Giving Up Is Not An Option

Giving Up Is Not An Option

By Amy Parham

Those of you who watch The Biggest Loser may get the impression that the contestants’ experience is so much easier than it actually is.  Think about it.  You see only two hours once a week of what took days to film.  You can’t feel what is going through the television, so the producers try their best to show the highlights of the contestants’ struggles and triumphs.

If you think that the ranch is a magical fairyland of weight loss, you are very wrong.  There are no hidden secrets that cause these people to lose dramatic amounts of weight.  The results that you see on that show are because of large amounts of exercise and relearning how to eat only healthy foods.  It’s a process of detoxing the body from processed foods and sugars.  It is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding.  And for most of us, it’s the hardest thing we’ve ever done.

I say all of this, believe it or not, to encourage you.  If you’re having a difficult time in this journey, it’s a sign that you’re on the right track.  If you’re pushing yourself outside your comfort zone…good!  If you have days where you struggle emotionally…great!  This means you are in the middle of the battle instead of watching it from the sidelines.

Nothing worthwhile in life is without struggle.  Just ask mothers if the road to childbirth is easy.  One cannot imagine (unless you’ve been there) how painful it is to have a baby, but that same pain produces a miraculous life.  Ask the players in the Super Bowl if the road to that game was an easy one.  I’m sure they’ll laugh in your face.  Ask presidential candidates if the road to the White House is easy.  A year of nonstop travel, speeches, and fund-raising?  What do you think?

If you’re finding the road to health difficult, then that just proves great things are on the horizon.  Never give up because something is hard.  Keep going until you reach your goal, because that is your reward.  Many people give up right when their breakthrough is about to come.  If you think you’ve hit a plateau in your weight, keep eating right.  If you can’t see any results in your fitness work, don’t quit.  If you don’t think you can get through the next few days, tell yourself otherwise.  Don’t give up on your dream.  You’ve come too far!

Mini-Challenge of the Day

If you feel yourself on the verge of giving up your weight-loss challenge, make a phone call to someone who is fully supportive of your adventure.  Tell this person you need some encouragement.  Don’t be afraid of being vulnerable or embarrassed.  We all need a cheerleader when we face tough challenges.

Tip of the Day

Hummus is a great dip with vegetables.  Hummus is made out of chickpeas, tahini, and lemon juice.  It’s affordable and delicious with carrot sticks, celery sticks, or red pepper slices.

Until tomorrow, be blessed!

Remember to DREAM!

Taken from “The 90-Day Fitness Challenge” by Phil and Amy Parham, former contestants on “The Biggest Loser.”