What if youre *NOT* the biggest loser?

by

Ever since my before & after was part of Yahoo!’s Real Weight-Loss Stories I’ve been inundated with emails.

As Id anticipated lots of people wrote seeking advice with regards to their personal transformation goals.

To my surprise, however, a vast number of the messages addressed an entirely different issue.

Many of the men and women reached out to thank me for helping them to feel better or encouraged (their words) about their own weight-loss stories.

Emails such as this one from Renee**:

I was overjoyed to see your weight-loss story profiled on Yahoo! I, too, only had a little weight to lose (25 pounds) and have kept my weight off for five years. When friends talk about losing weight and I chime in with my experience they brush me off. It seems in this Biggest Loser era weight-loss is no longer impressive if it isn’t a hundred pounds or more.

Or this message on Facebook from John**:

I saw your story on Yahoo! this morning and can relate to everything you shared about being consistent and doing something everyday. I was happy your story was picked. I lost 20 pounds ten years ago and have never been able to find where I fit in the weight-loss world. I didn’t lose half my bodyweight, but the fat-loss was (and is) a tremendous effort.

These emails got me thinking and not merely because after reading a bunch I boarded a four hour flight back to Austin & subsequently wondering what *you* thought?

Do you find you’re motivated, inspired and more likely to seek advice from someone who’s lost a great amount of weight because of the tremendous focus & perseverance we all know is involved?

Do you give more weight to suggestions offered by ‘biggest loser’ types & tend to dismiss —or penalize as one woman suggested—fitness professionals whove never gained/subsequently lost half!their!bodyweight?

To be honest I’m not yet sure what I think (translation: I’ll be meeting you to chat in the comments below).

I’ll admit to being awed by the visual impact (& accompanying numbers) of before/after photos of people who’ve successfully transformed their shape ——but for me that’s as far as it goes.

After the initial WOW! whom I turn to for tips & advice all depends on what they are saying.

And you?

What are your thoughts?

Please to hit us all up in the comments.

**messages were printed with permission but edited for brevity.

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Comments

  1. I think people tend to relate to the stories of those who are in a similar boat to their own. I know when I started out I was longing to find someone who had wound up in the same mess as me – 150+ to lose. And people I know battling with the last 10 find it inspiring to find those who are doing or have done the same.

    Personally, regardless of the numbers, I am most ibspured by the “kept it off for X years” stories.You can have lost 20 pounds or 200 pounds, but it’s the stories of those who have kept it off for long periods of time that inspire me the most. DUDE I so want to be one of those 🙂

  4. Do you give more weight to suggestions offered by ‘biggest loser’ types & tend to dismiss —or penalize as one woman suggested—fitness professionals whove never gained/subsequently lost half!their!bodyweight?
    ————
    (sorry I don’t know how to quote in the comments)
    That irritates me, MizFit.
    It makes it seem as though I choose to gain 80 pounds and now struggle to take it off.

    Perhaps this woman is not being listened to because she does not know her stuff.

    Linds

  5. I’ve gotten that… The most I’ve ever had to lose was 40 pounds, after having a baby. And to be honest, 25 of that dropped off without me even trying. Fifteen of it was me having to just watch my diet a little more carefully and get back into exercising regularly. So when I tell people this, and I talk to them about fitness and nutrition and everything because I’m so passionate about it, I often get a snooty response of “Well you’re just lucky! You’ve always been thin.” What I don’t understand is why me having the sense to always stay active and eat fairly well makes it so people don’t want to take health advice from me. Just doesn’t really make sense.

    And as far as taking advice from others, I tend to be like Shauna–I seek out those who are like myself. Who generally have never been very overweight, or who have always been dedicated to living a healthy lifestyle. But I will say that I find weight loss stories of all, er, sizes very inspirational and that’s why I love reading all sorts of weight loss blogs. 🙂

    • Frankly? Many people really don’t want to hear health advice from someone in their lives who has had a fairly dramatic weight loss, either. When people asked me what I did (watch my portions carefully, make better-for-me food choices than I had previously, learning to love exercise), they seemed disappointed that I didn’t have a “magic” fix.

  6. I was never really overweight until I had my babies. The whole 70 lbs weight gain never entered my mind. Then I was left there postpartum wondering how on earth I’d lose it. Roni was the first blog I ever read. I began reading it 9 months pregnant with my second child. She single handedly inspired me to lose the weight. I felt like I had enough in common with her to believe if she could do it, I could. And I did!

    I’ve a had a third baby since and lost the weight again. Health has definitely changed for me over the years. I used to be a tracker and write every little thing down. Now I eat mindfully. I tend towards other bloggers with the same ideals. Moms, kids, healthy.

  7. I’m more inclined to be amazed at someone who has lost weight (any amount, the numbers are unimportant) by sensible means (not crash dieting, faddy dieting or starvation) and has changed their lifestyle.

    Anyone can lose weight – I did it 4 or 5 times in the past, but I never managed to keep it off. It was only when I changed my attitude to food, my diet and my lifestyle that I became successful. Those are the people I look up to 🙂

  8. Interesting emails, MizFit.

    I have to agree that I look to people who have lost a vast amount of weight because I need to lose alot.

    At the same time I found I respected you more when you shared your before and after photos because I thought you were genetically skinny.

  9. Miz, I saw your article too and loved it although I have to admit I thought you were one of the lucky ones that was born with that bod! AND….I a friend dropped off a copy of Fitness from Jan 2010 and I saw you in there too. You are famous. : )

    Personally I am inspired by a person who is able to lose ANY amount of weight. It is hard to embrace the required changes and whether you have 5lbs to lose or 105lbs…you still have to revamp your lifestyle.

  10. Yes, I agree with Shauna in that people probably seek out people with circumstances similar to their own. But, I also think that one of the reasons for the response you received is that whoever those media decisionmakers are, they have decided that moderate is not sexy. Everything needs to be EXTREME to sell magazines or tv shows. You know?
    But for me, I choose REAL over anything else, whether it be a story like TAJ, or a story like you.

  11. I disagree and agree.

    I do not think I had ever stopped to wonder about your story before I saw the Yahoo link last weekend so I guess it didn’t matter to me.

    Now that I saw it I think I give your words more weight (LOL at how you used that) because I know you UNDERSTAND the struggle.

  12. I am a little fearful of being slammed 🙂 but I do not think you can understandm y struggle to lose 70plus pounds if you have not been here.

    People like Pastaqueen can.

    • Laine,

      You certainly do not deserve to be slammed just because you relate better or feel more understood by someone in a similar situation. But I do think that people have the capacity to empathize and understand even if they haven’t experienced the exact same situation. To me that is similar to saying a woman author can’t create authentic male characters because she’s never been a man.

      Nonetheless, those of us who are trying to live healthier and lose weight have to find others who best inspire and support our own personal journeys. If that means you feel pastaqueen has more to offer you than mizfit, there is nothing wrong with that.

  13. Since I started doing triathlons, I’ve lost maybe 20 lbs, max. I see pictures of myself and think, is that really me? But most people don’t seem terribly impressed, which puzzled me. I guess this is why.

    larly athletic before instead of focusing on how much weight I’ve lost. If I can transform my lifestyle, so can my clients. I think it’s mostly about finding a way to relate to another person as a fellow human being, and that goes for both sides.

  14. Shauna hit it just right. I think there are a lot of folks who have “only” 25 pounds to lose and their accomplishment gets lost in the world of Biggest Losers. I need to lose a bit more than that but not 100 so I’m somewhere in the middle. So basically I read your story and I think about how you would understand exactly where I’m at. Then I read Diet Girl and I think that I can’t even imagine having that much weight to lose and having the strength to continue on such a long journey. So I appreciate both.

    But, I don’t care what anyone says, 20 pounds or 100 pounds, if you did it, you have something to offer and everyone knows it’s pretty darn hard to do. Otherwise, we’d all be at our ideal weight.

  15. I think every weight loss should be celebrated. I think it can be even harder when you only have 20 to 30lbs to lose.
    I look to online blogs and fitness sites for inspiration. Your blog is of my faves 🙂

  16. I think this is a shift in the past 5 years or so and, in my opinion, not for the good and triggered by television.

    We have becaome a supersized nation.

    In our gaining and in what we look for in our losing it is as though we need to be amazed and impressed and the more we are amazed the harder we are to impress the next time.

    It isn’t impressive to lose weight a little weight and keep it off and that is sad.

  17. Oh and I am impressed by long-term in any field.

    Weight-loss and career too.

    Sorry for the double comment.

  18. Carla, I think that any amount of weight lost and kept off is amazing and deserves to be celebrated! If I’m looking for advice or tips on how to do it, for me, it’s based on what they have to say! But if I’m looking for empathy on how overwhelming this journey is when you have a large amount of weight to lose then I’d go to someone that’s lost a larger amount of weight. Moreso to get their input on how they kept their motivation and their progress going for such a long time.

    You inspire me in so many ways. Thanks for being YOU!

    xoxo
    Nat

  19. For me, in general, I’m more impressed with someone who has lost and kept it off for a long period of time.

    That said, I started WW in May. At that time, I had about 140 pounds to lose (that’s a whole person!!!!). I could not relate AT ALL to people how had 20-30 pounds to lose. Not that I think it’s any easier to lose *only* 20 pounds – but that I didn’t think I could relate to that struggle. I had a whole person to lose!!!

    I still find myself pulled to people who have a larger amount of weight to lose (or who have lost a large amount of weight).

  20. I am totally amazed at people who have the drive to lose so much weight and keep it off. I can look at there stories and find inspiration and motivation to get myself in gear and make myself healthier.

    Still, I understand where the emailers are coming from. I gained about 20 lbs freshman year, and worked really hard to lose it that following summer and I’ve kept it off since then (about 9 years now). But I can’t talk about my experience with my friends who have more weight to lose. They brush me off and act like my story has no merit. And maybe it doesn’t compared to them. I think we all need to find the advice pertinent to our situation, our lifestyle, and take that. And if ours is the advice that doesn’t work, the best we can do is offer encouragement.

  21. I think that the struggle to lose and maintain that loss is the same, whether it is 10 or 100. I’ve lost 100 (maintained 2 1/2 yrs), now want to lose a regained 10. It’s just hard no matter what. But losing is actually the easy part. It’s the maintaining that is so hard. That’s why I am happy to take advice from people who maintain a healthy lifestyle, regardless of whether they have ever had to lose any weight or not. I want to know what they DO and what I can take away from that. That being said, I will roll my eyes at someone who is forever complaining about needing to lose 10 pounds. It’s not the same thing to go through the world 10# overweight as it is to do so at 100# overweight. And I do think that those who have not been there can not really understand. So I’ll take daily living advice from anyone, but am more interested in the struggle and journey of those with more to lose (like I had).

  22. CARLA!!!!!! You knew how to draw me out!

    I helped a friend lose about 50 lbs. me — I usually battle with 8lbs and I DO COMPLAIN about it. My complaint –Damn jeans pinch when the 8 is there. Friend that I helped lose weight said this “I never understood why you were always so worried about that 8 lbs., but I get it now. It does make a difference in your clothing” So, really doesn’t matter how much you have to lose, it is about the lesson (s) you learn while doing it. Making clean, healthy choices! Oh, AND don’t call me SKINNY!

  23. I think it was on a podcast (?) you said struggle is universal.

    It is a struggle to maintain loss no matter how much we lose at first.

    Congratulations on sixteen years.

  24. Every pound is SO hard to get rid of. Ten is ten is tough. And whether you have 100 or 10 to lose you can only lose them one at a time. And it’s hard. I find people who share their success an inspiration. And when I see a huge transformation I respect it even more because I know my 20 is still giving me trouble.

  25. Great post and comments.

    I want to lose forty pounds and have wanted to for years but I guess not enough to do anything about it LOL.

    I admire anyone who loses and maintains.

    Congrats on making the Yahoo page with your story, Carla.

  26. I agree that, on an individual basis, people tend to be drawn to life stories that are similar to their own. I also agree that the media demands extremes. Even TBL contests get bigger every season.

    I think everyone’s story is important and can inspire. If I had 50 or 100 (or more) lbs to lose, I might think it was impossible, but then could see that others have done it. So bit by bit following their experiences could chip away at my “I can’t” and turn it into “yes I can.”

    It also can be incredibly important to have a support group to help you along. It takes a long time to lose weight, many many days in and days out of making the right choice or dusting yourself off and moving on from the not-so-right choice. Following other people’s daily successes and challenges can keep you from giving up.

    I am one that “only” lost 40 lbs. I was overweight all my life and teased as a “fat kid” so becoming “skinny” was a huge change inside and out. My weight loss may not be remarkable, but it truly changed my life.

    I also have maintained my weight loss for 10 years now. From my perspective, stories of how people stay healthy are inspiring. How do you fit in exercise around work and family? How do you eat healthy in our “Fast Food Nation?”

    It all takes perseverence – whether its during the weight loss stage or the rest-of-your-life stage. That’s why I like all the different life stories.

  27. I couldn’t state it better than Rebecca, above. Each person’s weight issue is relative. To a smaller person, twenty pounds seems like a lot, to a larger person, twenty pounds is a drop in the bucket. When I was losing weight, I would look at someone at my WW meeting that only needed to lose 10-15 pounds and wonder what the heck they were doing there! But, I realized that they can feel as uncomfortable in their skin as I did. For someone who has been thin all their life, 15 pounds seems like a lot to them. Everyone’s struggle is the same, so I celebrate and feel inspired by ANYONE’S attempt to lose weight and keep it off!

  28. I tend to love the before and after shots.

    You look so different ( I hadn’t see these before Yahoo posted your story) that to me mainataining the loss is impressive.

  29. For me, no matter whether a post lost 5 pounds, 50 pounds, 150 pounds, it doesn’t matter to me. It’s about how a person manages to continue at goal and a healthy lifestyle. That’s is the information I am always interested in.

    I am a Weight Watcher, at goal for almost 1 1/2 years, and the weight I lost “was significant to me”. It may not have been significant to someone else, but it was significant to me. That’s what’s important. I still go to my weekly meetings and FOR ME, that’s key.

  30. I am most likely to listen to, seek advice from people who have kept weight off. I’ve done the up and down, I want to learn from people who have maintained. When I first started blogging, I felt like people who were losing substantial amounts of weight tended to be more ‘popular’ amongst the blogs.

  31. To me the difference is time. It just takes longer to lose more weight. And if it’s 100 pounds you have to take off, were talking a year or more… (well it should) but twenty pounds can happen a lot faster. There is a lot more road to cover when you have more weight to lose and so a lot more distractions and relapses and feelings of being overwhelmed. Am I ever going to get there?

    It was not until I had lost the weight though that I could truly understand the way liteweights feel (as I call them). I get it now, but couldn’t have with out my own journey.

    And for inspiring maybe? I’ve lost 185 pounds and kept it off for 6 years. Wow that feels good to say this morning.

    Lastly, love this post. I’ve been meaning to write similar. But for me… more what if you’ve lost all this weight and not into exercise? 😉


    • I’ve lost 185 pounds and kept it off for 6 years. Wow that feels good to say this morning.

      CONGRATS
      that is amazing and inspiring indeed.

  32. Interesting discussion.

    I read many blogs and the majority of which are what you would call biggest losers.

    I am inspired that the bloggers have lost so much weight and never thought about the fact they had to put it all on in the first place.
    Penalized is a very interesting word.

  33. Great topic! I think how the person lost the weight and like you said, what they are saying/advising is key. I applaud large and small weight loss! Accomplishments are truly a personal and individual thing. I don’t think we should judge people by a number.

    You made a wonderful transformation and inspire so many people! Kudos & Love to you!

    Winks & Smiles,
    Wifey

  34. I have lost 100lbs, 125lbs at one point, overcoming an f-ed up body image mentality and binge eating disorder.

    You inspire me more.
    Moms inspire me more.
    The kids with autism inspires me more.
    The old lady who is living alone after 50 years of marriage is inspiring me more.
    The little baby learning to spit inspires me more.

    It’s nice that people lost 200lbs, but it’s not what most of us need to lost. It’s nice that people have kept it off, but most of us won’t. I hate that our little/huge/complicated victories in life are shut away because they aren’t big enough. I actually think it’s such a TOXIC mentality that has actually led to the obesity and eating disorder epidemic in our nation. We want MORE BIGGER MORE AMAZING things. Being an average person who took control of their eating….just isn’t enough..and YET it’s a HUGE accomplishment.

  35. I think it depends what you’re looking for.

    If you’re after information, tips, thoughts, then it doesn’t much matter who is saying it, and whether they lost 5, 10, 50 or 100. If you’re after deep, personal understanding, then I think the size of weight loss makes more of a difference.

    And honestly, there really are some slim/fit people who just don’t get it. A trainer at my gym said to me a while ago ‘you know, you could just park your car a bit further away, and make sure you always take the stairs, that can really make a difference’. He said as though it was a revolutionary idea that I would never have heard before, with the presumption that I was completely unfit and had never done anything for my health. Made me cranky!

    I think at least that other people who are or have been overweight can understand that most of us know all the usual stuff inside out. In fact, I know way more about nutrition, health and fitness than some of my slim friends.

    It’s getting it to stick that’s the hard part, and someone who’s never worked through their own weight loss and had to try to maintain it…. well, I am definitely sceptical about how well they could truly understand the experience.

    • The response for that trainer at the gym – at least in my head – might be, “Wow! Is that *all* you did to get your rockin’ bod? If only I had known it was that *easy* before I spent the big bucks to hire you!”

    • I think your first paragraph was dead-on. Obviously it’s going to be harder for someone who needs to lose 100 pounds to relate to someone who’s never had to lose more than 25 pounds. And that’s understandable.

      As far as the trainer goes, I would try not to take it personally. In the past when I have talked to people who have wanted to lose weight about their eating, activity level, etc., I tended to assume that *everyone* knew certain basic things, but not everyone did. Some had quite a bit of knowledge on what they should do, some didn’t. So the trainer was probably just trying to get the basics out of the way.

  36. This is an interesting one!

    Personally, I relate to people like me. People that gained a few lbs in college and then saw the light, and made their change for the better a lifestyle.

    But I’m totally inspired by people that are overweight who TRULY want to make healthy-living changes–their motivation is contagious!

  38. Long time reader Miz.

    Since your tagline was : at the core we’re all the same.

    🙂

    To be honest I now find you even more relatable (is that a word?) since you’ve struggled as I still am.

  39. I agree with many – when you start out you find people who have the same amount to lose. What bothers me is when you get about 10 lbs from goal….when you tell people that their response about 90% of the time is “oh – you look great, why bother, now you’re just being vain.” They don’t understand the impact of finishing a journey and getting to a goal you set maybe even years ago. THAT irritates me. The last 10 do matter…at least to me.

  40. So interesting!! This never would have occurred to me but your e-mailers make a good point. People think that 20 pounds is insignificant and “easy” to lose. Not to denigrate all the hard work that people do to lose larger amounts of weight but I think it can be equally as hard to lose that last 10 or 20.

    • Going on my second year of trying to lose that last 10-15 pounds, I agree.

      Losing weight IS FREAKING HARD.

      It took me about 18 months to lose 87 pounds. And I’ve been struggling ever since with the last bit.

  41. I agree, it’s about what they are saying. As impressive as 100+ pound losses are, I’m more interested to hear what the person who has kept their loss off for years has to say to me. Because whether it was 20 pounds or 100, they’re the people that kept it off successfully.

  42. Speaking as someone who’s lost almost 200 lbs, I have to say that losing more than 100 lbs… the “Biggest Loser type” is a totally different experience than losing 10 or 25. People who have that much weight to lose have already damaged their bodies, have a longer and more serious history of eating and/or psychological disorder, and are more excluded by society as a whole as a result of morbid obesity.

    That isn’t to say that it’s not hard to lose 10 or 20 lbs. Just a different experience. You’re more likely to have support at 10 or 20 lbs overweight. You’re less likely to feel ashamed on the running path, gym or pool. You’re more likely to be socially active and have friends in similar positions.

    That being said, I’d also say it was BETTER to have 10 or 20 lbs to lose… because you haven’t done as much damage and you have caught yourself before you’ve gone too far with weight gain.

    Now as far as who I listen to, what I really hear you asking is do I listen to individuals on issues of weight loss and fitness who’ve mostly maintained their fitness, showing they have a long(er) working knowledge of what keeps them healthy, or those who were morbidly obese, and show that they now have acquired the knowledge of how to become/stay fit. I listen to both, but I tend to more actively seek out those who’ve had the unique experiences associated with HUGE amounts of weight loss, from excess skin issues to social issues to health improvements… things that those who’ve had little weight to lose have less experience with.

  43. I know a lot of women on a weight loss message board who discriminate based on stats.

    Personally, I find it impressive when someone can maintain a loss for a long period of time, whether it’s 10 or 100lbs. At one point my total weight loss was 95 lbs but I’ve only been able to maintain long-term about 70, but only 50 of that was specific to a program. Does that make me less of success? Less credible to people because I’m not as close to triple digits as others?

    That’s a bit silly.

  44. I admire those who can keep their weight in the range they desire. Those who lose a lot of weight have different ways of thinking: there is an end to the process. Yet (and I’m dealing with now) if you do not fully commit to maintaining that way of eating and moving, the results will be a return to the weight/way you were before.

    To make a permanent change is really more impressive.

  45. A craving is a craving is a craving. Whether someone has 200 pounds to lose, or 20, it’s the mindset and struggle that we go through. It’s valid.

    Although I’ll admit I tend to listen more to advice from people who’ve lost a lot of weight, and kept it off.

    Just being honest. Vee at http://veegettinghealthy.blogspot.com

  46. I find that it has to come from within. Other people’s stories are inspiring if you can relate to them. I wonder and I toss this out for others to comment on…if you have a lot of weight to lose, are you more inspired by someone in a similar boat? Or if you have “only” 25 pounds to lose, you might the stories of someone needing to lose 100 pounds too distant for you, but are inspired by someone who lost 30 pounds.

    Anyone care to comment?

  47. Awesome topic! I think it comes down to the intention! Are you in it JUST to lose weight or are you looking to change your life? I actually posted something along these lines today…I am ending my toxic relationship with the scale. I am declaring myself no longer on a diet but on a MODIFIET!

    I am inspired by those that DON’T make life all about the scale…no matter what the loss or gain!

  48. I sort of think that it’s harder when you have a small amount of weight to lose, but that may be based on my own experience. When it comes down to it, I’m impressed by anyone who manages to lose weight and keep it off – whether it be 100 or 10 pounds.

    As far as advice goes, I sort of think it depends on where you are starting from. I hope no one takes offense at this because I know I’m generalizing but…You read all these stories about people who lived on fast food and never exercised, so they started cooking healthy meals and walking and just like that the weight starts coming off. What if you are a person who already does eat a relatively healthy diet and exercises, but you can’t lose weight? It’s harder to know what changes to make in that situation.

    Weight loss is just a complicated topic because there can be so many factors.

    And yes, this comment probably stems from my own frustrations, so feel free to ignore. 🙂

  49. Wow. I hate to say this, but when I first started out, I used to gravitate to people that had huge weight losses. Not because they were any more inspiring, but because they were like me. Nearly 100 lbs to lose can be pretty daunting. I wanted to see that people could take it off. Every time I thought about it, fear would take my breath away. I was terrified of failing. I wanted to see that people could make it out. That you could come out of this struggle skinny.

    Now, I’ve only got about 60 more lbs to lose. And it is hard. So very hard to do. I’ve changed my eating habits, I’m better about exercise and movement, but it is just not moving. I tend to gravitate more now to people that don’t have much left to lose, or are in maintenance stages. I need to see that there’s an end to all this dieting/calorie counting/monitoring mess. I’m stuck in the drudgery of have to rather than the state of want to or don’t need to.

    Even now, I beat myself up that it took almost 1.5 years to take 60 lbs off. I should’ve done it faster, I should’ve paid more attention. I think this die/biggest loser industry has us looking for quick results rather than real results. 60 lbs in 18 months is pretty good. It’s safe, it’s come from hard work rather than quick work.

    Any weight loss is a tremendous effort. Whether it’s 5 lbs or 500 lbs, I think it’s amazing.

  50. When all is said and done I will be one of those 100+ pound weight loss phenomenons. Do I find inspiration from people who haven’t lost as much as me? You bet your sweet tattooed ass I do. Want to know why (I know you do)? Because struggle is struggle. Yes I’m a weight loss story in the making. I’m also a survivor of addiction, eating disorders, mental illness, depression, childhood abuse and whatever else that effed up my life long before I decided to take control. I find inspiration in anyone that can come from a place of darkness and strive to move forward. I don’t care if you have loss 1 pound, 10 pounds or 110 pounds, you inspire me and I love you for that.

    Miz, I love you for what you give to me. I love me for what I give you. Your journey is not my journey. My journey is not anyone else journey reading this comment. But together we survive. Together we move forward. Together we never return.

  51. I think who relates to your story is different for everyone. I do not think the journey is any less difficult for someone who has 20 lbs to loose or 80. I will never be, or ever have been a bodybuilder or weightlifter but I am inspired by you even though some days I can lift nothing more than my purse. lol 🙂

  52. I used to be one of those people who would look at someone with 20 pounds to lose and think, “How can you POSSIBLY pretend to understand what it feels like to struggle with weight the way *I* do?!” It was almost a weird, effed up prideful “badge of honor” thing – that somehow in being morbidly obese instead of overweight, my struggle was bigger or more important or something.

    As I’ve matured, I’ve come to realize that the internal struggle for me at 150 pounds overweight really didn’t feel any different for me than 20 pounds feels for someone who truly struggles with that 20 pounds. The issues – self-image, valuing and loving ourselves, wanting to be strong and healthy and fit, wishing it weren’t so damn hard – are really the same.

    As for who I find inspiring, sure it’s amazing and cool to see the physical transformations of those who have lose enormous amounts of weight. Even more inspiring for me, though, is seeing those who have met a goal and MAINTAINED it for a length of time.

    Miz, your story inspires me not just because you lost weight and kept it off, but because of how you are raising your daughter to love herself and know her worth. Tara’s story inspires me not just because she’s lost a shit-ton of weight, but because she’s overcome and is overcoming some huge issues in her life, one day at a time. Honesty, transparency, and authenticity – THOSE inspire me.

  53. I used to really put stock in the impressive numbers. I’ve come to a point though, where the numbers aren’t what I see as the most important for myself – and hence I’m not as impressed by them in others.

    I’ve reached a point where it is more important to me what my body can do. Because of that, I’m more impressed by someone that can complete a triathlon then someone who lost 100 pounds. Even if they *only* lost 10 pounds prior to doing so.

    I also agree that seeing others who are in similar shoes to us makes it easier to relate.

    Having said that, I’m also more impressed with those that keep the weight off for years. Yeah, losing weight is hard – kind of. Keeping if off requires long term commitment.

  54. What a great question, Miz! Although I’ve lost almost 150 pounds, I’m more motivated and interested in those who have the following qualities:

    *Lost ANY amount of weight in a sensible way
    *Kept weight off
    *Support both ways
    *Are humble

    You are all four, and that’s why I respect you and listen to your advice. Others? I may read their blogs, but I wouldn’t consider following their advice or seeking their support.

    I agree with all the comments that say losing 10 pounds is just as great of an accomplishment as losing 100. In fact, often someone who has to lose 10 pounds is at a disadvantage: they are closer to their goal, and thus are “probably” more likely to be closer to healthy. Those of us who had to lose a significant amount of weight just need to change a few habilts to see pounds start to drop–continuing to drop is another story, but the beginning is easier…

  56. This is a great post. And you ask some great questions. Honestly, I never gave this a whole lot of thought. But now that you bring it up, I suppose I do tend to identify with those who, like myself are in the process of losing or have lost a large amount of weight. They are facing or have faced the same battle that I am.

    That doesn’t mean that I think that smaller amounts of weight lost are insignificant or not worth acknoweleging and celebrating. I honestly believe that whether you have to lose 25 pounds or 250 pounds your “journey” (Lord! That word is so overused in this context!) is important, is critical to you and your health and well being. And I learn just as much from someone who has lost and kept off 20 pounds as I do from someone who, like me are losing more extreme amounts.

  57. Hmm interesting! While I have a deep, profound respect for people who have lost 100 plus pounds on their own, I personally, do not look to them for weight loss tips and advice. Why? Because for (most) of those people, their tips and tricks are something along the lines of “I cut out soda and chips” and ” I started walking and biking.”
    I already DO those things, and have been doing those things for years. For people with a lot to lose, often small adjustments can jump start weight loss.
    Just yesterday I was reading in a magazine about someone who had lost 100 plus pounds by beginning to bike and cutting out junk food. While I was inspired and happy that the person had made such positive life changes, I didn’t feel connected to the experience at all.
    My bike is my primary mode of transportation, I run 15 miles a week and I weight train two times a week.
    I only have 20 pounds to lose. Which doesn’t seem like a lot, but it has been damn near impossible for me to lose them. So I want to hear from people who already eat well, and already work out 5-6 days a week and have somehow managed to eek out those last few pounds.

    While I definitely agree that the experience of trying to lose 20 pounds or 150 pounds probably has the same emotional issues attached(frustration, self image, confidence), the amount and scope of changes that need to happen to lose 10 pounds vs. 150 are (usually) different (as someone mentioned above).
    So I guess I’m with the other people who have said we look to those who’s goals and current situation are more like ours. I think its all about relating. I don’t think anyone’s advice or story is less compelling or less valuable than anyone else’s. But when it comes to weight loss, we have to find what works for US. And in a lot of cases, I think I am more inclined to align myself with someone who is closer to where I am or want to be.

    Just my 2 cents..

  58. I’m much more interested in how people are losing weight and being healthy then in how much they have to lose. I want to know what healthy eating strategies and motivation has worked to help lose and maintain. I’m impressed by any amount of weight loss but more impressed by a healthy lifestyle and being able to continue to face difficult challenges but live a healthy balance.

  59. SUCH a good, thought-provoking post! I know for me, when I started losing weight, I looked for other stories of people who had lost as much as I needed to lose because I NEEDED to know that it really was possible for normal people to do this, not Biggest Loser-style, which in my mind is all out war on the body. I’m not thrilled with how they’ve made it seem like everyone SHOULD drop 8 or 10 pounds every single week – that is just not normal, in my book.

    I will say that as I got further into my journey and started seeing people who had not only lost their weight but were maintaining that loss, things began to click for me. And major respect was born to those who were keeping it off.

    And in the respect game, I can go to a fitness professional who has not had a weight problem, as long as they show some understanding to how hard it is to lose weight. That’s all I’m asking – not for a ton of accolades, but just acknowledgment.

    I’m really happy that you are getting the recognition you deserve for losing the weight and keeping it off. That really, really is huge!

    P.S. I saw your comment on Tricia’s post – GET THE STICK. I think it’s much easier to use than the foam roller and I bet you will love it. Plus I find it gives my arms a workout when I’m using it on my legs – bonus! 🙂

  60. Congrats on the Yahoo article.
    One look at your before and after and how long you have been an after is enough for me.
    I’ve yo-yoed so many times…

  61. In this day and age people think a little bit of weight isn’t much because you looked “normal” prior instead of obviously overweight.

    What they don’t realize is those 25 pounds are some of the hardest to lose. I found that out when I only had 25 pounds left to lose.

    Keeping off that kind of loss is a huge accomplishment because it is so easy to gain smaller amounts back than larger….not that I think the work put into losing them is any different.

  62. I think we all tend to relate to folks who are or were like us, but for me the bottom line as to who I listen to is if they’ve managed to keep the weight off and how they’ve done that. If they are still addicted to trying to make their food behave, I’ll take a pass. But, if its clear that the loss is being maintained via personal growth, ahhh, that’s when I listen up real close.

  63. I made a conscious decision when I started my blog to not talk about numbers in regards to my own weight. I did it in great part because I think that the experiences and feelings and issues are so similar and have little to do with how many pounds someone has to lose. That said, I am incredible inspired when I read success stories of bloggers who have lost huge amounts. But I am also inspired, in a different way, with stories of bloggers who only had a little to lose. Sometimes it has to do with what I feel in common with them or how they write and not the pounds.

    I get different things from different bloggers. For me, it all adds to my learning and growth.

  64. You inspire because you’ve kept your weight off for 16 years, you have an active and healthy lifestyle that includes eating well and playing, and you’re an amazing role model for The Tornado. That impresses me more than that you *only* lost 35 pounds. You are a super hero!

    • I agree with Kyra! Carla: you ARE a super hero! Someday, I hope to be just like you: active, a good role model to my future children AND truly an intuive eater! You rock!

  65. I’ve lost over 50 pounds, and some think that’s impressive. Others think, “only 50??” The truth is, that the last 20 have been the hardest…with the very last 10 seeming nearly impossible. Getting started was huge too….so, I think it’s all an amazing statement about who you are…strong enough to keep your weight where you want it, or strong enough to get it back to where you want it, or strong enough to believe you can achieve something you’ve never experienced before…It’s all the same strength with a different starting point.

  66. I keep losing my comment 😉

    Suffice it to say big losses make great television not not a healthy happy life.

  67. Wow, this is a thought-provoking topic, and I’m enjoying reading all of the comments. Not sure I have anything *different* to add, but you know I’m going to write too much anyway. 😉

    When I started reading weight loss blogs, I was most interested in people who had 100+ pounds to lose, because that’s how much I thought I needed to lose, and it seemed impossible. And I so needed to feed the thoughts that maybe it WAS possible.

    My focus changed, pretty quickly, to reading about people who maintain – not only those who maintain a big weight loss but others who maintain a healthy and athletic lifestyle. Because that was what I really needed: Not merely to lose X amount of pounds, but to get healthy and become an athlete (not the “elite” sense, but in the “dedication to growth through fitness” sense). I needed more insight into how people who maintain a healthy lifestyle do so, especially given the demands of work and family life and type 2 diabetes. You know, similarly to what those mythical “normal” people really do. Which is why I’ve been a long-time follower here, Miz: you offer great advice on well-balanced, healthy living and you inspire valuable “comment-versations” (as you call them) from a wide variety of those who live (and want to live) a healthier life, and not just in the physical sense.

    There’s also the question of “relating” vs. “learning.” I still relate best to people who maintain a healthy lifestyle who have lost an amount of weight similar to what I have. As Fab Kate mentioned, there are certain aspects of going from morbidly obese to overweight or healthy weight BMIs that many of the “NOT the biggest loser” people have not experienced. But I choose to LEARN from many different people. For example, Charlotte, of “The Great Fitness Experiement,” has been at the completely opposite end of the disordered eating spectrum than me. I can’t “relate” to that experience (at least, first-hand – my mom suffered from anorexia, though). But I have learned a LOT from reading her posts. And Jamie of “Trihardist?” I can’t relate first-hand to doing a half-ironman triathlon, nor do I aspire to performing at the level she does; but as a triathlete, I’ve found it inspiring to read someone who’s been there and shares her experiences.

  68. Thanks so much to all of you for sharing you thoughts/reaction/comments/stories. I ADORE, as always, that so many of you feel comfortable saying you ARE more inspired by the biggest losers (translation: not me).

    as always the comments eclipse the post.

    love that.

  69. I was in the same Womansday/Yahoo Article and I also received a bunch of emails. Mostly people wanted to know HOW I did. They also tell me that they need motivation to lose weight. I wish I could give them a magic tip but really it has to come from within, from our own desires!

  70. Admittedly, I have to lose over 55 lbs to achieve the best weight for me. I lost over 75+ lbs over 15 years ago while in college; and that was a struggle then, but I was 15 years younger. I appreciate reading or listening to anyone’s weight loss. It doesn’t matter to me if it is under 20 lbs or over 50 lbs. It is a struggle to lose weight because in my opinion we have to first “lose” the mentality that allowed ourselves to gain all that weight. Until we conquer that, weight loss isn’t easy.

    Great post. Off to read your article.

  71. Miz, you hit a “sore spot” for me. Being almost 53 & having lost my weight years ago like you, about 30-40 pounds… & then maintaining & even improving & learning all these years, I do think I have plenty to offer even though I did not have to lose 100 pounds or more. Maintaining & improving from there is hard too.

    As one that has tried to “promote” myself & reach out to fitness mags (& others more recently) since my 30’s with no avail.. it is hard for me especially since now, yes, it is about more is better no matter what you or I or any of the less weight loss people have to say or offer… not always but a lot.

    It does discourage me as women that has accomplished what I have with my bod at this age… well, it just becomes frustrating that it has to always be about more even as much as I respect & admire their success cause it is hard to lose that much weight.

    I think we all should be celebrated! 🙂

  72. For me, I look to people that I think can help me, guide me, give good advice, be there for me and their size means little to me really. You are all those things. I get different things from different people. FabKate wrote a great post about this after reading yours. It really hit home for me. I might be the big numbers person but I am far from “fixed”. I think reading how others have lost that 20 lbs or even always fit people stay that way is good info for me. Bottom line I want to maintain my weight loss and to do that I have to keep learning. It really is all in the thinking.

  73. The most I lost was 20 lbs – which can be seen as huge or tiny in today’s world!

    But honestly, I found it way easier to lose those 20 lbs than my current 10 that I need to lose. But I think that’s due to the MINDSET rather than the actual numbers.

    Glad you brought this up.

  75. I absolutely love this post. It something that I deal with everyday in marketing my business. I have almost gotten to the point that I separate people into two categories when I am trying to help them. The group that has 20-30 pounds to lose and the group that has 30+ pounds to lose.

    My general feeling is that the overweight population has different issues from the obese population. Which can be equated to the amount of weight they have to lose. The reality is that the same habits in the groups have to be formed to lose the weight and to keep it off. Almost every fad diet plays into the concept of quick weight loss and completely skips the creation of healthy habits. I think that is why people get caught up in Yo-Yo dieting.

    The reality is that what it takes to get to a healthy weight and stay there is the same for each person. The biggest roadblock being what is going on in there head.

  76. What a great post!

    I have to say I LOVE reading about both types because I like hearing about ANYONE who reaches goals. It’s fun to celebrate other people’s successes! I’d also like to say I admire and love to hear stories of thin women who have chosen to build and sculpt their body. I don’t dismiss their story just b/c they “were thin”. As someone who has lost a moderate amount of weight (35-40) pounds, I can say that losing is yes indeed difficult. However building muscles is not the easiest thing to do in the world. Especially for most women, it takes lots of time and perseverance. Which leads to…

    As far as to who I PERSONALLY look to for motivation and advice? I tend to read blogs or website of people who are experts at “building bodies” not losing weight. Losing weight and body sculpting as you know are two related but different paths. It’s one of the things I love about your blog. Yes, you have lost weight but you also took it a step further and developed your lovely muscles. LOVE THAT!

  77. I always wonder why the biggest loser is the best in the public eye…seems to disregard everyone who has lost any weight.
    To me, I ask advice of fit people who live a fit life. I want to know their secrest so I can steal them all and make an elixer of long life and health in my lab…or something like that 🙂

  78. i think maintaining any weight loss is a difficult endeavor, but that said, the views about eating/exercise/lifestyle that weight loss maintainers hold seem to vary from person to person, in my opinion, and as such are not always applicable to me. it really depends on what is being said and whether i feel the comments/advice are applicable to me.

  79. When I was younger I didn’t understand how people who only had 10-20 pounds could complain. I finally realized that they felt just as bad about their body as I did at 60 pounds over, they just had the ability to try and stop it sooner. I think it almost takes more strength of character to tackle a smaller amount that doesn’t necessarily fall outside the “accepted norm”. I’m inspired by anyone who has fought the battle and won and continues to keep it off, because that is a whole other battle!

  80. Hmm. I am of two minds: I HAVE lost 100 pounds so I know that it is hard work. However, I have also been trying to lose those last pounds and quite frankly THOSE are the hardest to lose. Harder than the first 50 or 70. Those fly off (usually) and people the ‘rewards’ are so obvious and the compliments steady. Those last grueling pounds- and also building the muscle that you have- is hard work. You are fortunate in that you enjoy what you eat (as per your other post) in order to keep your goal a reality.

    Good food (sorry) for thought!

    D

  81. I too am inspired by the before and after pictures. And numbers can be impressive, and I often look for that info – like scanning the contents of a book. But what I look for for ispiration is someone who’s like me. At least one important feature that is liek me. A mom. Similar weight to lose. Difficulties with diet(my downfall!). Similar intrests in fitness programs. Stuff liek that – then I enjoy reading more and more about thier process and inspired that maybe I too can do the same.

  82. WHich is harder, losing the weight you want to lose, or, keeping it off for a lifetime? I have no idea as I am working on the first of those two feats right now. But, giving it some thought and hearing the words from others who have lived both, it seems to me both are equal in challenge. A day at a time for e lifetime after all. Whether losing or maintaining, it comes down to being mindful of each choice we make. Look forward to being able to revisit that thought from experience someday.

  83. Meh, the first 100 pounds were super easy to lose. Seriously, like a cake walk…these last 40 are taking forever and I hate it so much. sigh.

  84. If someone has never lost weight, then I don’t give them any credibility in telling me how to do so – it is all theory from their vantage point. Now, on the flipside, if someone has lost weight – meaning they have been truly overweight and have put in place a progam to lose that weight which succeeded, then I have respect, even if it was 20 pounds. That being said, it is hard to not be impressed, which sometimes unintentionally folds over into somehow putting the person you are impressed with on a pedestal, when someone loses 200 pounds. I think I speak for many when I say the last 10-15 is a whole lot harder to lose than the first 75 – at least in my opinion.

    Am I talking in circles yet? 🙂

    Good post Mizfit!

  86. Ok, I could write a long novel on this one. My 50 or so lbs lost is often discounted by friends etc. Because there was no magic formula. Diet and exercise consistency and villigance. That’s it. And the 7 lbs up right now are annoying!!! Dang pants are tight. Less cookies more cardio. The dramatic weight losses are fun to look to for a minute but don’t really do it for me. Long term and healthy are far better inspirations.

  89. I think the value in success story is to remind us that losing a lot of weight is possible. But, I don’t really look for advice from someone and follow it just because they’ve lost weight. I agree, it depends on what they are saying.

  90. Personally, I’m drawn to people with a sane approach to weight loss or to health and fitness in general, and who have something interesting to say.

    I find that many of the people who seek me out (either as a blogger or as a trainer) do so because they relate to me – whether it’s because I’ve lost a lot of weight, or because I’m close to their age, or because I’m a mother, or maybe because I don’t pretend to be perfect. 🙂

    I suppose we’re all looking for a connection with the people we choose to interact with in our lives, and this isn’t really any different. It seems unfair to dismiss someone’s opinions and experience just because they’re not in the exact same boat as you though. Hmm.

  91. This post really hit home! I “only” had 30 pounds to lose, but at 48 1/2 years old, it was a daunting task! I was recently diagnosed with asthma and my metabolism was sluggish to say the least! Years of dieting and being on again and off again with working out made things difficult this time around.

    I still managed to lose the weight in 6 months! Thanks to Cathe Friedrich’s workouts and clean eating! It is difficult to find a niche if you aren’t an elite athlete or a BL type person! No one thinks your efforts are all that amazing, but I beg to differ!

    I’d love for you to see pictures, but I don’t know how to post them here or send them to you! It’s amazing how big a difference even 30 pounds (or less) really makes!

    I’m finding that I fit in a completely different group. Middle-aged people (I hate that I feel that I have to admit that!) who have spent their best weight loss years either raising children or fulfilling that career and neglecting themselves. We are a widely ignored group, but I believe we are a pretty big population!

  92. For me the HOW is important not the HOW MUCH. I am more impressed by someone who loses 5kgs through a healthy diet and exercise than by someone who loses 30kgs using diet pills or having their stomach stapled. I am even more impressed by someone who maintains a healthy weight over their lifetime (even if they were never especially overweight) by consistently eating well, exercising and honouring their bodies EVERY DAY.

    If someone has a lot to lose it’s not that hard at the beginning. Because they have so much weight on them just small changes in diet and exercise make a huge difference. It’s the last few kilos when one really needs to fine tune. Someone who is really overweight is eating a lot of calories so just dropping those to just a normal amount will result in weight loss.

  93. Okay look… I’ve lost 132 pounds. Yet I still have days that I struggle.

    And I am only slightly over halfway to my goal.

    THAT is the difference. THAT is why a lot of us with a lot to lose have a hard time with a smaller person thinking they know how it is for us.

    Because sometimes they don’t get it that the LENGTH of the journey really DOES make a difference.

    It comes down to ATTITUDE. The minute I hear the “J” word, I tune them out. I do not care one twit how much “they” have lost. If they say something using the “J” word, I’m outta here.
    Oh, what is the “J” word??

    JUST.

    As in, well if you would JUST park farther away and take the stairs.
    If you would JUST eat less and move more.
    If you would JUST eat clean and in moderation.
    If you would JUST exercise regularly.
    If you would JUST…ANYTHING.

    That betrays an attitude. And yes, it annoys me when anyone, of any size, gives me “just” advice. Especially if they don’t have a clue how it feels to be on a journey so LONG that you have to overcome monumental hurdles, physical/mental and emotional, just to get started, let alone finish.

    Sorry, Carla, to be so opinionated. But I LIVE this everyday. I believe YOU get it. But some don’t. They judge a LONG journey with the same criteria as a short one. They are BOTH hard. But different.

    To anyone who insists a 20 pound journey is just as hard as a longer journey…. say a 200 pound journey… remember your struggle. Then imagine doing it again and again, A TOTAL OF TEN TIMES!

    Yes, we DO need to celebrate all successes. The so-called small ones, on up the ladder. We should all feel proud of our accomplishments. Let NO one take that from you!

    But don’t try to tell me we are the same. That confirms to me the person saying that doesn’t get it.

    Our journeys are DIFFERENT.

    Rant over. Sorry Carla. I read your blog because you DO get it.

    Loretta
    =^..^=

    • I understand what you are saying but I thing the journey for EVERYONE is the same in that the journey is FOREVER. One’s whole life. Even when you have reached your goal weight you don’t let your guard down.

      Maintenance is a struggle sometimes and maintenance is forever. It’s not like someone loses weight and the journey is over, no more struggle. It’s hard for most people to eat healthily and exercise consistently not just for those who are overweight. A person who is not overweight also might want to eat junk food and also might feel too exhausted to exercise after a long day at work in the same way as an overweight person. That doesn’t suddenly change.

  94. I’ve lost weight over and over and over and over. Down to 120, up to 140. Down to 125, up to 180. Down to 150, over 200. I’m not going to say losing weight is easy but we all know what to do and we all know we have no control over how long that ride down the scale is going to take. Some people can do it in a year, some in 2 years, some lucky someone might can do it in 6 months.

    I can’t manage to keep the weight off. I am more impressed with the woman who kept off 20 pounds for 10 years than I am the woman who lost 90 pounds last year.

    So far in the last 11 months I’ve lost 20 pounds. I’ve got 50 to go. I’m scared to death that in 2 years I’ll be doing this all over again.

  95. I have to admit there have been times I thought 20 pounds could not even touch someone who had lost 100. As I get a tiny bit older and a HUGE amount wiser 😉 I realize each person is so different that any weight loss goal should be celebrated.
    A transformation of any kind that helps someone feel alive, more vibrant and become healthier is just amazing all together!

  96. Emotionally I am more likely to be drawn to those that are taking off Biggest Loser sized amounts of weight due to my own experiences. Being trapped in a morbidly obese shell is a painful road to travel and the struggles to diet and exercise are different for us, I think. However, I think there is a place for everyone’s voice. I read your blog because you are a resource about fitness and weight training (something I know so little about). Roni is someone that has taken the weight off successfully yet still struggles with not eating a bag of chips or too many cookies. That helps me in my own struggle to forgive myself for failing because I know this is a lifelong journey with no real start or end date.

  97. I’m gonna go ahead and agree that losing ANY amount of weight is difficult, and KEEPING it off is a REAL accomplishment.
    I HATE what “The Biggest Loser” has done! For years and years and years doctors and health professionals were trying to get the message across that rapid weight loss is unhealthy. Then along comes this stupid show in which contestants are screamed at and humiliated, driven to extreme measures like taking laxatives and diuretics in order to “win” a competition, feeling horrible for and being punished if they “only” lose 4 or 5 pounds in a SINGLE WEEK!
    Now we have people like Jackie Warner (who really should know better!) reaming out TV clients if they don’t lose more than a pound or 2 a week, the EXACT number that any health professional will tell you is the SAFEST number to lose per week!
    Is it any surprise that most of “TBL” contestants gain the weight back after the show? And are made to feel even worse about themselves than they did before, believing it is their “fault” that the weight has come back on?
    IMHO, shows like this just add to the self-hatred and prejudice that overweight folks already have plenty of.
    As a fitness instructor, I have many clients who wonder why they can’t lose weight as quickly the people on TV. I tell them that if they were to quit their jobs, move to a ranch and work out with a trainer 6-8 hours a day, starve themselves, and then possibly win a buttload of money at the end of it all, they WOULD lose it quickly.
    Then gain it all back just as quickly when they returned to their real lives.

  99. I’ve lost 35 lbs so far and kept it off for 8 months now which is a long time for me. I have a long way to go and more to lose but the problem that bothers me is not only the large numbers expected but the pressure to lose or expectation to lose it as quick as possible. I say BS. lose it at your own pace. This isn’t a freaking contest!!!

  100. I would also jump on the relatable train. I look for people in my circumstance.

    I have personally lost 50 pounds this year of pregnancy weight (granted, 10 of those pounds were the healthy, chubby bundle of cutness I now call Fit Boy). But outside of that, weight has never been my issue: eating has. As a recovering SkinnyFat girl, I’ve had a very difficult time finding a support community because most see me as a skinny girl who is probably anorexic when the reality is, I’m a skinny girl with binge eating disorder and a genetically blessed metabolism. Outside I look petite but inside, I’ve had a lot of Spring Cleaning of the internal organs to do over the past few years to get to where I am now.

    I can relate to anyone who has struggles with their self-image, eating, motivation and so forth. I try to inspire everyone to Razzle their Dazzle in whatever their journey is.

    You rock BTW but I think that generally goes without saying 😉

  101. I don’t want it to be a pat on the back when I lose weight. I want it to be “Thank God I decided to take my life back”. I am doing it for me and for my children to see a healthy mother.

    Ouida Gabriel

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