The moment that stuck out to me the most during this premiere episode of the Biggest Loser was Jill's conversation with Cheryl about finding her inner warrior, and it got me to thinking.... how do you find that inner warrior in the real world? Finding your own "warrior" requires you to get real with yourself, face your fears even though it's REALLY scary, and DO something you never thought possible. Everyone has a warrior within, you just have to tap into that strength.
In the first moments, as each team had to weigh in for the first time in front of their families, friends, and communities, I was instantly struck by their courage. They were having to get REAL with themselves in the most public way, and hence began finding their inner warriors. It's one thing to weigh in for the first time in a secluded gym with strangers all around, it is quite another to don a sports bra and spandex or go shirtless in front of people you actually know. But that's the thing, in order to be successful in this process, you have to be willing to get real with yourself. And to really be real, you can't hide or be ashamed. You have to step on the scale and see where you are. For everyone at home wanting to get healthy, change your life, and lose weight, I challenge you to take pictures shirtless or in a sports bra and shorts, step on a scale, and take measurements. See where you are... really. No more hiding! You are taking the first step to finding your inner warrior.
As each new person shared his or her story with the group, the resounding theme was people felt unworthy of love or had a fear they couldn't be loved because of their size. Whether true or not, perception is reality. On some level, everyone wanting to get healthy and make a life change wants more from life. But in order to get a different result, we have to do something different. The dreaded "change" word. Change is scary. Ask yourself this, "If I had to live the rest of my life just as I am now, would I have lived a full life?" If the answer is "no," then NOT changing is far scarier. This journey is not about becoming thin and magically feeling happy. This journey is about admitting those deep-seeded fears, facing them, and learning to love yourself where you are now AND where you are going. Warriors feel the fear... they just learn to face it. Is there a warrior within you? ABSOLUTELY!
Finding your inner warrior takes more than feeling. It requires ACTION! What is something you have been scared to do? Do you not take classes at the gym yet because you think you can't keep up or people might stare at you? Take a deep breath, get there a little early so you can find a comfortable spot, and do your best. Who cares if you can't do the whole routine? You are doing more than you would be doing had you stayed at home fretting about whether or not you were going to go to the class. And as far as people staring at you... my experience is that most folks are caught up in their own little worlds or are too worried about what other people are thinking about them to worry about you. Don't let fear hold you back! Are you afraid of failing? You've tried to get healthy before, lost the weight, then gained it back? So what! Today is a new day. That warrior inside of you may be just a whisper today, but the battle cry yell is waiting to get out!
Throughout my journey on The Biggest Loser, I was forced to get real with myself, face my fears, and take action. While I'm still working to strengthen my inner warrior, and some days it's a whisper for me, I know it's there. I also KNOW that an inner warrior exists in YOU! Though it's an arduous road at times, YOU are worth it! In the words of Cheryl, let us all give a resounding, "ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"