08.24.08: Plus-Size Sideshow

A New York Times article today highlighted the surge of weight loss shows that are gaining popularity. From the "Biggest Loser" to "Honey, We're Killing the Kids" people are tuning in to watch people battle their weight in a very public way.

Viewers have come to expect these gargantuan losses of 100, even 200 pounds in a single series --creating unrealistic expectations for themselves.

I hate this pattern -- that I was stuck in for years --- of seeing ourselves as failures if we don't go from fat to skinny on a single diet. Weight is a lifelong issue that will continue far beyond when the cameras are packed away and people are living off the Biggest Loser Ranch. It can be a very slow and patient process.

While I think it's good to seek inspiration from the public progress of those in reality weight loss shows, it's important to live your own reality.

08.15.08: Like Riding a Bicycle

I went to my first Spinning class in a year last weekend. I had stopped going when I learned I was pregnant. I'm sure you've also heard stories of women who rode until they delivered but that wasn't for me. This was my first pregnancy and just about any kind of exercise left me aching so I stopped. I stopped a lot of exercise (other than walking) and the pregnancy pounds (and then some) piled on.

Now that Anna is six months old and settled into a routine, I felt like I could sneak out for my normal 7:30 a.m. Saturday class -- and I did. It took a while for me to adjust the bike. The instructor seemed surprised to see me there -- as I used to be a regular. I used to be a bit smaller too.

But I got on and as the music pumped up, I rode. It was hard, as my muscles are still getting stronger from my pregnancy pause but I kept up (sometimes in a lower, slower gear, but I kept up) But really, it was like riding a bicycle -- you just get back on again.

It felt so incredible that I'm going again tomorrow.

How will you challenge yourself this weekend?