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Devils'Advocate · 10-16-2013, 02:27 PM

I am not going to repeat my credentials here... most know my story... but I will mention that I have been a motivational speaker on health and wellness conferences and meetings many, many times and have sat down with many weight loss support groups and worked with them.

My opinion is that “What’s Your Excuse” is absolutely nothing but cruel. It is meant to be demeaning. It is scornful. It’s not “Look. I did it. You can too.” It’s “You lazy slob... just making excuses....”

When out speaking, I talk to them about the health risks of not exercising and not eating right – diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol... But I also tell them about having more energy, being able to do more physically than you could ever dream, being more confident, being in better shape both mentally and physically... People are motivated by HOPE, NOT SCORN.

Some people are sadists and just like finding people to hurt. Others think they are being cruel to be kind... I can tell you NOTHING can be further from the truth. This is bullying. Insulting people make them reject your message and makes them feel bad about themselves. You think making people feel bad about themselves will be the impetus for them to change? Let me tell you that nothing is further from the truth. Particularly with women.

My interview is here: http://www.halfsizeme.com/082/ and it starts around the 9:55 minute mark of the podcast. In there I talk about how the insults and bullying only made me more depressed and made me eat MORE. My impetus to change was out of HOPE and KINDNESS, not out of people being cruel. That does not work.

I would *NEVER* go on stage and tell people “Look at me. I did it. What’s your excuse?”. Compassion works where contempt does not. I always end my talks with a photo much like this one because I want people to know that it will take time and effort, but that the rewards are so awesome.

10-16-2013, 02:27 PM	#76
Devils'Advocate #1 Goaltender Join Date: Jul 2005 Exp:	I am not going to repeat my credentials here... most know my story... but I will mention that I have been a motivational speaker on health and wellness conferences and meetings many, many times and have sat down with many weight loss support groups and worked with them. My opinion is that “What’s Your Excuse” is absolutely nothing but cruel. It is meant to be demeaning. It is scornful. It’s not “Look. I did it. You can too.” It’s “You lazy slob... just making excuses....” When out speaking, I talk to them about the health risks of not exercising and not eating right – diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol... But I also tell them about having more energy, being able to do more physically than you could ever dream, being more confident, being in better shape both mentally and physically... People are motivated by HOPE, NOT SCORN. Some people are sadists and just like finding people to hurt. Others think they are being cruel to be kind... I can tell you NOTHING can be further from the truth. This is bullying. Insulting people make them reject your message and makes them feel bad about themselves. You think making people feel bad about themselves will be the impetus for them to change? Let me tell you that nothing is further from the truth. Particularly with women. My interview is here: http://www.halfsizeme.com/082/ and it starts around the 9:55 minute mark of the podcast. In there I talk about how the insults and bullying only made me more depressed and made me eat MORE. My impetus to change was out of HOPE and KINDNESS, not out of people being cruel. That does not work. I would NEVER go on stage and tell people “Look at me. I did it. What’s your excuse?”. Compassion works where contempt does not. I always end my talks with a photo much like this one because I want people to know that it will take time and effort, but that the rewards are so awesome.