I was going to do this post a few weeks ago, but needed time to think about it. (Slash I needed this awesome SNOW DAY to relax and write! Thank you all very much for doing your snow dances I requested in yesterday’s post!)
This post has been edited several times, and the product is pretty lengthy, just to warn you all.
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| Original Photo Source |
I would like to start out by saying that I don’t intend to insult anyone participating in this particular program (or any weight loss contest), and not necessarily even insult the organization promoting it. I just disagree with it. I don’t intend to step on any toes with this post, however it’s challenging to share opinions without rubbing at least one person the wrong way.
I’m a dietetics major, in case you hadn’t heard. Or seen all of my annoying tweets of food we get to make in my nutrition lab. Seriously, I LOVE the fact that I get a credit for making, eating and experimenting with FOOD!
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| Salads day! |
Since I am a dietetics major and I learn about nutrition all the time in class (not to mention on my own time), it’s safe to say that I know the real definition of the word “diet.” I think everyone does, really, right? Your diet is the food that you eat.
I think this is part of the reason that when I expressed concern to a certain fitness community that is prevalent online about a certain “diet challenge,” I was a little annoyed that I was responded to with the definition of the word, “diet.”
The definition of the word in no way bothers me, it was the use of the word when in the phrase “diet bet” that bothered me. Because in that sense it doesn’t mean “the food that a person consumes.” It means “I bet money I can go on a diet and lose weight.” The fact that I was responded to with the definition of the word and not its true contextual meaning made me even more uneasy about the contest. As though they were trying to hide something.
That is what the bet is about after all, losing weight. Not changing certain aspects of the diet in order to make healthy, positive life changes. It’s about losing a percentage of your weight so that you can win money.
Besides the fact that not everyone needs to or should focus on the numbers on a scale, there are many issues that I have with weight loss competitions.
First of all, weight needs to be lost slowly. Only one to two pounds PER WEEK is recommended. Why? Because weight loss messes with your metabolism, so this process needs to be done slowly. Just as it’s definitely not healthy to gain a bunch of weight quickly, it’s not healthy to lose it quickly. This particular competition is only a 4 week competition, so weight loss should only be 4-8 pounds max.
Secondly, this program is not customized to each individual, like a weight loss program should be. Since it’s not customized to each individual, methods of weight loss could potentially be unsafe. If you were honestly trying to win hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars by losing weight, wouldn’t you try everything possible to win? Not that all participants are behaving in this manner…but it seems like this would be a very likely scenario.
Thirdly if the participants are just “going on a diet” or working out vigorously and NOT making small and gradual changes in their lifestyle, the weight is more likely to come back on…with a few extra pounds to boot. How frustrating is it to try so hard for something and end up having it backfire on you? My heart hurts for these poor people!
Let me go into the metabolism issue a little (again, I’m only a student, but certain nutrition principals have been drilled into our heads). Say you are used to consuming 2000 kcals (food calories) per day. Your body is used to that amount of energy and is operating at a certain metabolic rate, we will call it “average metabolism.” If you cut those calories too drastically, say to 1000 kcals, yes you will initially lose weight since your body will convert your fat to energy.
That whole “calories consumed minus calories spent” deal will temporarily work towards your favor while your body uses up the extra available energy in your body.
This does not just mean that all your belly fat burns off, sorry, it’s a little more complicated than that. Some fat will burn off but your body will also use other sources of energy..such as proteins from your muscles and liver. Not so healthy, right?
The thing about the drastic calorie cut is, our bodies are incredibly adaptable. This means that your body will adapt to the new calorie intake of 1000 kcals and your metabolism will fall to “below average” since it cannot fuel its processes properly on the new, lower calorie intake. Weight loss will halt or come to a “plateau” and the person trying to lose weight will probably become frustrated and fall back into old habits. Back to square one.
The maximum amount of food calories to be cut out per day if a person needs to lose weight is 200 kcalories.
I know we want it to be all about calories in versus calories out, but like I said, it is more complicated than that. This is why there are Registered Dieticians and other professionals who are trained and who study this process for a living out there to help those trying to lose weight.
I did check this particular contest site out, just to make sure I wasn’t making unfair assumptions, and was disturbed even further by some of the comments left by participants. Some were calling themselves “disgusting” and just all around using negative self-talk as motivation to “fix” their bodies.
I really think that in order to change or improve ourselves, we first need to love ourselves. Negativity and name-calling is not a healthy way to achieve your best body.
If you are struggling with this yourself, please join the Love Challenge. Basically it’s 21 days of committing to loving yourself and/or others. Each day you make an effort to love the way you look, your brain, your personality or whatever you can think of that you love about yourself.
After you get the mental part right, try setting some positive, concrete goals that you believe you can achieve.
Some examples include:
- I will up my vegetable intake to three servings a day by the end of this month.
- I will go to the gym three days a week for the next three weeks.
- I will make an effort to sleep 8 hours on most nights this week.
- I will run a 5K race in two months.
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| Love your woman muscles! And your dorky self-photo taking self! |
To sum up my thoughts, I feel like these kinds of things aren’t properly regulated and the participants aren’t given enough information to make healthy lifestyle choices when the only goal is weight loss in a short time period. In the case of this particular contest, it seems more about the hype and getting attention/followers.
I am not a big believer in using weight loss as a goal, but some people may need to lose the weight simply to alter their risk for chronic diseases. In this case, if your weight loss needs are over 30 pounds, I would highly recommend seeking help from a professional.
Otherwise, tread with caution when entering any weight loss contest. The goal should be to get healthier for life, not just to win in the short term.
Please share your thoughts on this! I’d love to get a good discussion going here!
I’m also linking a couple of posts:
- A post Lindsay from Lindsay’s List did on the thoughts behind her diet changes that aren’t weight related: Healing the Gut
- A post that describes the thought process behind the way I eat so perfectly I swear she stole it right from my brain: Weight Loss: The Thoughts Behind
- I don’t normally even read Kath’s blog, one of those ones I stopped reading out of sheer jealousy that she can post a picture and a sentence and get 100 comments, but I might start it up again after seeing this post.
this post nails it. I kept reading and shaking my head at how well you put this. Thanks for sharing this
Thanks for the kind words!
this post nails it. I kept reading and shaking my head at how well you put this. Thanks for sharing this
I very much dislike diet challenges. I do think that they can kick start people in the right direction – but many of them are to sell a product or offer incentives (like $$) that have nothing to do with maintaining a healthy life style. As a person who went from an obese smoker to a fit triathlete, I have been approached by several peddlers of products wanting me to try them and sell them too. It makes me sad and a little bit mad! There is NO quick fix. You hit it right when you said that healthy, lasting weight loss is only done gradually and through moderation of ones “diet.” Keep up the good posting!
I agree with the kick starting thing. As long as people are making permanent, positive changes, I’m all for it!
You are so amazing for what you have accomplished, friend! <3
I very much dislike diet challenges. I do think that they can kick start people in the right direction – but many of them are to sell a product or offer incentives (like $$) that have nothing to do with maintaining a healthy life style. As a person who went from an obese smoker to a fit triathlete, I have been approached by several peddlers of products wanting me to try them and sell them too. It makes me sad and a little bit mad! There is NO quick fix. You hit it right when you said that healthy, lasting weight loss is only done gradually and through moderation of ones “diet.” Keep up the good posting!
You do such a great job of explaining what happens to your metabolism when you cut too many calories a day. I’ve heard the concept of course, but never the reasoning behind it and especially never put so simply.
Weight loss competitions are good and bad to me. To some, the kickstart lifestyle changes, to others they are just a quick fix and no changes in lifestyle are made. I especially disagree with them for the reasons you explain with metabolism and losing weight too fast. Definitely nothing healthy about that at all…
Great post!
Thanks Maria! I like to think of things simply…it will help me later on when explaining to clients that don’t necessarily know the science behind nutrition and metabolism. The majority of people don’t understand this principle on ANY level!
You do such a great job of explaining what happens to your metabolism when you cut too many calories a day. I’ve heard the concept of course, but never the reasoning behind it and especially never put so simply.
Weight loss competitions are good and bad to me. To some, the kickstart lifestyle changes, to others they are just a quick fix and no changes in lifestyle are made. I especially disagree with them for the reasons you explain with metabolism and losing weight too fast. Definitely nothing healthy about that at all…
Great post!
Girl, I freaking LOVE you and am so proud of you for this post. I think you really hit it on the head with this one!
Additionally, the ironic thing is that I believe the contest ended recently and so far, I’ve only heard people say they didn’t meet their goal, SO it’s not like it’s a method that’s working anyway! (Not that that would change anything but I still found it interesting to note.)
It makes me so sad that people didn’t meet their goals. I seriously hope people aren’t discouraged from this!!
And THANK YOU for being so supportive! <3
I hadn’t heard anybody mention they didn’t meet their goals, but I noticed those who I read that had signed up for it never did a follow up post … so I’m guessing they didn’t meet their goals.
I like the idea of doing a challenge together, but maybe modified. If you really do need to lose weight, then maybe try setting a weekly goal that’s appropriate for you, and gain points for each time you hit that vs. others hitting their personal weekly goal. I kind of did this method in college with high school boyfriend when he gained 40 lbs (!!!) in a semester as a college freshman (I’d gained 10ish when he came to college). We both hit our goals within a 3-4 months by making SMALL changes (not tracking anything) and cutting out the crap, hitting the gym 5-6 x a week.
I do agree about motivating others, but some of the comments I found were just negative.
And YES on making small changes and working over a period of time! 4 weeks does not seem nearly enough for the typical busy American. Seems like high possibility for crash diets and discouragement in the end. 🙁
Girl, I freaking LOVE you and am so proud of you for this post. I think you really hit it on the head with this one!
Additionally, the ironic thing is that I believe the contest ended recently and so far, I’ve only heard people say they didn’t meet their goal, SO it’s not like it’s a method that’s working anyway! (Not that that would change anything but I still found it interesting to note.)
Thanks for the kind words!
I agree with the kick starting thing. As long as people are making permanent, positive changes, I’m all for it!
You are so amazing for what you have accomplished, friend! <3
Thanks Maria! I like to think of things simply…it will help me later on when explaining to clients that don’t necessarily know the science behind nutrition and metabolism. The majority of people don’t understand this principle on ANY level!
It makes me so sad that people didn’t meet their goals. I seriously hope people aren’t discouraged from this!!
And THANK YOU for being so supportive! <3
I love everything about this post. Great points, and you basically hit everything that I would have talked about if I had time to write this … or get angry about the stupid diet bet thing. But I don’t. I do, however, have time to read your blog.
Happy weekend. <3
Haha thus I posted this a month after my twitter convo with that certain fitness group. 😉 I made time for it….over the span of the past 3 weeks when I started this post lol!
Thanks for taking time to read my blog friend!! <3
I love everything about this post. Great points, and you basically hit everything that I would have talked about if I had time to write this … or get angry about the stupid diet bet thing. But I don’t. I do, however, have time to read your blog.
Happy weekend. <3
I hadn’t heard anybody mention they didn’t meet their goals, but I noticed those who I read that had signed up for it never did a follow up post … so I’m guessing they didn’t meet their goals.
I like the idea of doing a challenge together, but maybe modified. If you really do need to lose weight, then maybe try setting a weekly goal that’s appropriate for you, and gain points for each time you hit that vs. others hitting their personal weekly goal. I kind of did this method in college with high school boyfriend when he gained 40 lbs (!!!) in a semester as a college freshman (I’d gained 10ish when he came to college). We both hit our goals within a 3-4 months by making SMALL changes (not tracking anything) and cutting out the crap, hitting the gym 5-6 x a week.
Haha thus I posted this a month after my twitter convo with that certain fitness group. 😉 I made time for it….over the span of the past 3 weeks when I started this post lol!
Thanks for taking time to read my blog friend!! <3
I do agree about motivating others, but some of the comments I found were just negative.
And YES on making small changes and working over a period of time! 4 weeks does not seem nearly enough for the typical busy American. Seems like high possibility for crash diets and discouragement in the end. 🙁
I’m so excited you finally finished this post up! I saw your convo on Twitter whenever that was and was excited to see your whole reaction to it.
I agree, it doesn’t seem to be the healthy way to go about it at all. The whole program just seemed … odd to me.
I hate that people may have used it to fuel more self-hate though. Even if others think that they’re okay, if they see someone else refer to themselves as disgusting, it might make them think that they should think they’re disgusting, too. Does that make sense? Haha.
Anyway. Great post!
P.S. I did see one person who won. She was going to use what she won to start another diet bet. Not sure how I feel about that? Dangerous weight loss leading to more?
Sorry for the longest comment ever.
First of all, I welcome large comments! I definitely wanted to hear what other people thought!
I completely agree that sometimes negative body-talk might make other people turn on themselves too! Not good!
It’s good to know it wasn’t just me who got the weird vibe from this!
I’m so excited you finally finished this post up! I saw your convo on Twitter whenever that was and was excited to see your whole reaction to it.
I agree, it doesn’t seem to be the healthy way to go about it at all. The whole program just seemed … odd to me.
I hate that people may have used it to fuel more self-hate though. Even if others think that they’re okay, if they see someone else refer to themselves as disgusting, it might make them think that they should think they’re disgusting, too. Does that make sense? Haha.
Anyway. Great post!
P.S. I did see one person who won. She was going to use what she won to start another diet bet. Not sure how I feel about that? Dangerous weight loss leading to more?
Sorry for the longest comment ever.
First of all, I welcome large comments! I definitely wanted to hear what other people thought!
I completely agree that sometimes negative body-talk might make other people turn on themselves too! Not good!
It’s good to know it wasn’t just me who got the weird vibe from this!
This is an amazing post. You spoke clearly, and with very honest, fact-based opinions, without stepping on anyone’s toes. I agree a lot with everything you have to say. Yes, I watch Biggest Loser, and I enjoy the idea of competition, but for some reason that doesn’t seem ‘real.’ [I also think that many of those contestants so find true emotional breakthroughs on that show.]
Making a lifestyle change is so much better than just focusing on a number. As someone who just recently admitted to my secret calorie counting addiction, I know how tempting a numbers game can be. But it is NOT all about a number. And every calorie is not equal.
Thank you Sarah! I also know calorie counting can be addicting…I’ve had to track calories for a couple of classes at school and would continue for a week or so past the point I actually needed to. Daily calorie counting can get dangerous…I’d say a weekly check-in of a normal day’s eats is more helpful. 🙂
This is an amazing post. You spoke clearly, and with very honest, fact-based opinions, without stepping on anyone’s toes. I agree a lot with everything you have to say. Yes, I watch Biggest Loser, and I enjoy the idea of competition, but for some reason that doesn’t seem ‘real.’ [I also think that many of those contestants so find true emotional breakthroughs on that show.]
Making a lifestyle change is so much better than just focusing on a number. As someone who just recently admitted to my secret calorie counting addiction, I know how tempting a numbers game can be. But it is NOT all about a number. And every calorie is not equal.
Thank you Sarah! I also know calorie counting can be addicting…I’ve had to track calories for a couple of classes at school and would continue for a week or so past the point I actually needed to. Daily calorie counting can get dangerous…I’d say a weekly check-in of a normal day’s eats is more helpful. 🙂