This article doesn’t apply to every over weight person. But it might be just for you.
When I was at my heaviest weight, 450+ pounds I knew I was fat, that was obvious but I kept telling myself I am not really that big, I carry my weight well. No one has said anything to me about my weight other than my doctor occasionally suggesting gastric bypass surgery but no other remedies. My friends still like me! Sure my knees and ankles hurt and I have trouble finding chairs to sit in but that was normal for me. Going from overweight to obese to super obese was normal for me as much as I hated it. Over time the weight increased slowly without me noticing what was really happening, or was I just ignoring the elephant in the room. I guess I just learned to adjust my life around it instead of confronting it.
And them boom! My doctor hit me with the “D” word one day! I was now diabetic. I can’t tell you what a shock that was to me. I really thought I can stay this large and live to 90. The reality in my world was fantasy not fact or anywhere close to real. In fairness he did tell me at some point I would become diabetic but I chose to not believe him. Why should I? He hasn’t seemed concerned about my weight and other than high blood pressure and arthritis I wasn’t dying. I had ignored the elephant in the room for years. Now the elephant was looking me straight in the face and was demanding my attention. OK, I thought, so what I have diabetes, millions do. (more denial) He prescribed the medication told me how to take it. I had the prescription filled and went home with the intentions of taking the medication………until I read the side effects! Wow, that woke me up from a deep obese hibernation. The last symptom and most compelling of phrases hit me. It said so innocently “MAY CAUSE DEATH”! How is death a symptom? Death is finality, the end, the exit of breathing and smiling and laughing and life! The elephant in the room was raising his trunk and sounding a loud roar of warning. If the pills didn’t kill me my current condition would. I kept ignoring him for years and now I had to deal with him.
Any time we talk about weight challenges it can be difficult because we as overweight people can be easily embarrassed. It’s very personal. There is a stigma attached to our situation. However, let’s face it, no one grows up aspiring to be overweight or obese. I certainly never intended to be this heavy and kept trying to pretend it didn’t matter if I was so heavy. But to my health and quality of life and those that loved and cared about me it did matter.
Stop ignoring the elephant in the room. He will eventually get your attention if you don’t. Acknowledge his presence then do something to get him out of the room.
Begin by taking a good long look at yourself in a full length mirror while absolutely butt naked (southern term). Take it all in and say today this is me. Accept this is you, today. If you need to cry, shout, fuss and get on your pity pot for about 10 minutes. Then get pissed off and angry that you allowed this to happen. No one else did it to you, you did it through choices you made.
Now, what isn’t your fault is a lack of healthy dietary and lifestyle knowledge. I had no clue how to eat healthy or live healthy. I was depending on my doctors to give me the knowledge to prevent or fix my situation. They didn’t have it. If something isn’t working it’s our responsibility to seek out the knowledge to fix it or improve it.
How to get ride of the elephant!
- Acknowledge him
- Educate your self about healthy foods and food to avoid. This blog is a great place to get this knowledge!
- Fill your days with an abundance of highly nutritious foods, herbs and spices!
- Stay active everyday by exercising and enjoying physical activities like walking, swimming and cycling.
My elephant was over 200 pounds of fat, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, arthritis, etc.. and today he is gone!
Your NutriBullet, your juicer, your healthy diet and your legs are your ticket to a healthy body, mind and spirit.
Eat healthy, keep moving, make people laugh, be of service when possible, be grateful for everything and your elephant will become a picture of health!
I have gone from fat to fit and you can to!!
Healthy Wishes
Wally Bishop C.N.C.
The contents of this blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor. Before exercising get your doctors approval.