Return To Slender ~ Walking My Way Back To Me!!!
So, how did I get here? First things first; after recognizing and accepting that my love affair with food was preventing me from having a love affair with myself (or anyone) I needed to find MY mode of exercising. I was almost 300 pounds, so initially; a gym was not an option of me. I couldn’t use the machines, I couldn’t manoeuvre the Elliptical and Zumba classes were not something I could physically endure. The sanest choice for ME was walking. And I started walking because it was easy, cathartic, and I was able to hum, sing, and talk to myself, while enjoying the crisp night air, which was a tonic for me. It made me feel better. At first, the routine was a challenge. I started out slow and ended up in sweaty clothes but eventually, the walks became less strenuous and I was pushing for longer distances. I walk at least 45 minutes to an hour, every day. Unless there’s thunder and lightning... I WALK. I also find that my body craves the exercise, much like I used to crave KFC. Now as I am on my route, I walk right past KFC!!! (In Apri 2011, I started Zumba and working out; I am LOVING IT)
Naturally, the other combining element was my diet. I’m not going to lie; restricting my food intake required a lot of will power. I ate a LOT and I ate non-stop All day. I love carbs & I was a binge eater. I rarely ate breakfast, but I started eating at Noon and truly never stopped until Midnight. I snacked and nibbled and gorged. And my body was a direct reflection of that. I was known as the person that sat down at the dinner table, rarely lifting my head up from my plate, inhaled my food and then got up and walked to the counter to make toast. (That face down in the plate girl, still emerges. I haven’t fixed that...yet)
There was no denying the reason I was fat; it was because I ATE.
My changes were simple:
Stop drinking Coke (which ran through my veins).
NO more deep fried foods.
No indulging in chocolates, cookies, chips or any of the “good” stuff.
Limit my gorge fest of Milk.
Cease ALL visits to the drive-thru at McDonald’s, unless choosing healthy alternatives.
Eliminate eating past 8pm.
And Most Importantly...GET MOVING.
And the results were INSTANT.
I didn’t start to be thin, I started to be well. I had done weight-loss programs before with mixed results. It's different this time, partly because I am not focused on losing weight. My desire was to be healthier, thinner, and to get fit. I’ve always placed far too much emphasis on getting to a certain weight and watching the scales closely. This time, I needed to focus on getting fit and obviously, weight loss came with that.
I never stood on the scales to see what was happening, and haven’t ventured there at all during my journey. All I needed to know was that I was eating better and that I was committed to changing my health and wellness schedule and that I was getting out walking. What was happening on the scale never played a part of my journey. It was what was happening to me inside; physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Those positive elements combined with the obvious outer transformation which was and is a constant reminder that This Fat Gal Is Winning!!!
Sunday, 24 April 2011
My Story ~ Taking Back My Life
Taking Back My Life...
In August 2010, I was tipping the scales at almost 300 pounds. My health was dangerously catapulting out of control and my self esteem was at an all time low. Both factors were filtering into my professional life. I am an entertainer/event director and also teach music & dramatic arts. I lead a very busy and strenuous lifestyle. Many of my productions involve strenuous activity and long periods of stamina. I was a morbidly obese woman leading the life of a thin person, and it had caught up with me. I had one staggering health issue after another. It was becoming obvious to all of my fellow cast-mates and colleagues that I had given up on my appearance, which was having a direct impact on my performances and a noticeable decline in student attendance.
After years of my body expanding and continued bad health; my journey took me to yet ANOTHER doctor's office in August 2010. I underwent a 2 hour medical test for an inner ear imbalance, due to the fact that on top of pancreas issues, severe acid reflux and vision ailments; I was now experiencing horrific attacks of acute vertigo and continual nausea. During the examination, I had a violent physical reaction that ended up with me being covered in bodily fluids, vomit and fecal excretement.
I sat up from the table, in a freaked out state of embarrassment and disorientation and cried,”Joan you didn't sign up for this".
Over the next few weeks, I was sidelined preparing for a music festival that I run; all the while realizing as the days passed and with every tick of the clock, I was inching closer to death. I was in agony both physically and emotionally until the morning of August 27th, which was the first day of the Rock of Ages Festival in Brantford Ontario. I was not only the festival director, but also the Grand Pubbah of the entire weekend and I needed to perform. Something happened on August 27th, 2010, a moment that I cannot put into words. The proverbial "AHA" moment.
Whether it was just the realization of so many people depending on me, or my brother John reaching from heaven but at 6pm on August 27th, I WOKE UP!!!
I left the hotel to go home to change and I walked upstairs to my bedroom, stood in front of the mirror and I vowed from that moment that I would NEVER EVER look OR feel like this again. THIS time, I was listening.
And when I walked back into the hotel...My Journey Began!!!
In August 2010, I was tipping the scales at almost 300 pounds. My health was dangerously catapulting out of control and my self esteem was at an all time low. Both factors were filtering into my professional life. I am an entertainer/event director and also teach music & dramatic arts. I lead a very busy and strenuous lifestyle. Many of my productions involve strenuous activity and long periods of stamina. I was a morbidly obese woman leading the life of a thin person, and it had caught up with me. I had one staggering health issue after another. It was becoming obvious to all of my fellow cast-mates and colleagues that I had given up on my appearance, which was having a direct impact on my performances and a noticeable decline in student attendance.
After years of my body expanding and continued bad health; my journey took me to yet ANOTHER doctor's office in August 2010. I underwent a 2 hour medical test for an inner ear imbalance, due to the fact that on top of pancreas issues, severe acid reflux and vision ailments; I was now experiencing horrific attacks of acute vertigo and continual nausea. During the examination, I had a violent physical reaction that ended up with me being covered in bodily fluids, vomit and fecal excretement.
I sat up from the table, in a freaked out state of embarrassment and disorientation and cried,”Joan you didn't sign up for this".
Over the next few weeks, I was sidelined preparing for a music festival that I run; all the while realizing as the days passed and with every tick of the clock, I was inching closer to death. I was in agony both physically and emotionally until the morning of August 27th, which was the first day of the Rock of Ages Festival in Brantford Ontario. I was not only the festival director, but also the Grand Pubbah of the entire weekend and I needed to perform. Something happened on August 27th, 2010, a moment that I cannot put into words. The proverbial "AHA" moment.
Whether it was just the realization of so many people depending on me, or my brother John reaching from heaven but at 6pm on August 27th, I WOKE UP!!!
I left the hotel to go home to change and I walked upstairs to my bedroom, stood in front of the mirror and I vowed from that moment that I would NEVER EVER look OR feel like this again. THIS time, I was listening.
And when I walked back into the hotel...My Journey Began!!!
My Debut Blog...
Hi, I'm Joan Minnery. I am a recovering food addict and I have a story to tell...
You see these pictures here?. That's ME. They are of the same person, taken from August 2010 - April 27th, 2011. That's what determination, will power, conviction and total personal stamina can achieve.
My journey is far from over, I've got a long way to go, but I'm going to win this battle.
I've spent my whole life being an overweight person. Sure, I've had times when I've been thin but I've spent the better part of my 45 years, in the thick of things.
In August of 2010, I decided that I am no longer going to be a victim of my own self. I made a promise to myself, to my son, my family and my friends, that I was going to stop watching them in fear of my health and take control of the most important commodity that God has given me...MY LIFE.
I made a commitment to myself and to everyone that is important to me, that it was time to get really serious about my future. I was sick of being sick. I was fed up living a lonely life and I was ready to get healthy. I am winning in my quest to change my lifestyle, one pound at a time.
I am on a mission to spread my message to as many people who are willing to listen and to take charge of their lives.
It is time to WAKE UP.
It is time to Change FAT into FIT.
It is time to Eat Right, Feel Better & Live GREAT!!!
It is time to Stop Being A Victim Of Your Own Self.
It is time to PUT DOWN THE FORK & GET MOVING!!!!
Joan Minnery ~ Brantford, Ontario, Canada
(519) 752-1694
joanminnery@sympatico.ca
You see these pictures here?. That's ME. They are of the same person, taken from August 2010 - April 27th, 2011. That's what determination, will power, conviction and total personal stamina can achieve.
My journey is far from over, I've got a long way to go, but I'm going to win this battle.
I've spent my whole life being an overweight person. Sure, I've had times when I've been thin but I've spent the better part of my 45 years, in the thick of things.
In August of 2010, I decided that I am no longer going to be a victim of my own self. I made a promise to myself, to my son, my family and my friends, that I was going to stop watching them in fear of my health and take control of the most important commodity that God has given me...MY LIFE.
I made a commitment to myself and to everyone that is important to me, that it was time to get really serious about my future. I was sick of being sick. I was fed up living a lonely life and I was ready to get healthy. I am winning in my quest to change my lifestyle, one pound at a time.
I am on a mission to spread my message to as many people who are willing to listen and to take charge of their lives.
It is time to WAKE UP.
It is time to Change FAT into FIT.
It is time to Eat Right, Feel Better & Live GREAT!!!
It is time to Stop Being A Victim Of Your Own Self.
It is time to PUT DOWN THE FORK & GET MOVING!!!!
Joan Minnery ~ Brantford, Ontario, Canada
(519) 752-1694
joanminnery@sympatico.ca
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