Little by little every single day I tried something new.
In 2006 I stopped drinking and doing drugs which at the time was necessary in order for me to live a more productive life.
Let's face it, it was necessary in order for me to live - period.
I did not realize this at the time, but the result was that I adopted other healthy lifestyle habits as a result. Once I stopped pouring poison into my body I continued to smoke more than a pack of cigarettes a day. I figured I'd stopped doing something so epic that I needed "a vice."
Well, I read a story about Raymond Carver, one of America's most celebrated short story authors. He got sober around the same age as me, but died 10 years later of lung cancer. It was a real wake up call that spurned my PAINFUL attempt to quit smoking - which was ultimately successful and I've been smoke free since 2007.
But because I quit smoking, I turned to food. Around the same time I quit smoking, I got a boyfriend and started eating with him, plus I broke my arm really bad and the pounds just piled on.
One day I couldn't button my fat pants and I don't think anyone would have looked at me and considered me obese. But I was 30+ pounds overweight, couldn't fit into a size 12 and I realized if I didn't make some changes, I was going to have a big problem on my hands.
So slowly - and I do mean slowly - I started eating right and exercising. The weight came off 1/8 of a pound at a time. It was such a frustrating and emotionally difficult time because I didn't have any of my comforts left at this point - I didn't have alcohol, I couldn't take a magic pill, I couldn't smoke and now I couldn't even treat myself to chocolate chip cookies to soothe myself. But I stuck with it.
Little by little every single day I tried something new. If I'd done one pushup the day before, the next day I tried two. If I'd successfully walked 3 miles on the treadmill, I'd add a minute of running - then two - then three. On and on.
Then I discovered Jillian Michaels and it's like my whole world expanded. By this time I was looking really good and feeling really good and I joined a gym which only continued my fitness quest. My friends started noticing and asking me for advice on how I did it.
My good friend Richard showed me how I could get certified as a fitness instructor. I never even thought at my age - 41 - I could even try something like this! But I got certified, I auditioned to become an instructor and now I'm an instructor at my gym.
So not only are these all healthy habits I've formed which are healthy in the traditional sense of me taking care of myself. But having the courage to try new things, sticking to a disciplined routine and facing my fears has given me confidence in other areas.
So when I'm hooking up with a guy I'm more careful today and I insist on protection. I made an appointment to get a mammogram. I set boundaries with toxic people who take advantage of my good nature. I try new and more challenging classes at the gym.
And I just have a healthier self image and better self esteem.
-- Kimberly (lady, ally)
Chicago
How are you healthy?
Join in the conversation.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
And we'll blog it, right here.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
Read past posts.
Learn more about the campaign
In 2006 I stopped drinking and doing drugs which at the time was necessary in order for me to live a more productive life.
Let's face it, it was necessary in order for me to live - period.
I did not realize this at the time, but the result was that I adopted other healthy lifestyle habits as a result. Once I stopped pouring poison into my body I continued to smoke more than a pack of cigarettes a day. I figured I'd stopped doing something so epic that I needed "a vice."
Well, I read a story about Raymond Carver, one of America's most celebrated short story authors. He got sober around the same age as me, but died 10 years later of lung cancer. It was a real wake up call that spurned my PAINFUL attempt to quit smoking - which was ultimately successful and I've been smoke free since 2007.
But because I quit smoking, I turned to food. Around the same time I quit smoking, I got a boyfriend and started eating with him, plus I broke my arm really bad and the pounds just piled on.
One day I couldn't button my fat pants and I don't think anyone would have looked at me and considered me obese. But I was 30+ pounds overweight, couldn't fit into a size 12 and I realized if I didn't make some changes, I was going to have a big problem on my hands.
So slowly - and I do mean slowly - I started eating right and exercising. The weight came off 1/8 of a pound at a time. It was such a frustrating and emotionally difficult time because I didn't have any of my comforts left at this point - I didn't have alcohol, I couldn't take a magic pill, I couldn't smoke and now I couldn't even treat myself to chocolate chip cookies to soothe myself. But I stuck with it.
Little by little every single day I tried something new. If I'd done one pushup the day before, the next day I tried two. If I'd successfully walked 3 miles on the treadmill, I'd add a minute of running - then two - then three. On and on.
Then I discovered Jillian Michaels and it's like my whole world expanded. By this time I was looking really good and feeling really good and I joined a gym which only continued my fitness quest. My friends started noticing and asking me for advice on how I did it.
My good friend Richard showed me how I could get certified as a fitness instructor. I never even thought at my age - 41 - I could even try something like this! But I got certified, I auditioned to become an instructor and now I'm an instructor at my gym.
So not only are these all healthy habits I've formed which are healthy in the traditional sense of me taking care of myself. But having the courage to try new things, sticking to a disciplined routine and facing my fears has given me confidence in other areas.
So when I'm hooking up with a guy I'm more careful today and I insist on protection. I made an appointment to get a mammogram. I set boundaries with toxic people who take advantage of my good nature. I try new and more challenging classes at the gym.
And I just have a healthier self image and better self esteem.
Chicago
How are you healthy?
Join in the conversation.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
And we'll blog it, right here.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
Read past posts.
Learn more about the campaign
Wonderful! Love reading this and will try remember to try something new.
ReplyDelete