Second Helping in the Press
Podcast Available on Livin La Vida Post Weight
Is there a “right way” to lose weight? If so, Russ discovered that it’s really not the germane question about weight loss.
Russ Lane of Second Helping was the subject of a the Living La Vida Low Carb podcast with Low Carb Champion Jimmy Moore about life, post-weight, low carb eating and what it means to be a weight-loss-oriented foodie. The free podcast is available at the Living La Vida Low Carb Web site. It’s also available from iTunes and other podcast delivery methods.
At 350 pounds, Russ began his weight loss journey walking 2.5 miles each day and following Atkins’ regimen. That does not mean eat steak and bacon all day. Sure, lunches consisting of bunless hot dogs in a pinch, but his meals ranged from chicken, seafood paired with greens, and mixing various berries, nuts and salads.
Even though Russ switched eating methods various times in his weight loss journey, he never felt any of the eating methods he adopted were “bad.”
“This is one thing about weight loss that always frustrates me — the whole ‘sports mentality’ of finding the best diet. It’s kind of like the ’80s Miller Lite commercials — Less filling! Tastes great! Low fat! Low carb! Surgery!,” Russ says, laughing. “I switched diets often not because they didn’t work, but because my lifestyle continually evolved. But by no means did it mean the diet was ‘bad’ or a failure.’”
Russ remembers that for every complement on his weight loss were equal admonitions of the “evils” of low carb, or whatever eating structure he adopted. “No matter what I did or did not do, there was someone telling me I was wrong and that 2000 scientific studies proved it,” Russ says. “After a while, all the bickering and pseudo-authority of ‘the right way’ became meaningless. Far as I can tell, weight loss really isn’t about the ‘how.’ When you’re ready, you find a way that works for you. If I was ever worried about ‘the right way,’ I’d still be 350 lbs.”
Because of his experiences with low carb eating, Russ has a firm “no advocating one weight loss method as ‘the way’” rule at Second Helping. Each member of Team Second Helping lost weight under vastly different circumstances and methods: Kevin weight loss was self-taught, Russ hopped among diets, Patty Newbold found an answer in Weight Watchers, etc.
“Despite all the talk about the ‘perfect method,’ I truly believe the more pertinent question is however you lose weight, what do you do after you hit goal — with your eating, your fitness and your life? There are so many possible methods that work for weight loss, but in the end we all end up in the same destination — asking yourself ‘now what?’”
Visit the Livin La Vida Low Carb Web Site for links to the podcast.
While you’re downloading, let’s hear from you: Do you think there’s a “right way” to lose weight? How do people react to your discussions on what does or doesn’t work for you? Are diets talked about like favorite sports teams, and is that helpful? Let’s hear your .02!
LOL. I’ve thought about this a lot during my own journey, and honestly, when someone is morbidly obese, I don’t think there’s a WRONG way to lose the weight…
The point is to just Get. It. Off. ASAP. Before it KILLS you, or does any additional damage!