Reality bites the dust

Ive never been one to love the show The Biggest Looser. As a fitness professional, it made my job difficult with unrealistic expectations for my clients. Like all Reality shows, its not really "reality" its all for ratings. Yes they loose the weight and look absolutely amazing at the end of the challenge like all challenges, Im not disputing those facts......my concern is always then what?

SO when the new look show format was released, I met it with some resistance. The contestants they chose weren't morbidly obese, there were the average size of our population. Their reasoning didn't seem strong enough to be on the show like this, but again these were the same as the average population that want to loose weight.

After watching the first episode I was relieved. Finally! A show that seemed to care about the contestants long term health and mental state rather than just the ratings. Shannon & Libby have a caring nature about them, firm but fare, The show actually fit some of my values of what a "real' transformation is about. Far from the days of smashing them, starving them, tempting them, messing with their heads. A suck it up Princess, hard love type of way.

Showing compassion and dealing with the real reasons why they put on the weight wasn't what the general public were after.

It was real reality, but not the reality wanted to keep the show on prime time. Disappointing, as I actually got to see the real Shannon Ponton (great podcast) that I respect and admire.

It seems that is all the public want to see is vulnerability, failure, bitchiness, fighting, humans being berated and pushed to the extreme. Take the show Married at first sight..It was like a train wreck! But people were hooked, the public love that stuff.

Reality Shows give public false hope, hope that this is going to be the answer to all their woes. 5 minutes of fame to hopefully fill the void that is missing in their lives.

To be honest I was one click away from submitting my form into married at first sight. Why? because I thought it would be my success to finding that special someone. I have been single for a very long time now. My intuition told me not to so I didn't click send. A show like that is not going to find me the perfect man. Who am I trying to kid, but its sold to us that this is your answer.

I had a huge light bulb moment today while attending a seminar. Sitting there I suddenly thought "what the fuck am I doing here" The last few years I have been reaching for anything and everything to get me out of the hole. Spent countless $$ on things that I thought were going to make me amazing. I already am amazing....I just didn't and still to an extent still don't believe in myself enough. These programs were never going to work unless I believe in myself.

I was watching the presenter work the room filled with lost individuals looking for the same thing. They were glued to him hanging on his every word. It was like watching a reality show in real life. I took a step back and realise just how much individuals like myself attend these programs signing up for something that promises life change (luckily I didn't pay to attend this) . The real reality is that unless you deal with the cause, not much will change.

SO when life gets too much, you feel lost and looking for that thing that is going to lift you out? It is already inside you. Its never going to be an easy road, hard work, belief and determination. You are going to fall down and fail some times, embrace the vulnerability, thats reality. Surround yourself with humans that are going to inspire not motivate you. Follow those select few that resonate with your values. NEVER sell yourself out, be open minded.

Find your courage freedom happiness to be your own brave!

Cindy Rella

#biggestlooser #reality #mentalstrength #cindyrella