WHEN "I WANT-TO" BECOMES "I HAVE-TO"

Why can some people stay in shape while others struggle with their weight? And why can some do it for awhile, but only awhile?

I've spent years watching people come and go. I've also spent years watching the same people keep coming back for more.

Some people just "have to do it." They love the process. They love working out and getting sweaty. They come to love the challenge.

These people are pretty well connected with their bodies. They're constantly monitoring the situation. If they see things going South, they quickly make adjustments and fix the problem.

No surprise, it's the ones that can't seem to commit to a daily routine that struggle the most. They try this new program, that new diet, and the latest hot new DVD series.

But tight schedules make it tough. Pain makes it worse, and of course, life intrudes. They're in for awhile, and then they're out. But every now and then, someone breaks out and finds their way.

They make the changes, and then make them stick. They keep a routine until it becomes... routine. They're more encouraged by their successes, than discouraged by their failures.

They've finally joined the ranks of the "have-to's." It's become important to them. Maybe even critical. They now "have to" do it.

Life still has lots of mysteries to me, but I'm pretty sure of three things: God is not dead, Jesus still saves, and when your "I want-to" becomes "I have-to", that's when you'll find your breakthrough.

The participants in Biggest Loser "20" are experiencing their own breakthrough, with a month under their belt. First place went to Lori Hollingsworth, who lost 5.4 lbs and 3.0% of her body weight. Brian Bradley and Heather Watson tied for second, both losing 1.6% and 4.0 lbs and 2.8 lbs respectively. Cheryl Funkhouser placed fourth, losing 2.2 lbs and 1.3%.