One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I've been struggling for a while to lose the same 10 lbs.  Not that I only have 10 lbs to lose -- there's way more, but that I'm trying really hard to lose at all and can only seem to get down 10lbs or so before it creeps back on is starting to make me a little crazy.  This has been going on for about a year now.  I'm not sure if it's self-sabotage that I don't recognize, stress, lack of sleep, a health issue or all of the above.  The weight has been much harder to lose this time, seven years later, and even when I've cut out aspartame and white foods, drink water, cut back significantly on sugar and sodium, and go to the gym regularly, I can't seem to keep things moving in the direction I want.

I lost 2 lbs this week. Normally, I would be satisfied with that (though I think shows like The Biggest Loser have made a healthy rate of weight loss seem like a failure for us regular people with lives).  But it's the same 2 lbs I gained last week and lost the week before that. I really try hard, measuring, gym-going, walking, eschewing... only to lose 1lb and gain 2. Or lose half and gain one. Or lose 2 and gain 4. One step forward, two steps back. (Insert Paula Abdul here.)

Granted, I did dine out a lot this weekend -- and not always at the most shining examples of lite fare, but I ate reasonable portions, made healthy choices and tallied every morsel. I also got more steps in than I have in a while; my Fitbit is really helping me stay aware.  I mentioned in my last post that watching calories has been kind of a relief because Points-counting was starting to become a bit mundane for me (it ebbs and flows -- if you're a long-term WW, you'll know what I mean).  Focusing on something else is making it easier to manage and sparking new interest, which is good.

One Time… at Fat Camp…

So, what do you think about this new show on ABC Family coming out called Huge?  (@abcfhuge on Twitter) I've only seen previews thus far, mind you, so I can't speak to the acting or any of that. I also can't be sure what the agenda is based on a few 30 second spots in between the other shows that are too young for me, but I watch anyway.

(The show's amusing to search for in your digital cable guide, but if you have kids that might be searching for this show, you might want to make sure your parental block is on so they're not scarred by Huge Cougar Knockers 8.)

At a glance, it's basically Fat Camp, which is a premise I've not seen done in primetime before that I can recall.  And the blonde actress. Haley Hasselhoff, is just lovely -- really, total dollface.  I appreciate that ABC Family is trying to do a show about non-model-types, but I'm not sure if I'm picking up what their puttin' down yet, as Pam would say. (Can you tell I watched True Blood this week?)  The snippets show Nikki Blonsky saying, "I don't want to change, why should I?"  Um, because it's not healthy for children to be that size? I am down with self-love, self-appreciation, self-esteem and anything that bolsters a positive self-image. I think we should love ourselves regardless of size. (That's easier said than done.)  I'm just not sure if it's totally healthy to present the "Don't Change" angle.  Don't change who you are, love and respect yourself for who you are... but that includes being healthy.

Of course, I'm talking out of my tuchus because I've not seen it yet; I love me some teen television, so I'll definitely be watching.  I like Nikki Blonsky, so I hope it's a really positive show and well-received.  I also noted the poll on their website and they're using the term "huge" unrelated to weight, which is a unique spin that I like.  "How are you huge?"  Loyalty, trust, friendship, humor?  All good stuff.  I'm just making snap assumptions based on 30-second promos and what editing wants me to see. We could laugh, we could cry, it could be the most heartwarming, awesome show the Summer. Or it could suck.

Will you be watching?

Jillian Michaels’ Losing It : The Jones Family

Jillian Michaels' new show on NBC, Losing It, was on last night, the Jones family.  Apparently, I missed the first episode which aired on 6/1, the Mastropietros -- I totally thought it just started last night. I'll need to catch up.  In all honesty, when I saw she had a new show, my first thought was, "Oh, good, another show where Jillian can scream at people, then whisper uncomfortably and encroach on their personal space!"  And yeah, that happened, but overall, it was a pretty inspiring show.  It made me want to clean my house, anyway.

In a nutshell, Jillian moves into a family's house for a week and not only is their personal trainer, but their nutritionist, therapist and housekeeper.  Good gravy, this woman's poor house. It was like watching an episode of Hoarders, only without the cats.

The daughter, Isabella, was absolutely beautiful -- really, a brave and beautiful girl. It was hard to believe she was only twelve. And the son, Jordan, was quite mature and witty, as well, for a ten-year-old. They lost their dad very young to obesity, their mom was falling apart at the seams and they were clearly carrying the world on their shoulders. They didn't deserve that, for sure. I can relate to those feelings.