MY TURN

Downsize Me

I knew that my terrible diet and nicotine habit were probably killing me, but I didn't really care. A trip to the doctor ended my complacency.

« Return to Article

Discuss

Member Comments

  • Posted By: HummingbirdCyborg @ 11/29/2008 9:17:35 PM

    I haven't personally had a snapping point like this, but I have made sudden decisions like this before. I decided one day to not eat fast food and I have only once since when I was traveling with my parents to go camping and we stopped off of a road stop.

    Fast food is just really, really terrible. I think that we all know this, but we aren't appreciating food when we eat fast food like that. I cook all of my food now. Friends of mine hold community dinners in which we pool our resources to make delicious food for all of us. I cook on days that I don't eat with them and I focus on high fiber, nutritious food that is loaded with spice and flavor.

    I started walking one day and I'd walk several miles a day on most days of the week.

    After awhile, I decided to run. I started quick. After a couple of weeks, I was able to run two miles. After three weeks, I could run three miles.

    People advise you to start slowly and work your way up for success, and I think that is generally good advice, but if you have a moment of clarity where you suddenly have very strong motivation, use it. Let your unexpected success spur you on. I'm glad that I jumped right into it.

    For some people, starting slowly is great because they won't get discouraged. For other people, starting fast so that they will get encouraged is the better route. Know yourself and either way, be motivated enough that you won't give up after a setback or two.

  • Posted By: tracey lee @ 06/12/2008 8:46:22 PM

    I want to be this person. I want to loose 40 lbs. Getting active sounds great. I'd love to learn to run. Walking has been in my life for many years.but recently I am inactive because my dogs have gone . 11 years of walking at least 1 mile every night rain snow or sleet I was there with them. They were the drive that made me go. Their alarm clock always went off. Time to go.Now it just seems to easy to find an excuse.I stand on my feet for 8 hours a day. By the time I get home I'm tired. Am I just making excuses?Love to hear from anyone.

  • Posted By: goldeniangel @ 06/12/2008 3:24:19 PM

    I think today was definitely the day I needed to read this story...
    I've made some small cuts, but I think it's time for a real lifestyle change, and I'm going to take a lot of the things that worked for him.... not running for me, but I was in Varsity Swimming in high school, and back I go!

  • Posted By: bebitters @ 06/12/2008 1:40:56 AM

    That's very good. Stories like this are very inspiring to me and let me know that I too can also do it.

  • Posted By: susancallahan @ 02/23/2008 9:18:09 PM

    Way to go! This is the kind of trsnformation that will inspire others to follow you. It's miraculous what a good diet and workout program can do both for your body and your mental clarity. I recommend a site called www.collectivewizdom.com for stories similar to your own.

  • Posted By: shaddie @ 01/17/2008 12:11:55 PM

    i totally understand where he was coming from, as i had to planned to stop smoking after 34 yrs, i prepared myself for 3 months as i am getting a tummy tuck, so i didnt want to look great but keep killing myself, we w ent to vegas and came home sunday night, i smoked after a 4 hr flight it was 1130 at night, my date to stop was next day monday night, , then said if im so damn serious i will make that my last cig, instead of smoking all day monday and monday night, so i gave myh last 2 pks of cigs to my boyfriend andf said crumble these, so even though its only been 4 days i have it so much in my mind im never going back something has clicked it feels different, i am one who wouldnt make it pass 5 hrs without one, my friends make jokes about me smoking as they knew how much i loved it, but i breath so much better i feel great amnd im never going down that road again, if i wasnt serious i would be smoking down, so hey anybody can do it, so smoke free sonya

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse