Reveal Day!

Wow!  Today was something else!  Who'd have thought that family in Cambridge would be given such an opportunity!  I got an email last week from Sharon, the producer, and she said that Tuesday, Jan.17th, would be the day the viewing audience would find out who one the Family Fit Contest.  An email followed the next day saying it would be Wednesday.  The Marilyn Denis Show would be sending in satellite truck and it would be a live feed into the studio downtown Toronto.  Then early Monday morning, yesterday, it was changed again.  A satellite truck was not going to be available but we were asked to skype in.

I got up this morning, did my three repetitions of depth squats, push ups and planking exercises and then got ready to go to Breakfast Club around 6:30 am.  I work with the most amazing volunteers at Breakfast Club.  We have worked together for so many years that each of us knows each job inside out.  I was able to leave shortly after 7:40 to come back home to get everything ready for the skype appointment.  I was asked to pick up this HD webcam.  Man... I am so technically challenged!  I couldn't figure out how this webcam clamped on to my laptop.  I asked Stacey to see if the webcam was working and she said that the picture was very fuzzy.  She looked at me like I had six heads and said that I didn't have the webcam attached to the computer.  I knew that!  It wasn't attached at all because I was holding it!  She is so smart... she knew exactly what to do!

A phone call soon came in from the Marilyn Denis production crew and they wanted to do a skype audio and picture test.  Well, this $100 camera was great but it kept going out of focus.  So, at last we just removed this webcam and used the one in my computer.  We still had half an hour before we were to be on air.  I tried to hold myself together, but I couldn't.  I was in the living room trying to laugh to cover my crying but then Jocelyn called me out on it.  "What are you crying for?", she asked.  All I could do was say, "I'm scared." as I grabbed a kleenex and nervously laughed and cried some more.  I really tried to pull myself together and eventually after some reassurance from my family, I was more composed.  At least my nose didn't bleed!

I wish my son, Greg, could have been part of this challenge, but living in Moncton was too difficult to co-ordinate.  He said that he is going to try and work along side us with some other pastors in the area.  I hope he does.  He was working this morning and tweeted a shout out to us and then tweeted a picture.  http://twitpic.com/88frxl

The show started and we had about two minutes on air.  I am so proud of my family.  They are supporting each other and encouraging each other in so many ways.  Kerby's fiance, Jeremy, even video taped the show and posted it to his wall on Facebook!  

We have had to submit to the nutritionist a three day food intake record and then had to send Brent Bishop, our fitness coach, our exercise log.  He has been checking in on me about every third day to see how things are going.  He's made some recommendations and encouraged me to push myself a little harder.  I'm afraid... I don't know what of, but I am nervous.  I'm going to try hard.  Try hard to face that fear.  Maybe that's why they have Joe Rich, Family Therapist, coming in tomorrow night to meet with us.

When I got home from the Swaziland warehouse today, I got a phone call from the media department of the Marilyn Denis Show and was told that the Cambridge Times wanted to speak to me about our challenge.  They are going to feature us this coming Friday in the Times.  They also want to keep a running story on us as well.  Should be interesting.  I still can't comprehend it all.  We really have so much support.  I'm humbled... and scared silly!  :D

If you haven't had a chance to see it, go in about 4 minutes 54 seconds into the segment, and you'll see the "reveal".   http://www.marilyn.ca/Video.aspx#clip602370

There is lots happening next week - on Monday, the nutritionist is coming in to inspect our pantry; she'll be taking us on a grocery trip and then Tuesday, we are in the studio for the full hour on the Marilyn Denis Show; after that, we go to ThinkFitness Studio with Brent Bishop to shoot some exercise footage for future shows.  :)  Yup... who'd have thought.... certainly not me!  But I'm grateful.

The Process

The day the crew came from the Marilyn Denis Show was an experience like none other.  I woke up early to go over my furniture and floors to make sure everything was clean.  I cleaned out my fridge because I knew that they were going to be doing shots inside it.  LOL

As the time drew nearer for them to arrive, my nose started to bleed and my heart began to race.  As I held a kleenex to my nose, I began to laugh out loud to myself.  Really?  Can this be happening?  I know it was just a nervous laughter because there wasn't anything to laugh at!  I was sitting in a chair holding a kleenex to my nose for heaven's sake!  That lasted almost an hour and a half!  Then the phone rang.  It was Sharon, the producer, calling to say they had arrived.

Just like I couldn't get my nose to stop bleeding, I couldn't stop my mouth from talking!  I just babbled on about how nervous I was and blah blah blah.  I'm sure they had some second thoughts.  As they went through my house looking at the lighting and distractions, the team of five began to actually look like real people.  I mean they said normal things, they looked normal, and they acted normal.  How strange it must be for them to walk into a strangers home and start looking around?

It didn't take too long, maybe about two hours before I began to feel a little more like myself again.  The first thing they did was do a group interview of myself, Jocelyn, Stacey and Jenn.  After that, they did a personal interview of myself.  Sharon asked many personal questions about my eating history and weight gain.  She asked me again if I'm an emotional eater.  I am beginning to think that I am.  A couple of times now, as I have been very conscientious of my food intake, I have found myself wanting to grab something to put in my mouth as excitement, or disappointment or other feelings rise up.  One of the things I talked about was my brother Bill's suicide.  The camera man, Michael, said he was appreciative of my honesty.  I said that it doesn't help anyone, myself especially, if I don't talk about the things that are deep in my heart.  I told him that I have met many people since 1987 that have had either attempted a suicide or had someone they loved die by their own actions.  We have a bond that others won't understand and perhaps there will be a viewer that struggles with that too.

While that was going on, another producer, Seta, was interviewing Stacey.  I don't know what kind of questions she was asked but  I could see through the french doors from time to time that Stacey was quite animated!  After arriving at 10:00 am, they crew left at 2:30 pm to get some lunch and then head over to Jocelyn's and Jennifer's house.  While they were gone, I started to prepare for supper.  They were going to be shooting us eating a family dinner of shepherds pie.  When they arrived around 5:30 pm to do that shoot, I think they were a little surprised by the commotion that goes on during a dinner.  It was funny to watch the camera man run around the table taking shots of different ones eating and whatever went on!  The crew finally left at about 9:15 pm for the night.

The next morning, the crew arrived at Jocelyn's house around 8:30.  Again, I wasn't there, but Joce said they had a lot of fun.  My girls didn't seem nearly as nervous as me!  Why is that?  LOL  At 10:15, three of the crew came to Grand View School to film an average day in the Library.  We imported six children to do that with me.  Parents had to sign a media release.  The kids didn't seem to care that there was a camera there.  After that shoot, we went to the Cambridge Preston Church of the Nazarene to imitate a typical Breakfast Club day.  Betty and Bea Ayres helped prepare the food with me that day.  The same kids were in that shoot as well.  After that shoot was done, we did one with me going through a McDonalds drive through.  I don't eat there much anymore, but there was a time when it almost seemed like a staple.  It's funny how your lifestyle dictates your actions.  As all of that was going on, another crew went up to Wilfred Laurier University to film Stacey in different activities around the campus.

We wrapped filming around 2:30 that day.  I have to say, that Patrick and Michael, the cameramen, Brett, the sound man, and Seta and Sharon, producers, were absolutely the most patient people I've met in a long time. There were times that one of my girls wasn't comfortable talking about or shooting something that made them feel uncomfortable.  They respected their requests and made them feel at ease.  I liked that.  While some of the conversations were perhaps not easy to talk about, they are real.  As the producers pointed out, there are going to be people sitting in their living rooms hearing our story and may connect with one of us.  Isn't that cool?

As I typed out that second last sentence above, I thought, "Yup.  That's what a testimony is.  Someone can relate to your story.  Someone can get hope from you."  As a christian, I hope that when I do share my story, someone can see hope.  I hope someone can see that.  The art of storytelling is rare.  The sharing of ourselves is rare.  I just realized that God has given me an opportunity to share Him, not necessarily through my words, but through my actions on a national tv

Evaluation Day

Today, we drive to Vaughn for an evaluation.  A body fat and muscle evaluation.  I think I'll leave that statement right there.  This whole Marilyn Denis Show is scary for me actually.  It started out as, "Let's apply.", then it developed to, "Let's do a video."  Whoever thought that our family would have been chosen.

It is a big commitment as well.  I mean, getting healthy is a commitment so I don't know why I'm surprised.  As I look back at the time I spend each day doing things, I begin to panic and wonder if I can fit this in.  Jocelyn often laughs when I talk about how busy other people are.  I never thought of myself as busy.  I always just accepted that I did this or that each day.  I guess I never saw those things as busyness or work because I like doing them. I wonder if that is why I am feeling anxious about this challenge.  What if I don't like doing what they suggest?  What if .... I don't know, fill in the blank.

As I typed those words above, I remembered a quote from my Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Bogle.  She always said, "Don't borrow trouble."  In other words, don't dwell on what might happen - because it may not happen.  A rocking chair is like worry.  Keeps you busy but gets you nowhere.

Here's another thought that just crossed my mind.  What if I like doing the exercise?  What if I like the life-style change?  There's a thought for ya!  Everything we do, starts with a thought.  I need to embrace those positive thoughts.  That's my New Year's resolution.  I'm going to think positive.  Competitive athletes envision themselves winning.  They play over and over in their minds how they are going to execute the details of their sport.  They think positive.  What's the outcome?  They have played over and over in their minds what they would do in a situation, so they are ready to face it when they see it.

I'm going to do that too!  I'm going to start to envision myself facing my day and my new life-style changes.  I don't know what that is yet, but as I learn what they are, I'll focus on those things.  Besides, I draw strength from the One who created me and He will strengthen me all the way.

So, today, I face a day of finding out some things about my body I didn't know before.  And... if you don't know what's broke, you can't fix it.   With that in mind, I'm going to find out today another part of the "Marg" puzzle and start to do some repairs.  Tomorrow, January 5th, filming starts at my house, Jenn's house and Jocelyn's house.  They are going to be filming on Friday as well.  Stacey will be filmed on Friday.  Kerby will be interviewed on Thursday.  Friday they will be filming me at school and at Breakfast Club.  We have to import some kids for that day.

Although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared, I'm thrilled that this is starting.  It is going to mean a healthier body for all of us.  Walk along side and encourage us please.  Laugh with us too... I'm sure there will be lots of that to go around!!!

Family Fitness Challenge Series - Marilyn Denis Show

Fake workout photo!

Submission Photo

On September 9, 2011, I read on the Marilyn Denis website that they were willing to assist a family get back into shape by providing them with a nutrition team as well as a fitness team.  I thought to myself, "Let's try!"  Stacey, Jocelyn and Jennifer were over at the house that afternoon and I asked them to consider submitting our family... well, actually, just the four of us.  Campbell, Vince & Kerby don't need to lose any weight.  Greg does, but he lives in Moncton so he probably wouldn't be able to be part of it.  So we started to brainstorm ideas on a picture to submit as per the website's application.  It also asked to send in your story.  I had no idea what to write for a story.  "Dear Marilyn Denis, We're fat.  Help!"  What story does she want?  We took some duct tape and wrote the word "HELP" on our backs and then took a couple of nice shots of us together as well as a playful shot of us doing a "workout".  I did write a little blurb about our family and our desire to look the best we can for Kerby's wedding and a little history of ourselves.

On September 30th, I received an email thanking us for our submission and a request to continue on the application process and provide them with a short video of our family and why we should be chosen for this series.  After a bit of shock, even to be considered for a national television show, I called the girls and told them about the latest request.  Giggling we decided to ask Kerby for help.  Until that point, she had no idea that we had even submitted anything and her part of our story.  She got very excited that we wanted to be healthier and also lose some weight.  If you don't know Kerby, she is a bit of a fitness nut.  She had all kinds of ideas for a video and music to put it to.  I had no idea and was really out of my element.  Kerby had us video tape ourselves separately and tell a 30 second blurb of why we wanted to lose weight.  That's harder than it seemed.  We also took some video footage of us at the school's gym doing some exercises and stretching poses.  She also asked us to video tape how close we lived to each other by having us drive from our house to Jenn's to Jocelyn's and back home again.

Kerby gave all that footage to Jeremy, her fiance, and he edited it.  As it turned out, Jocelyn had requested tickets to go to the Marilyn Denis Show in August and had received confirmation of tickets for October 3rd.  I emailed the producer and asked him if he wanted us to send our video in by email, or if we could drop it off on the Thursday when we went to the show.  He emailed back and said that if we had it ready to drop off that would be great.  A second email followed shortly after that and another request came to meet us at the show! Jocelyn and I were so excited!  We met with another producer that day and she inquired about our eating habits, fitness regime, likes and dislikes and availability.  We left that show hopeful that we'd hear back from them.

Two weeks went by and we hadn't heard anything.  I sent them another little picture of us at a Colon Cancer run that we had participated in that was published in the Hamilton Spectator.  Just a reminder that we were still waiting.  I know I thought we should be chosen, but really, it's a canadian wide hunt for a family.  We really aren't that special and there are a ton (pardon the pun) of overweight families.  I kind of gave up hope and stopped talking about it with the girls.  Well, lo and behold, over a month later on October 9th, I got an email saying that they hadn't forgotten about us and that they were in the process of finalizing which family they will be choosing.  Hope flickered again.  I called the girls to tell them.  They all had a bit of stunned silence and then a nervous giggle shortly followed.

You can only pretend to know the shock I had on Tuesday, November 22nd, when I opened my email and read this:  "Congratulations!  You guys are going to be the family we feature on the show for the family weight loss series!  We will launch this in January and it will run until June. However, we will probably start filming some of the stories with you sometime in December.  I just want to make sure all of your schedules are flexible and what days/hours work best for you so I can begin organizing a shooting schedule.  We’re very excited about this and I hope you are too!"

Yup - shocked  I tell you.  I called the girls and, oh, my word.... we couldn't believe it.  In fact... couldn't believe it.  So excited about the opportunity to have people walk along side of me and my girls, that I love so much.  I want them to have a better life than I have had being overweight and all the emotional crap it puts you through.  I want to be a great looking family for Kerby's wedding.  I want to live a healthier life and hopefully because of that, a longer life.  I know it's going to be hard work.  I know it's going to be challenging.  I know it's going to mean a lifestyle change...but

WE'RE READY!!!!

As things are confirmed and updated, I'll be posting here.  Pray for us!!!!