The Biggest Losers are a Bunch of Cheaters

I don’t want to tell anyone I am on Nutrisystem. For all that our society claims to be open-minded and accepting, I think that people still tend to be very judgmental towards individuals who choose to lose weight using some sort of system. Even WeightWatchers is barely acceptable. But for those of us who choose JennyCraig, Medifast or Nutrisystem….it can get downright mean out there.

I first came face to face with this attitude when two ladies I know were discussing another lady we know, who had crazy success on Medifast. The woman in question is a kind, intelligent person, who had so far lost 60 pounds, and hoped to lose another 20. As I listened to these women criticize her chosen weight-loss method, I thought, “Who cares? If standing on her head and burping the alphabet helps her lose weight, good for her!”

The two ladies went on and on about how unhealthy it was to lose weight with packaged foods, and that sure, you could get the weight off, but that is the “easy” part. What about maintenance? I should have spoken up and told them that I would not call losing weight “easy,” at least not for me.

In my opinion, this woman had found something that worked for her. Keyword here: HER. And since it is HER choice, and she found something that works for HER, shouldn’t we then be happy, you know, for HER??

To illustrate this double-standard, think of person A and person B. A and B have both lost 50 pounds. A and B both modified their diets, and incorporated exercise. But A is using Nutrisystem, while B did it on her own. Do you think they will get the same amount of kudos? Hells no. B will get oodles of congrats, while A will be grilled with questions about whether her weight loss will last, and be lucky to retain her dignity. Why is this? If A and B are both healthy, fit and can get into a size 6, who cares how they got there?

I think that to some, choosing a weight-loss program that involves buying pre-packaged foods demonstrates an inherent lack of willpower. And that makes me want to chuckle. If I had oodles of willpower and self-control, I wouldn’t be fat. So, if I need a program that spells it out for me for awhile, who cares? If I choose a program that puts high fences up on my options for the time-being? Why is that a bad thing?

I look at those contestants on the Biggest Loser, and I think it is the same kind of idea. Those contestants are not on the Ranch forever, but most of them keep their weight off when they leave. No one is judging them or accusing them of cheating at the weight-loss game for going on the show in the first place. No one is yelling at the TV screen saying, “You should be able to figure this out on your own! Don’t accept the trainer’s help! Muscle through by yourself!”

So why do we judge people who choose a packaged-foods weight loss program? Why do we think that it is somehow “cheating” when people choose a more regimented plan? The Biggest Loser contestants learn things about exercise, eating and discipline by following their trainers’ plan. So why does it feel like a weight-loss “taboo” for me to follow Nutrisystem’s program?

It’s like admitting defeat, somehow. Like, I couldn’t do it by myself, so I had to order Nutrisystem. I'm gonna feel really guilty about that when I'm wearing a size 10 again. (Pause, not.)

A Letter to Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers… it’s not you, it’s me. I suck at counting points. I suck at trying to estimate serving sizes. I suck at following your PowerFoods list if I’m trying not to count points. I don’t understand why my fist is the size of a very large apple, and not a small one like you say it should be. I don’t like to go to meetings, because it seems like the most obnoxious person in the group always has the most to say. Online, your recipe builder drives me batty. If onions are “free”, why does my Points-per-serving go up if I add onions to my recipe?
That being said, thank you. You helped me. Really, you did. I lost weight using your plan before, and I very well might use it again in the future. You helped me lose the first 20 pounds, and it is my failure, not yours, that it took me a freaking year to do so. You taught me wonderful lessons, like how Greek yogurt is the bomb, and can be made savory or sweet with very few calories. You prodded me towards fruit, until I realized I really liked it. And I will never forget how you were the one that taught me how magical oatmeal can be in keeping me full. I know that you have worked wonders for others, and that your plan works, if someone is committed enough.
WW, I have a confession. There is someone else. Last week, I ordered Nutrisystem. It is my first day, and I am excited about this new relationship. And do you know why I think it might work?
Cause I just ate breakfast, and I have no idea what I am having for lunch. That’s why.
WW, on your plan, I would already be calculating how many points I have left. I would be running through the list of options in my head…Subway, Brown rice sushi, Bag salad? Depending on what I chose, my thoughts and calculations would then turn to snacks. Dinner. Dessert. Would I have enough points to keep me full until bedtime?
I am tired of thinking about food ALL DAMN DAY LONG.
I have my NS lunch in my purse, and I forget what it is, but it doesn’t matter. Really! I don’t even have to think or look at it until lunchtime. Nutrisystem did the calculations for me. THEY did the math, so I don’t have to stress about it. I don’t have to think about lunch until it is time for lunch.
Don’t get me wrong, WW. No diet is perfect, and I have fears about NS, too. When I opened the box last night, some of the portion sizes shocked me a little. Time will tell if this will last. But I am willing to give it a shot. I'm not one that thinks you have to be overly dedicated to one system or another for life. I feel like I should be able to play the field to find something that works well for me.
WW, for awhile that was you. But at least for the time being, I am going a different way.
Sincerely, Chic Chickadee

Kudos of the Day...

Goes to Tulpen at Bad Words, for being totally honest in calling three-year-olds assholes.

Because, hello? They totally are.

You can read that excellence here.

South Beach Diet and Me

After losing 20 pounds by just watching what I eat, I am ready to start a more concentrated dieting approach. I am currently following the South Beach Diet way of eating, which I love. The SBD, as my friend and I call it, is a healthful way of eating, both because of the food, and on an emotional level. This diet does not require counting calories or points, so personally, I think about food less when I am following this way of eating.

The problem is, my recipe ideas run pretty dry after I have exhausted my SBD stand-bys: lean meatloaf, grilled meat with veggies, broth-y soups, and salads. There are numerous blogs out there that have wonderful recipe ideas for SBD, with the most helpful probably being Kalyn's Kitchen. Her website is very well-organized. My one complaint? (Which really isn't much of a complaint at all, just a difference in taste.) I tend to like more homey, comfort foods.

Kalyn's recipes are delicious, and I have used many of them. But I'm a coward, and like to stick to what I know... like casseroles, creamy soups, thick stews, and braised meats. Kalyn tends to enjoy cooking in more of what I would call a Mediterranean style. I prefer things more French. (Give me sauces, or give me death!)

Which brings me to my point... I am going to post recipes that I have tried, and how I liked them. I am going to attempt to bring a more French or American-comfort food bent to the South Beach Diet. I am going to be completely honest about how the recipes turn out, too. I will also do my utmost to make sure that the recipes I use comply with SBD, but if they don't, please feel free to comment! I would like to be corrected if I get it wrong.

Knock That Shit Off

There is a blog that I read on a daily basis. I used to love it, but lately...not so much. This person's blog has become nothing but a bunch of whining. And the thing is... the stuff the author is whining about isn't that big of a deal.

She has beautiful children. From her admission, she has a loving husband who works hard so she can stay home with said beautiful children, in a large, lovely home with a beautiful yard. She has wonderful friends who bring soup when her or her children are sick.

There is no cancer here. No lost job with a looming foreclosure. No infertility or loss of limb or earthquake or flooding. What there is on that blog is a lot of this:
-"It's so freaking hot! I cannot stand it. We have to stay inside in the air-conditioning all day." (Well, it is summer right now. Thank the Lord you have air-conditioning.)
-"I am nauseous ALL day! And I hate my husband. Him trying to be nice to me makes me hate him more." (You are pregnant, presumably with another gorgeous child. Pregnancy makes people irritable. Deal.)
- "My son is being so naughty lately. He has taken to throwing his toys at the flat screen." (Take his toys away, maybe? Or how about some good old-fashioned discipline?)

These are made-up quotes, of course. I know the blog world is a small one, and this woman has one of the most-read "mommy" blogs on the internet. She seems to have everything going for her, by her own admission. And I know life isn't perfect, and all of us need to vent sometimes. But if she doesn't knock off the whining spree, she is going to lose a big chunk of her readers.

Starting with me.

Tomato Tart

I made this tomato tart last night. (Recipe from Williams-Sonoma.) I used a store-bought pie crust, and did it in a circular tart pan. Also, I thought I had basil at home, but I didn't, so I substituted with dried greek herbs. It was very good last night, but I think I am enjoying it better cold today. It is very rich, so I would serve it with a light green salad. Delicious!

Ergo Carriers on Sale

Ergo carriers for about 50% off. Here, but only today. Snag one, cause I'm not allowed to.