SO WHERE ARE THEY NOW...??

If you think permanent weight loss is an easy thing, statistically, it is nearly impossible.  Did you know that The National Institute of Health estimates that dieters will regain two-thirds of their lost weight within a year of completing their diet plan?  These same dieters are likely to gain all the weight back plus more within five years.  Still not convinced??  Well let's examine some high-profile cases.


No weight-loss show has gotten more attention in the last decade than The Biggest Loser.  With eleven seasons under their belt, this show continues to dominate even with the huge influx of new diet and health reality shows. While I've always found the contestants inspiring, I've at the same time questioned the authenticity of a show that boasts of one-hundred pound weight losses in as little as twelve weeks.  


I was prompted to do some digging.  I went all the way back to season one's winner, Ryan Benson.  Turns out, he gained back all of the 122 pounds he lost on the show.  He blames himself, citing a new job and the birth of his twin daughters for why he gained his weight back.  What!  You mean life happened!?  It's hard to imagine anyone not being able to lose weight if kept in the microcosm that is The Biggest Loser ranch.  Turns out Ryan is in good company.  Season three contestant, Kai Hibbard was anything but shy when it came time to discuss the seventy plus pounds she gained back.  She makes claims that the show pressured contestants to exercise even when severely injured, to diet by dehydration, and to ignore the advice of nutritionists.  She says the show promotes unrealistic, unhealthy, and even dangerous weight-loss practices.  Not all of the contestants have gained the weight back, but many have- a well kept secret that the show's producers would rather you not know.  I think we'd all be more impressed if the show platform was changed to, "The Biggest Maintainer."


So how about surgery?  That must be the answer, right??  Well does anyone remember Carnie Wilson's very public Gastric Bypass surgery aired live on the Internet?!  Carnie lost 152 pounds following that surgery, then gained seventy pounds during pregnancy, which she then lost after the birth of her daughter. But has anyone seen her lately?!?  She has gained all 152 pounds back plus some more. Apparently even reducing your stomach to the size of a walnut isn't enough to guarantee permanent weigh-loss.  American Idol judge Randy Jackson did a better job of keeping his post-surgery weight off, but he too admits to having gained a significant amount of pounds back.


Probably the most public example of a weight-loss struggle comes from America's sweetheart Oprah Winfrey.  No one has lost and gained weight in front of the camera more times than Oprah.  Watching her fail while having a personal trainer, dietitian, chef, access to the best medical help in the country and, well let's face it, enough money to buy anything or hire anybody she needs, begs the question of how can the average person keep the weight off if Oprah can't do it?!! That's a topic I'm hoping to explore in future posts.  


Not everyone, however, has been so forthcoming or honorable in their weight-loss discussions.  I smell a rat with Wynonna Judd who recently cited a 60 pound weight loss during her Oprah show appearance.  She looked like she was one exhale away from popping out of her too tight pants suit. Seriously, she couldn't even sit down.  When asked how she lost the weight, she said she started walking in the wilderness.  She has also told the media that she is losing weight though "brainwave optimization," a system whereby you discuss your issues while sensors placed on your skull map your brain activity and identify imbalances.  Take it from me, a few strolls in the woods and a brain map doesn't produce the kind of weight-loss Wynonna is claiming.  Nor do I believe that if you let lose the girdle inside her pants suit you would see a 60 pound weight loss.  Maybe 30, but I don't know about 60.  Perhaps it's the ridiculously fake red hair, the orange skin tone, and the clear indications that her and her mother have had a litany of plastic surgery, that makes me suspicious of her claims.


I experienced a similar disappointment when former American Idol contestant, Oscar winner, and now Weight Watchers representative, Jennifer Hudson refused to publicly reveal her weight loss number.  What's the big secret?!  If you want to promote a certain weight-loss program be prepared to discuss how many pounds you lost on it!!  When she finally did reveal the number on The Oprah Show, after much pleading from Oprah herself, Hudson made claims of an eighty pound loss thanks to Weight Watchers.  I have my doubts again.  I don't believe eighty was the number.  She never looked that big to begin with. Sorry Jennifer, a fatty can't fool another fatty!


Either way, I'm not here to judge anyone with a weight problem.  In no way am I attacking or putting down any of these celebrities for their struggles. Quite the contrary, I find their decision to go public with their problem both heroic and educational.  It goes to show that obesity is not a poor man's problem, or a loser's problem, but an every man's problem.


"Reality check.  You can never, ever, use weight loss to solve problems that are not related to your weight.  At your goal weight or not, you still have to live with yourself and deal with your problems. You will still have the same husband, the same job, the same kids, and the same life.  Losing weight is not a cure for life." -Dr. Phil McGraw