Biggest Losers or just big losers?

These Biggest Loser contestants have got to be FRICKEN kidding me. Serioulsy.

I warn you that I'm entirely too fired up over this nonsense. I mean it's a reality show. Who gives a crap? Apparently I do.

If you haven't watched yesterday's Biggest Loser episode yet then I would say stop reading and come back when you're done.

For those who don't watch the show at all, here is what happened in a nut-shell. The five remaining contestants 'caught wind' that eliminated contestants were going to be invited back to the ranch for their chance to compete for the Biggest Loser title.

Apparently, these contestants got a bug up their asses about it and decided that they would quit the show rather than have to compete against eliminated contestants.

They cried, "Not fair!" "They weren't here!" "We don't want them back!"  And were against this "unfair" twist.

I say. Boo fucking hoo.

REALLY? It's not fair?

This is the season of "no excuses." It shouldn't bother you who they bring back to the ranch. Focus ON YOU. This is The Biggest Loser, a reality/GAME show. There's all kinds of f'ed up twists and turns, that's what makes it - say it with me - ENTERTAINMENT -- You sign up for the chance to win a big prize and in the process, these folks SAVE YOUR LIFE. It's a trade-off.  They give you the tools, focus, attention, food, training and resources to lose 100+ pounds. That is an opportunity that millions would kill for, but you, spoiled contestants - pout and take your ball off the playground as soon as you don't like the rules of the game.

It's UNFAIR of you to leave just because you don't like a twist or turn.

There's lots of unfair things about the show. It's unfair that the boys usually have an easier time losing weight or that many of the challenges are easier for men with upper-body strength. It's unfair that sometimes those who work the hardest get voted off early because their hard work didn't show up at the scale. It's unfair that guys in their 60's have to compete against kids in their early 20's, it's unfair that sometimes the ones who need to be there the most, go home the soonest… It's unfair that women have to deal with periods, cramps and extra bloating -- everything is freaking unfair. Suck it up, buttercups.

Ultimately only two out of the five left - the remaining 3 decided to stick it out.

Shame on you two for taking advantage of the process, happily losing all the weight you wanted, getting the benefit of makeover week, getting the opportunity of a lifetime to visit the White House and meet the First Lady and then ungratefully leaving. Someone else would've killed for your spot.

So that's my two cents.

Did you see the show? What are your thoughts?

I know this is a complete over-reaction by the way. I am well aware that my own obsession about this episode makes me slightly psycho but that's how I roll. At least I admit I have a problem.

XO
Jen

Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

California love and stuff

I am still hanging out in California.

It's been an awesome whirlwind of a trip. Saturday took me across another finish line at the Hollywood Half. - It wasn't easy but it was awesome.

Sunday, I headed up to San Francisco on a road trip for a little business.

Along the way I was tempted by tons of fast food options. In the old days I would greedily eat a burger and fries and "blame" the road trip for "messing up my diet." But this time was different. Instead of giving into that little voice that was begging for something crappy, I went to Starbucks and picked up this:

It's a little box meal that had hummus, fresh veggies, grilled chicken and a little whole wheat pita. I don't remember exactly the NI but it was pretty good. Had fiber, low in fat, not too bad in sodium and some protein. Way better than anything else I would typically get on a road trip. My biz partner, Ang, also stocked the car with low fat cheese, fruit and hard-boiled eggs so we really were able to eat well on the journey.

While on this trip, I got to meet a few of my fellow Ragnar Racer teammates for the first time! It's been awesome.

Before heading North, I met John after the Hollywood Half. John writes this awesome blog - check it out. 

John looking handsome, me still skanky and in race outfit

While up North, I met Ada Wong (from Biggest Loser contestant) I did a little interview with her (more on that to come) and then took a hard core fitness class with her. Fun but OUCH! (There were NFL players in that class!)

me looking all interview-y and news like

Finally we swung by Merced and met Mary - she writes this great blog that has been documenting her 155+ weight-loss/running journey.

My little grey jacket gets around, huh?

How much do you love the words on her wall?  Me too. I mean, it couldn't be more perfect. Fell in love with this girl.

Hope all is well with you.

How do you keep on track when you travel?

Do you find it harder to resist "crap" food when you're on the road?

XO

Jen

Ironman and other television shows that are good for you

I fricken love Ironman and this year's Kona definitely didn't disappoint.  It delivered highs and lows - it profiled common men and women that you rooted for with every cell in your body and highlighted the elites we love.

I savored every minute and I'm sad that those events are so few, far and in-between.  The TV producer in me wishes they would take the whole event and break it down into an 8, 1 hour episode series - profiling more folks and following their journeys. You could delve into their back-stories even more and get to know more of those people out there.  Sigh.

Ironman Kona always motivates me.  And it got me to thinking, TV always gets such a bad rap but the truth is there are a few TV shows that could almost be downright good for you -- if consumed responsibly.

In addition to Ironman competitions here are my "TV that's good for you" picks:

• Dr. Oz.  I often will run on the treadmill during Dr. Oz.  Unlike many other Docs on TV, Dr. Oz is the real deal.  He still sees patients and performs open heart surgeries at Columbian Pres. in NYC.  His approach is honest yet compassionate and somehow he keeps his show interesting and fresh. On a recent episode he even called Paula Deen out (as his guest!) on her responsibility to make her food healthier and to quit smoking.  Paula looked scared to death but she's already trying to clean up some of her recipes and promised to work with Oz to quit smoking.  I appreciated that he didn't sit there and kiss her ass just because she is a beloved superstar of the cooking world. He was gentle but he made no bones about the fact that her cooking will kill her and it's no good for anyone.
• Super Size Me and other documentaries.  There are many great documentaries out there - Food Inc., Super Size Me, Spirit of the Marathon that are either eye-opening, super motivating or both. These docs are well worth the time spent to watch them.  I caught Super Size Me on the treadmill last week and it reminded me of why I've made the food decisions I have and motivated me to run further.
• Biggest Loser.  I know, I know. It ain't perfect. There are issues all over the place but for me, I still find something super motivating in there and maybe just for the guilty pleasure of it, I have to stick it on my list.  

What makes your list of "good for you" TV watching?

XO

Jen

Friday Favorites

Aside from running I thought I'd take this time to list a few of my favorite things:

1. Good Will Hunting - I coupon, price-match and shop thrift stores. When I'm not running I'm hunting down a bargain. Recently, I snagged my favorite running sneaker (brand new) on EBAY for $34 (including shipping!) They usually run me closer to $90.  Today at lunch I hit up GoodWill and found a pair of Express jeans (perfect fit!) and a cute Calvin Klein Sweater - total price: $12.98. The outfit would've been closer to $100 if I paid retail.

2. Reality Television - Snookie, Biggest Loser, The Housewives of Wherever - bring it on. I love mindless TV to relax and this is my guilty pleasure in programming. Don't get me wrong, shows like Parenthood are tops in my book but when I'm blogging or ready to conk out these shows are better than comfort food. My favorite is still Biggest Loser.

3. Dirty Martini - Special shout out to Dirty Sue who makes the best 'dirty olive' juice out there. While I can only have one small one (or suffer the repercussions the next day) I love me a good martini on a Saturday night (or Sunday - Friday…)

4. Poker - I am a bit of a poker fanatic. I have a few friends who are professionals and someday I hope to play in the WSOP alongside them. It's a game that takes patience, practice and skill. I've always liked puzzle solving and gambling so this is a definite fit for me.

5. Facebook - Addicted. Guilty as charged. I like looking at people's pictures, keeping up with friends that I haven't seen since the second grade, connecting to other runners, playing words with friends, knowing everyone's birthdays, seeing tear-jerking videos, reading funny or motivational signs, all of that crap. Love it.

6. Ironman Coverage.  I live for watching Ironman races on television. I get inspired every single time - I don't care if it's Kona or Michigan. I don't care if it's from 2011 or 1999 - I can't get enough of watching it. I get choked up every time I see someone cross the finish line and hear the announcer declare, "You, John Doe, are an Ironman."

So that's that for today. I can go on and on but I want to know - what are a few of your favorite things?

XO
Jen

Whatcha want? Aiming for less than 1%

Tara from Biggest Loser Season 7 - 26.2 finish

I was watching The Biggest Loser last night and the remaining four got to run a marathon. They had nearly no real training time and anyone who's been down the road of having to get marathon ready can appreciate the scratching of the head of how on earth are these people preparing to run 26.2 in just 30 days? It's probably even a little reckless that the audience isn't warned to "not try this at home." 

Who knows? I have to hope and assume that they've got some kind of really smart sport trainers that are getting these folks there and that the months of intense training (though not traditional running training) leading up to the marathon has enabled these folks to run without injury. 

As debatable as the training / TV show thing is, the one thing I do take away from these contestants is how much each of these contestants wanted it. Every single one of them wanted to finish that marathon no matter what. They were scared, nervous and apprehensive but they all made up their minds to run it/walk it/crawl it - if need be. And they all succeeded.

Months ago, I wrote a blog about want vs can't and that theme still comes up for me, often. WE CAN do anything, the question is do we want to? Do we want to bundle up and run in the wind and cold? Do we want to do long run day when you also have a ton of Christmas shopping to do? Do we want to run 2 miles, 6 miles, 12 miles or 26.2 miles?  

Do we want to re-evaluate, face our weaknesses, deal with our fears, suck it up and do it anyway?

The answer for me is often, maybe surprisingly, NO. I often do not want to run in the wind or do a long run day. When the weather is bad, I don't "want" to run on a treadmill. I often "want" to sleep late, chuck it all or eat pancakes and sausage. I want to order pizza and watch reruns of 90210 (the original).

I constantly have to talk myself into want. Wanting to do this, still takes a lot of mental work but that mental work is crucial.  If you tell yourself you can or can't, want or want not - you are right.  

I WANT to feel like a winner, I WANT to attain and maintain good health, I WANT to attain and maintain my ideal weight, I WANT to cross that finish line... Because I have all those wants, I choose to keep in the fight because I can.

I always have to remind myself to not lose sight of the big want for the temporary temptation. Whether it be skipping training or eating something bad - that "want" may feel good in the moment but will do nothing for me or the most important goals.  They do nothing for what I really want.

When the host of the Biggest Loser welcomed the four contestants to the starting line of the marathon, she mentioned, "Less than 1% off the American population will ever run and complete a full marathon." WOW! I think somedays I lose sight of how special of a journey this is because I've surrounded myself with so many blogging buddies who are running marathons that it seems almost like "everyone is doing it." But everyone is not doing it.  I am doing it - because I WANT to and I CAN and... 

I WANT to be in that less than 1% club.

Today I ran 6 miles that I kinda didn't want to do but am now so happy I did. I'm also working on wanting to do a long run of 12 miles this Friday. I might as well start looking forward to it, because either way, it's happening.

XO

Jen

Day 8 - 137 days to go - looking straight ahead

Today I wasn't going to run since I ran yesterday but I decided to do a little twenty minute run anyway.  It felt really great.  I did it on the treadmill and pushed myself to run most of it between 5.0 - 6.0 - I've come a long way from a month ago (and thus part of the reason I love MAP MY RUN - you really get to track your progress)  A month ago my average runs was around 4.0  on long run days I was around 3.8.  Now I'm averaging over 4.5 and upwards to 5.2.

Still slowish in comparison, the crappy mean voice in my head tries to tell me.

You know how I love me some Biggest Loser - right?  One of the contestants, Michael, the biggest competitor to ever be on the show by topping the scales at over 500 pounds had a melt down in the middle of this episode.

Michael has shed more than a 192 pounds and has been shattering records left and right.  He's looking good and doing great.  Surely he's an inspiration to anyone who sees him.  He's literally working his butt off.

But he must know the mean person who lives in my head because she got to him too this week.

He was angry, sad, distraught that even after 192 pound weight loss he was still needing to shop in the "Big and Tall" for his makeover.  He was frustrated that he is still over 300 pounds and more than a hundred pounds from his goal.  He was so upset that it almost caused him to stop running five inches from the finish line.  And oh my God how I could relate.

I struggle to not compare myself.  Running 4.5 isn't good enough because "so and so" can run it at 5.0.  Or even my post yesterday - so what that you ran 2.5 miles straight, you should've done 4!  Or yeah, I'm in a size 12 (the occasional 10 now) but 'she' just had a baby and she's still thinner! Or so on and so on.  It's my nature to never be good enough.  Even with my 1/2 marathon victory, the voice nags... "you shouldn't have walked so much!  Girls who were heavier than you were running right by you!  You could've done better."  Don't get me wrong,  I am proud of my accomplishment but still fight the fight of the negative.

So anyway, back to Biggest Loser and Michael.  Bob the trainer told him that, "It's all relevant.  It's not about anybody else but you.  Do not lose focus, do not look sideways."

And he's right.  Wise words, Bob.  Easier said than done but I'm going to try to remember not to look sideways too much.

XO
Jen