I have to admit, I didn’t think that Erik’s 214lbs weight loss would be broken, 5 seasons later, and it was shattered. Both Rudy and Danny lost more than that in less time. It took Erik 8 months to lose 214 lbs and acoording to Danny on The Today Show this morning the entire process took 6 1/2 months. WOW. I know what it took for Erik to get that weight off, so I commend them for pushing even further than they thought they would ever be able to go.
The finale brought back a lot of memories for me. When you are going thru something so surreal its sometimes hard to take it all in. Perhaps since the big boys were in the finals it really brought me back to a place where we were not so long ago, and its still surreal. It also brings up another item. Erik has agreed to step on the big scale at the Season 9 finale in May 2010. It’s happening all over again in some ways. The amount of strength it takes to get to the finale this time will take more than an incentive of $250K. I worry that because of the “finish line” sort of speak that Erik will again get this weight off and not learn how to maintain it long term. For anyone that thinks Erik is the only one that gained it “all back” after the show they need to think about how many contestants were not shown on the Where Are They Now special. Erik was very brave to share his story and more inspiring to many this time around, having lost and regained, which any of us that have struggled with weight at any point in our lives understand first hand.
We are in the process of working on finalizing our diet and exercise plans to share with all of you. Our launch is going to be January 2010.
Erik is working on his blog about the Where Are They Now show he filmed in October and aired in November. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to post them and he will answer as honestly as he possibly can.
When I woke up the other morning and heard that it was supposed to rain the next few days I began to feel that depressed feeling I get every time winter comes. Its dark, its cold, and like today always raining. You know the kind of day you wish you could crawl back into bed, but never can. I decided to do something different about it. I guess you could say I used the baby as a good excuse, for the first time, but I decided to take him to the gym with me and let him play with the kids there instead of watching me fold laundry, clean the house or Facebook. He loved it and so did I. When we came home we both had lunch – together – something I usually don’t do for myself and he took a nap which gave me even more “me” time, and when you have three kids that equals “quiet time”.
Every single day is another challenge for me. To balance motherhood is still an ever changing challenge, as well as my diet and exercise. It’s never easy, but sometimes harder than others. I try to do everything I have in order to keep the kids, a house and a husband happy. Not necessarily in that order all the time, but its a challenge to put me on the list sort of speak. My weight goes up and down and it doesn’t always depend on whether I am happy or stressed, it happens easily.
Yet again I became emotional while working out. Many of you who know me, know that happens often and I share that openly with you, as those of you have told me it happens to you too. I never can quite figure out why I get so emotional, and it may or may not be because of one thing or another at the time, it changes, accomplishment, guilt, etc. I say sometimes the sweat pouring down my face is cleansing of everything. Almost like tears.
I decided today to start sharing my challenges and accomplishments as well with all of you. As a mother, wife, and friend I sometimes have a moment to appreciate so many of you inspire me to be who I am today.
We all have so many things to be thankful for. So many chances at a new beginning. Everything always works out. Negativity gets you no where.
"I told people from the beginning that ‘If I’m doing this, I’m going to win,’ " she said. "I set my mind to it."
That’s the biggest hurdle, isn’t it? If you go into it thinking, This isn’t going to work, I’ll be right back where I started, guess what? It won’t work, and you’ll be right back where you started. The mind is an extremely powerful tool – it can help you, and it can hurt you. Put it to good use and keep yourself going. Tell yourself you WILL lose that weight!
There is no such thing as a trivial victory when it comes to weight loss. Every tiny step you take is one more in the right direction.
Think of it like the snowball effect: sure, you start out small, but you pick up steam as you go down the hill. It works both ways – you can start gaining a little weight and then pile it on all of a sudden.
But when you start losing weight, keep close track of those pounds. Celebrate even the tiniest of victories as you work through your program. Things like:
Getting enough water intake today
Limiting your junk food consumption
Losing a pound and a half
Choosing a healthy, delicious meal over another takeout pizza
Finishing that walk around the block
These aren’t earth-shattering moments in your diet and exercise plan, but they are important. They are the stepping stones. Celebrate them, and allow yourself to feel good about them!
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