Enough Already

Let me just say that this was how I looked a week before doing the video testimony posted below.



Football mom chic, right? But somehow, when sitting down in front on a television camera, I look like I swallowed it. You know how they say that the camera adds ten pounds, well now I believe it. All of those actresses must look borderline anorexic in person. But in my case, it looks like the camera piled on twenty pounds.

People debating about whether to try the program want to see the results and I just don't think that particular shirt really sells it. Initially I wore a more flattering dress but it didn't work with the lighting and white background, so I had to change. Then, I had to do some readjusting so, umm, certain straps wouldn't show and it just didn't read as well as I think it could have.

Not that my poor posture helped matters either. No wonder I have back problems. I've been working on my core for months now and definitely know better.

And could I be an more calm? I was nervous and trying to stay composed but I look like I'm one yawn away from an Ambien induced nap. A big gulp size coffee on the drive to the studio that morning might not have been such a bad idea. Oh, and my attempt at humor at the end - kinda lame. Yeah, my family thought that was cute but I'm not so sure. The director suggested a one liner as I was rambling, (my hats off to the editors at Tampa Digital Studios), and it sounds a bit rehearsed due to the retakes.

Yet ultimately the whole point of anyone sharing their story is about healing. I wanted to be able to connect to people who are where I used to be and encourage them to take care of themselves and I think I did that, in my own way. Every day I work on not focusing on what I don't have and to value and build on the things that I do, yet I still tend to gravitate toward the negative. Looking back at the clip, this whole experience showed me that I really need to stop thinking that I'm not good enough, as it's clearly wearing me out. I'm not perfect and probably never will be, but I don't need to be. It's about making your mind up that you're going to do whatever is that you're taking on and then giving it your best shot. Something that, if I look back, I've tried to do time and again.

The video may or may not affect anyone but I was afraid to do and did it anyways, just like I did when I first stepped foot in the clinic. Good or bad, I still managed to get through it despite myself and that's a small victory in itself.

YouTube - Changed Lives: Erin

Gone

I thought I might crash and burn at yesterday's Foodapolooza but I feel like those days are gone. I can't say I didn't indulge in any treats, (I had a scoop of black raspberry ice cream), but that was all I could literally stomach. Maybe it was the oppressive heat or the sight of hundreds of fit women in small sundresses everywhere I looked, but the idea of shoveling down more junk food didn't appeal to me. I kept thinking that the old me would have stayed at home, too embarrassed to be seen walking by food tents in summer clothing overweight. I would have never even made it past the mile walk to the event and now I could handle being on my feet at length. I was with all the other women who were enjoying Sunday at a bay front park and, for the first time in years, I felt comfortable doing the same. That's the treat these days and I don't want to ruin that. In fact, I'm trying to go a few more pounds past my original goal weight and have already lost five pounds this month.

In the words of Third Eye Blind's Stephen Jenkins, "I want something else to help me through this life" and I'm still searching to find what exactly that is. Not so sure my husband and I watching a nineties band perform with two restless kids fits the bill though. I'll always have a passion for music but am starting to feel like those days of not feeling old at a concert may be gone too.

YouTube - ThirdEyeBlind.MOV

As Seen On TV

Oh my God, what was up with the Rachael Ray show? Can you say agenda?! So much for telling the WHOLE story and informing people on an incredible personal achievement and an excellent program for weight loss. The show was all about NBC promoting The Biggest Loser and Jillian Michaels pitching her book, as she has all the answers to making your dreams come true. Jeez, even the viewer who had to overcome wearing minimal makeup for 30 days got more screen time!

But it's not Jerome's fault. He and his wife did mention Medi numerous times during the five hour taping of the show but were told they may not have time for them to answer all of the interview questions. So they were overshadowed by the bigger so called celebrity and, (due to some clever editing), it looks like The Biggest Loser is responsible for inspiring the couple and serving as the perfect guide for them to lose the weight on their own. They even showed them going into the doctor's office for their weekly weigh-ins!!! ARRRRRGHHH!!!!!! Those weren't done to mimic the show!!!! It's an important part to the medically supervised weight loss program they were both on to help keep them on track and to monitor their health called Medi!!!!!!!!! The clinic even sticks with their patients after they reach their goals to help them sustain the change long term too. TV Land does things a bit differently. In that world they drop you after the cameras stop rolling and catch up with you a year later when you've put the weight back on and they can exploit you all over again.

I understand a network wanting to plug their own show and not wanting the segment to be just a commercial for the clinic, but they really short changed both of them. To not give them a chance to share more of their story or to even mention the program that was a key component to helping the couple shed over 400 pounds is wrong. They missed out on an opportunity to potentially help a lot of overweight people. People who have tried diets on their own, or may be contemplating gastric surgery, and could benefit greatly from medical support. I don't think I can watch Rachael Ray ever again.

On the Show

Medi weight loss patient, Jerome Biggars and his wife Shawna share how they lost over 400lbs together on the Rachael Ray Show tomorrow!

On the downside, Jillian Michaels is going to be on as well. I don't watch The Biggest Loser anymore because of how they degrade their contestants for ratings and she seems to be the worst offender. Maybe it's not nice to label her a bully but how else would you describe someone who gets up in other peoples' faces, screams at them, and makes them exercise until they feel chest pains for ratings. (As if they haven't already been humiliated enough.) Thankfully, Jerome and Shawna will be there to show her how losing weight is really done. Set your dvr.

Rachael Ray Show - On the Show - Jillian Michaels’ Fan Surprise & French Onion Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Slimming Down

I may not be the toast of town like my brother with his Bears, but my work has been popping up in my own community along with some other Medi Mamas. We may not be hairy but we know how to rock, especially in skinny jeans and heels. Nice job ladies!

Your Community Newspaper | Blog | The joy of permanent weight loss

Lights, Camera, Action

Yes, it's that time of year again. It's annual sick week. You know, that one time of year when you've got the longest To Do list to tackle? When you're counting down the minutes until the medicine kicks in and you can fade into unconscious where pain ceases to plague you for at least a few hours?

I don't get it. I wash my hands. I take my multivitamin. Why the extra obstacle? Why now? Can't it wait until the weekend?

The prime source of these germs is none other than my first born. He's showing all the signs of a flu - stuffy nose, sore throat, no appetite for my cooking... Naturally he thought nothing about coughing on my pillow during a recent Harry Potter marathon but I am not getting sick. I'm not getting sick. I'm NOT getting SICK! The mucus setting up shop in my sinuses is just an unpleasant drainage problem that will magically clear up just as quickly as it set in.

It better because Thursday is a big day and I can't be looking all run down and blowing my nose on video. I just found out that I will be sharing my weight loss story for a video testimony! Yay!While I'm glad to be able to spread the word to others who might think permanent weight loss isn't possible, it could also create yet another strange experience. Now I could potentially be in the waiting room at the clinic while a video loop, with me in it, plays on a flat screen behind me. I can just see the confused looks of other patients now. (Insert Twilight Zone music here).

That's right - I'm going to be inside a real video studio, in front of a camera crew, with my adult acne and all, trying to articulate just how much my life has completely changed since joining the program while trying not to get choked up. Not that that would make me emotional or anything. After all, if I don't lose it, my spot could potentially be seen by a few more people than just my immediate family. But my camera time consists only of a B52 karaoke song in high school, a requested tribute to Pat Benatar, and some headache inducing background audio after my son's touchdown. I don't think that qualifies as valuable experience. Wish me luck.