A Healthier Me - Week 1
This is me about 25 years ago....
I used to model, engaging mainly in runway (strutting down the runway is a thrill!!!), with a few print work. I never thought of being a model, until I was approached by a woman who gave me a flier to a runway show she was organizing, for up-and-coming designers. Like so many 20 year olds, I didn't have to think too much about exercise, portion control, counting calories and the like. I just lived my life. Modelling was just another fun thing to do, and I did that for several years. I really felt "legit" when a designer bought a few of us, round trip flight tickets, to model in his show! It was a carefree and enjoyable time - and I had a blast!!!
Me Today.....
I will turn the Big 50 September of this year. To my horror and surprise, I have gained a tremendous amount of weight over the years. I am currently 5 feet 10 inches and weigh 265 pounds. My height allows me to disguise my extra weight, but it's there. I'm at a turning point in my life; I already suffer from migraines, sleep deprivation, extreme fatigue and borderline diabetic. NOT to take action will lead to dire consequences.....
I choose to change!
I've been encouraged and inspired by so many posts, but if I had to single out one person, it would be Tyrellch. His was the first post I read, that dealt with changes he wanted to make towards becoming a healthier version of himself. I knew I wanted to make some changes, but blogging about it would make me too.....vulnerable. Quite frankly, it was just this week that I made the decision to go forth, so here I am! As others have encouraged me with sharing their struggles, I've decided to lay my ego aside and do the same.
Moving Towards My Authentic Self
During my Healthier Me posts, I'll share different things: excerpts from books I'm reading, new recipes, success and failures with exercise, among other things. Instead of posting daily (I really commend those whom engage in that) I'll just give weekly updates, with just 1 or 2 posts.
Week 1:
Book Reading:
"The Spiritual Path to Weight Loss" by Gregory L. Jantz, Ph. D.
I've read this book years before, but never finished, so I decided to to start it again. The author relates Biblical stores with everyday challenges, shares stories from his patients, and gives various exercises for the reader.
There's so much more I can share, but I'll end with something he said, that I found inspiring:
"Be too grand for worry, too hopeful for despair, too kind to hurt another,
and too committed to healthy weight loss to give up."
Strive to Thrive,
Veronica
Recent Comments
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Very humbled Veronica for the mention, thank you. I am glad you came to a great decision to take charge. I am not surprised you were a model, you are so vibrant and energetic still. I am sure you ruled the runway in your royal purple and left an unforgettable mark. I am certain your journey will be just as exciting and fruitful. Blogging weekly is more than adequate, the most important thing is to stay the course. Will be rolling with you all the way.
It really takes a lot to "put yourself out there" as they say, so when I started to read your posts, it definitely left a mark. Two thoughts that came to mind when I first read your posts: "He's crazy!" and "I would never do that!" Seriously! My health issues have been a thorn in my side for far too long; it's time I pluck them out and burn them!!!
So, thanks again Tyrellch; I'll definitely stay the course.....oh, and thank for your kind words. Don't think I "ruled" the runway, but it was fun!
Glad to here that. By the way, I am naturally an introvert so it took a little bit of crazy to do it. But it is fun and rewarding. Sharing it helped with accountability in order to stay the course. Will be cheering from the audience.
Although I am not an introvert, when it comes to matters of the heart, I can easily retreat into my shell. But shells are dark, cold and stinky....who wants to be in there!
I'll take all the cheers you send my way!
Oh my gosh!! The pic of you was beautiful; but then I knew you were beautiful inside and out. I never knew you modeled and I never would have guessed you were 5' 10"! You have 4 inches on me. Lol.
I too had put on a lot of weight. The stress of taking care of my parents and their deaths and the mourning period took its toll. A couple weeks before Christmas I got on the scales in preparation for making some changes and I couldn't believe what I saw. Like you, I was able to hide it with the way she dressed and not wearing some things that showed it. But it was there. So I started. I didn't wait til The holidays were over. So when they were; I was down 10 lbs. Now I'm down 14 lbs and hoping to be down 16 within this next week!! Can't wait for 20 lbs. :)
I will be cheering you on in your journey to being a new you. Will you do the same for me?? Remember - getting started is half the battle.
Greetings M'lady,
Yes, stress can really affect us in so many ways. I was already overweight before my mom became really sick, but I packed on 20 lbs during the time she was in & out of hospitals and rehab. Even though I didn't live with her, I would often spend days at a time with her, and rarely took the time to cook anything healthy for myself, mainly because it was just so draining.
I commend you Jean, for not waiting until the holidays were over, and OF COURSE I'll be cheering you on as well. I'll pray...chant...do a funky dance...whatever!!! We got each other's back!!!
Love your post Veronica! You got this! Wishing you lots of luck! I love the photo! Love the dress! Thanks for sharing!
Barbara
Thank you Barbara, that really means a lot. This was probably one of my most difficult posts, so I really appreciate your words of encouragement!
Since you mentioned the Bible, I'll also mention that we overcome by the word of our testimony. Go for it! You're an overcomer!
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Gosh Veronica, in a few years you could upgrade to Michael's bay and mountain regimen! You can be the Serena Williams of running and leave those Waddies in the dust! LOL+!
If I left any Waddies in the dust Mike, it would be cycling, not running, lol.