The REAL Loser

Hello Everyone! Many of you have probably watched the popular reality TV show The Biggest Loser. The Biggest Loser is very inspiring and the contestants should be commended for their hard work and extraordinary weight loss. However, I have a problem with the show: it's not exactly reality TV.

Sure, it's easy to lose weight when you are shipped off to a "bootcamp", perfectly portioned meals are prepared for you, you are given free access to top personal fitness trainers, and you are basically made to exercise 5-6 hours per day. No spouse, no kids, no work, no social commitments, no eating out, etc. The contestants on this show are set up for success in an optimal environment conducive to drastic fat and weight loss...but what happens in the real world?

What happens when you work 50-60 hours per week, you are carting your kids to practices after work, you barely can find a half hour to exercise, and you have to do your own grocery shopping and meal preparation? What happens when you are lured by food marketers, fast food drive thrus and you are in an uncontrolled environment with easy access to junk food? What happens when you are responsible for figuring out the calorie content of the food you eat? What happens when you are stressed and are lucky to get 5 hours of decent sleep a night? What happens when you don't have-or can't afford-a trainer? What happens when you are invited out for yet another "happy hour" by a co-worker which is at the same time you were planning to workout?

This sounds more like "reality", doesn't it? This is the situation most of us find ourselves in when trying to lose weight or trying to maintain a weight loss...this is what we are up against. People who are able to lose weight-and keep it off-in the REAL world, under REAL circumstances, are the REAL LOSERS and are much more impressive, in my opinion, than the BIGGEST LOSERS featured on the television show. Where am I going with all this???

Well, my brother, Dave Striet, is a REAL LOSER. Since January 5th 2009, he has lost 71 lbs. and he has now started his own blog detailing his quest for continued weight loss: the good days, the bad days, his workouts, his diet, the challenges he faces in the REAL world as a self employed father of 2 girls, etc. He has taken control of his REAL life, has experienced great success-along with a few "fall off the wagon" days- and I think a lot of you will be able to relate to him in regards to lifestyle modification and weight loss. Check out his blog at the link below...I know you'll find it motivating:

http://davestriet.blogspot.com/