How Fat Are You Really?

I made an interesting discovery while at the gym today. I met with a personal trainer (complimentary session) who discussed some goals with me, did some fitness testing, targeted areas of concern, matched them up with some other data from testing (weight, body fat tests…) and gave me a plan outline for me to follow on my journey to the healthier me. Over a week ago when I began my new life, I figured I had about one-hundred pounds to lose. I’d done simple on-line calculators that gave me a “healthy weight range” only to find out today, even at … Continue reading →

Becoming a Healthier Wife

When I made my marital vows to my husband, putting on weight and feeling too tired for housework or intimacy was not a part of them! I was supposed to be his beautiful bride, someone he would want to love, honor and cherish for life. I’ve been wonderfully blessed with a husband who has never made mention of me being overweight in a negative way. He has truly loved me not showing shame with me, and this is a huge reason why I believe he deserves to have me be a healthier and more beautiful wife. I wasn’t prepared for … Continue reading →

Becoming a Healthier Mom

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 … Continue reading →

I’m Not Pregnant, I’m Fat

I assume when people see me they can tell I’m overweight. For this reason it blows me away when I get questioned about being pregnant. Do I really look pregnant? Can’t people tell the difference? I remember when I was very young I was at my grandma’s home. Her neighbor who was very heavy had just left for her house. I asked my grandma if the lady was pregnant. I remember her telling me she was so glad I asked then and not while the lady was standing there. She explained the lady was overweight and we should never ask … Continue reading →

The Human Garbage Disposal

Did you get the lecture about the starving children in Africa when you were a child and didn’t want to eat the meal that was prepared for you? Perhaps you might have found yourself using the line when trying to get your own children to eat. Were you forced to sit and eat every last bite on your plate that your mother laboriously and lovingly slaved over? To this day I have the hardest time leaving a little something left on my plate. When eating out I feel I need to get my money’s worth out of the meal. I … Continue reading →

Searching for the Real Me

I don’t feel like an overweight woman most of the time. Yeah, my back hurts and I’m tired a lot, but heck, kids can do that to you right? What I don’t get is why couldn’t I have a problem different than obesity instead? Why couldn’t I be too pretty or too charming? For some reason it seems more acceptable for a person’s eating disorder to manifest in being thin than overweight. My problem is, when I look in the mirror I don’t see a fat lady. I know I’m not thin, but I have just grown to accept that … Continue reading →

Coming Out and Being Honest

I’ve spent the last 15 years underestimating a problem I have. Rather than confronting it, I believed ignoring it as in issue would make it go way. I struggle with obesity; I have an eating disorder. Unlike many other issues people struggle with, mine stands out obvious to anyone who sees me. It’s not that I’ve denied being overweight, it’s that I refused to make it an issue or define who I am. Instead I’ve tried to overcompensate, hoping to shine what’s inside me, that it might radiate and people wouldn’t notice my weight. I fear I’ve reached a point … Continue reading →