If this post helps even one person, it will have been worth it.
I am sharing this because I was told I needed to. 3 years ago, my doctor urged me to do something about my health. These photos were taken July, 3 years ago. I started my adventure in August after this trip to Colombia. In these past 3 years, I have learned so much about nutrition and healthy habits. It isn’t just about what you eat or how. It is about the whole person. This includes mental, emotional, physical, and diet. In my world, the word DIET is an acronym: Did I Eat Today? (Thanks to Dr. Pomroy). I found that when you eat healthy, you need to eat more (healthy food). I didn’t have a dessert until our anniversary this August and that was just three bites and I was satiated. The key is eliminating all the processed junk we put into our bodies. I had to give up sugar, bread, coffee, pasta and many of the foods I absolutely loved. But I found others to replace them. I am so aware of what I put into my body these days and tell my students: “If you can’t read it, don’t eat it.”
I see something now that I have always chosen to ignore: how unhealthy our society is. It reminds me of the population in the movie Wall E (pictures included) where they are all slaves to their lifestyle. It isn’t until the end (second pic) where they awaken and realize what they have allowed to happen. I feel that my weight gain was, by society in general, enabled by excuses: “Well you have 6 kids, what do you expect?”or “You look good, don’t worry.” or “At least you eat healthy.” What is “healthy eating”? I found essentially, that it is unprocessed whole foods (organic if possible).
I had injured my knees over time, had surgery on one, and could not go up and down stairs for years. Many things that most people take for granted, I could not do. I walked cautiously always looking down.
I am now able to do all those things and so much more. I have lost 90lbs since that August three years ago. I also go to CrossFit Silverback and love, love it (thank you Sonya Nair Cranford)! I can now jump rope, lunge, deadlift 90lbs, split jerk 40lbs, run, row, squat, and so much more. I never in a million years thought I could do any of that. This gym is unlike any other. They are a community. We all help each other, encourage each other and I can truly say that there have been times I didn’t think I could finish; but with the encouragement of everyone there, I always have.
I have included my before pics and my after pic which was taken on the first day of school. I didn’t do this before because I was embarrassed that I had allowed myself to become the person I had. Being overweight caused me to be insecure with myself and not enjoy life for fear of someone laughing at me. I would not go to the gym until I had lost weight because I didn’t want to be judged. I am past all that and I still have many strides to make, but I have tackled the hardest part: getting started. By changing my bad habits and learning what is truly good for me, I have achieved so much. Thanks to the Grace of God for the strength He has given me to keep going and all my family and friends, I am a happier, content, satiated, less-stressed person.