The Biggest Loser Experience

WOW, family life, work life, food choices, stress, this fast-paced world and still thinking of ourselves as losers, we just can’t live up to everyone’s expectations. Time, time, and more time is what the demand is today. In the 1920’s and 1930’s society was overworked so employees took action and the government reduced and made regulations to help give us personal and/or relaxation time. Today, we are reliving history by being connected to our work environment and the emergency response processes 24/7. Face it, let’s put it on the table, we are overweight, getting older, and exercise and proper eating becomes quite difficult as a worker and a community driven individual. It is TIME to take time for YOURSELF. However, can we even live up to our own expectations?  The BIGGEST LOSER campus in Niagara Falls, NY last spring taught me how and I wish to share an experience that can benefit you.

The biggest and most important lesson was spend time with those whom matter most, YOU being first on the list, because without you there is no need to worry about the rest. Most expert suggest picking the time of day you can focus on you. For example, I start my day around 4 a.m. each morning, having a cup of coffee, no cream and sugar. Is it good for you if you enjoy it? Let’s face reality, most everything we consume is not good for us in one way or another. Those of you that have to have that morning soda, keep in mind the ingredients are full of bad stuff, visit “Hunger for Change” on the internet to learn more.  If you have to have a soda do something to counter the reactions. For example, if you drink all the bad stuff, exercise.

Exercise comes in many forms and programs, again our focus was “giving us choices”.  On the average BIGGEST LOSER made us workout 5 ½ hours a day for a week.  While this is not realistic, they were giving us choices in our workout plans. One workout day at BIGGEST LOSER was equivalent to one workout week back at home. You need to do the type of exercise you enjoy involving some kind of cardio and muscle strengthening. I have been very confused with this because I like running. As I get older it becomes more difficult, but trying is the key. Please don’t listen to others as they try to discourage you from doing what you like, most likely they really wish they could do it and they could if they make it a priority.  We are not telling you to run, the best form of exercise is doing some type of outdoor activity you enjoy, anything from working in the yard to riding a bike 150 miles. Three very important rules, even I have a problem maintaining are: stretching your body before you take on the activity, drinking 100 ounces of water a day or ½ your body weight in ounces of water a day, and take small steps toward your goals. Stretching, has been echoed from the experts throughout my life. Looking back at my injuries during my career in the emergency services, if I would have stretched in the morning it would have prevented most of those injuries. At the BIGGEST LOSER we had a choice to get up early or sleep in, we took an hour of stretching to soft music every morning, remember this is a form of exercise. A recommended app is SWorkit. This app shows you how to stretch and gives you choices on what to stretch and has a timer, with music to relax you. Small steps toward your goals can be rewarding because you see the results and before you know it you will be setting bigger goals. Listen to your body, if something is hurting or not feeling right during the exercise STOP. Take time to examine the problem. Don’t confuse this with regular workout pain, our body is aging and undergoing a change so there will be some discomfort.

At BIGGEST LOSER we ate healthy and felt full all day long and I still lost 10 pounds during that week. Throw away the scale, you are trying to loss body fat, not regular scale weight; this is the term I use. One goal was to lose 1 pound of body fat a month. Yes it becomes difficult but it is one that sticks in our mind. If we are exercising and eating right you could actually gain weight not lose it because you are building muscle mass. BIGGEST LOSER encourages you to eat 45 minutes after you wake up or 45 minutes after your morning exercise, I prefer after morning exercises. They also recommend no food consumption 2 hours before bedtime.

Knowing your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) also helps you understand yourself. The BMR is the minimum number of calories your body needs to function when completely at rest, these calories are what you need to survive the day. Are you eating over this rate? If so, counter balance with more physical activity. Equally as important is if you become more active and exercising more during the day then your calorie intake may have to increase. BIGGEST LOSER recommends you should consume half of your BMR for the day after you have eaten lunch. People will approach you and ask what type of diet you are on. If you are on a diet you could be depriving the body of nutrients to help your physical condition. Eat small portions, about five times a day. Another app I would suggest is Fooducate. This app recommends alternative healthy products to what you may already like.

Lastly, BIGGEST LOSER was the best medical treatment I have ever received. The experience will never be forgotten, relaxing, peaceful, and getting to know yourself. I will return.  Take the TIME and go, call them first and they will be glad to help you through the process. Become that loser of weight, gain time for yourself, and maintain a happy life style.  
http://biggestloserresort.com/

By Roy Mercer, VFIS of Texas Director of Safety, Training & Education

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