BL 13-1: No Excuses

The Biggest Loser is the only show on television I make time to watch.  This season, inspired by the example of Marie, a friend I've never met (here's her blog), I've decided to indulge myself in a weekly post about my thoughts of and reaction to the show.  In thanks to Marie for showing me it's okay to write about a TV show and as a tool to help myself write my weekly BL pieces, I think I'll address these to Marie.  But even if your name isn't Marie, you're welcome to read.


Dear Marie,


When I first heard that this season's theme would be No Excuses I think I scoffed a little.  I know about excuses and I stopped using them long ago.  No time?  Make time!  Too fat?  Who cares?  Too expensive?  Go around the block!  Well, except for that deep down I did have one excuse: I don't know how to push myself.  That excuse was my ticket to the show.  They've never shown a contestant who knows what to do but just can't seem to do it.  Until this year.  In my pre-show excitement I went to the show's contestant web page to see which contestants would captivate me.  And this year it turns out that there's not only one but two female athletes who've lost their way.


Now that the show has two people with a story similar to mine, I'm thinking my odds of ever getting on the show are even lower.


And I thought about it, Marie, and I saw a great irony: Karin's Excuse No. 1: part of me uses the show as an excuse to not lose weight!  I recognized that part of me is so fascinated with the idea of the whole ranch experience that it's willing to hang on to some pounds in order to still meet the requirement of having at least 85 pounds to lose. 


Yikes!  Now that that excuse has come to light, it's up to me to choose whether to continue to hold back for a 'just in case' which may never come to be,  or to give it my all right here, right now.


Which leads me to Karin's Excuse No. 2: I'm not at the ranch.  Before the contestants even walked through the doors to the BL ranch they participated in a competition, the losing team of which wouldn't set foot on the ranch until a month later.  The show has done this before, and I've always a.) thought how awful the losing contestants must feel having jumped through all the hoops and never getting to train with the BL trainers, and b.) wondered how they'd suddenly find the wherewith all to change their lives.  Did their kids suddenly become independent and their obligations more lenient?  Did they suddenly find time to workout for 4 hours a day and bring home all the right foods?


And on to Karin's Excuse No. 3: I couldn't actually go to the ranch because too many people at home depend on me, and I'd miss my family too much.  Last night one of the contestants used that excuse and asked to be sent home... where he lost fifty pounds!  And the show's not even close to over!  I wonder how much more he'll lose within the next 20 weeks.


And speaking of losing weight within the next 20 weeks, Marie, you know I've decided to challenge myself.  I've told you my weight loss goal which I will meet by the season finale (trying to quiet that doubtful voice in the back of my head).  The only way I even stand a chance is by working my way through the excuses I discovered as well as those piddly ones I keep stomping down (I'm too cozy; I'm too busy).   There are No Excuses.


P.S.  I will no longer use I don't know how to push myself as an excuse.  I will learn how to recognize it and how to do it.  I'm hoping it won't involve a puke bucket, but you never know.