The “Biggest Loser” is about short term pain for short term gain.

SHORT TERM is any program that focuses weight loss on a very short period of time, like an eighteen week TV program. My bet is 90-95% of the “Biggest Loser” participants will gain all the weight back plus additional pounds. My hope, is they don’t, but statistics are not on their side.

My contention, in order to lose weight you must do it the same way you gained it. Slowly over time. Most of us don’t gain weight quickly, it’s gained over years. Here’s what Meghan Vivo says in an article titled, “Why Quick-Fix Weight Loss Solutions Don’t Work:”

“Long-term weight loss isn’t easy. That’s why it’s so tempting to look for a quick fix or magic pill that promises to make the process effortless. Despite warnings from health professionals and nutrition experts, people flock to fad diets, diet pills, and even weight loss surgery to shed unwanted pounds. If you’re in a rush to see results and have tried everything else, you may be tempted to go to extremes. Unfortunately, the only answer to your weight loss dilemma is to move more and eat less.”

Don’t get me wrong, it’s incredible that the show contestants are losing massive amounts of weight. And I applaud them for their work but I don’t think they’ll keep it off over the long haul. You know – the long haul – LIFE or YEARS. 

Remember, the “Biggest Loser” contestants are working out 4-6 hours a day, under supervision and trimming down to 1500 calories per day. This is the Biggest Loser’s recipe for losing massive amounts of weight in a very short time. 

You probably hate what I’m saying? And I’m not saying it to hurt anyones feelings. Each situation is an individual story and can be filled with personal pain. We have all felt that pain, it’s what gets most of us started. When the pain gets to great, we start some program.

According to Dr. James Hill of the University of Colorado and Dr. Rena Wing of the University of Pittsburgh, “To keep lost weight off, people must change their approach to exercise and develop new habits.” They’ve identified four behaviors common among people who’ve kept the weight off:

• Eating a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet consisting of 24% fat, 56% carbohydrates, and 19% protein
• Eating breakfast almost every day
• Monitoring weight regularly and keeping a food journal
• Getting about an hour of physical activity on most days, often from walking

Don’t work on weight loss first, start an exercise program first, then make other changes like reducing caloric intake. Maybe walk for one year then reduce calories in the second year. Just an idea? Don’t kill the messenger.
I wish, I could lose my extra weight in eighteen weeks and have it gone forever. However, it’s not likely. 

Join me in a year of walking and let’s see what happens. I know it works because it worked for me for over ten years. 

MikeZ – “step by step for everything”