I was just thinking that there has to be a better way to approach and write about a public figure on their weight loss journey. I was reading the Bret Baier article in the Washington Post on Friday and was just struck by the way he talked about how he decided and how he told his wife and assistant to keep it secret; and it's only been 3 months and a 45 lb loss so far. Now for sure this is quick (gluten free and "Eat Right for your Type"), he is a man, though and highly noticeable but there just has to be a better way to continue the journey and gracefully say, "Come back and talk to me in a year." I read a great post by Barbara at Refuse to Regain about two months ago discussing Governor Mike Huckabee and how she was flipping channels during the Republican Convention and saw him being interviewed on FOX and she noticed that he had appeared to have gained his weight back. She goes on to talk about his motivation and weight loss in 2003 and then an article in the Washington Post last February whereas the author observes the Governor basically stuffing his face and indicating that he had written a book about weight loss and should be more responsible...I loved how Barbara summed it up: "I'd say he's acting like someone with an addiction. An addiction that has re-established itself. " This is why I think I cringed when I was reading the article about Baier--although he is not a politician--he does live his life in the public eye on FOX. I just feel that there has to be a better way and maybe public people would also benefit from research about behavior while maintaining or going to talk to someone; everyone is different. I think about my own journey(s); I think I am now on my 99th (an exaggeration) attempt at losing weight and keeping it off. You get to a certain point and others get inquisitive and you want to appear gracious and answer their questions---then the next thing you know, all eyes are on you, the pressure gets insurmountable and the pounds are coming back. Insert whatever you want between those commas but it's all the same, for sure. For me I am working on this one day at a time. My colleagues are just starting to notice, I have currently lost 42 lbs since November 2011. I graciously answer their questions but at this time I don't offer anything else. They know I also started running last year and just completed my 2nd half-marathon, but at this time I am not offering more. I realized that it may have been me saying too much that brings on all the attention and so on, and so forth. I am being very conscious and aware; if a comment is made, I am grateful and say thank you; if a question is asked, I answer it, nothing more. If more is asked of me, I indicate that I am on a journey and maybe I will share some things eventually. People seem content with that answer and they have to be, because this is all I am able to give at this time. We all should write a weight loss autobiography. I am in the process of rewriting mine due to a mishap with a flashdrive a few weeks ago--so into the cloud I go. A weight loss autobiography, I feel, helps with the events and when we gain back the weight. I think we all are treated like a public figures when we lose weight and we have to learn to develop a maintainer's attitude. Feel free to leave the me the "Cliffs Notes" or "Sparknotes" of your weight loss autobiography.
We will all get through this, together!!!
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