#7 - The Loser Letter

Today we’re talking about The Loser Letter. As Bernie watched the confetti drop on the recent Biggest Loser finale, he was filled with a complex mix of emotions. This inspired him to write a powerful open letter about all he’s learned in the eight years since his time on the Ranch.

His thoughtful advice is not only for his Biggest Loser Alumni - but for all us striving to live a healthier life and practice Body Kindness. For those who don’t know Bernie was the At-Home Winner of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, Season 5. His goal was to transform his life and get healthy, but if you know the show at all, you know the focus is on who can lose the most weight through extreme exercise and dieting. Bernie lost a lot of weight on the show, but also lost who he was in the process. He didn’t really become the healthy person he hoped, especially when he obsessed over excessive exercise and rigid food rules in the name of “health.”

If you’ve ever been through significant changes in your habits, weight loss or not, you may be able to relate to what Bernie went through in his personal life.

Here’s what we talked about...

• Bernie shared his Letter To My Fellow Losers. You can read the full transcript in the show notes here, and here’s a summary:
  • Take time to unpack. After the whirlwind of information and emotions on the show, Bernie strongly recommends finding a therapist or other professional to help you understand the full impact of your transformation and ensure your long-term success.
  • Out with the old, in with the new (sort of): Bernie suggests examining your environment and relationships to identify any changes needed in order to support your new lifestyle.
  • Redefine your definition of health. You’ve gone through an extreme experience - from your pre-weight loss life to an intense TV competition with strict diet and exercise regime. It’s time to decide what sustainable good health will look like for you now.
• I shared my thoughts about Bernie’s letter. I emphasised that The Biggest Loser is an entertainment show, and that the competition and gameplay can overshadow doing what it takes to truly get healthy from the inside out.
• We talked about inspiration. It is up to you to choose who and what inspires you, but the best inspiration comes from a place of love - you can’t hate yourself healthy.
• I challenged Bernie on his point about avoiding difficult “food occasions”. It’s natural to want to run from discomfort, but avoiding the party doesn’t solve the issue. The way to become the kind of person who says no cake when they don’t want to cake, is to practice being the person who says no to cake when they don’t want cake!
• This led us to our current book club selection, The Upside of Stress (you can read more here - http://bit.ly/1qSIjnY.). As Dr. McGonigal writes, stress is energy. Dealing with food pushers will create stress. If you choose to avoid the party, you’re not using the energy the stress gives you. If you go to the party and practice tolerating discomfort, the energy of stress can help you grow stronger.
• We wrapped up by talking about one of my favourite words… fear. You can choose what this word means to you: Face Everything And Recover, or F*** Everything And Run! Which one will you choose?
• For full show notes visit bodykindnessbook.com

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Nothing in this podcast is meant to provide medical diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Individuals should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice and answers to personal health questions.