There are certain themes repeated over and over, season after season, on NBC’s The Biggest Loser weight-loss reality show. One of those themes used to really rub me wrong way—the idea that contestants like me needed to put ourselves first, to make ourselves the priority, and to stop worrying so much about others.

We were literally told to be selfish, that it was “our turn now.” To my ears that sounded like such an un-Christian and un-pastoral value, something of the world and reality TV—and certainly not of God. And I just didn’t get its connection to weight loss. Why couldn’t I be selfless and healthy at the same time?

Lately I feel like I’ve been driving a ticking time bomb.

I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I live with the constant, nagging feeling that I’m on the verge of something bad with my car. I have two hopes—that it won’t be today, and even better, that the check-engine light will turn off, and whatever it is lurking below the hood of my car will magically get better on its own.

But you’d think I’d know better. I once destroyed an engine by ignoring that little red light of doom. I kept hoping the problem would go away. Instead I ended up on the side of a road with a smoking, very dead car.

#42: The answer to life, the universe, and everything—according to author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, Douglas Adams.

#47: Guaranteed, there’s at least one other Star Trek nerd out there who’s rejoicing with me on this one. I’d explain it to you, but it would take the whole column.

#231: The answer to the question I’m constantly asked.

McKee writes with the confidence of someone who has spent years working to design and implement weekly and large events that successfully target and draw the intended audience, and faithfully follow through with the planned purpose. 

Somewhere in Idaho there’s a kid eating an entire bag of Fiery Habanero Doritos. Meanwhile, in Vermont, another kid is eating a one-pound bag of Skittles. The tropical ones. Seriously. It happens all the time.

I began my pursuit of physical and spiritual health weighing 366 pounds. Only one month later, I was down 50 pounds. Simply through hours of exercise and counting calories.