No one sets out to become fat.
Like most things in life, it’s a process compounded by multiple factors: Poor eating habits, not enough exercise, slow metabolism, a medical condition...take your pick.
I was the kid who wore “husky” jeans. I wasn’t a fat kid, but I’ve always had thick tree-trunk like legs and I was never, ever rail-thin.
I kept active in a variety of sports, rode my bike daily, and ran around the parks and ravines surrounding our neighbourhood.
That kept me relatively fit up to the age 20, but then it was time to “get busy and get serious” with life.
And with that, my football days came to an end, I spent more time working to pay for schooling and my car, and then I entered my career.
It has been a very rewarding career, but it’s also one heck of a desk job too, which led to unhealthy habits: Too many donuts, too many lunch time meals sitting at the desk, too much to eat, big dinners with wine, late-night snacks and never, EVER, enough exercise.
That’s why I became fat and when you multiply that by years, I got really fat.
I wasn’t proud of my body, but somehow I managed to stay somewhat active which surprised a lot of people because:
a. They didn’t think I could move that quick.
b. I hadn’t dropped dead from a heart attack.
Fortunately, I did not succumb to the latter (knock on wood), but my size led to serious health issues which led to the resolution to change.
Over the last two years it’s been a big change to become smaller, and one that hasn’t gone unnoticed by many in our fair city. Let me just say that I’m appreciative of all your compliments.
But what I’m also finding out is this weight-loss is not just about me.
Many others, struggling with their own weight, have stopped to ask, “What do you do?”
At first I used to joke, “Well, I take this magic blue pill...” and watch as their eyes lit up. But it’s no fun teasing people who are searching for meaningful answers and hope too.
Now I look them in their eyes and tell them the simple solution that many others told me: Calories in, calories out.
More importantly I say to do something you enjoy doing: Walking, swimming, biking, yoga, whatever it takes to get your heart pumping.
It won’t be easy at the start, but begin slowly and burn off the weight slowly too. You didn’t put it all on in a month and it certainly isn’t all coming off in a few weeks.
I also like the phrase: “Get rid of weight,” because we tend to find whatever we lose.
My own goal has never to be thin, but fit. Eating right with regular exercise is just a part of daily life and I am proud of the “new me.”
I didn’t set out to become fat, but the mindset now, and forever, is to never be fat again. If I can do it, you can do it too!
paulr@campbellrivermirror.com