Viewer Mail: Who’s yer guru?

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This week’s Viewer Mail post is MY question for YOU.

The collective you.

The ROYAL you.

The you whose blogs & comments I look forward to reading on a daily basis.

It’s a question I pondered when I launched MizFit, something I mulled even more following Jillian Michaels’ guest post at MizFit & a query which was brought to my mind once again when DietGirl & I launched our INSERT-NAME-HERE podcast.

Who are your fitness gurus and, when searching for a healthy living role model,  what characteristics/traits do you seek? (and no. you may not take the easy way out and say me.)

Before The Biggest Loser aired Id not head of tough-as-nails-but-ya’ll-seem-to-love-her Jillian (I’d nary a CLUE J.M. ever *had* a podcast until aforementioned DG enlightened me it was no more).

And, Ill admit, the show had been on for a while before I learned that she’d once lost fifty-five pounds.

Which all lead me back to wondering

What do you look for in your guru?

Do you seek someone whom you think can identify with your struggles because they, too, have experienced the exact same thing?

Does it diminish in your eyes a person’s ability to relate to you when they’ve lost weight at a different place in their life than you are currently? (Jillian, for example, shed her weight when she was approximately 13.)

Do you care not a bit if someone has experienced your *same* struggle?  Do you believe, as I do, that struggle is the great equalizer of human experience?  That we can all RELATE to the feeling of working our ass off hard & the specific situation is unimportant?

Do you feel, as many of my personal training clients did, that your guru has to be someone with zero current weight issues/struggles?  Must your guru be someone whom you already see as a success story in order to lead you down the healthy living path?

(I was always surprised how my clients who wanted to lose weight were often the ones who refused to take group exercise classes from instructors who weren’t skinny.)

Please to hit us all up in the comments as this inquiring MizFit-mind would love to know.

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Comments

  1. I don’t think I have a health guru, mainly because I know so many people who’ve lost weight and got fit and they all did it differently. I think diet and exercise routines are unique for each person. Everyone reaches a point where they feel healthy differently. What works for one person, doesn’t always work for another. The trick is in finding what works for you.

  2. I guess the easiest way to answer this, is to say go check out my blog roll, they are all people who help and inspire me. And, yes, that does include you.

    Many are because of their weight loss efforts, others as they battle through discomfort, disorders or injuries, or even just seek self-improvement.

    It doesn’t matter to me when in their lives they did it, it is just inspiring to read about their issues, efforts and methods and compare them to your own.

    Of equal value is writing about your own efforts, that keeps you honest too.

  3. I find inspiration in a lot of things and a lot of people. Sometimes it’s a magazine article, sometimes it’s a blog post, sometimes it’s a person that I know or a quote that I hear. And, as cheesy as it is, sometimes I can get pumped enough to inspire myself. I love the Pablo Picasso quote, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.”

  4. I watched the biggest loser last night for the first time.

    I do not understand the Jillian attraction at all.
    Is it her schtick to be mean?

  5. I know this wasn’t the purpose of your post but it made me realize all my gurus are professional athletes.

    Maybe guru isn’t the word I admire people like Tiger Woods and whle they inspire me I am 50 pounds and lots of talent away from ever being them.

    Lots for me to think about as for a guy there are few options for male healthy role models.

  6. Fast thought. I caved last night and recorded BL (Im an avowed NONwatcher).

    I started watching some of it and turned it off after the 2 contestants were airlifted off the beach (for those of you who watched it).

    I GET their point (scare tactics. trying to show us how unfit we are as a society)—-but having people who are NOT USED TO WALKING OR RUNNING A MILE COMPETE IN DOING SO?

    it felt irresponsible to me scare tatics or not.

    frack.

    what was my point here?

    OH JM isnt my guru.

    I farfarfar more admired the contestants for getting there and allowing themselves to be vulnerable and open and RAW in the name of finding a path to health.

    anyone else?
    do I need to watch the rest of the recording to GET IT?

  8. I don’t do gurus, either for health and fitness, spirituality (got none), writing, cooking, living, whatever.

    Not because of any rational thought process (though I agree with moonduster/becky about everyone being different), but just because I am naturally contrary and cranky. Someone who has good advice will eventually say something I don’t agree with, so I pretty much always feel it’s up to me to research, experiment, and find inspiration from a variety of different sources.

    Great question though!

  9. The closest I ahve to a guru is YOU!

    I am always amazed at the balance you seem to strike and LOVE it.

    Thank you for sharing YOU with me, well everyone, but I make it personal. 🙂

    As far as BL, yes I agree that did disturb me a bit, but I did watch and I did learn AND I did exercise in between commercials.

    I am inspired not so much by the weightloss, though that is impressive though unrelaistic for me, but more the self confidence and self love you begin to see, THAT is what truly inspires me to watch, continue to watch and be moved on.

    I cancel out if you will the “drama” after all it is reality tv so it will be there that seems to be what viewers want, but as you a possible guruwould not be the trainers but the contestants they put themselves right out there for all to see, the good, the bad, the ugly, the positive, the private, all of it!

    OH and speaking of…yes one of the contestants WAS such the inspiration in how they encouraged another…very humane, touching…loved it!

  10. I am like your clients as I always want my role models to be people I aspire to be like and right now for me that is smaller.

    (I didn’t say thin Miz 🙂 I’m learning!)

    I don’t take Body Pump from women who don’t look like I wish to look.

    Right or wrong.

  11. I don’t have a guru either, but just rather take inspiration from a wide variety of places.

    Even when I see someone running down the road I find myself getting inspired. I think, “Wow, look at them go.” I should go faster!

  12. I have my regulars that I visit. You don’t want to hear you, so I’ll talk about the others 🙂 I go to the ones you know already. Roni is the one that really puts her path out there. I also love reading Felicia’s blog, but not that our stories are even similar (she had surgery and had some special circumstances attached to her situation) – more that she isn’t letting her struggles with her body and the things that came with it define her. She focuses on her life and what she’s going through day to day. It sounds weird, but it gives me a better outlook on it all. It puts things into perspective.

    The thing that I love about all your blogs is that you don’t sugar coat things. You’re all real, you all display your triumphs and struggles. People that don’t seem fake and puts up that presumption that we need to be perfect…which is unattainable.

  13. I am GURU-free as well (shall we start a group?) for me guru is one where I’d find all I needed in one place.person.

    I have a mishmash of people who inspire me for different reasons.

  14. I don’t have a particular guru, especially within the weight loss/fitness field. I think since I’ve been “sold” on so many diet and exercise plans throughout my dieting “career”, that I just don’t pay much attention to them any more. However, I do find inspiration in everyday people (bloggers included) who fight the fight on a daily basis. I can relate best to them and always find something to take with me for my own journey!

  15. My “guru” is a woman named Jodi ( jodiojo.com )
    But when I use the term “guru” I don’t mean it in the sense that I only go by what she says, am a devout follower, and am ALL JODIALLTHETIME. I mean that she is the person that I go to when I need help, need support, have questions, or have a goal (or even cry or bitch to). And I do that because I TRUST her. Her approach is a combination of supportive, NO bull sh*t & super funny. That works for me. I take inspiration from all over the place and try to incorporate different things into my life as well, but she is my go to person. I don’t think it takes away from my personal power, but rather enhances it and I feel lucky to have someone like her in my life.

  16. I don’t think of gurus. There are people I admire, people I respect their knowledge or opinions, but no one jumps to mind as a GURU because no one knows everything about this topic and its such an individualistic thing. But when looking for a role model that’s living healthy I look for someone that exercises regularly doing what they love, even if it’s not my thing. It’s nice to surround/see people that are living healthy by doing their own thing and it makes me more comfortable doing my own. 🙂

  17. I like my guru’s flawed and struggling. Then, if they manage to change their lives and live a healthier lifestyle so can I ;-). DietGirl is one of my favourite blogs. She still loves her food AND she’s got a great sense of hunour and doesn’t take herself to seriously. I can relate to that ;-).

    Your blog is starting to become a regular as well! I would love to buff up a little bit and I’m ‘using’ your blog to educate myself. Further, I really like reading Jen Larsen dot net (lovely person), refuse to regain (VERY informative), the great fitness experiment and cranky fitness. What can I say, I like a good laugh. That burns calories to you know.

  18. Like many that have commented, I don’t have a guru, per se. I really enjoy reading blogs and get inspiration that way. While I enjoy successes, I think I prefer hearing about the struggles, as it makes me feel like I’m not the only one with problems.

    If I had to pick a guru, it would be my husband. He’s just an ordinary guy, but he is consistent. He never wavers. He works at his job and his body and mind everyday. I picked a great guy.

  20. I look for realism in my guru… none of this “i’ve lost 10 lbs and kept it off by running 8,000 miles a week and eating whatever I want.” and I have an even harder time hearing “just accept yourself” from people who’ve never had to deal with being considered “fat” or “ugly.” I thought Jillian earned a ton more credibility in my book when I learned she had lost a bunch of weight. My guru though? You’re up there… so’s my friend who, after years of being unfit, started eating well and exercising and lost 60 lbs.
    And yes, i just rambled in your comments 🙂

  21. I don’t have a guru. I’m better off muddling through and doing my research and finding out what works and what doesn’t on my own. And the ED past tends to make me obsessive about wanting to prove to people that I’m healthy, so not having a guru works for me.

  22. Ahaha Benjamin you said EXACTLY what I was going to say. Superhero-ing it up 😉

    I think that to figure out who our guru’s are we first have to think about what exactly we mean by the term “guru”. And I imagine for most of us it is the person whom we go to when we need information, who we trust and can count on.

    I’m neurotic. When it comes to my health- although I believe that there are MANY ways to be healthy- I know that the best way for *me* to be healthy is to listen to what *I* have to say to myself.

    Or maybe this is me trying to be a lone wolf badass. Hehe.

    Thanks for the shoutout!

  24. here is your irregular commenter: I dont have one single guru, I have many. One is a 60 yr old, who looks not a day over 40, who kicks my butt in every workout and has amazing form when she runs and insprired me to start running and here I am, doing my first half marathon.
    Another is a 25 yr old, skinny college girl, who is guru because she gets it, she gets group fitness and how to push people in every way in her class.
    I dont think people are gurus for the way they look or if they struggle in the same way as I do, they just need to be excellent at what they do, and that is enough to inspire me to go there.

    and I used to be the 40 pounds overweight group fitness instructor, who could, even then, make people get what they need from the workout. They didnt call me demon disha for nothin’

  25. A very interesting question & also the thought of people only looking to fit people to train them OR take a class from was a awesome question!

    I never really had a guru or anyone I looked to for my weight loss. I lost the weight young & then had to redo & get it right later in life as well… not that I gained it back, but I was doing it all wrong, keeping it off wrong & just not doing things effectively. Basically I would just read everything I could get my hands on, fitness wise & watch any shows about it. Even now, there is no one person I can say I look to for that special advice. I like to listen to them all & then make informed decisions based on what I read & listen to and watch. Of course, they all inspire me but there is not one that is “the guru”.

    Great thought provoking post!

  26. I want a guru who’s “been there done that.” Someone who’s tried every fad, every trick, and has lived to tell the tale. Someone who takes a realistic approach to healthy living. Someone who’s struggled and come to the other side. Someone who never takes a “holier than thou” attitude, and can relate to real people. Oh yes, and I want my guru to be tough as nails and can kick some serious butt 😉

  27. I’m not one to look for a role model, but I definitely admire those who’ve had to work for their goals. And I would like taking classes from regular-looking people – paying attention at the gym and watching some marathons I’ve noticed that the people who are strong or fast are not often the skinny people. You cannot judge someone’s fitness by the way they look, and I love seeing people rocking it of all shapes and sizes.

  28. My gurus are everyone and no one. So helpful, that’s me! I say everyone because I feel like every person has something they can teach me and it is my mission to learn it from them (yeah, sometimes it’s as creepy as it sounds). Esp. in the health & fitness world. I haven’t found an instructor/personal trainer/blogger/classmate that I haven’t peppered with a million questions. In my mind it’s one big unscientific research study – learning how other people learn. And I say no one because weirdly, over time, no one person’s opinion becomes paramount to me (although I do go through phases…).

    And I know you said not to but: I love you. You are so generous with the knowledge I don’t even have to be stalkerish to get it out of you!

  29. If I were to look for a guru, I’d want one that is two steps ahead of me, not twelve. I’d want someone who has been there/done that/here’s what I learned, but not someone who says “you must do it my way or you are a complete idiot”. For example, I’d like someone to help figure out how to make my familytime meals healthier, not someone yelling at me that if I’m not feeding my family only raw foods we are all going to hell. I’m sure raw is great, but I’m just not that far along in my journey, see?

    So yeah, I like my gurus (should I ever get one, besides you, I mean) to be relatable, and a little bit smarter than me! 🙂

  32. I’m guilty of wanting someone who walks the walk if they’re gonna talk the talk. I have always had a problem with gyms that offer you trainers with a beer belly, that really bothers me for some reason. I find that I get angry at some guy telling me what to do when he’s obviously not doing it himself…it makes one think that perhaps they don’t have the proper information to get you fit if they aren’t. I also don’t want to take orders from someone who’s skin and bones either and never had to really “work at it”…I guess I’m a judgemental, hard-to-please lass with HUGE expectations….that’s why I just read and train myself, because it’s unfair to put that on another person. I have no problems taking a class or asking questions, but I have to find the guru within in order to find my own success.

    I should say, I do adore Jillian Michaels however…she’s pretty close to guru-ism for me…well that was until her new “supplements” came on the market…I feel like she sold-out and contradicted her whole organic, healthy body thing.

  33. Remember that Mike Meyers movie, The Guru?

    That’s what I think of gurus.

    Silly to put all my ‘stock’ in one person.

  34. I don’t have any gurus either and JM wouldn’t even come close if I did.

    I find a lot of inspiration and comraderie here in blogland and have been able to keep off what I’ve lost – which is unlike any other time in the past. I’m always casting about for “the answer” but figure I’ve already found it – hard work and patience. Not exactly what I was hoping for as I’m often lazy and in a hurry.

  35. I don’t have exercise gurus, but I have health gurus, who obviously advocate exercise. For the specifics on exercise I turn to the internet, and YOU. But ultimately, only I can make me exercise…

  36. I love how you wrote this post. And I must say, you’re free thinking, fun, positive attitude has gone a long way to inspire me on levels beyond fitness. (and now you know) 😀

    ((hugs))

  37. Interesting you say that BeckStein as I was really surprised when I started seeing ads for JMs supplement line—but I wasnt sure (since I dont know that much about her) if it were in alignment with all else she touts/sells.

    and D’mamma? GREAT ONE in J.L.
    I hadnt thought of him.

  38. I didn’t start reading fitness blogs until after I’d lost my weight and gotten fit. (somehow never struck me that they existed. ).

    My gurus have been my trainers-both young former high school/college athletes. Physically we have nothing in common, but we hit it off emotionally.

    For me, a guru is someone I TRUST more than anything else. Someone I can turn to a problem and they will support me in getting through it.

    So the most important qualities are a sense of humor and empathy.

    That’s what I bring to the table as a trainer, too. A wicked sense of humor and empathy.

  39. I don’t have a guru. I enjoy reading fitness/food/weight loss blogs & information, but I do think that everyone is different. While I’m always interested to hear what has worked for someone else, I know that doesn’t mean it will work for everyone.

    And I don’t watch Biggest Loser so I don’t quite get the Jillian Michaels thing either…

  40. I don’t look at them as “guru’s” per se, but I take a lot of inspiration from Lynn (Lynn’s Weigh – The Journey Continues) and Lori (Finding Radiance) – they both have lost over 100 pounds, which is what I need to do, and have kept it off by eating healthy most of the time and exercising regularly. They just seem to have “gotten it” – and yet they do still struggle on occasion, which makes them all the more human to me.

    That said, I reap tons of benefits from all the ladies on my blogroll – there is something to learn from each and every one of them, and I really love them all!

  41. Hmm, this is a good question. Honestly, I don’t think I have a fitness guru. There ARE some people I admire – people who have struggled some major tragedy in their live and then have gotten past it in an incredible or inspirational way.

  42. Gurus? Hmmmm, my best answer is that I approach role models like I do people in my life. I am inspired by something in each person, no one person is my end all, be all role model.

    Gurus are the same. I like JM a lot because I appreciate her honesty (not so much the cussing last night…). I am completely inspired by the green team on TBL, they are my favorite. I like professional athletes because they inspire me and give me someone to cheer.

    My grandmother is also a role model because she is one tough cookie at 70 yrs old and reminds me that healthy living is vital for a fulfilling life at any age. I think maybe she could take JM now that I think about it…

  43. Ha, I spied more mulling. Coincidence? I think not.

    As for gurudom, I won’t see an overweight psychiatrist. Or therapist. I mean they can be some bit of overweight. But if they are morbidly obese, their problems are far greater than mine. And the same would be true of any fitness expert. Or dance instructor — though the belly dance instructor is chubby in the belly and she lets it all hang out.

    I think I’d want someone who showed tremendous compassion, empathy and had struggled in some way that they were willing to relate their struggle.

  44. I don’t have a guru in particular…I just like to take the advice from women I respect who have a very practical and honest approach to fitness. I tend to relate more to other people who’ve shed weight, but honestly, in the end that’s OK, as long as they can understand how someone can really have food issues like I do. I like people who workout…who exercise and earn their fitness…being naturally thin seems unfair to me somehow (altho those that are often are so because they always have eaten and exercsied well…go figure)
    People like you and others who I’ve come across who are honest and really care about beaing healthy and fit and are willing to answer questions.
    That’s all it takes for me 🙂
    I like seeing what hard work can accomplish…having someone chide you and kick your ass every once in a while can really help you get back on track.

  45. I have been reading for quite some time and have never weighed in but truly love today’s post so much that you pulled me out of my lurkdom. I apologize for the length…I’m a yapper.lol

    I, myself, am dodging the guru thing personally but I want to help those who struggle with choosing people to follow–or not follow–based solely on their looks. I am leaving a world of smoke and mirrors (fitness/figure/bodybuilding/modeling prep) to head back to general public b/c it is more satisfying for me. I have met some very established fitness personalities who are maintaining their looks through heavy duty fat burners, lipo, 2 a-day cardio sessions, endless starvation and deprivation (and trust me, they are not happy) all because people flock to those who “look good”. I hear you on not wanting someone who doesn’t “look fit” but do you mean “fit” or “thin” because they are not the same. There is no absolute answer for this b/c it is a preference question, so I just wanted to shed a bit of light on the amount of dishonesty out there in the fitness world and just say “be careful”. Find some ‘real folk’ (like everyone here) who are truly getting it done and just rub up on them in hopes of catching what they got! It usually is contagious…and much more trustworthy.;o)

  47. I prefer the term “mentor” to “guru” when describing the people I look to as a role model. Much less loaded term, as others have mentioned!

    I learn a lot from a variety of people, but I feel most “mentored” by reading reading blogs of real people who have undergone a similar lifestyle change to mine successfully. There are a surprising number out there! Lynn and Lori (as mentioned by Shelley B in comment #41); Shauna of DietGirl; Debby of “debby weighs in”. With regard to type 2 diabetes guidance, I look to Jenny Ruhl and her Blood Glucose 101 book & web site. I like her critical mind and her research interpretations. And for fitness, well…a certain whimsical tatoo’d blogger who juggles many things well comes to mind…. 🙂

  48. Yes I was a bit taken back about JM’s line that was recently advertised…not happy and after reading her book am a bit dismayed, though to be honest have not looked close at the line, just the fact they are “diet” supplements turned me off.

  49. I don’t have a specific “guru”. I take my cues (and information) from people who have credibility: those with education or experience that show me they know what they’re talking about.

    In part, I look for others who are role models, but I separate that out from those who I’d call “gurus”. I mean, role models are (to me) people whom have some specific area in their lives I may want to emulate, who have had some successes I honor, even though I may not want to follow directly in their shoes, or who have a certain drive or willingness. I love reading the blogs of people like that, even though they may not have a real clue what they’re doing, or have been horribly unsuccessful at what they’re trying to do.

    I can separate and honor both the spirit and the substance… but if I’m going to rely on the substance, I HAVE to have credibility.

  50. I don’t search for someone who has had the same struggle as I have because no one has had the same struggle as I have. No one has had the same struggle as anyone else has either.
    It’s like we are on a path called life. Things are on the path and it is our choice what to do with them. Choice. And we all make different ones. And I do like hearing about all the different ones. I’m bored with the ones that are similar to mine. Been there done that. Tell me something I don’t know.
    I do like the Jack Lalanne approach. Simplicity. Take out all the bs. Don’t make it so complicated. He may be close to a guru in my eyes. Crazy man that he is.

  51. I heard something about the word GURU many years ago that made me smile and made me think differently about the work from then on… As a result I am not too interested in finding a Guru.

    Look at the letters in the word. GURU -Gee, you are you.

    At first I thought, well that is really corny. And then I thought about it some more. Now I think it is pretty wise. Especially with regard to weight loss. It is such an individual process that we all need to find what works best for us individually.

    That being said – There are many people I admire. I am most interested in honesty and integrity. Quickly followed by a good sense of humor. And kindness. Kindness goes a long way.

    BTW, loved your tweet today about what you can do for twitter!

    xoxo

  52. I don’t mean to come off as pompous, but it turns out I’m my own guru. I had most of the answers inside me all the time; it just took me a while to find them. 🙂

  53. I think I spent so much tim e in my youth searching for a guru and blaming my lack of successes on my inability to find one that I now entirely turn inward.

    I know I have all I need.

  54. cammy? talia? you know I entirely agree (insert loving joke here about how only we women would ever use a disclaimer like “I dont mean to come off as pompous” Ive met the Cammy in person. She is amazingGURUtastic).

  55. I don’t really have a guru either. I do enjoy Ellen Barrett’s workouts the most, so she comes closest I’d say. Then there’s the whole bumbling band. So much to learn from everyone in the trenches and at different points.

  56. Hmmm … I think I have lots of gurus (including YOU, Miz). I do like Cammy/Talia’s ideas about myself as my guru, but I glean inspiration/information from several sources – Bob Greene and Oprah, Jillian and BL contestants, EVERYONE here in blogland, people at my WW meeting … Clearly I need LOTS of help. 🙂

  57. There isn’t a type of guru that I look for, but the ones that I tend to identify with are ones that are moms, looks fit, and used to be overweight.

  58. I also don’t have one guru to whom I’m looking for inspiration. Rather, there are many people who inspire me for different reasons.

    I agree with you that my life situation doesn’t have to match up with someone for them to be an inspiration. There are many people whose lives are very different from mine, and they inspire me in so many aspects of my life.

    But sometimes I find it helpful when I do have something in common with someone. For example, I had my first child quite early in life and my second child quite late in life. Both times I gained lots of weight (50 lbs). But while I lost the baby weight in no time the first time around, the second time it was very tough. Having a friend who was in a very similar situation was very helpful. When she really made herself a priority and took great care of herself, she became my inspiration, and I knew I could make myself a priority again too.

  59. At the point of my fitness journey RIGHT NOW, I am finding inspiration via a lot of bloggers and how they are living their lives especially those who have lost 50+ pounds and continue to eat well and train for events such as races. I am not training right now for anything but I often think to myself, “Good Lord, I have to hand it to these women!!! Bravo! Now, time for *me* to get out there and simply walk a few miles!” I also find inspiration through mags like Oxygen and sites like Figure Athlete since this is where my main fitness interest lies.

    Last year, I read Diet Girl’s book and found it very inspiring (I kept it too – normally I donate books when I am done). As a matter of fact, when I gained a bit of my loss back this past summer, I thought of her journey and how she didn’t give up even when the scale was showing gains instead of losses.

    Regarding the not-skinny fitness trainers: the hardest class at the gym I used to belong to was taught by someone who was a little power house. I’ll tell ya, she could make the fitness woman weep …

    If I had a trainer though, I would want it to be a female who had good naturally-built lean muscle and was well-versed w/ weight training (classic and the latest and greatest like plyometrics, kettlebells, medicine ball, circuit training, etc.). I wouldn’t care whether they had ever conquered a weight issue but the emphasis on weights would be important to me.

  61. I don’t have a single guru. More like a group of bloggers and friends I rely on for different aspects & perspectives. I have never been a one-size-fits-all type of a gal 🙂

  62. I love JM! I find her passion and experience enlightening. I remember watching the 2nd season of BL and thinking if only she would kick my butt I would be okay. Now I look to her for inspiration when things need changing.

  63. I look for stability of person in a health guru. I noticed that. I look for someone who has not had issues with body image, or has gotten over it a while ago and is now more stable. This helps to stabalize me and I feel the calm that the other person exudes about food and health. It chills me out.

  64. On the JM Supplement Line…it’s hard to find the nutrition/ingredients online to scan, but from what I could find, it contains things I’ve never even heard of…even if she says it’s all natural, it’s still messing with the bod and hyping up the chemicals in an unnatural way…and her book talks about staying away from over caffination, bad packaging, anything that mess with your body chemistry/hormones and anything not organic…and now she’s selling weightloss in a bottle?…something that makes me say hmmm.

  65. I’ve lost over 150 pounds after discovering I had a gluten intolerance! I weighed almost 400 pounds and was told I’d never get it off without the help of lap band surgery. Searching alternatives, I discovered the gluten issue. I gave up wheat, oats and barley and lost almost 80 pounds right away. This success led to more progress and I am currently chipping away at the remaining weight. My new book, Fat Boxing, A Guide to Weight Loss explains the simple process and philosophy I used. If you want to learn more, I write a weight loss article for Examiner.com where you can view my “report card”.

  66. Don’t have one! Do respect several people for what they have done. I guess I’m in the “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him,” school 🙂

    FYI: Calorielab is musing again 🙂

  68. Jillian – to me, it’s like parenting. I don’t want my children to do “the right thing” because they are intimidated by me. I want them to do the right thing because they know it’s…..the right thing to do!

    I adore my trainer because he truly cares about me and my health. Through my divorce, he was as much my therapist as he was my trainer. The choices he makes in life, his goals and aspirations are truly noble and he is worthy of being my fitness/life guru.

  69. I have two gurus – Leigh Peele (leighpeele.com) and Valerie Waters (valeriewaters.com). Each has her own unique style, and I think I take both of their methodologies and apply them together. The are both very genuine and passionate about their craft, and they both produce RESULTS… which I can attest for. I think it is a combination of all of the above, in addition to the fact that they have become dear friends as well, that makes them my gurus.

  71. Well I come too late to this conversation. Like a month too late. Better late than never though, right?

    I long for a guru. Once upon a time, I had a spiritual guru. She mentored me. She made me cry. She made me confront the shit in my life. And she eventually was the one who opened the door for me to say, “Yes, I’m gay.” She wasn’t perfect. But she was there. And it was one of the most enlightening, intimate, and (at times) raw periods in my life. I was fortunate enough to live with her and a team of other students over one summer, during which I experienced phenomenal personal growth, learned a lot about justice and fighting for social change, completely altered my spiritual groundwork, and ultimately laid a foundation for my later coming out.

    Also, my Guru introduced me to yoga.

    My personal wish is for a guru who is steeped in yogic tradition, who has studied one-on-one with a yogi who knows his/her stuff, and can pass the tradition on to me. Bonus points if my Yogi is wise, funny, open-minded (actually, that one’s probably more a necessity than a bonus), and gets me.

    But I don’t really have a Guru, at the moment; I am a guru. And that’s a difficult place to be.

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