I am oversized. Classified Obese 1 by health standards. At
least, that’s where I fell on the scale 5 years ago. I don’t know now. But the
fact is, I am over weight. I am not only talking about how my culture typifies
me. I am talking about fact.
I have struggled pushed the weight issue aside thinking that
as long as I look good, I am ok. People around me have
witnessed how I did crash diets. Every time I was on one, I got mocked. I even
tried Beyonce’s famous “Master Cleanse”. Two days into it, I vowed it was the
most doable weightloss plan. On the fourth day, I woke up nauseated. I vomited
and almost passed out. When my father found out what happened, he ordered
commanded that I immediately “stop this nonsense”.
I tried working out. I went to the gym. I tried zumba. I tried
Tae Bo. I tried walking miles. I tried jogging. Consistency was my problem.
I tried skipping dinner. Bad, bad choice! Who am I kidding?
I always had excuses to NOT skip dinner. “I had a long day.” “I will have a
long night.” “I am stressed out.” “I am happy I should celebrate.” “I am sad.”
So my weight story was, “I lose some, I gain some.”
Until last year, when I started making an effort not to lose
weight but to live healthy. In September, I tried taking Coke off my diet. I
was a “this-goes-well-with-Coke” eater. And so, the first seven days without it
was a monumental victory. Then I thought how proud of myself I could be if I can
make it till the end of September. By the end of September, I challenged myself
to a coke fast until the end of 2012. By the end of the year, I was Coke-free.
And then, just when I was about to resume my Coke life, I thought if I can do
it for one straight year, then I can have one more achievement on my wall of
discipline. To date, by the amazing grace of God, I have not had coke and I am
losing the desire for it. I still have to completely eradicate “Royal Tru
Orange” from my body though.
Yesterday, I read a blog by Rica Peralejo- Bonifacio on how she became a vegetarian. She also gave links to some websites that helped her in
the process. I was challenged again, not to lose weight but to live a healthier
lifestyle. Meat and rice is 80% of my daily diet. I have decided that I will
try taking red meat and pork off my diet for the whole month of February.
Having just declared that to you, my stomach churns with fear
that I may not be able to sustain it. I just buy food from the cafeteria so I don’t really
know how this will work for me. But I have already written down some options. I
know that this looks like a small feat but God knows how this is going to be
hard for me. And so, I asked Him to help me do it. And one more thing, I am
allergic to poultry and seafood so that leaves me with lesser options. I am
hopeful though that this diet will help me cure of those allergies.
I have also began taking rounds at the stadium every
morning. Two weeks ago, my friends and I decided that we should start working
out. And so, every morning, at 4.30, we jump out of the bed and drive to the
stadium. Morning walks are awesome!
Today, the shy sun was peeking while the full moon was still
in view. What a beautiful, beautiful world, this is!
This leads me to the account of Jesus when He healed the lame man by the pool of Bethsaida. He was there waiting because no one would push him to the pool when the angel stirred it. Then Jesus told him, "Stand up, take up your mat, and walk!"
And so, I wake up, I'm folding my long mats of excuses, and I am walking into a healthier lifestyle.
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| Me and one of my walking buddies (my favorite among them.hehe!). Sshhhhhhh! I hope he doesn't find out that this photo is posted online. This was taken by one of the students walking behind us one night while taking a stroll in CPU. |
