Jenbar11 posted this message on the FIRM Believer's BBS December 13, 2002:
"For all of you from the infomercial that have posted this information, I just want to say thank you for posting about your continuing struggles ... I get SO focused on my end goals, I sometimes forget that the daily struggles I go through are the same ones that everyone else goes through, and that they don't end after we reach our goals. I have to say that I have not connected as strongly with the infomercial gang .. I admire you all, and I think you are all amazing and strong and fun, but since we are at different stages of the struggle, I guess I respond to you differently. I don't know if I am explaining that well or not, I don't mean it in a negative fashion in any way, but its like there are factions in the club ... those who are there and trying to stay there, and those who are getting there. Anyway, it helps to know that you are sharing in the same struggles, and that you guys are just as human as us. I'm not sure I communicated that very well, but thank you for telling us about your bad days as well as your good ones."
JEN I'm still tying to get there Too!!
An open introduction to all my Firm Brothers and Sisters:
Hello, My name is Tim and I've fought a weight problem for at least the last 15 years. I've starved, ran, ate carrot sticks and salads to the point I was thought I might grow a fuzzy bunny tail, but the pounds stayed with me.
My frustrations are real and exactly the same as anyone who has a weight problem!
I know the feeling of having someone who has never had a weight issue look with that, "My god how could you let yourself get like that," look on their face that they would never express verbally.
I struggle each and everyday with the same foods all Americans are so richly blessed with. I have concerns that my children will grow up without a daddy.
This is what I sent to the FIRM's website in request for people interested in being part of their infomercial II - When I sent this in I had no idea the FIRM had made an original infomercial, and absolutely no expectation that I would actually be chosen for their infomercial II. My goal at that point was to go to www.firmdirect.com to order some new workout tapes. When I saw the link for the infomercial I wanted to let the FIRM know I loved their product and to tell them how much I had appreciated their help - (Pictures added here for visual effect):
I'm a 42-year old CPA who spends my days behind a desk. In the past 10-12 years I've gone from 220 to a high of 280 lb. I've constantly fought creeping weight gain and high blood pressure. My Dr. has been after me to lose weight for the last 5-7 years.
Christmas 1998 I weighed in at 280 lb. And for the next three years tried every exercise and weight loss method available but was never able to lose down past 253 lb.
In January 2002, I found a copy of Fat Blaster at a local video store. I was instantly in love with step aerobics and weight training.
I now have 12 different Firm tapes, it's July 18, 2002, and I have gone from 253 to 197 lb., (56 lb. loss after only 6 months - and I was never able to break through the 250 mark prior to the FIRM)
The Firm tapes make it so easy to stay focused because there are so many different routines, and the results are very rapidly evident.
Thank you FIRM for making it possible to meet my goals.
That's my story. I'm just a regular person with the same hopes, dreams and frustrations as everyone else out there!
FIRM Friends I'm no different than you.
On December 12, 2002, Melissa Horton asked:
"... We all talked about this during the infomercial weekend, and I know the instructors have said it repeatedly here, but I think the point should be made here: anyone just starting out should avoid the scale for a while. The weight does come off - significantly. Every one of us in both infomercials can attest to that. But the inches come off first, and they come off FAST - sometimes, even at the expense of a few small gains in the early stages. Keep going, don't watch the scale, watch the changes in your body. It shouldn't be about numbers, it should be about sculpting, reshaping and losing fat. I often found I did all three of those things while the scale didn't budge. But when the pants size went down anyway, I stopped worrying about it. To this day, my pattern is this: I'll lose two pounds one week, nothing the second, gain four the third, maintain the fourth and then lose 5 the next to be a net three down for the month. If I approached my day based on what the scale said, I'd be in a mental institution by the end of the month.
What was your experience, Tim?"
I responded December 13, 2002: (graphic that will not post to the BBS added)
Melissa,
I wish anyone who's ever had a weight problem could benefit from the FIRM's philosophy of exercise and sensible eating.
I seriously looked back at my history in DietPower and was amazed at what was there. The graph looks strikingly similar to the graph of my investments, up one day down the next but overall much less than what it was in the beginning. LOL.
The day-by-day fluctuations are tough. With DietPower I weigh everyday, and this can have a demoralizing downside. In the beginning, each day the scales went up it was hard to keep from asking how can that be? I ate fewer calories than budget, exercised and the scale still went the wrong way!!!!!
The main thing I did not do, (and wish I had), was to take any measurements. Still haven't taken measurements but pant size has gone from 44" to 32". I could tell it was working even when the scales were going up and down due to the way my clothes fit.
Started the FIRM in January 2002, and did not buy DietPower until March 2002. Exercising with the FIRM and being able to track what, and how, I ate was the key for me. The hardest part (and it's still a struggle when the weight chart slides sideways during a plateau), was/is learning to accept that even though the scales said I had gained a pound today, I was down overall and the day-to-day changes should be ignored. I still go up and down, in fact I actually weigh the same as I did a month and a half ago, the only difference is my arms and chest are getting bigger and I'm slowwwwly shedding the band at the middle....
"Perhaps the fact that I did not weigh daily in the first two months (January - March 16, 2002) allowed me time to get past the initial ups and downs."
...Another problem area for me is allowing myself rest days. Looking back I'm only averaging 1 rest day a month. I guess coming this far I have a serious concern that if I slow down the results will stop...
Look at the projected weight line in the graph above and "concern" may be a weak choice of words, "alarmed" might be better. I've lost weight many times in the past only to have it creep back.
Yes Folks, we all have bad days.
The good news is...
I'm committed to a change in lifestyle. Fluctuations are to be expected and accepted. The Jennie has been bottled, (with the help of the FIRM), and the cork will remain securely in place.
...Once I've committed to doing something there is not much that will get in my way - this thought pattern while beneficial in many ways can have it's downside too. Adding more rest days is an issue that will go on this years long-term goals. I would love to know if anyone else has dealt with this kind of an issue.
Thanks for all your words of encouragement.
Keep the Faith, Keep the Hope, Share your Love and Keep FIRMing.
Tim D :)
Pam (aka Neile - on the Firm Boards) Suggested I add a link to Diet Power's
Free 15 Day Trial - Pam Thanks for your input!
Fact, (and this should be the exciting part!! there
are no limits), each individual is the captain of their own ship called
life. Where that ship goes is influenced not as much by the weather, but
ultimately by the direction in which the captain set the sails.
I have great respect for the FIRM's commitment to helping people get healthy
by honest exercise and sensible eating.
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This page last updated on September 20, 2003. This site and its contents are © 2002 by Tim Davies, all rights reserved. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of its owner. Disclaimer: The owner hereby disclaims any liability for this site or the information given herein. It is to be used for informational purposes only and is in no way a substitute for medical counseling. Please consult your doctor before beginning any health or fitness program.