I don't want to identify myself YET but let's just say I was on a certain reality show and won money for losing weight on my own. That was 8'years ago. I kept it off for about 5 but then had surgeries and was severely anemic. That coupled with another issue and I gained a bit back. I'm super short so I decided to give myself this gift. I shouldn't HAVE to work out 2 + hours a day to maintain weight loss. I don't even eat poorly. Just too much of the healthy stuff. (Pretty certain my body believes it's a 6'7" NBA player) in any event my surgery is tomorrow and I'm terrified. There's nothing I hate more than throwing up. Tell me I'll be ok. Thanks in advance.

FYI I was on the biggest loser, and not only is it unrealistic, but the "magic of tv" makes things worse. A "week" can be anywhere from 10-21 days, and know that most of the former members have put all of it back on. I actually was one of the few who kept it off for over five years (which I was told was the mark for having changed for good) and then, well, life happened. Anemia, fibroids, and another ailment prevented me from working out the requisite 90-120 min a day I was for MAINTENNANCE. To be honest, I'm thrilled it happened. This surgery is making it so I can lead a normal life. Exercise? Yes...but it doesn't have to consume 1/3 of my waking days. And if you want to know the truth, I lost all of the weight on my own to begin with. I have a good handle on nutrition, so that's the one thing the show DID do for me.

Thank you for your honesty.

I am an avid watcher of the show and always admire the effort and dedication of the participants but have often wondered how that would work for them at home.

I hope you are doing well and feeling ok

This is no easy way out , this requires the same derivation and effort only in a different way. It's difficult for me to imagine that things will get better , easier..... I'm super nervous about the surgery, about how this will impact my relationship, everything. I really feel like my weight will eventually kill me if I don't get it off.

It seems that no matter which way I turn its a struggle..... Just which struggle will I be better at handling?

FYI I was on the biggest loser, and not only is it unrealistic, but the "magic of tv" makes things worse. A "week" can be anywhere from 10-21 days, and know that most of the former members have put all of it back on. I actually was one of the few who kept it off for over five years (which I was told was the mark for having changed for good) and then, well, life happened. Anemia, fibroids, and another ailment prevented me from working out the requisite 90-120 min a day I was for MAINTENNANCE. To be honest, I'm thrilled it happened. This surgery is making it so I can lead a normal life. Exercise? Yes...but it doesn't have to consume 1/3 of my waking days. And if you want to know the truth, I lost all of the weight on my own to begin with. I have a good handle on nutrition, so that's the one thing the show DID do for me.

Your post reinforces for me why I DESPISE that show. There are significant differences between Gillian Michaels' and my bodies -- in how they work and how WE work. She's welcome to what works for her. But the conceit that all other American women have to ape her to become healthy is not only inaccurate -- it's offensive and dangerous.

Edited August 25, 201411 yr by VSGAnn2014

american in general need to stop fooling themselves into believing that anything on TV is real. even news is carefully edited and presented in a certain way to manipulate people and push their buttons so they keep watching.

its not real, its a carefully created fantasy. all of it... sports, news, reality TV, etc. there is nothing wrong with watching, but you have to know what you are watching and not get manipulated and sucked in.

I agree that you shouldn't have to work out that much to maintain. It feels like you're fighting to keep your head above Water and it's exhausting. This is a good choice and you don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to.

Congrats! In a few weeks I'll be hitting that OR.

Good luck! Hopefully the day will fly by. Sending you wishes for a quick recovery...

What wonderfully intelligently crafted responses! This was definitely the right board for me. Yes. It's true. Nothing can be believed on tv. Since I'm a comedian and an actor i actually "did" the show just to further my career. The way it happened, I got exactly what I wanted. I now work in television and support myself almost Solely as a performer. When I did the show, the entire time I kept thinking: this is just for now. Once I'm done, I'll eat whatever and do whatEver. Fortunately or unfortunately (She says wryly) I fell in love with the way I felt and looked. And for those of you embarking on this now, you will too! The spring in my step, the ability to BEND, to look at the small middle seat on a subway and say: I'm gonna fkn sit there BECAUSE I CAN WITHOUT MAKING ANYONE LEAN. Well, that and the potential of increasing my lifespan, those factors brought me here: to a place where I decided to permanently "adopt" the lifestyle I formerly fostered. Thank you for your support. And excited for the rest of you as well. Ps. I've already saved about $500-700 this week in food and booze NOT ingested (I live in manhattan so it's all relative)

@@supercomik ...

I assume your weight loss surgery will become a rich reservoir of material for your art.

I sure hope so! The struggles of the obese are so painful -- physically, psychologically, existentially. Given that laughing releases pain, (as they say where I grew up) you've got a bird's nest on the ground!

SUPEE SORE. WAS nauseous but this hospital is AMAZING The nurses are fantastic. So I'm officially short sleeved girl. Good luck and safe journeys!

Congratulations on you new life "short sleeved girl"! Good luck on your journey sure you'll do an awesome job!!