Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Waking Up to Walk


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. 
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.


4 comments:

  1. "And let the peace of Christ preside in your hearts, to which also ye have been called in one body, and be thankful."

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  2. Oh Jabz! You always spur something in me anytime I come on here. I was listening to Pastor Steven Furtick's sermon (The new rules of resolution) the other day and he mentioned something that really stayed about how the world prescribes change and how it never works for us as christians and even in the long run for the world (Bold claim huh?).
    I Think change is a process not a project, a gift to be received not wages to labor for and that changes a lot. . . a whole lot. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ayo. Yes, i agree, change is a process. I pray through this process that the Lord will sustain me.

      Btw, I miss seeing you around. We should talk soon! :)

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