Follow us on Twitter:
Astrology
Conscious Shopping:
Food
Green
Health
Inspiration
Last night, The Biggest Loser brought back contestant Nicole, who after being eliminated near the beginning of the season lost an amazing 87 pounds at home and earned a spot back on the ranch.
But (spoiler alert if you DVR’d it!) her second chance was short-lived–a 5-pound weight gain put her on the chopping block, and she was voted off. I really felt it was unfair to make her one-week immunity contingent on her losing weight right off – she had a home routine that worked for her, and of course her body reacted to her return to the show.
That’s not why I’m writing about the episode, though (but please forgive me a brief shout-out: I thought she displayed tremendous integrity and strength through the whole experience). Yesterday, I shared a story about a woman in my water aerobics class who, after conquering her fear of deep water, shouted, “I’m so proud of myself!” at the top of her lungs. I found that moment so moving, and last night’s Biggest Loser episode really clicked together why.
The purity of my aquacise friend’s cry brought tears to my eyes because it is so rare for most of us to say “Yay, me!” when we do something extraordinary. Are the negative voices really that loud in all of our heads that declaring to the world, “I did something great!” is so hard to do?
Nicole on The Biggest Loser said, as she left the ranch, that she hadn’t realized until she looked at herself in a mirror on the ranch that she had actually accomplished anything exciting with her extraordinary weight loss. She hadn’t absorbed the fact that she had changed her body, her weight, and her life. In short, she hadn’t said, “Yay, me!”
It was inspiring to see her declare her love for the woman that she had become–whether because she feels she looks great, because she’s shown her inner strength, or both and more.
Do you say “Yay, me!” enough? What would you “yay” about today?
posted April 6, 2009 at 5:37 am
I never thought I would get through my 1st rotator cuff surgery, and now I’m recovering from my 4th. I’m stronger than I ever knew-YAY ME!
posted April 6, 2009 at 6:03 am
I have found true love.
posted April 6, 2009 at 8:07 am
I’ve actually made a habit out of it, but secretly. Whenever I do something I really gave my best to, no matter how it turns out, I find my self saying, “I’m gooooodd!!!” and I grin this Cheshire-cat grin and people wonder.
I let them wonder.
You are right. The world is so caught-up in negativity that I’m very protective of joys like this. Dream-stealers and dream-killers around you could snuff it out in an instant. They would never understand.
Although with my kids, it’s different. We celebrate ourselves together, cackling like crazy. I hope I am leaving them this beautiful legacy of self-affirmation.
posted April 6, 2009 at 8:21 am
Ay yay me?I have 2 angels!2angels taking charge over me…I am very
blessed!Ay yay,may spiritual shape is getting fat!!Another blessing!
Ay yay i am losing weight,one more blessing,ay yay my smile never
fades away,another one,ay yay my heart is in good shape again,hmnn,
that’s uniquely another blessing(that’s mine heart only!)If i am
weary and can’t sleep,ay yay,i will just count my blessings,and
surely i will fall asleep counting ay yay yay yayssssssss!!!!!!!!!!
posted April 6, 2009 at 8:44 am
I agree wholeheartedly. I say ‘Yay Me!’ for rowing at 5am this morning and for having the courage to sign up for a 5 miler when I’ve not run over a mile in years, or 4 miles in my life.
Thanks for the inspiration of inspiration.
@jesskry
posted April 6, 2009 at 9:18 am
Yay me for signing up for a begin to run program and training for a 5k to be held in June. I used to be extremely athletic until life got in the way. There was divorce and raising two children alone, being an only child and taking care of elderly parents, full-time work and returning to school for an advanced degree. There really wasn’t any time in there for me. But now that kids are grown at 48 I’ve decided it is time for me. I’m losing weight and becoming very active and following the calling place upon my life and becoming an ordained minister. I have a lot of yay me’s to look forward to.
posted April 6, 2009 at 9:59 am
Big YAY ME for living and loving again.
posted April 9, 2009 at 11:04 am
Yah me..for living. I technically died nov. 9th of 08, Of an apparent drug overdose. I’m disabled and was on alot of medication. Thank god he intervened and I survived. Now I’m off the drugs, clear headed and just remarried my ex-husband. Well, not ex anymore
. Yay me for having the courage to stop using the medication, and for living and loving and smiling everyday. Yah me for having 2 beautiful children that I thank god for every single day.
Thank god for beliefnet.com.
posted April 10, 2009 at 10:17 am
The negative voices are definitely louder in my head, for sure. Maybe we need to practive saying yay me, until we believe it. Although affirmations and the such have not seemed to work that well for me.
posted April 17, 2009 at 10:09 am
Yay me! The discipline of cleaning and moisturizing my face, neck and nape with gentle, circular, upward movements morning and night for the past 3 decades have paid off. I am 54 years old but I look 40.