Return To Slender...

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!!!