I love to watch the Biggest Loser on NBC. It's funny & inspiring. In my life I've tried lots of weight loss programs, some worked - some didn't. The frustrating thing is I usually gain the weight back and that is certainly because my behaviors reverted back to my "pre-diet" habits.

Well, It's time for a reality check. I think our country, economically speaking, has gotten overweight and out of shape and is now going through a time of diet & exercise. Over the last few years we have artificially fed our economy with unhealthy loan programs, gorged on debt, and sat on our economic bottoms gobbling up every "sweet" treat in sight with out a worry about "getting our finances (personally or nationally) in shape.

The contestants on Biggest Loser always have the hardest time at the beginning of their journey. There are tears, accusations, doubt, finger pointing, exhaustion, frustration, and fears. More often than not, they want to quit and go back to their comfortable lifestyle that got them into trouble in the first place.

But then an amazing thing happens. They begin to experience success on the scale and as the weight that burdened them begins to melt away a renewal of hope and self esteem appears.

We as a nation need to not panic as our economic body begins its own journey through this process. There will be tears, accusations, doubt, finger pointing, exhaustion, frustration, and fear, BUT if we hold the course there will also be success. As I have learned from personal experience, jumping from one diet to another doesn't create an instant solution and very often only slows the process.

Eventually, our economy will hit its goal weight (i.e. stabilize) and when that happens we must be vigilant not to slip back into our comfortable habits that got us in trouble in the first place.

In the meantime, let's be encouragers not discouragers! The "free market" isn't dead - it just needs to hit the gym!

Lisa Gaiche ~ RE/MAX Real Estate Group ~ Olathe, KS ~ heartandhomekc@yahoo.com ~ 913.486.3764