Dr H on the Biggest Loser

JewelE77
JewelE77 Posts: 134 Member
in Motivation and Support
My husband and I were watching last week's episode of Biggest Loser (not the newest one, we're behind) and Dr. H was talking to one of the contestants and said something that really stuck with me so I thought I'd share in case it motivates or clicks with anyone else:

If you had Lymphoma, wouldn't you find two hours of your day to get chemotheraphy?

WOW. What a way to think about it. He went on to say something to the effect of this contestant's obesity being more deadly/serious that a lot of forms of Lymphoma. Now I am in no way trying to minimize what people who are going through Lymphoma have to deal with, it was the two hours of treatment thing that stuck with me. If you had cancer or another serious illness, you would get your two hours of treatment to save your life. Obesity is just as deadly so get your treatment! WORK OUT! This definitely motivated me to run a little harder and a little longer and I hope it helps motivate you too! :flowerforyou:
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Replies

  • Calantorntain
    Calantorntain Posts: 172 Member
    Love it!

    It reminds me of when people comment on how the bike commuting I do can be dangerous. I now sometimes reply, "yeah, but cycling deaths are far less common than heart disease."
  • JewelE77
    JewelE77 Posts: 134 Member
    Love it!

    It reminds me of when people comment on how the bike commuting I do can be dangerous. I now sometimes reply, "yeah, but cycling deaths are far less common than heart disease."

    That's a great way to look at it! :)
  • KelleyRob
    KelleyRob Posts: 97 Member
    I saw that episode and that comment stuck with me also. Thanks for sharing!!! :flowerforyou:
  • sed1217
    sed1217 Posts: 228 Member
    Excellent point - thanks for sharing!
  • kg047
    kg047 Posts: 95 Member
    Thanks for sharing.
  • MoonGypsyQ67
    MoonGypsyQ67 Posts: 121 Member
    I had the same reaction when I saw that a few weeks ago. It was just one of those moments when I was stunned into reality. It stuck with me too and thanks for sharing your thoughts. :smile:
  • jojo1410
    jojo1410 Posts: 151
    Like there are 1440 minutes in a day and people can't find 30 minutes to exercise????
  • jdim1093
    jdim1093 Posts: 418 Member
    If I had Cancer, my health insurance would spare no expense and surround me with doctors and nurses to help me. If I broke my leg, my health insurance would pay for rehab therapy. If wanted marriage counseling, my health insurance will pay for unlimited sessions with a counselor (co-pay still applies). If I wanted to quit smoking, my health insurance will now spare no expense to help me quit.

    I'm fat and my health insurance will give me ONE free doctor visit PER YEAR and a crappy discount at the YMCA. I think I can get a blood test free every 5 years, too...

    I wish people would give weight loss more than just lip service. It's a freaking disease and I'm barely surviving it with no help from anyone (financially). Imagine if the medical insurance community treated weight loss as seriously as they do cancer...
  • jillsjourney
    jillsjourney Posts: 167 Member
    That statement really made an impact on me too!
  • cubbies77
    cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
    If I had Cancer, my health insurance would spare no expense and surround me with doctors and nurses to help me. If I broke my leg, my health insurance would pay for rehab therapy. If wanted marriage counseling, my health insurance will pay for unlimited sessions with a counselor (co-pay still applies). If I wanted to quit smoking, my health insurance will now spare no expense to help me quit.

    I'm fat and my health insurance will give me ONE free doctor visit PER YEAR and a crappy discount at the YMCA. I think I can get a blood test free every 5 years, too...

    I wish people would give weight loss more than just lip service. It's a freaking disease and I'm barely surviving it with no help from anyone (financially). Imagine if the medical insurance community treated weight loss as seriously as they do cancer...

    Walking and jogging are free. So are YouTube videos. Exercise doesn't always cost money; medicine does. That's the difference.
  • cubbies77
    cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
    I didn't see the episode, but that's a really good point. Although, I would argue you don't have to exercise TWO hours per day. But I get the gist of what he's saying. :) That's awesome. I'm going to start thinking of it like medicine instead of just stress relief.
  • For_the_Last_Time
    For_the_Last_Time Posts: 136 Member
    I saw that too. As much as I think the methods suck butt on that show, that stood out to be as well.
  • jdim1093
    jdim1093 Posts: 418 Member
    If I had Cancer, my health insurance would spare no expense and surround me with doctors and nurses to help me. If I broke my leg, my health insurance would pay for rehab therapy. If wanted marriage counseling, my health insurance will pay for unlimited sessions with a counselor (co-pay still applies). If I wanted to quit smoking, my health insurance will now spare no expense to help me quit.

    I'm fat and my health insurance will give me ONE free doctor visit PER YEAR and a crappy discount at the YMCA. I think I can get a blood test free every 5 years, too...

    I wish people would give weight loss more than just lip service. It's a freaking disease and I'm barely surviving it with no help from anyone (financially). Imagine if the medical insurance community treated weight loss as seriously as they do cancer...

    Walking and jogging are free. So are YouTube videos. Exercise doesn't always cost money; medicine does. That's the difference.

    Right, but walking and jogging require YOU to self-motivate. Driving to a chemo clinic requires nothing at all. You walk in and then they give you the medicine and support, etc. The only real parallel to that would be hiring a personal trainer and nutritionist. My point is that if you have an illness or disease that insurance pays for, you get customized personal hands-on support. Weight loss requires self-motivation unless you're rich.
  • laughingdani
    laughingdani Posts: 2,275 Member
    Yes! I've used that analogy a few times already since that episode aired. It really hits home.
  • LynnieG85
    LynnieG85 Posts: 157 Member
    That comment really made me think too! Thanks for starting this thread :) It's a very good point
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    Walking and jogging are free. So are YouTube videos. Exercise doesn't always cost money; medicine does. That's the difference.
    Agreed....you don't HAVE to belong to a gym to exercise, and eating healthy doesn't have to cost a lot either.

    “Make Time For Your Health Today. And You'll Have Health For Your Time Tomorrow"
  • lmataloni
    lmataloni Posts: 33 Member
    Thanks for sharing - I missed that but it makes it so clear.
  • lizzybethclaire
    lizzybethclaire Posts: 849 Member
    If I had Cancer, my health insurance would spare no expense and surround me with doctors and nurses to help me. If I broke my leg, my health insurance would pay for rehab therapy. If wanted marriage counseling, my health insurance will pay for unlimited sessions with a counselor (co-pay still applies). If I wanted to quit smoking, my health insurance will now spare no expense to help me quit.

    I'm fat and my health insurance will give me ONE free doctor visit PER YEAR and a crappy discount at the YMCA. I think I can get a blood test free every 5 years, too...

    I wish people would give weight loss more than just lip service. It's a freaking disease and I'm barely surviving it with no help from anyone (financially). Imagine if the medical insurance community treated weight loss as seriously as they do cancer...

    I think this attitude is starting to change. My health insurance has a few programs geared for those who are dealing with obesity that are free and that include nutritional counseling and discounts on exercise products/gyms. They didn't have it when I first started, but they do now.
  • Iceman420
    Iceman420 Posts: 195
    Wow, that doctor knows how to make a statement.
  • Built_Strong
    Built_Strong Posts: 114 Member
    Biggest Loser did motivate me to exercise. I used to watch it and exercise during that show. Now I dont watch it...I spend my evenings at the gym instead.

    As much as I dont like him, I do have to say ... Dr. H. is right. It doesnt take 8 hours of exercise to change your health...but find the time to improve your health every day.
  • cubbies77
    cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
    Right, but walking and jogging require YOU to self-motivate. Driving to a chemo clinic requires nothing at all. You walk in and then they give you the medicine and support, etc. The only real parallel to that would be hiring a personal trainer and nutritionist. My point is that if you have an illness or disease that insurance pays for, you get customized personal hands-on support. Weight loss requires self-motivation unless you're rich.

    It still comes down to personal choice. My boyfriend refuses to go to a doctor when he's sick and probably wouldn't go to chemo appointments. It still takes "motivation" to go to a chemo treatment and suffer through the side effects.

    There ARE free support groups for weight loss. You're on one right now.
  • nataliescalories
    nataliescalories Posts: 292 Member
    Love it! Glad that you posted this; I wish more doctor's were like him.
  • skhoy0815
    skhoy0815 Posts: 11 Member
    very true! Thanks for sharing!
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    If I had Cancer, my health insurance would spare no expense and surround me with doctors and nurses to help me. If I broke my leg, my health insurance would pay for rehab therapy. If wanted marriage counseling, my health insurance will pay for unlimited sessions with a counselor (co-pay still applies). If I wanted to quit smoking, my health insurance will now spare no expense to help me quit.

    I'm fat and my health insurance will give me ONE free doctor visit PER YEAR and a crappy discount at the YMCA. I think I can get a blood test free every 5 years, too...

    I wish people would give weight loss more than just lip service. It's a freaking disease and I'm barely surviving it with no help from anyone (financially). Imagine if the medical insurance community treated weight loss as seriously as they do cancer...

    Walking and jogging are free. So are YouTube videos. Exercise doesn't always cost money; medicine does. That's the difference.

    Right, but walking and jogging require YOU to self-motivate. Driving to a chemo clinic requires nothing at all. You walk in and then they give you the medicine and support, etc. The only real parallel to that would be hiring a personal trainer and nutritionist. My point is that if you have an illness or disease that insurance pays for, you get customized personal hands-on support. Weight loss requires self-motivation unless you're rich.
    My gym is owned by a large hospital, and there are a number of members there who have insurance paying for them as part of their physical therapy or part of some kind of healthcare plan. There's one member who is very overweight, and he comes in, scans his card (so the doctors can track his usage) chats it up with the ladies at the front desk, then just leaves. Every once in a while he'll go into the gym and walk the 1/12 of a mile lap around the track.....but last time I saw him he was telling the girls at the front desk how he was going to Costco to buy a case or Oreos (no joke!) and offered to bring them one too. I guess my point is that I don't believe having insurance pay for it motivates people who don't really WANT to get healthy.
  • JewelE77
    JewelE77 Posts: 134 Member
    Biggest Loser did motivate me to exercise. I used to watch it and exercise during that show. Now I dont watch it...I spend my evenings at the gym instead.

    As much as I dont like him, I do have to say ... Dr. H. is right. It doesnt take 8 hours of exercise to change your health...but find the time to improve your health every day.

    I run on the treadmill while I watch it now, it definitely motivates me! I hate to say this but it also makes me feel a little better about myself! I look at some of the girls on there crying about running on the treadmill and think "I weigh MORE than/the same as you and I'm running longer and faster and you don't see me griping about it!" :laugh: Definitely helps me push a little harder!
  • jnlynn
    jnlynn Posts: 101
    I watched that episode but didn't catch what he said. Thanks for sharing and it will make me think about getting more exercise in my life!
  • Ebelina07
    Ebelina07 Posts: 32
    errrr......obesity, medicine, health insurance, hospitals, cancer, heart disease...........im freakin out here !!!!!!!!!!! :frown: :sick: :cry: wot a way of scarin pple!
  • 20Linda13
    20Linda13 Posts: 2
    We are a nation with a lot of obesity. Here is thanking media, entertainment , public focus on this. We lead more sedentary life styles with more fast fattening over processed foods. You're right that we need help relearning, support to stay focused and on track, but insurance can't do it all. At some point we each need to take individual responsibility for ourselves. Fat is something we give ourselves. I'm obese and can blame the quick descent into the sedentary, fast food multitudes on current culture. What we all want is help and we can get it from each other. Many people can't even get insurance these days. I can help me from needing to use healthcare dollars by taking care of myself. Self discipline is hard for me, but I'm pushing and learning and sometimes hanging on with my teeth. But doing it, slowly and consistently.
  • bubbins11
    bubbins11 Posts: 8 Member
    Thanks for reminding me of that statement!!
  • tolae2006
    tolae2006 Posts: 54 Member
    Wow no more excuses for me. 1440 minutes in a day I never thought about it that way.

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