I don’t want to count calories! I don’t like to count calories! I have to count calories! It has finally sunken in that I am not blessed with a body that allows me to work out and then eat anything I want. It is no secret that I have struggled with my weight since winning The Biggest Loser. I want to talk about it today.
With all the controversy as of late about The Biggest Loser I have decided to give my two cents. Many people who follow the Biggest Loser also tuned in to see the Discovery channel special on Erik Chopin, the winner of season 3, who has put back on a good chunk of his weight that he lost on the show. After reading some of the comments that people were writing about his episode I felt it necessary to talk about a few things.
One of the things that I saw over and over was a pretty nasty comment about how he wasted his opportunity and it was especially disgraceful since he won money. First, he didn’t waste his opportunity. He won the show! I want people to understand that being on The Biggest Loser and losing weight in that environment is completely different than doing it in the real world.
People, including myself, get the results they do because the only thing they have to do is work on losing weight. They don’t have to go to work, or take care of their kids, they only have one thing to do and that is lose weight. When I was on the ranch there was no television, no internet, no magazines, no phone calls, in essence no distractions. ANY person in that environment can lose that kind of weight.
Here is the thing about being on the show. I have never been to prison, but I imagine that coming home from BL is a little like being released from prison. Although one may go through a serious transformation and may see the error of their ways, the minute they leave that structured and regimented environment, they are faced with many of the same temptations they faced before they went in. Even though the individual may have undergone a significant transformation both physically and mentally while away, they are returning home to people who may not have done any changing.
The thing about being on the show is that after you come home you are still working toward the goal of winning the cash prize at the finale. To use the prison analogy, you are on probation upon release. But what happens when you get off probation, in effect step on the scale for the last time? Many criminals tend to go back to their old ways. On The Biggest Loser, many begin to think that their struggle with weight is over, that they are rehabilitated. I did!
There is certain euphoria that comes with winning a reality show and all of the sudden becoming a “celebrity”. For a while that euphoria seems to be enough to help you want to stay on track, you are eager to show people how great you are doing since being on the show. After a while the cameras fade and real life sets in. It is at that time that a few past winners began to lose focus.
For me, the thinking was like this. “At least I’ve kept off 120 pounds… at least I’ve kept off 110… at least I’ve kept off…” It is a vicious pattern because after losing so much weight I kind of felt like I deserved to gain a little weight. That right there was a problem in my thinking. I was setting myself up to gain weight again and I did.
I am going to spend the rest of this week sharing my thoughts on this and what life is like for a “weight loss celebrity”
See you tomorrow!
#1 by Ashley - January 19th, 2010 at 18:38
Matt,
I couldn’t agree with you more. I never went on the Biggest Loser, but I did lose 95 pounds in almost 2 years after having my son. Everyone was so intrigued with my weight loss and that is almost all they would talk about. When I hit my goal, I felt exactly like you are talking about, like I had been released from prison. And what was the first thing I did, eat a large pizza by myself. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had just given a motivational speech to a group of people doing a 2 Week “Biggest Loser” program. I left and went home and ate that pizza. From that day on, I continued gaining back what is currently 60 pounds. I did the same thing you did, “I have still lost 80, 75, 50 pounds.” I would try to lose again, but I just didn’t (not that I couldn’t, I didn’t). It made me feel horrible which didn’t help my emotional eating and weight gain (as that was the culprit that got me nearly 100 pounds overweight). Then the enemy told me, “That was a fluke. You were overweight longer than you were losing/at a healthy weight.” Unfortunately I believed him. I have realized now, that this isn’t a diet or a program, this is my life. I will always have to think about calories in and calories out. I will always have to struggle to stay at a healthy or even mildly overweight weight. It’s frustrating, but at least I know I can do it. It’s through stories and blogs like yours that I know there is hope for me yet. Thank you for your honesty, transparency, and bravery. I get more from your journey since you haven’t pretended that you have it all figured out and that you never mess up, and even have gained and lost. You and your wife are the real deal. Thank you for that!
#2 by Amanda Boyd - January 19th, 2010 at 18:48
Well said Matt. I can only imagine the extreme pressure you have put upon yourself as the ‘winner’ by fans, trainers, and anyone connected to the show as well as the pressure you put on yourself. It must be unbelievable.
Yes, the opportunity of being on a reality weight loss show is phenomenal, to lose etreme amounts of weight is expected and yet we are all blown away by the numbers! We tune in again and again each and every week. I was stunned by several contestants who have been on BL who did not even ‘give it their all’ to lose weight while on the show and upon returning home. So many people would have given anything to be in their shows and be cast to change their lives by losing weight in that format. Believe me I am one.
I can also see your point in that there is a total ‘reality check’ upon returning to ones normal life once removed from the show. Life has to go on and unfortunately weight gain after weight loss is enivitable. Don’t we all know this? I think the answer is clear.
One can also look to his/her fellow BL alumni/trainers etc. for support. I see it constantly as each of you reach out to one another via Fsacebook and other social networks. The support system is always there for you all. Afterall wouldn’t any trainer want to help a former BL contestant if he starts to slip? Maybe a little ‘I’ll scratch your back, if you scratch mine’ type of trade.
In the end we are all the same. We have weight issues that will always be with us. We have an arsenal of info and training that we only have to use to lose.
I can only begin to say no matter what weight you are, you an inspiration. We can only stand and cheer a ‘winner’ on again and again and still be as blown away by his/her success no matter how many times he loses. Losing is losing and its all winning no matter when its done.
#3 by Dan Seifring - January 19th, 2010 at 19:32
I am dealing with some of the same issues. Not from being on a show but just the weight gain. I am constantly saying “well I am still down xx” I hope Erik, you, myself, and everyone else dealing with the weight gain find our focus.
#4 by Laura - January 19th, 2010 at 20:43
I too have not been on BL but inspired by it- I lost almost 45 lbs from February to November of 2008. It was the most weight I had managed to lose my entire adult life. I was still about 30-40 lbs away from my goal. Then several life events happened in a row including my husband in a near fatal motorcycle wreck. I have gained all but maybe 5 lbs and I told myself the same thing- well I didn’t gain it all back. But it sucks to be here again- having to lose the same weight over again and I just can’t get motivated to do what I did before.
I have the tools, the knowledge but just can’t get going again!!
#5 by Kat - January 19th, 2010 at 22:25
It’s like everyone is still looking for the ‘magic pill’. And right now Biggest Loser is that magic pill for them. So, it’s like, well he’s had the magic pill, how could he gain the weight back? But at the end of the day, there is no magic pill, duh, it’s all choices! Period. And we are all still human.
#6 by Eddie Haeffer - January 19th, 2010 at 23:15
I’m currently training Erik Chopin at the LONG ISLAND BOXING GYM and he’s coming along just fine, he’s no different than any one else that has a food addiction. It’s going to be a lifelong battle for Erik as it is for many including myself but I think he’ll get a handle on it and you’ll see a confident healthy Erik Chopin on the BL finally in May.
#7 by Tami - January 20th, 2010 at 01:12
well said!! FOOD is something you have to deal with on a daily basis, its all about making right choices, EVERY DAY, not once in a while, but every day. once you do that , the rest will fall into place the way it should..
Count Calories!
#8 by NFL Draft - January 20th, 2010 at 02:38
Yes,that ’s important what’s ur opinion to treat the ‘magic pill’.In fact,my friend had used like this products but in vain,her weight cone back again.So i wish everyond considers carefully.
#9 by Michele - January 20th, 2010 at 09:54
@Eddie Haeffer
Yes, as Eddie said he will be a more confident healthy Erik – each and every day he’s improving leaps and bounds – we are ALL a work in progress – theres no finish line – and Eddie how many times do I have to remind you its finale not finally! I am going to smack you next time I see you
Thanks Matt for your blog. I look forward to reading it all week!
#10 by Jacci - January 26th, 2010 at 01:16
I also hate counting calories. I am doing the Weight Watchers thing and tracking every BLT (Bite, Lick, Taste) get old after awhile. I have been stuck at or around 250 for the last 6 weeks. I keep on reminding myself that “at least I have lost.. ” so it works both ways. Watching your Youtube channel and reading your blog tonight has really inspired me to keep moving forward.