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primetime ABC interesting story

did anyone catch on ABC last nite, the six people who posed in their bathing suits and were told that if they didnt lose 15lbs in 8 weeks that their pics would be shown on National TV. 5 out of 6 i think lost the required weight. they should if you publicize your wt loss goal to everyone you will be under more stress to reach your goal and not look like a fool. it was an amazing story and something to consider....any thoughts????

Fri. Mar 17, 10:23am

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ABC show

I was glued to the screen for that show, as well. Really was a revealing psychological exercise--the perceived threat of humilation was a great little motivator.

Problem is, I think that humiliation can only go so far, and perhaps get you to a short-term goal but not do-able for the long-term. When we're overweight we do enough self-humilation. In my case ( 53.8 pounds lighter and counting)--feeling humilated was absolutely the impetus for the decision to get proactive about my weight, but continuing to "keep at it" has nothing to do with having
a threat hanging over my head.

It has everything to do with renewing self-esteem and changing the inner script
to "I can" instead of "I never will".

Just a thought.....

Friday, March 17, 2006, 10:28 AM

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I completely agree. This is great for an event coming up but embarrassment is rarely enough of a motivator for sustained weight loss.

Friday, March 17, 2006, 10:30 AM

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My friend just told me on the phone all about this - I missed it...

But..

I've been taking weekly bikini pics to keep me motivated - not quite the fear factor that they used on primetime but very similar...

I know that I have made it a point to post weekly pics and so during the week leading up to taking those pics it's a constant reminder to me to stick to my program so that I can see the most changes possible when I take those pics. I never want to get back to what I was in my first pics on 2/2 and it is getting to be more and more exciting each week to see the changes going on with my body.

Blozzom :-)

Friday, March 17, 2006, 10:50 AM

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ABC

I saw the show...it was great... I think it was a great way for those people to get motivated because most of them lost more than the fifteen pounds... it was great. I am thinking about doing it.. I just asked my boyfriend to take a picture of me in a small bathing and if i dont loose fifteen pounds in 8 weeks he is going to post it on my myspace. I will die if anyone will see it. so i think i am going to try it out.

Friday, March 17, 2006, 2:37 PM

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I didn't see the show. I think it is great that these people had the drive the lose the weight . . but i also don't think humiliation is a healthy motivator. long term, it's going to make you feel bad about yourself. There are so many better motivations out there and TV already makes many women feel bad about their bodies.

Friday, March 17, 2006, 3:11 PM

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I just wonder how long term the weight loss will be. Those people lost the weight but will they keep it off when the incentive is gone? One lady lost 30 lbs (i think) in two months, is that even healthy?

Friday, March 17, 2006, 3:52 PM

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the motivation factor is great

but unless you're substantially over-weight, I think losing 15 lbs in two months is difficult, and can be done in an unhealthy manor (ie. starvation). Anyway, there are lots of people who would be mortified to be shown in a swim suit and they could be normal weight or just slightly over. It just depends on the person.

It seems as if the swimsuit was motivation enough for these people, so that great. You just need to find what works for you to help you get healthy.

Friday, March 17, 2006, 4:13 PM

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here's the link to the story and video

http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=1725982&page=1

Friday, March 17, 2006, 4:20 PM

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If you remember how hard it was for you to get started, then this makes sense. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has dieted for 2, 3, 5 days and then called it quits more times than they can count.

I don't think there's anything wrong with using public embarrassment as a motivator. You can argue that it's a short-term solution and won't work in the long run...but for people who think that losing 30, 50, 100 lbs is a monumental task, losing 15 lbs in 8 weeks could motivate them to keep it up because (a) they've proven to themselves that they can indeed lose weight [again, I doubt I'm the only one who thought "my body just won't lose weight no matter what"], and (b) 15 lbs is significant enough (a whole size in clothing) for them to physically feel - and maybe see - an improvement that they will hopefully want to maintain and even build on.

Friday, March 17, 2006, 5:30 PM

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Maybe it's just what I need. I agree with the above poster.

Friday, March 17, 2006, 5:52 PM

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I do have to agree with the 5:30 poster. Sometimes a really good kick start is what you need. I know I went through something similar (although not on TV) and I will be forever grateful. I used to see my weight as out-of-my-hands and now I know that I can do it and it's not even that hard. Keeping it off has required more vigilance than losing it. Sometimes that first taste of success is all you need.....

Friday, March 17, 2006, 7:16 PM

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Now that I've read all these posts I have to add...

I guess I do have a little fear factor playing with me.....I will be the center of attention doing a ballet solo June 24th in a black tutu - I think that's a MAJOR driver in my weightloss journey right now. There is no hiding fat thighs or a big butt when you're in a tutu! There are 5 of us doing solos and coming together in the end - I don't want to be one of the biggest out there on stage!!

Blozzom :-)

Friday, March 17, 2006, 8:25 PM

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I guess we could take a photo of ourselves in a swimwuit, send it to our sister and tell her to send it to everyone we know in 30 days to get motivated?

Friday, March 17, 2006, 11:41 PM

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