Biggest Loser Bugs Me

This article was on the front page of the Detroit Free Press yesterday. Helen Thomas, the most recent winner of the Biggest Loser is from the Detroit area. For some reason, her weight loss leaves me with an unsettling feeling. I almost feel like she became Anorexic in order to lose the weight. Her average weight loss was about 5-6 pounds a week. Of course she worked out like a crazy person, (6 plus hours a day) but even if I had time to work out like that I don't know if I would. I guess what bugs me is that what she did is next to impossible for most people as we all know, and reading her success, which I think is great, makes me feel like, "well if she can do it with out WLS, so should I". It made me feel a little bit like I'm a "big loser" for giving in to WLS. Anyway, here is the article if you want to read it:

Women and men can lose weight even when they're middle aged is the message and the example coming from Helen Phillips, 48, who beat out contestants half her age on "America's Biggest Loser: Couples," NBC-TV's weight-loss competition.
"No matter how old you are, you can make the change if you have the dedication and the drive," said Phillips of Sterling Heights, who lost 140 pounds since starting the competition in September.
Phillips defeated Mike Morelli, 19, of South Lyon and Tara Costa, 24, of New York to win the $250,000 grand prize.
During a teleconference with reporters, Phillips praised her husband, Russell, a Chrysler autoworker, for his support.
She credited celebrity fitness coach Jillian Michaels for helping her lose the weight during the approximately 18 weeks of the show.
But kudos for helping her continue to lose weight when she went home for 30 days went to Warren Mott High School football coach Shauhen Tahrebandi, formerly a Bally's personal trainer.
"I couldn't have done it without him at home," said Phillips, whose daughter, Shannon Thomas, 29, of Center Line, lost 92 pounds on the show.
Phillips slimmed down to 117 pounds from 257 pounds and went from a size 22 to 2. She lost 32 pounds after returning home to Sterling Heights.
At home, she worked out six hours a day -- two hours in the morning, two hours in the afternoon and two hours in the evening, often at the high school track in Warren.
Phillips, who recently shot a "Got Milk?" ad, offers the following advice for anyone trying to lose weight, but she says her message is aimed especially at the middle-aged crowd:
• Be prepared. Pack your food so you don't fall into bad habits like stopping at fast food restaurant drive-throughs.
• Never make excuses. "It's a priority now to go to the gym or do some kind of physical exercise every day," she said.
• Believe you can do it. "I was tired of doubting myself," she said. "Stop saying you can't and start saying you can."

Wellness center her next goal:
America's Biggest Loser wants to help metro Detroiters lose big and get healthy, too.
Helen Phillips of Sterling Heights, who won the NBC reality competition Tuesday, and her husband, Russell, plan to open a local spinning and wellness center, Phillips said Wednesday.
The $250,000 prize money comes right on time for the couple, who have two children including daughter Shanon Thomas, who lost 92 pounds on the show.
Russell Phillips is in danger of losing his job at Chrysler LLC if the automaker goes forward with a plan to shut down the Sterling Heights assembly plant, where he works, in 2010.
"This will give us a nice cushion," said Helen Phillips, 48, before hopping a flight for a Wednesday appearance on the "Today" show.
Before joining the competition in September, Phillips -- who went from a size 22 to a size 2 -- worked in retail management at Macy's.
In addition to opening the wellness center, Phillips plans to work as a motivational speaker, especially for older women trying to lose weight.
"Once I ... got on board and realized how important it was, the easier it became," she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

45 pounds ago. . and now pictures

The above picture of me was taken about 9 years ago at about 220 lbs. I lost a bunch of weight (45 lbs) on a low fat liquid plan through a hospital. It worked, but of course I couldn't keep it off. ( The guy was a friend/boss from work) I think I was looking pretty cute that night!

This is me now:


I just got this picture from my nephew that was taken while we were in Florida this past March. That is my foxy older sister and great niece. There were a few of me in the gulf swimming that I have been wanting to see to help keep myself motivated and realize that this decision to be banded is the right decision.

A link to today's video from CBS

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4988952n

Plus Size Teens Have Rights Too!

OK, I'm a little angry this morning. I happened to catch a national news segment this morning with Emme (Plus Size Model) and this absolute bitch Meme Roth who runs an organization called NAAO or National Action Against Obesity. They were discussing whether or not is is a good thing that Forever 21 and Target are both launching plus size lines this spring geared toward the teen market. Emme's point is that is is good for larger size teens to have a better selection of clothing that will make them feel like they fit in with their peers and will give them a better sense of self esteem. Meme Roth argued that is is a bad idea and that the concentration should be to get younger adults to eat better and lose weight and that by offering these extended sizes to teens will just keep them from trying to lose weight. This I must add is from a women who is maybe a size 2 and I am sure has never struggled with a weight issue. OK, obviously we are all fighting and against obesity here. Otherwise we wouldn't be willing to risk our lives and go to the ultimate drastic measure and have WLS in one form or another. But to have this skinny little bitch make judgements against obese people and say that we basically not worthy of wearing cute clothes really pisses me off. And the fact that she is gearing this attitude toward teen girls specifically is even more outrageous. I am an adult and can stand up for myself. But teen girls are so impressionable and sensitive and even more so if they struggle with weight issues. What I wouldn't have given to have some cute clothing lines to wear when I was younger and moving beyond the size 13 pants in the junior department. Back then, there was NOTHING to wear or buy in the plus department. Plus size back then = matronly and polyester. I am not saying we are not in an obesity epidemic in this country. We are. Everywhere I go I see fellow fatties. But I don't think the way to tackle this is to try to make young heavy-set girls feel worse about themselves than they already do.

Positive Reinforcement and Golf?

John Daly in the swing with his new bod and clothes!

I feel like I am being an approval seeker. But I guess the more positive reinforcement I get about the Lap Band, the better I feel about it. I went to see my beloved Russian PCP yesterday to tell her about my decision to do the Lap Band and she gave me her blessing and thinks it is a good idea. I really respect her and like her so much. She is going to go through my files and try to put together enough documentation in order to move up the surgery so I don't have to wait 6 months. Keep your fingers crossed! Then, my husband went and saw his gastrointestinal doctor this week and mentioned that I am considering the surgery and he too gave his thumbs up about the surgery! He especially likes it because it is helpful with GERD. Last night my total jock brother called me to tell me he saw something on the golf channel about the golfer John Daly having just lost 40 lbs due to recent lap band surgery. So that is all my brother needed to hear...thus another thumbs up!! Check out his outfit? I love it! Maybe this will prompt me to dye my hair blond and wear pink and orange someday? Why not!!

Saks Fifth Avenue and "Normal Sizes"

I have worked a part time job (in addition to my regular job) at Saks Fifth Ave for about 18 years. It astounds me that I have been there so long. I started as Christmas help one year and never left. The most I ever worked there was about 15-18 hours a week and I am down to one night at the moment. Things are very slow these days, but I am so glad to still be there even the one night. It is a great place to work and the store is like my second home. I work in the Men's department. So, I may not make much money there, especially these days, but I do have a phenomenal discount! Through the years I have collected some great pieces. (although not lately. . . these days I am into T.J. Maxx ) Anyway, I have always shopped in their Salon Z department. (14-24) Last night it was very slow and I was walking around the second floor looking at "regular" size women's clothes. I picked up a few size large tops, and a couple size 14 pants and can't fathom ever being back in those sizes someday. (I was literally standing in the middle of the floor holding up a pair of size 14 white jeans, and trying to picture my huge (ass) derriere in them.) I hate to put the cart before the horse so to speak, but it would be fun for a change, to be able to not exclusively shop in the "big girls" department!

Detroit~Michigan~Layoffs and Cobra Insurance

Well it has happened to us. My husband was laid off this week. I know everyone is affected by this crappy economy in one way or another, but if you live in Michigan, especially in the Detroit area, you are pretty much #$%&%@!!! Anything and everything we do here in this area is automotive related. So, it looks like we will be going on Cobra starting next month. I am not sure what to do now. Should I continue with the proceedings and try to get banded, while I have insurance? Or hold off until, things are more stable and he is reemployed? I guess my worry is, what if I have complications down the road at some point and we are not insured? My husband thinks we should go for it now and deal with what ever comes up later, then. Not a good time here in Michigan.