I HAVE LOST THE SAME 15 kilos about five times now. Once I lost it with Weight Watchers. Once I lost it with pilates and the gym. Once I lost it by going on a diet of heartache, wine and cigarettes. Once I lost it by cutting out all the foods I love. And once I lost it doing the 12WBT program.
After getting to my desired weight, I very efficiently put the entire 15 kilos back on again. Each time I chose to use the same method – booze, donuts and sitting on the couch watching reality tv programs. I am very accomplished at reaching my goal weight of fat.
I am a see saw weight professional. If I could turn it into a business I would not only be overweight, I”d also be very wealthy. I am the prime example as to why weight loss companies thrive. I”m the ultimate client – a weight loss goldfish. They can teach me new tricks, motivate me into action and get me speed walking right towards to elusive number on the scales. Once I get there though, I completely forget what I”ve been working towards and eat my way back to where I started and then some. The thing is, I”m quite good at getting to my goal so I happily tell everyone how great *insert weightless plan here* is and how I only had myself to blame for stacking the weight back on.
The longer I struggle with my weight the more I realise that Scorpio horiscope states that the best solution is a healthy way of life. yes I am to blame for own body struggles, but weight loss companies are also big players in us “fatties” predicament. Let”s face it, it”s not really in the best interest of weight loss companies for everyone to be successful. Failure means repeat business. It”s the business of weight loss after all. They have mastered such easy-to-follow plans. Processed diet foods, ridiculously low calorie targets, simple exercise plans and fabulous motivational materials. The before-and-after shots are genius. If she can do it so can I. Yes, I can.
What isn”t shown is the after-after photo, taken one year down the track when the “success story” has piled back on a significant amount of the weight and is lounging around in their soft pant, stuffing their faces with salt and vinegar chips and slugging wine straight from the bottle because they feel so ashamed. What isn”t included in most of these weight loss programs is ongoing maintenance support or sessions with a psychologist to help you get to the root of your weight struggle. Why are you overweight to begin with? Why do you fear success? Why do you feel like you”re not worthy of being the best “you” you can be? Why does chocolate pudding taste so fucking good?
News of actor Magda Szubanski parting ways with Jenny Craig for the second time, after failing to lose the weight that she put on after losing the weight the first time she signed with them, as an ambassador has everyone furiously writing about why she is overweight and why dieting doesn”t work. I sincerely hope she is swanning about some European city eating croissants and laughing with friends because it”s hard enough putting yourself out there and failing let alone putting yourself out there and then being dissected on early morning chat shows and in tabloid newspapers. The truth is, no matter how easy weight loss companies want everyone to think weight loss is, it is not. For all the righteous skinny people out there who will be making statements like: “All fat people have to do is eat less and exercise more. It”s not rocket science” there would be hundreds of people like Magda and myself who know it”s a lot harder than simply walking and not eating burgers.
We all know what we have to do and if it was that simple for us then we”d lose the weight and keep it off. No-one wants to feel the butt of other people”s judgement. If weight loss companies really cared if people lost weight they”d put some of their profits into getting to crux of the problem, but then where would that leave them? Exactly, why would they want to do that? Fat people are good for business.
Hi, I'm Bianca Wordley, I write about life.
In utter cliche fashion I lost a stack of weight with Jenny Craig for my wedding and then promptly put it straight back on. I know a few people who are doing the running 12WBT program this round and the calorie allowance is 1,500. That is insane to me. It is unlikely to fuel the exercise, people will end up tired and undernourished and end up failing. And they will fail thinking it’s them but it’s a flaw in the system.
And I think the biggest problem is that fat is considered unhealthy and skinny is considered healthy. Sometimes that is the case, but recent research shows that slender people can be obese internally and fat people can be fit internally. So I think we need to really challenge some of those beliefs that we have about bodies.
I’m not saying pay no attention to what you eat. Left to my own devices I am an unconscious eater so it helps me to be mindful about what I am actually consuming. But I find that if I focus on what my body can do the rest looks after itself.
Today I deadlifted 55kg and I will probably eat about 2,500 calories a day to fuel my exercise. And I’ve probably gained about 3kg in the course of marathon training. I care about the first number, the other numbers not so much.
I really believe that if people find a way to move their body in a way that they love and enjoy then you start doing other things like eating better because you want to feel better, quitting smoking because you want to feel better, going to bed earlier because you want to feel better and when you look in the mirror you start to see things that you do like instead of things that you don’t.
“I really believe that if people find a way to move their body in a way that they love and enjoy then you start doing other things like eating better because you want to feel better, quitting smoking because you want to feel better, going to bed earlier because you want to feel better and when you look in the mirror you start to see things that you do like instead of things that you don’t.” What a brilliant view Zoey. x
Heartbreak, wine and cigarettes? I’ve done that diet too Bianca.
I echo your sentiments about Magna. I hope she is eating a thousand chocolate filled crossiants and having a fat time!
I miss cigarettes xx
Hey Bianca, love your blog btw, and we share similar ‘fat’ stories I must say, I am with you sister! I just wanted to see though if you happen to know about Dr Rick Kausman and his book ‘if not dieting, then what?’. Life changing. Rick is an MD in Vic, Google him and have a read. His daughter Meaghan was in the news in last week or two, the gorgeous girl whom had modelled some swim gear and been photoshopped without her consent, you might have seen it.
I heard Rick speak recently along with Susie Orbach (wrote Fat is a feminist issue) and other amazing speakers at the first Endangered Bodies Australia meeting at Sydney Uni. Brilliant.
Keep being kind to you lovely, we will all be here supporting and doing the same. Thanks for keeping it real x
Thanks so much – I’ll go and check out Dr Rick Kausman’s book. Sounds really interesting. Being kind to myself is something I’m getting better at x
I’ve been bulimic, anorexic, overweight & healthy weight. I’m a smart girl who often makes stupid food choices. For the past few years I’ve focused on health not weight. I know when I’m not feeling ok about myself that I need to look at what I’m eating because it not only affects my weight it affects my mental state. I’m not perfect. I can’t diet because it makes me sad but I can keep trying to make good choices each day & that’s enough.
That’s really interesting what you say about the impact food has on your mental state. I really need to start a food diary, just for a better insight it. xx
I’ve been on the roller coaster too. It’s so boring. It’s so emotionally draining. It’s so bloody time-consuming.
Even though I’m not a particular fan of Oprah, I figure that when she (who has all the weight-loss resources and support at her fingertips), loses weight AND keeps it off, then I’ll listen to how she did it. In the meantime, I’ve opted out of the weightloss industry and just focus my effort on staying fit.
So funny – I had exactly the same thought about Oprah just the other day! x
Hi B.. Yes. Been there done that lose/gain/ love//hate kg thing too. Not any more. Shirl’s reference to Rick Kausman is heartily endorsed by me. He has a newsletter & your writing would be a “match” let me tell you! dr Rick responds to all emails personally & his philosophy (proven over & over to be right) will appeal. Love D x
Fab Denyse, so well connected are we all, and so lovely to read we are taking care if ourselves without dieting too, Dr Rick would be pleased to bits! He has responded personally on his FB messages to me too, I felt very chuffed! He said to introduce myself at the event we were both at and so I did, a really nice person. You will enjoy what he has to say B, and I am certain you will feel a huge sense of relief too. Take care beautiful ladies, have loved reading each comment, lovely to share such things x
Wowee I am definitely going to have to search out this Rick man. He sounds lovely. Thanks so much x
I need to read Rick’s book. Thanks so much for your kindness D x