I have felt much pain, shame, and anger over my weight. I could make plenty of lists about all the terrible things associated obesity. I used to think how unfair that the world is biased. I used to think how horrible that seat belts, amusement park rides, and furniture wasn't made for fat people. I used to think how cruel it was that world didn't find me beautiful because of my extra ton-age.
I used to dream that I would slim down to a nice svelte physique, comfortably fit in an airplane seat, and never wonder if I would cause an elevator to go past its weight capacity. I used to dream of being athletic. I used to dream of women swooning over me. I used to dream about how much easier and wonderful life would be once I hit that magic number on the scale.
Somewhere along the way, I gave all those things up. Somehow, I figured out that my happiness in life would never change no matter what number was on the scale. I discovered I had used my obesity as an excuse, a "whipping boy," the reason for all my problems. I think that I gave up a lot of dreams and hid behind the fat.
I walked on this path of fitness for a short time in the grand scheme of things, but I have a long way to go. I am not taking about weight loss, but about straightening out my thinking, creating a positive outlook, and enjoying life as it is right now. I do not walk this path in order to get into designer jeans, to ride on that special roller coaster, or have the ladies check me out. I walk this path because of what God has given me right now.
1. I have all my parts in working order.
2. I am intelligent (just don't ask my wife)
3. I have a good sense of humor.
4. I have a great smile.
5. I am caring.
6. I have many talents including music, writing, and performing.
7. I have a loving devoted wife
8. I have wonderful children who are full of life.
9. I have a strong faith rooted in history with factual evidence.
10. I live in a beautiful part of this planet.
11. I live in a country that values freedom and has an ethic that cares for those in need.
12. I have a job and a relative life of ease
13. I have riches far beyond what my modest paycheck could ever purchase.
14. I have some good friends.
How can I not be happy right now with a list like that? Notice, there is not a single reference to my weight on that list. In fact, the list is not dependent on whether I am 500 lbs. or 150 lbs. This list is also list of reasons to continue to walk the path of fitness. Because I have all these great things going for me, I want to make the most of them. As I walk this path, I enjoy these things all the more. It's like walking through the woods. A quick jaunt into the woods doesn't reveal much. A drive through reveals even less. However, take a nice long stroll through the woods and you will start to notice the smells, the sounds, the movements, the colors, the mosses and ferns, the critters, the bugs, the sun, the different trees, and all the wonder and splendor of the surrounding world. Take a long walk through the woods, and the world around you becomes more vibrant. So it is with the path of fitness. The longer you walk that path, the more vibrant your world becomes. All those wonderful things are there in the woods regardless, but the longer you walk the path, the better they all become.
Just some thoughts.
Living Fit Is My #1 Job!
4 comments:
You have done a splendid job so far. I am really proud of you.
Jeff
I applaud you for figuring all that out. I have basically the same list and discovered that the number on the scale doesn't register my level of happiness. Just my weight. And I'm working on that. I already have a husband who adores me - but I would like to participate more fully in our life together. And for that to happen, I need to be in better shape. Today is our 14th anniversary. We're gonna try to hit 30 (when he will be 82). And then keep going.
Beautifully said.
awesome job! make sure to have a great diet and stay fit!
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