Here is another guest blog by our own TLD. Thanks!
A new show on the A & E network chronicling the weight loss journey of two obese participants each week. The cameras follow as they struggle for six months to attain their goals. There is no prize at the end, other than renewed health and a new lease on life.
We join the series on episode 3. The first two episodes were very uplifting. And while this one also has a happy ending (spoiler alert) I admit I got a little watery eyed upon learning the two participants histories. The first 30 days of their weight loss journey begins at the beautiful Hilton Head Health Weight Loss Spa in Hilton Head Island South, Carolina. A quick check of their website reveals a 28 day stay will set you back $12,000
Sharon, 47
Height: 5’6″
Start Weight: 366.4 lbs
End Weight: 257.0 lbs
“I have learned to truly love myself in a constructive way, instead of destructively. The journey has been one of highs and lows, but every step has taken me closer to living the life I’ve always dreamed of!”
Sharon’s earliest memories as a child are of frequently going for days without food. That’s enough to give anyone anxiety about never having enough. Bad times were full of starvation; good times were when the freezer was full. It’s no shocker that when things go bad in Sharon’s life, she turns to food for comfort. When her mother passes, Sharon comforts herself to the tune of an additional 100lbs. And just when things can’t get any worse, her teenage son who struggled with bi-polar disorder commits suicide. I just wanted to reach thru the screen and give her a big hug. This soft spoken woman has endured a lot of tragedy in her life. The death of her son causes her to pack on an additional 60 lbs. A doctor’s visit reveals her BMI is almost three times normal. Something has to change or she will die. The only thing that keeps her inspired is her surviving family and she comes to the conclusion that she wants to live again. She has a 10yr old daughter that she doesn’t want to follow in her foot steps. She wants to be there to see the milestones in her daughter’s life. Her first few sessions with the personal trainer feature lots of crying and declarations of, “I can’t!” She finds the stationary bike intimidating. By the end of her journey she beats her demons by riding a bike with her daughter and enjoying it!
Ashley, 26
Height: 5’6″
Start Weight: 296.0 lbs
End Weight: 205.0 lbs
“I’ve learned that you have the strength inside and all you need to do is find it within and you have all the power in the world to do it. If it was easy everyone would be doing it, but it’s not, so it’s worth the fight.”
Ashley is young and pretty. She is, however, the heaviest in her circle of friends. Ashley plays the wacky zany fat girl role so people will like her. Ashley is a heavy drinker and pretty much gets drunk every day of the week. Footage of her home life shows heavy foods and alcohol are the norm at every meal. Dad is an alcoholic, step mom does not like Ashley, and little sister is the slim favorite in the family. Again, we can see the root of Ashley’s obesity just like with Sharon. Ashley arrives at the weight loss spa drunk. At this point I’m not sure if her story will have a happy ending.
Upon arriving at Hilton Head, Ashley takes advantage of the amenities and throws herself into the process. A phone call from home where baby sis relays a negative message from step mom threatens to derail the whole deal. But in the end Ashley perseveres and makes good progress at the 30 day weigh in.
After the initial 30 days, both participants go home for 5 months to continue in the real world. They are given gym memberships and personal trainers to help. Ashley does so well she even completes a 5K run. Neither women have to return to Hilton Head for a remedial course like others in previous episodes have had to do. At the final weigh in they lose over 200 lbs total. Ashley shows up at her final weigh in wearing some sexy ass bedazzled jeans and looks great! Sharon dedicates her weight loss to her son and holds a memorial balloon release in his honor. Both women look and feel great. They have turned their lives around and the future is bright.
Thanks TLD! I really liked this show and I have to admit I didn’t think either would make it through. I am so happy that Sharon was able to experience her grief in a healthy way (feeling the pain as she worked out allowing her body and mind to endurer) instead of stuffing it and hiding it away in her body. She is going to be able to help so many women in her position as well as inspirer other over weight people.
As for Ashley, was shocked that she did a complete lifestyle change in 6 months! It usually takes longer but she quit her fair weather friends, her parents, booze, and the unhealthy nightlife. I can’t help but think “man if they can do it so can I” good by those last 25!
The thing I like about Heavy is that you really get to know the two participants in each episode. There’s no $100,000 prize, no “challenges”, or game play. They have to find motivation within. And even though they get personal trainers, their experience is more like the average Joe’s. I always feel reinvigorated and motivated to push forward after watching.
ITA! They also do it in a realistic way. On The Biggest Loser even when the contestant go home they are still trying for the at home prize. On Heavy they are doing it for themselves and thats long lasting.
Thank you so much again for your recap. ITA agree too about the contestants. I found myself more vested in their successes, and as such more inspired.
WSL,
I was thinking about your request for snack tips on the other blog and although I try to eat whole foods 95% of the time here is a tip I use when I don’t.
Put your favorite movie or HW marathon on and get what ever you want chips, cookies, nuts ect and portion them all out into snack sized baggies. That way when you want chips no problem grab a snack bag. You can even do it with candy. I like to do my portion days with a re run day and a nice wine 🙂 Oh I make great soup too for grab and go lunches.
I am envious of your commitment to whole foods. I am getting there step by step. First for me were just simply smaller portions and better low calorie foods. Now I am migrating to more fresh and whole foods. I’ve really fallen in love with salads again and banana peppers. With my change in eating habits my family has been make changes (well except the 2-year old) too which is great for me to see.
Thats great that the family is making changes too! A lot of people think that they cant do it because of what would they feed their family. The thing is that the family doesn’t need to be eating processed food either. It makes such a big difference in your body and how you feel. I’m to the point now that I can taste the chemicals in fast or processed food. I never realized that processed means that it chemically already when through a digestion process. If you guys haven’t yet, watch Food Inc. I was horrified to see them wash the fillers that they put in meat in ammonia.
TLD – your DVDs will be going out in the mail tomorrow! I just got them today so I haven’t tried them yet. If anyone else wants two Jillian Michaels DVDs (30 Day Scred and or/yoga meltdown just let me know. I will e-mail you to get your mailing address.
WSL – I love my 100 calorie Smart Pop popcorn.
Golden Girl – My day did a complete 180% and I will be going to bed with a huge smile on my face. I’ll tell ya though… it took quite an effort to find my happy place this morning.
On Saturday the entire family is going to join the gym!
I’m so happy your day got better and that your dad is doing well for the most part anytime you want to share more I will listen. I would love a copy of the DVD’s so send me an e-mail. On another note no joke when I followed the whole foods diet from The diet Solution I lost 15 pound in 11 days. Granted I was just above 200 then but I was so shocked to see how much the liver had to do with weight loss. If any of you would like my playlist for my cardio burns let me know and I can send it to you.
I miss 100 calorie popcorn! I can’t find it in any store in my area anymore. The regular bags info on the back is too convluted to decipher so I have to forego the salty goodness :-(.
Thanks Buffy! Looking forward to the new DVD’s. Can’t wait to try them out 😀
I can send you some 100 cal popcorn TLD. If you want get my info from buffywood.
Lol… Golden Girl beat me to it, I was going to chekc to make sure I had an extra box downstairs. I will throw it in with the discs.
Aww Buffy and Golden! You guys are so sweet :-). Thank you!
Nice blog TLD. Really well written.
I haven’t seen this program but will look for it now.
It is a hard lesson in life to learn but each of us has to fill our own void and attenuate life’s pain and disappointments from within rather than seeking outside relief/fullfillment via food, alcohol, drugs, shopping… jmho.
It sure helps to have support from others.
I think often times women sell themselves short. We are strong.
Now why can’t I quit smoking? I’m trying and it is frigging frustrating.
Guess I better look within. 8)
Hi Kat! It’s so good to hear from you, I have missed your posts on the IHJZ board 😉 I hope you come here for support on kicking the habit without gaining 5 lbs in the process.
Hi Golden Girl 8) It’s good to “see” you too.
Meow Meow Meow!! That was “Hi it’s great to see you” in your native language.
I don’t know why we sell ourselves short either. God knows we are the stronger of the two sexes! Man, know I suddenly have the urge to hear the son “I am Woman” by Helen Ready… I remember listening to that song as a little girl driving in the car with my mom. I think it was her own personal theme song.
Helen Reddy, wow she is a blast from the past. And now I’m humming it. I am strong, I am invinsible…
Hey LavLady, how are you feeling? I hope you are feeling better.
And not to forget CA35 I hope you are having a good day!
Ditto
Hi! it seems I missed this one for some reason 😦
I will read on my next break…