My mother's advice never varied, "Eat well and
exercise." She was right when I was 13 years old and she's right today. Of
course I wasn't willing to admit it back then, she was my mother after all and
was graced with a naturally slender figure - what did she know!
It was far easier to look at my father's gene pool for the
answers to my obesity. After all, being 50-100 lbs. overweight was quite
acceptable and a convenient excuse for low expectations.
If I was born predisposed to an array of health issues: obesity,
high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, as well as,
muscle and joint pain, why fight it?
Sure, I was miserable, but believing I could never be
healthy meant there was no need to leave my comfort zone and more importantly,
no need to challenge myself.
Well, that was until my sister (with similar challenges)
visited after the birth of my youngest child.
She had spent a few months abroad and returned sporting
curves to envy. Not only did she look great, but her transformation included a
proud posture and a bright outlook on the next 40+ years of her life.
Instantly, I was faced with a scary, but tangible
concept...if my sister could crack the code to better health there was nothing
stopping me. Suddenly, my excuses held no water and vanished into thin air -
poof!
After 20 years of self-loathing my reality shifted and I
knew a different outcome was possible.
It was both overwhelming and exciting!
There was no fairy dust involved, my life didn't evolve
overnight. In all honesty, the following year was focussed solely on nursing my
newborn, and adjusting to life with three children.
However, there was an underlying energy brewing: to
facilitate change I would have to be more mindful with future decisions. My
scope widened and overtime possibilities presented themselves in a more
favourable light.
It took time to get down to the business of me; it was about
three years before I stepped out my shell and took the first steps towards
happiness.
Making the mental leap from instant gratification (in all
areas) to re-thinking the very purpose of eating and the importance of exercise
was huge.
I made one commitment after another: This year, I'm going to
lose 40 lbs. This month, I'm going to stop snacking at night. This week, I am
going to exercise. Today, I am going to make better choices. However, there
wasn't a bone in my body that believed these goals were achievable.
My all or nothing mentality was brutal and every misstep
resulted in heaps of negative self-talk. One false start after another was very
discouraging and the pressure I placed on myself was intense.
What was wrong with me, after years of research I had this
covered; however, the road to health remained plain to see, but impossible to
grasp.
The time had come, I needed to push my emotional barriers
away and simplify my strategy. Food was fuel and exercise was non-negotiable.
For the first time I've got a handle on the food and the
fitness part of the journey.
Although it's taken a long time for me to understand
this...there is no one more important than me; therefore, if everyone is on the
same playing field then my time should be divided accordingly!
In other words, I am not shelving my needs for
the needs of those around me and to my surprise everyone is just fine with
that!
