free days at the casino or at the buffet, and that I am currently not sure whether I am a winner or a loser or some combination of both. And that as always I am the only keeper of my own destiny, and that like was written about some on the  Biggest Losers, I can use smoke  and mirrors to look as if I am doing well, or truly commit to real change from the inside out.