Tuesday, September 21, 2010
When you fall off the wagon
An injury this summer deterred my exercise goals. However, I'm detemined to get back on track! I can't let unforseen circumstances cause me to give up on my goal. I have to stay focused. I also have another source of motivation: obesity can contribute to infertility. If I consider having children in the future, I don't want the weight to eliminate that possibility.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Get Free--Know the Truth
My grandfather is known to say, "The truth will set you free! Lying will keep you in bondage!" This is based on the scripture recorded in John 8:32 when Jesus told the Jews who believed in him, "...and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." I have learned that an important part of my fitness journey requires me to be honest with myself about some things. How often do we make excuses for our current condition? I was watching a weight loss show on TV and one of the participants made the comment, "I am heavy because my family trained me to be that way." We may blame our parents, our busy schedules, the lack of healthy choices available to us, or even our DNA for our health but ultimately, it is up to the individual to take control of the choices regarding one's health.
Case in point: As a child, I was a very picky eater. My diet consisted of chicken nuggets with sweet and sour sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy (or frozen french fries), frozen pizza, or hot dogs. When I became old enough to learn about what consists of a balanced diet and how to read nutrition information, I became accountable for what I put into my body. Yes, both of my parents are overweight but genetics didn't plug in the deep fryer and fry the chicken. As an adult, I am often in a rush and have little time for a home-cooked meal but even at a fast food restaurant, no one forces me to order what I order. I can order the grilled chicken or the salad with low fat dressing if I want to. At home, I can bake the frozen french fries instead of deep-frying them. I can add extra veggies to the frozen pizza.
I am learning that the ball is in my court. If I want things to change, I need to at least be willing to take the initiative to make changes to my life.
Case in point: As a child, I was a very picky eater. My diet consisted of chicken nuggets with sweet and sour sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy (or frozen french fries), frozen pizza, or hot dogs. When I became old enough to learn about what consists of a balanced diet and how to read nutrition information, I became accountable for what I put into my body. Yes, both of my parents are overweight but genetics didn't plug in the deep fryer and fry the chicken. As an adult, I am often in a rush and have little time for a home-cooked meal but even at a fast food restaurant, no one forces me to order what I order. I can order the grilled chicken or the salad with low fat dressing if I want to. At home, I can bake the frozen french fries instead of deep-frying them. I can add extra veggies to the frozen pizza.
I am learning that the ball is in my court. If I want things to change, I need to at least be willing to take the initiative to make changes to my life.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I'm not going out like that
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao-tzu)
For as long as I can remember, I have been fat. However, I noticed that my weight gain began to increase during my high school and college years. I would lose weight during the summer months when I was more active--ten pounds here, fifteen pounds there. The most weight that I have ever lost was twenty-five pounds. As I aged out of my mid-twenties and approach my thirtieth birthday in a little over a year, I have noticed that the weight isn't coming off as easily and I seem to be gaining more weight than I lose. In recent years, I have been plagued with various health issues-gallstones, back pain, runner's knee, arthritis, breathing difficulties, and prediabetes, among other things. These issues can be alleviated by weight loss.
On a practical note, being fat is expensive! Larger clothes mean that the manufacturers have to use more material to create the outfits. My skinny friends might be able to find a dress for $14.99 but that same dress would probably cost me $19.99 or even $24.99. When bridal stores have $99 sales, how many plus-size wedding dresses do you think are on sale at that price?
Most importantly, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired! I want to be able to go into a store and know that I will actually be able to find clothes in my size. I want to be able to run without gasping for air. I want to wake up and experience a day without pain in my ankles, knees, back, anywhere! I want to get on a plane and not need a seat belt extender. I'm tired of children asking me, "Are you having a baby?" Let's be real: I'm tired of adults asking me "Are you expecting? How many kids do you have?" Let's see, I have two and one on the way. Their names are Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. I don't want to deal with heart problems, insulin, or knee replacement when I'm older. The real wake-up call for me was when I was at the doctor's office and I happened to read the notes in my file. The doctor described me as "a morbidly obese African-American woman." Morbidly obese? You mean I could die because I'm too big? Wait a minute! I refuse to go out like that. I'm not dying young just because I neglected to care for my body. Whatever I have to give up isn't worth my life. Even if I never eat another french fry, chicken nugget, pizza, or slice of bacon again, it's not worth my life. I have to lose approximately 52 lbs in order to no longer be morbidly obese. I have set a goal of losing 7-8lbs a month for the next seven months. The number seven represents completion in the Bible. I believe that by losing th weight, I will be able to complete a chapter of my life that has gone on for far too long.
For as long as I can remember, I have been fat. However, I noticed that my weight gain began to increase during my high school and college years. I would lose weight during the summer months when I was more active--ten pounds here, fifteen pounds there. The most weight that I have ever lost was twenty-five pounds. As I aged out of my mid-twenties and approach my thirtieth birthday in a little over a year, I have noticed that the weight isn't coming off as easily and I seem to be gaining more weight than I lose. In recent years, I have been plagued with various health issues-gallstones, back pain, runner's knee, arthritis, breathing difficulties, and prediabetes, among other things. These issues can be alleviated by weight loss.
On a practical note, being fat is expensive! Larger clothes mean that the manufacturers have to use more material to create the outfits. My skinny friends might be able to find a dress for $14.99 but that same dress would probably cost me $19.99 or even $24.99. When bridal stores have $99 sales, how many plus-size wedding dresses do you think are on sale at that price?
Most importantly, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired! I want to be able to go into a store and know that I will actually be able to find clothes in my size. I want to be able to run without gasping for air. I want to wake up and experience a day without pain in my ankles, knees, back, anywhere! I want to get on a plane and not need a seat belt extender. I'm tired of children asking me, "Are you having a baby?" Let's be real: I'm tired of adults asking me "Are you expecting? How many kids do you have?" Let's see, I have two and one on the way. Their names are Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. I don't want to deal with heart problems, insulin, or knee replacement when I'm older. The real wake-up call for me was when I was at the doctor's office and I happened to read the notes in my file. The doctor described me as "a morbidly obese African-American woman." Morbidly obese? You mean I could die because I'm too big? Wait a minute! I refuse to go out like that. I'm not dying young just because I neglected to care for my body. Whatever I have to give up isn't worth my life. Even if I never eat another french fry, chicken nugget, pizza, or slice of bacon again, it's not worth my life. I have to lose approximately 52 lbs in order to no longer be morbidly obese. I have set a goal of losing 7-8lbs a month for the next seven months. The number seven represents completion in the Bible. I believe that by losing th weight, I will be able to complete a chapter of my life that has gone on for far too long.
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