Back to Life, Back to Reality

Back to Life is an old Soul II Soul song that I woke up with stuck in my head.  The lyrics "back to life, back to reality" are also what I need to direct my mind to after every weight loss show that I see or hear about.  Yesterday, I was talking to a student that I taught during my first semester at my current position.  She asked me how much weight I had lost and how long it had taken me.  When I told her, she asked, "That's it?"

While, yes, she put her foot in her mouth a little there, it also made me realize how distorted people's ideas of weight loss have become since shows like The Biggest Loser have started airing.  I've been doing a little reading and here's the deal with the contestants on The Biggest Loser:

1. They workout for 4-6 hours a day, six days a week
2. They are constantly being monitored by doctors
3. They have personal trainers who not only do one-on-one training but also develop additional workouts and personalized nutrition for each contestant
4. They have nothing else to do, they are stuck on a ranch and aren't allowed to leave

Now, I have nothing but respect for the contestants, they are working hard and getting healthy.  However, is this something that I could do at home safely?  No!  I'm doing this by myself.  I work.  There is no way I could exercise 4-6 hours a day and still effectively teach concepts like Coriolis, climate change, and the formation of glacial landforms for another 4-6 hours a day. 

The truth is, I am happy with what I have accomplished.  I may not have lost as much as other people who are doing this on their own but I am doing something that a lot of people wish they could.  It hasn't always been easy, I have given in to plenty of cravings and missed plenty of workouts. 

Slow and steady weight loss is working for me.  Can I see myself living like this for the rest of my life?  Yes!  Can I see myself working out 4 hours a day, 6 days a week for the rest of my life?  No!  I have a life and goals and I can do this without going to such an extreme.

My response to my former student was to ignore her disdain and reply with a very cheerful, "Yep!  Isn't it great?  I feel fantastic!"  The next time the scale is stuck or when I watch The Biggest Loser finale next week I am going to be reminding myself what I have accomplished with both my body and my career and the relationships I have built with my family and friends.  All these things together have resulted in the great life that I am currently living.