My children mean the world to me and there is nothing like the joy of being able to join in their world of play. We wrestle on the floor, giggle, play silly word games, build train tracks, Lego skyscrapers, play airplane where I spin them around by their arms until we’re both dizzy… But getting tired too quickly due to being overweight and hearing my boys tell me, “Mommy, still play” is grieving. Moms even in the healthiest condition often don’t have the energy of three or five year old boys, but they may be able to play chase or soccer for longer periods of time.
When I think about being overweight or less than healthy, I wonder about my future and my children’s future. Will I get to live long enough to play with or even see my grandchildren? I think of other things too like my metabolism slowing down with age. I don’t want to be dependant on a motorized chair to get around. Granted, I’m not even close to that position now, but if I didn’t start taking control of my life somehow, perhaps I would be.
I worry when I think of heavier loved ones in my life. As much as I don’t want to lose the people close to me due to conditions resulting from obesity, I don’t want my family to lose me either. I’ve had to come to the point where I would not allow obesity to consume my physical abilities. I want energy again to play with my children; I want to have energy one day to play with my grandchildren.
One of my first goals is set for this summer; I hope to be able to get into a swimsuit with less shame so I can go swimming with my boys. I would like to be able to wear shorts on hot days and not feel so self-conscience. I’d put off cracking down for nearly thirty years and now I’m on a mission to be a healthier me—not just for myself, but for those I love.
Please visit these related blogs:
Diary of an Overweight Mom: Progress!
Melissa is a Families.com Christian Blogger. Read her blogs at: http://members.families.com/mj7/blog