Biggest Loser

I love that show and will hold my hands up to being a bit of a Biggest Loser junkie (UK, Australia, USA, I don't mind!). The last British series aired nearly two years ago now just before I started my 'journey' (my brother loathes the use of that word in any reality show so that's just for you Steve!) and I take my hat off to anyone who goes on there. You hear people say that because a lot of the contestants have so much weight to lose it's 'easy' for them, but to have such a radical change of lifestyle in such a short period of time can't be easy. Especially when many of them go from leading completely sedentary lives to doing 5-6 hours of exercise a day on a calorie restricted diet.

However, the frustrating thing with this series is we get one hour of coverage a week rather than highlights of every day like it used to be. Which means for prime time viewing it becomes all about the results on the scales and very little about the process, the hard work that goes in, the individual mental and physical battle in their quest to change their lives. And personally I find that quite frustrating. So many people who want to lose weight/ get fit want a quick fix. The BL contestants do lose weight so quickly because it is such an intense environment (with medical crew and experts on standby 24/7). But without showing the sweat and tears that goes in to get those results I think the viewer is left feeling resentful of these people who seem to lose a stone in a week with comparative ease, rather than admiring them and being inspired by their courage to make such a lifestyle change.

Anyway, enough of my analysis of prime time TV. I'm pleased to be able to report that I'm on track. Ok, so it's only 36 hours since I blogged but one step at a time! Following a rather harsh frost Sunday night and very slippery paths on Monday morning I swapped my run for Davina McCall. Not the real Davina McCall obviously, but a DVD of her being put through her paces.  And judging by how much I ache today I definitely had a worthwhile workout. I kept my eating in check yesterday, just about, and am actually looking forward to going to the gym today after work (another swap, my venture into the world of boxercise will have to wait another week).

It's incredible how much more positive I feel having just been disciplined for a couple of days and I can definitely testify to the mental and physical health benefits of being active. Thanks to everyone who has been in touch to encourage me thus far, it definitely helps knowing that if I eat my weight in chocolate (mmmm) instead of going for a run then I'll jolly well have to own up to that on here.

In turn I'd like to encourage anyone who is thinking of making a change to go for it. This time of year we're bombarded with get thin/ fit quick schemes, but just small changes in diet or a brisk walk when you get in from work can make a big difference. It's like that saying, 'what's the best way to eat an elephant?'- one bite at a time :)

[NB- I'm not actually advocating the eating of elephants, they just wouldn't fit in the oven for a start.]