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Biggest Losers and Winners

10 Feb
photo courtesy of NBC

photo courtesy of NBC

Last week, NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” crowned the winner of its 15th season, Rachel Frederickson. Congrats, Rachel! Along with your $250,000 payout, you also win: criticism!

Rachel, who is 24 years old, dropped an astounding 155 pounds from her 5-foot-4 frame to weigh in at 105 pounds. When she was announced the winner, Rachel was met with this reaction by the trainers.

*I wouldn’t call her weight-loss disturbing (unless I had other information), but I’ll get to that later

You’d expect those faces from upset competitors, not the people who were helping you along the way.

Had Rachel lost too much weight?

The reactions were semi-justified. When Rachel left the competition, she was 150 pounds. She returned after dropping another 45 pounds, therefore losing 60% of her body weight for the show. To put that in perspective, past winners have dropped an average of 48.6%.

I have my own issues with the format for “The Biggest Loser.” I appreciate any venue that allows people to address health issues. I’d appreciate them even more if they were addressed an a healthy manner. The show isn’t practical, as most reality competitions aren’t. We don’t all lip sync for our lives or design dresses out of garbage to get a leg up in life. “The Biggest Loser” takes people’s health issues and makes a game out of it, which I find unnerving. It is unrealistic for Jane Shmo to expect to drop that amount of weight in such a short period of time without causing serious damage to herself.

The other problem I have with the show is that the feats performed by the contestants aren’t sustainable. No one works out for eight to 10 hours a day and survives on kale smoothies. People have jobs, kids, mortgages and other responsibilities. It is highly unlikely for even the above average person to sustain workouts of that intensity coupled with diets so low-cal that rabbits gawk.

Which brings me back to Rachel. I applaud her efforts. She’s a young woman who wanted to get her life back on track, starting with her weight. She said she’d been stress eating after a bad breakup (I can relate) and joined the show to get a fresh start. Kudos to her.

But Rachel is damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t. Society has judged her for being overweight. Society has judged her for taking her struggle public on a reality show. Then society has decided to add a little more judgement because now she may have lost too much weight.

If you’re concerned with BMI results, then she’s slightly underweight. But that’s all relative. BMI doesn’t take into account muscle mass, water weight and activity level. It’s just a guideline.

When she appeared on the “Today” show to discuss her results, she was greeted with low-ball questions, none addressing her the criticism she’s received for her drastic weight loss. But is that necessary?

I don’t want to shame her results because that would make me a hypocrite. She was a swimmer in her youth, so she had an athletic background that helped her along the way. I am, however, curious as to what motivated her to go so far. What was it that pushed her to this level? Where did she find the time to do it?

Like many of you, I get a bad case of the I-don’t-wannas and have to find my motivation wherever I can. Rachel found hers within the show, but she took it to a heightened level, and that scares me sometimes. I don’t want to get so focused by my goals—be they weight, career, love life, etc.—that it makes me obsessed.

I hope that if she’s happy with the way she looks, she uses healthy measures to maintain it. Maintenance is the absolute hardest part of this process and it is the true test of will. I trust that you all will find the point that makes you happiest and keep up the good work to stay there.

BTWs: There has also been talk of whether Rachel had a little extra help to reach this point. Anything’s possible, but I don’t think so. She still has a little arm waddle when she waves. I just think she got super-focused on losing even more weight that she might not have seen where she was going.

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Tuning Out

27 Jan
Once these go in, the world is shut out.

Once these go in, the world is shut out.

Do you remember a few years ago when Jay-Z and Linkin Park released “Numb/Encore?” It had been a while since we’d heard such a perfect melding of rap and rock music. To this day when that song plays, it gets me amped up and motivated.

That happened again last night when Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons took the stage at the Grammys. Their performance was one of the highlights of an otherwise long, dry and predictable show. Post-performance I tweeted, “I’m glad I recorded Kendrick and Imagine Dragons, because I’m watching it again.” What I really want is to add the song to my workout playlist.

 

A good playlist or album can be what makes or breaks your workout routine. You want a good mix of songs. Every song shouldn’t have beats as fast as “Bombs Over Baghdad.” You’ll wear yourself out. But you do want good energy. The music should keep you moving.

There was an article in The Wall Street Journal last year in which a sports education professor said the musical “sweet spot” for an optimal workout is 125 to 140 beats per minute. To be honest, I don’t count beats per minute. But if that’s your thing, have fun. For me, the songs should be positive and have a quick energy.

Music has been a big part of my weight-loss journey. I get pissed when my Nano battery dies during the middle of a run. I can’t really deal with the music at the gym (too much ’80s rock). I work out best with what I like.

I mostly listen to hip hop and R&B when I work out. The beats are reliably funky and I can get lost in a groove. I’ll plan on a half-hour run and before I know it, I’m at the end of an album or playlist.

The first two songs are key for a good album or playlist. The first song has to have a strong enough beat to get you interested, but it doesn’t have to be the heavy hitter. That role belongs to the second song. The first song gets you moving, the second makes you work. I need my first two songs to drag the workout out of me.

I’ve found a few good albums that do this for me. Some of them are old, but they still do the trick, trust me.

Ciara, “The Evolution”—The first two songs are “That’s Right” and “Like a Boy.” “That’s Right” didn’t play that much on the radio, but when I first heard the song, all I could do was jump around my house. It’s got amazing energy. This is the album I play when I really don’t feel like working out because the energy of the first song is undeniable. Then “Like a Boy” comes on and I can’t be stopped.

T.I., “King”—When I began my weight-loss journey, this was one of the first albums I listened to at the gym. The first song, “King Back,” has a announcer’s intro for a boxer. So if you need to feel like you’re about take over, this is the album for you.

Beyonce Mix—Lately, Yonce has been in heavy rotation for me at the gym. I’ve got everything from “Crazy in Love” to “Partition” and it’s awesome. Beyonce knows how to keep you moving and motivated. My playlist is almost an hour and a half long, and I love every minute of it.

Imagine Dragons, “Night Visions”—As I said earlier, Imagine Drangons’ performance with Kendrick was amazeballs. The album is even more amazeballs. “Radioactive” is the first song to play and it’s got the perfect energy to get you started. As you get further into it, the songs slow down a smidge, so keep that in mind if you don’t like that sort of thing.

Honorable mentions go to:

Kanye West and Friends, “Good Music Cruel Summer”

Jay Z and Kanye West “Watch the Throne”

Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse”—When you’re in a class, you’re at the mercy of your instructor. My spin instructors love this song, and it’s grown on me. Don’t let Katy’s bizarre Grammy performance fool you. “Dark Horse” is a banger. I can’t say that for the album.

What’s on your playlists for a good workout? I’m taking suggestions.

photo credit: el patojo via photopin cc

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I’ma Be Your Motivation

16 Jan
someecards.com - I exercise just to make you feel bad about not exercising.

Hey, it’s a reason.

I talk a lot on this blog about the necessity of keeping up with your workout. I’ve also talked a lot about how I’m not perfect and my love of Goldfish crackers and comfy sofas make this hard, but I still persevere.

I do this to show that I did not wake up like dih. I am a flawed human being. I go through phases, like most people, where I’d rather sit and clear out my DVR or binge-watch “Breaking Bad” than go to the gym. Hell, it took me five hours from the time I got up this morning to start writing this post. You know what I did in the meantime: nada. I read a couple chapters of a book; I walked my dog; I watched “Dexter” on Netflix; I took a nap. None of those things, besides walking the dog, was something that needed to be done. I just didn’t feel like it.

And that’s a problem that you’ll face on your journey toward your goal. Some days, no matter what, you just won’t feel like it. Everything under the sun sounds more appealing than exercising. You know what’s more fun than spin class? Puppy cuddling. What’s more appealing than Zumba? Cookies and a “Game of Thrones” marathon.

So how do you get past the allure of being sedentary?

1. Just Go. Really, that’s the first step. It’s always the hardest, but it’s the most important. Not many people ever really want to go to the gym unless they’re being paid for it. If it’s not your job, then you have to find some other motivation. Even though I may have stayed up too late the night before or the dog was hacking all night, I’ll force myself out of bed and go to the gym. I tell myself that the 20 minutes I’m going to do on the elliptical are more than most people will do all day. Those 20 minutes can turn into 25. Then I hop on the stationary bike for 15 minutes, which turns into another 20. By then I’ve done 45 minutes. And since I can be a little OCD, I’ll do 15 minutes on the treadmill to make it a full hour. All that by just getting out of bed and going.

2. Plan Ahead. If you’ve already made your meals for the week, got your clothes set out and scheduled time, there’s little in your way to keep you from doing your workout. Sometimes we need a little structure in our lives. So if you can’t function without time limits, this is the step for you. Preparation is necessary in any weight-loss plan, anyway. You don’t go scuba diving without instructions. You don’t start a weight-loss plan without knowing what you’re getting into. Just prepare yourself, and you’re ready to stay on track.

3. Make It Quick. You don’t have to go hard to get in a good workout. I have some exercise DVDs at home that are only 30 minutes. That’s it: 30 minutes! What else are you doing today that you can’t take 30 minutes out of your day? Really, I’m asking. Some of you have kids and spouses and mortgages. I have none of that. I have a 12-year-old dog who sleeps all day in my apartment. It’s easy for me to take time out for a quick workout. Out of the 24 hours in the day, is every minute of them accounted for? If not, try to consolidate about 30 to do something good for yourself.

4. Reward Yourself. I think this comes from childhood, but I sometimes feel I don’t deserve treats until my chores are done. For example: I can’t leave to meet friends until my home is straightened up. I don’t get dessert until the dishes are in the dishwasher. I haven’t earned that new dress until spin class is over. For me, it’s about earning points for a treat. So what do you do to treat yourself? Maybe you want the 10-minute massage after your mani-pedi. Well, you’ve got to earn it.

5. Take Pride in Doing Something Others Aren’t. I know this is bad, but it helps keep me motivated. When I leave the gym and have to go to the grocery store, there’s a little bit of pride that comes with my sweat stains. That pride comes from knowing I look awful, but I look awful for a reason. There are people at the store who look bad because it’s Tuesday. You’ve earned your worn-out look. Wear that badge with pride.

6. Vision/Pinterest Board It. What’s the light at the end of your tunnel? A good way to stick with any plan is to have a set of goals to achieve. If you plan on being beach-ready by summer, the best time to start is now. If you have a wedding in the fall, remember that fittings start in the summer. Put up pictures of what you want, be it a vacation in Nice or a destination wedding in St. Barths. Keep a reminder to yourself that you have a goal you need to achieve.

Women’s Health magazine compiled a list last year of a few things people need to do to stay on track. What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

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Just Keep Spinning

14 Jan
spin

It’s just a bike. It’s not gonna hurt you.

Do you remember when you got your first bike? I learned to ride on my brother’s old bike, which wasn’t very comfortable. But my dad ran behind me, holding on to the seat to keep me steady while I pedaled away. Then he let go and before I knew it he was calling from down the street, telling me to come back.

That was fun. That was almost 25 years ago. Once upon a time, bike riding was fun. Now I don’t do it anymore. But I still get somewhat of a thrill from the pedaling motion with my new workout obsession: spin class.

Let me tell you, I LOVE spin. It is some of the hardest work I’ve ever done, but I feel so fulfilled when it’s over. The classes I take are about 45 minutes long and you’re going hard from the time you start to the time you leave. I’ve had several instructors and have never been disappointed.

I started taking spin because I was getting into a rut with running. I still love to run, but the knee pain and need for something different had me looking for something else. I took my first spin class when I was living in Atlanta. The instructor would call out instructions like we were on the Tour de France. “You’ve almost caught that cyclist in front of you!” “We’re going down hill!” “Last climb of the ride!”

It was a little strange, but still fun. And I walked away dripping, which meant I’d done the right amount of work. I take classes now pretty regularly in New York. I go once or twice a week, usually on the weekends, now that it’s freezing here.

Spin helps me keep my leg muscles strong, especially during the winter months when I refuse to run outside. But one of the added benefits has been what it does for core strength. I have no abdominal muscle definition. When you’re cycling on the bike, you have to engage your core. You’re moving between three positions, sometimes at 15-second intervals. Your core is what keeps you from falling over, not the toe cages.

Another added benefit of spin is the music. I have great instructors with great taste in music. One class will have us spinning to the oldies, another will be all hip-hop. I find myself singing along, when I’m not struggling for breath. Plus, you’ll find yourself trying to spin to the beat.

If you’re thinking about a spin class, I suggest first going to see what the studio looks like. You don’t want to be too crowded…unless you like other people’s sweat dripping on you. Also, you’ll be stretching and sometimes getting off the bike. You need room so as not to step on your fellow spinners.

Some people bring special shoes to spin, but I just use old running shoes. The special shoes are for people who are regular cyclists, not just spinners. There are some bikes set up for the special shoes, so have at it if that’s you.

The classes I go to are short, but the time still flies by. You’re in constant motion from the time you set up your bike. It’s encouraged to not stop until the end of class. It’s harder to catch back up. Before class starts, you’ll see people idly spinning away at the lowest level just to warm up.

Don’t let gymtimidation stop you from taking a spin class. It can seem daunting, but every new workout is daunting. Few people are perfect at it, especially at the beginning. Just keep spinning and you’ll get the hang of it.

photo credit: Riviera Fitness/French Riviera via photopin cc

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I Did It: Aerials

10 Jan

arial_7“I Did It” is a feature on I’m Skinny, Now What? where I will tackle a new workout or diet and give you my opinion. Wish me luck, because I don’t like changing my routine.

So this is the story all about how my life got twist-turned upside down. Literally.

I like a little bit of thrill in my life. I love roller coasters and water slides. I love that ride at the amusement park that where it slowly takes you all the way up only to drop you. I even did an “I Did It” last fall for the sole purpose of flying through the air.

So when my friend and co-worker, Willa, asked me to join her and another friend, Kim, in an Amazon Deal for an aerials class, I didn’t hesitate.

What I Learned

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As I expected, aerials was so much fun…and so much work. Your body is the only resistance you have. If you’re like me and haven’t done much resistance training, it will be difficult. I was fortunate enough to have an amazing instructor.

Meet Kiebpoli. She is possibly the most patient person alive. Several of the women in my first class had done aerials before. They were climbing up the ropes and silks with complete ease. They looked amazing as they’d tie themselves up in knots only to roll out of it a couple feet above ground.

We were all there to learn something different. I was there to just learn the basics, which included climbs and inverts. As someone who doesn’t spend most of her time upside down, the thought of doing it was slightly daunting. Seeing is one thing; doing is another.

I was able to do the warm-ups, which involved me dead-hanging from the silks and lifting my knees to my chest. Yay, me!

Inverts were another story. To do that, I had to hold onto the silks and flip backward into a spread eagle. I’ve never been able to do a jumping spread eagle, even when I was a dancer. I always blamed my sizable posterior for this. Then I met people with bigger butts than mine who could rival the girls in cheerleading competitions. Welp. Suffice to say, after a several attempts, it was on to something else.

The sequence I enjoyed the most involved the hammock (a knot tied near the bottom of the silks). You don’t sit in the hammock but lean your hips into it and flip backward with your legs spread, toes pointed. From there you can do all kinds of poses. That one, I got the hang of.

In my second class, Kiebpoli showed me how to do more with the hammock invert. I was able to knot myself in the silks and sit up into a spread eagle. That was a lot of fun.

Because my phone was acting a donkey, I was only able to get photos and video of my first class. Below you’ll see my friend Kim, who’s been doing aerials for more than a year now, taking instruction from Kiebpoli on a new sequence.

Verdict

I absolutely recommend this. There’s a beauty in the artistry when a sequence is completed. Prepare for achy muscles, though. My shoulders and upper arms were sore for a few days after the first class. The second class, though didn’t cause as much discomfort. But epsom salt baths will become your new best friend.

If you’re in New York, you can take one of the several classes Kiebpoli teaches each week. I know I’m going back to work on my climbs and standing inverts.

Editor’s note: I fixed the spelling of aerials throughout.

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