I find myself alternating between irritation with Kirstie Alley and a lot of sympathy. Sympathy in that not only does she struggle with her weight, but she is doing so publicly. And blatantly publicly by doing commercials for it.
I feel irritation because she still doesn’t get it. She keeps talking about going on and off diets, and instead of realizing that is the problem, she says she is going on another one. She has set a time line for herself to be ‘ripped’ in 6 months. That is a lot of weight to lose and a lot of fitness to gain in 6 months. I really wish her the best of luck, I truly do, but it doesn’t quite sound like she is going to do anything different.
It’s really hard enough to lose weight, but being so publicly accountable for your success and failure puts so much pressure on a person.
Her statements about feeling like she had lost the weight for the last time, and then gaining it all back really strike fear into my heart. I mean – no matter who you are, and how in control you feel, there is always the chance that you can end up in the same place. I am not one of those that is convinced that weight loss is permanent. I hope it to be, but my fear is that if I think that, then I will start cutting myself some slack, or bringing back old foods. I have to be diligent, and will likely always have to be. But, that is an okay price to pay by me to keep the weight off. I’m not dieting, I’m living – and weight loss and maintenance will hopefully be the result of that.
I said this on another blog. Don’t feel too sorry for Kirstie. I think she gets it more then you know. She was plugging her own brand of weight loss stuff. Oh yes! She will loose the weight again. Be sure of it.
I may be cynical, but that’s how I see it.
I think losing weight, and keeping it off, is all about having that moment where everything just “clicks.” I don’t think that has happened to Kirstie Alley yet. She says she wants to lose the weight for good this time, but I don’t get the impression that she “means” it. She wouldn’t be saying things like “I’m going to work hard.” Weight loss isn’t about temporarily working hard, it’s about making changes you can keep up for the rest of your life.
Don’t stress Lori, it’s “clicked” with you. Life is full of ups and downs, but I know you’ve made the change for good 😉
What bugs me most is that Kirstie is still buying into the diet and workout like crazy so the world can gasp at the 58 year old woman in a bikini thing. The freak show aspect of this publicity game is so annoying.
I absolutely understand (and share) the fear of “gaining it all back.” I struggle with that myself, and think that being diligent and recognizing that there is no quick fix is the only approach for me. Having lost 185 lbs. over the past 10 years, I’m now struggling with finding a bit of balance between cutting myself a little slack and maintaining. It’s hard, but worth the struggle for sure!
I enjoyed readying your post and checking out your site. How cool that you are training for a triathlon!! I wish you the very best!
Hi! I just started following your blog after starting one of my own. Your story is very inspiring. Good luck with the triathlon training. 🙂
Hi! I just started following your blog after starting one of my own. Your story is very inspiring. Good luck with the triathlon training. 🙂
I think the part people are tripping on is the get on a diet and somehow get “cured” then stop.
If I can ever hit my goal (or near it) I’m thinking I’m still going to need to check the scale once in a while, make sure my servings don’t go from cup back to bucket, and look at my gym time sheet.
An athlete doesn’t stop working out after they are fit… they still exersize. If you have a car, you need to keep it maintained not just once but on going.
I agree with you about seeing this as a lifetime. And I also try not to get overwhelmed by reminding myself that it is just the next small choice after small choice too.
a small choice is not to eat the third hamberger at foolsfitness!-Alan
Yeah, Lori, I thought Kirstie just sounded like a silly young girl, one who hasn’t put much thought into the whole issue of being overweight…
And I’m with you on the healthy fear of gaining it all back. Hopefully it is enough to keep us diligent or vigilant or whatever we need to do to keep it off.
In 2002 I lost 72 pounds and put it back plus 18 additional.
I didn’t get it. The whole time I was losing I was thinking, “When this is over, I can’t wait to go back to normal.”
Thing is, we have to find a new normal.
Losing the weight is the easy part. Ahem, cough, cough–it isn’t easy!
Keeping it off for life–that’s what scares me. It’s a mental thing, and I think about it every single day of my journey. That is the scary part to me. That is the part I have to train my brain for.
I have seen a little about Kirstie in the blog-world, but I haven’t paid much attention. Everyone struggles, and I guess I’d rather read “real folks'” journeys.
In 2002 I lost 72 pounds and put it back plus 18 additional.
I didn’t get it. The whole time I was losing I was thinking, “When this is over, I can’t wait to go back to normal.”
Thing is, we have to find a new normal.
Losing the weight is the easy part. Ahem, cough, cough–it isn’t easy!
Keeping it off for life–that’s what scares me. It’s a mental thing, and I think about it every single day of my journey. That is the scary part to me. That is the part I have to train my brain for.
I have seen a little about Kirstie in the blog-world, but I haven’t paid much attention. Everyone struggles, and I guess I’d rather read “real folks'” journeys.
I feel you!
My big thing right now is that I’m scared to eat more than my minimum calories and not go to the gym, for the fear that I’ll start gaining weight again right off the bat. If someone who has everything handed to her, from the food to the workouts, can’t do it, how can I?
I try to remind myself that I earned it, but it’s easier said than done.
I’m feeling like you in that I feel both sympathy and irritation with Kirstie. I don’t think she’s got any idea that losing it and keeping it off means lifestyle change! She said she’s been researching for the last year and a half to develop her own weight loss line. Just what the world needs, more “diet” food.
I wish her the best, of course, but losing it fast usually does not mean it’s for keeps. I live that same fear that if I slack up for too long I’ll gain it all back. And I’m not even finished losing it all yet.
Love your blog, btw!
I’m feeling like you in that I feel both sympathy and irritation with Kirstie. I don’t think she’s got any idea that losing it and keeping it off means lifestyle change! She said she’s been researching for the last year and a half to develop her own weight loss line. Just what the world needs, more “diet” food.
I wish her the best, of course, but losing it fast usually does not mean it’s for keeps. I live that same fear that if I slack up for too long I’ll gain it all back. And I’m not even finished losing it all yet.
Love your blog, btw!
I think the things that you have that she doesn’t are:
-she thinks she was “done” losing weight -you keep setting new goals
-she lost weight by eating only packaged overly processed food -you lost weight by eating healthier whole foods and working out, and in that process you realized that the healthier foods taste better in most cases. Now you may have a treat here or there but the next day you make your oats and go workout. The only danger is putting back all the treats, which can be tempting but will leave you feeling sluggish and slow.
-the last time I was on weight watchers I did the same thing she did, I lost weight fast and then went back to normal, this time I think of it differently, sure I may only lose 3-8 pounds a month but it’s long term thinking.
Hi there,
I’ve just stumbled across your site and am so inspired within just the first two minutes! I think your weight loss philosophy is right on point. Balance, nutritious, real food, no artificial stuff… I’ve just recently started a food addiction/weight loss group in my town here north of Seattle and we’re also blogging, I’m going to post all the links to your sites here. I think they are FABULOUS! I also love your What I’m Eating blog, it’s helpful to see the trends and choices of someone who is balanced and successful in their approach. I’ve got a hundred pounds to lose and feel ready to really do it the right way, the only way that will actually work. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to be so diligent with this! It’s so inspiring! : )
Very wise words, Lori. I think you are definitely healthy for life now though – you said it before and you’ve said it again, it’s all about a lifestyle change and not a “diet.”
Thanks for sharing.
Yes, yes and YES! The fear of regaining is always there. I rather feel like however you chose to lose weight, do so in a way you can live with forever. Not bashing Jenny Craig, but I kind of wonder that if you don’t plan to eat her food for the rest of your life, you may very well be in trouble. Weight loss means changing many things permanently!