Repost: Forward movement and change

This re-post seems fitting...Deep into production of my upcoming cookbook, Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box, I had to make a difficult change. A decision. For a myriad of reasons, I had to change print companies. Since they printed my first cookbook I felt I owed it to them to let them print my sophomore effort. Loyalty I guess. But it was becoming more and more apparent that it wasn't the place for my second book. That's okay. We don't have to stick with something if it's not working out, it's not working out. Move forward. Next.

Change is good.  Change is frightening. Change is liberating. Change is necessary.   So often we become stagnant in our everyday lives and are afraid to make changes. Even when the changes are for the better. It could be the smallest change: a new hair cut, maybe spruce up our living room with a new bold color paint, or buy a new daring pair of shoes. Then there's the major changes: dump the partner that is zapping our energy, quit the dead end job, or lose those unwanted 30 lbs. Whatever it is that is keeping us in a negative place we often opt to stay there because we're fearful of making the changes and putting in the necessary work. It's a crazy oxymoron.

Everything is going well in life all is fine and dandy. We find ourselves in a comfort zone. We like our job, our partner, etc., but there are always areas that we can improve to make us better.  I'm always looking for ways to improve, grow. I strive everyday to be better. I refuse to become complacent and sit still. Life is about forward movement. My weight loss and self transformation journey to date is the BIGGEST change I've ever made. I say this all the time, this is a transformation from the inside out. Besides, making changes in my diet and becoming physically active. There were plenty of things I did NOT like about my character:

• I'd tell someone I was going to do something and then I wouldn't. And, to boot I'd have a flip attitude about it if they asked me about it. 
• I gave up really easy. If anything caused a challenge. Forget it. Game over. I quit.
• I didn't value myself and had a horrible desire for validation from others
• Negative outlook
• Selfish, selfish, selfish

I've had to take a long hard look at myself and make all sorts of changes. It's been a long painful yet very rewarding journey. Sometimes, I wonder when will I stop changing.  I think, I can honestly say-- never.

For those in a comfort zone. For those in a negative place. I challenge you to find it within yourself to make the necessary changes to do whatever is you want to do, reach for whatever goal you want to reach, and become the BEST person you can be. One thing is for sure, you can't keep doing the same things and get different results. If you've been contemplating making changes in your lives - the time is now. Here's to forward movement and change.

Repost: Do You

This post was originally written about two weeks after Farewell Fatso! made it's debut. Just think if I would've listened to the person who was trying to give me advice... Thank goodness I didn't.

Along my journey to combat obesity and create a healthy lifestyle for myself --I’ve shared my trials, triumphs, and story with plenty of people. For the most part, people are very supportive and are truly excited for me. Of course, there are those who  half-heartedly listen to my story for fear they may have to look at themselves and re-evaluate their lifestyles. And, then some folks like to give advice on how I should proceed on my journey. Since I'm not really a private person and I have the propensity to open up to people. Sometimes folks feel they need to give me advice – even if I’m not particularly seeking it.

Recently, someone suggested to me that perhaps I should focus on myself more and not worry about helping others by blogging,*facebooking, and helping parents with their overweight children. After all, I still have plenty of weight to lose before I meet my weight goal…So maybe, just maybe I should take care of me, first.

Long pause. Deep breath. Regroup.

The truth of the matter is my blogging, facebooking, and helping others is actually very cathartic for me. By reaching out to you all it helps me work through my feelings, and furthermore it keeps me accountable knowing I have all of you rooting for me. Besides, what am I to do, wait until I lose all the weight and then begin my work? I don’t think so. I’m not promised tomorrow. None of us are. So I’m doing my thing today.

Here’s my unsolicited advice to you. Do you. Heed others opinions with caution. Remember, you have to be comfortable with the course you are traveling. Don’t let anyone dictate the path you take to get to your destination. In all likelihood the person giving the advice is trying to be helpful, but when it comes down to it, you have to know within yourself the road you travel is at your pace. No doubt, along the course you may hit some road bumps those are to be expected. Stay the course.

In closing, this journey is mine. Me, and only me, chooses the route I take. The course, I’ve decided to travel includes: Blogging, facebooking, and reaching out to the public in hopes to help and inspire. All aboard!

The Inauguration

"5 or 50"

Wow. Whoa. What a turnout! Last night, I facilitated the inaugural "5 or 50” women’s group at the Cascade Park Community Library. 25 ladies showed up to hear my story and share theirs. I arrived to find several women there already in the lobby chatting. It was the coolest thing. You could just feel the anticipation, the positive vibes, the buzz.

I started the meeting with a brief introduction and my theory behind the group. Next, we  went around the room introducing ourselves and what we hoped to gain from the meetings.

In sharing there were several reoccurring themes:

1. Loss of spouses
2. Yo-Yo dieting
3. Lack of confidence / self-esteem

We discussed sustainable weight loss, positive self-esteem, mindful eating, and I shared healthy snacking options. I’d have to say this was a very,very successful first meeting. I am so proud to be able to share my story and help others along the way. I look forward to our next meeting of sharing, growing, and together finding ways to live positive healthy lives. Thank you all for coming out. We are beautiful, strong, and capable.

--

Thanks to LiveWell/The Columbian for promoting the event – lots of folks said they saw it in the paper, and to Teresa Torres for opening the doors of the Cascade Park Community Library to us.

Next meeting,  Wednesday, August 22 from 6 -7:30 p.m. 

Cascade Park Community Library

Repost: Inside out

My self-transformation and weight loss journey began with a walk. For weeks, prior, I was drowning my sorrows and escaping from my fears by sleeping the days and nights away. But, during the brief waking moments there was a nagging voice within telling me to lace up my tennis shoes and go outside and take a walk. Obeying that nagging voice saved my life and is the reason I'm able to write this blog post today.

In the late fall of 2009 I was in a dark, miserable place. No job, no car, no boyfriend - all these losses happened within six weeks. I felt like I had no reason to go on. I felt like such a failure, loser. I couldn't imagine there was any reason to continue on. There were a number of things that required my attention. From my attitude to my finances. Losing everything forced me or I should say gave me the opportunity to sit still and figure out what was causing me to keep finding myself in dark situations.

The first walk (which by the way took every ounce of strength I had) was only ten minutes, but it opened my eyes and gave me a glimpse of light -- desperately needed light. After I strung together several days of walking I saw more light. I decided that maybe, just maybe I lost my job so that I could take the necessary time I needed to look within. I decided not to squander my gift and so I laced up my tennis shoes in the rain and sometimes in the snow. I used the walks outside to get fresh air, reflect, and get in touch with my inner self. Soon I began enjoying the walks they were cathartic for me and I was getting exercise. After a few months, I had even lost a few pounds.

In retrospect, I believe looking inward is the first step in starting a journey of this magnitude. I suspect (I know this was true for me) many of us who are struggling with weight and especially obesity have a myriad of other issues going on that lead us to food. Like I told the TOPS weight loss group I spoke with last week, I won't come out later and say I was raped or abused. I had a pretty normal childhood it's just that I found comfort, solace in food. Once I sat still with myself I found there were other things that brought me pleasure.  .

I started those walks just to save myself, but I ended up finding the whole me. Wellness and health aren't just about the physical state, quite the contrary, it's holistic. Once I started feeling better about myself, everything else just started coming together. When I started walking, I lost 8 pounds without really trying. The light was shining brighter and I started trying different things, surrounded myself with like-minded people, and became more social.

My self-transformation and weight loss journey has been from the inside out. I feel people should take time to look within and the rest will all come together. Today, I'm blinded by light: 170 pounds lighter, happier, and healthier -- it's a holistic approach. Might I suggest, if you are struggling with your weight, your health, spirituality, maybe it's time you look inward. Really, really look inward. Don't just make a plan, let the plan manifest in you. Inside out.

Repost: Small things

Often overlooked and less celebrated are small things.  Small things are the foundation for big things. Without small things, well, big things can't happen. Seems to me celebrating the small things en route to the big, ultimate things makes more sense. Why delay the celebration? Big things, are big, and they usually don't come around as often.

Case in point: Battling obesity is a big thing. But, when you weigh 388 pounds losing a pound is a small thing. I could not, however, have lost 170 pounds without losing the first pound, five pounds, ten pounds, etc. With each pound there was cause for celebration because those first pounds were the foundation.Those first pounds gave me the strength and confidence to go on.

On the flip side: A nonchalant attitude towards small things such as missing a scheduled workout can be damning. It's just a workout -- not! Maintaining a workout routine requires discipline, effort. It's the attitude, the spirit. Sure, one workout is a small thing, but ultimately weeks, months, years of working out can become a big thing. Y'all with me?

Let us celebrate small things, and let us not take small things for granted. For small things become big things. And, if you are impatient like me big things just take too long.