Ten Things To Learn From Biggest Loser 2009 Finale

I personally do not watch much television, but one show I watch with my kids is The Biggest Loser. Watching this show with my children has provided several (sometimes unexpected) good learning opportunities. Last season of the Biggest Loser (season 6) provided numerous examples of; how not to treat people, the law of sowing and reaping, being accountable for your own actions, not blaming others for your choices, and more.

Whether you watch "The Biggest Loser" or not, there are still many good practical lessons the contestants learn that could be applicable to those going through or recovering from divorce. If you are not familiar with the show I will give you a brief summary.

Each season "The Biggest Loser" begins by bringing a group of people to a ranch in California. The contestants in this reality TV show are couples who are considerably overweight. The contestants/couples can be married, friends, or family members ages 18 and up. While on the ranch they work with a personal trainer, either Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper. They learn about wellness, exercise, nutrition and eating healthy. The purpose of the show is to see which contestant can lose the most weight, while at the ranch, by the end of the season. The winner earns $250,000 while the biggest loser of the contestants that were sent home earns $100,000.

For me, it is interesting to watch the transformation that takes place in the contestants during the season. It can be inspiring to watch the journey of the individuals as they; face their reality, accept responsibility for their health/weight, overcome their past failures to lose weight, discover the reasons why they are overweight (underlying issues), gain the knowledge and resources to make necessary life changes. As the weeks go by you see the contestants develop strength, determination, confidence, the ability and perseverance to lose their excess weight. Some contestants lose more than 100+ pounds.

As a few of the contestants have stated this 2009 season of the Biggest Loser, the experience of being on the ranch and all that includes is the most important aspect. If they win the money, great. If they don't win the money, they still have won. They have a new life to live. The opportunity for a new beginning. This is a life changing event for these people.

Much like "The Biggest Loser", divorce is a life changing event. For most of us our lives have been transformed as the result of divorce. It is largely up to us how our lives will be transformed. Will we discover anything about ourselves through the process? Will we take the opportunity to learn and grow from this experience, or will we simply survive? Will we become stronger as we persevere and endure the pain and process? Will we accept responsibility for our part, purpose to change, and become better?

When contestants are voted off of the show they answer questions about their experience on The Biggest Loser. Also, throughout the season the contestants make comments about what they are learning and experiencing.

10 Tips You Can Learn and Apply From The Biggest Loser

1. You are stronger than you know.
2. It is important to believe in yourself.
3. Take responsibility for yourself.
4. Be accountable. Don't blame others for your choices, feelings, words and actions.
5. You can work through the pain.
6. Stay focused.
7. Don't ever give up.
8. Need to stay positive.
9. Discovery of the underlying issues that led to their obesity.
10. Gaining confidence, strength and ability to change.

As people travel the path of divorce and after divorce, they usually discover that they are much stronger than they ever imagined. When initially faced with the possibility of divorce, many people wonder if they will be able to survive. Can they really get through this unbelievable heartache and pain? How will they keep going when life seems so hopeless?

It is important to believe in yourself. Just because your marriage may have ended in divorce it does not make you a bad person. You are valuable and lovable. You still have a purpose to fulfill in life.

Take responsibility for yourself. During and after a divorce a person must take responsibility for their self. There is no longer a spouse to consult or help make decisions. We cannot control other people's actions, words, or choices, only how we respond to them. When we blame others, we give them power over us.

Often the only way you survive is to focus on the immediate tasks, making alternative living arrangements, finding a divorce attorney, providing financial records, splitting possessions, developing a parenting plan, etc. Staying focused, getting through one day at a time.

As you take one day at a time, persevering, enduring the pain, surviving, you find you get stronger. You never give up. You keep pressing forward.

As difficult as it may be, if you want to move forward, you need to look for the positives along the way. Make it a point to look for the good each day. It can be helpful to write down the things you are grateful for each day. Focusing and finding the daily blessings can be encouraging and empowering.

Receiving counseling or participating in a divorce recovery support group can help you understand the dynamics of your marriage and the break down in your relationship.If you will take the time to learn, accept responsibility for your contribution to the failure of your marriage, and grow from your divorce, you are more likely to have healthier relationships in the future.

Healing and recovery take time. It is a process. If you are willing to put forth the effort, open to exploring, discovering, and learning from your marriage and divorce, you will become a healthier person. You have the ability to change within you, it comes down to whether or not you are willing to do the work. If you choose to do the work, you will undoubtedly gain confidence and the strength to move forward in rebuilding a desirable life.

By Shelley Grieser: A Christian Life Coach. You can visit her at: http://www.ahopefilledfuture.com.