I Don’t Live on a Ranch by Lori Harlan

I am really looking forward to watching the Biggest Loser tonight and it started me thinking about the many obstacles faced during my own 12 week Challenge. Would I have been more successful if I was given the opportunity to go away to the ranch, instead of working the Challenge into my everyday life ?

The first thing I thought of is the poor planning of the timeframe of the Challenge. Who in their right mind would start a challenge that would include Halloween, a six day vacation to Disney World, Thanksgiving and then culminate the week of Christmas?!!! Somebody was not paying attention during that meeting! The reality of it is, life happens 24/7 and there is never a “perfect” time to start life changing habits. Or is there? We can pick out any time of the year and say it’s not a good time for us because of work, stress, vacations, holidays, ect . Actually, anytime to change your life and make it healthier and more vital is a perfect time! Yet , how I wish I just had a break to go to the ranch…

On the Biggest Loser, the contestants are given the opportunity to leave all the challenges of the “real” world and focus just on themselves, probably for the first time in their lives. They get a personal trainer, personal chef, therapist and support of other people going through the exact same challenges as them. What a gift. What an opportunity. We all know that is not what we have to deal with. I have to work my 2 training sessions in during my lunch break of a 10 hour day and then figure out how to get 4 twenty minute cardio sessions in a week. Sorry Ian, one or two is about all I’ve been able to muster. There are endless invites to join friends at Chili’s for a drink and some nachos and I’ve indulged in a few of those. We won’t even discuss my hormonal cravings and chocolate addiction that forces my daughter to hide her Halloween stash in a different place every few days after I’ve tracked it down with the keenness of a bloodhound on a fresh trail.

After much reflection, I have decided I have been given a great gift and opportunity too with this Challenge. Personal training has helped in many more ways than I could have imagined. Aside from becoming a stronger, healthier and more competitive person, it has made me realize this is a permanent change. Not for just 12 weeks, not just to fit in the dress for my sister’s wedding (which I had to have taken in 3 times!), not just till next swim suit season. Ian and his team of awesome trainers at Facts Fitness have made me realize this is something I can and want to do for me all the time. That I can see small gradual changes that will make a huge impact on my health and the quality of my life in my future. That every workout is a new opportunity to improve myself. That I didn’t have to go to the ranch after all.

~Lori