Alive and kickin'
My weight loss story was featured on the front page of “The Columbian” back in July. Since then the blog has really taken off, I’ve went on to motivational speaking, teaching cooking classes, writing and self-publishing a cookbook. Surely, without the coverage I would have went on to do these things as well, but there’s something about being featured in the newspaper. It’s kind of cool to see your name in print, have your story told through the eyes of someone else, you reach more people, and it gains you a certain level of respect.
I’m a journalist by trade and believe in the nature of journalism. Print journalism – newspapers, however, have suffered since the rise of the internet. After the responses I’ve received after each article written in “The Columbian” I’d have to say newspapers still do make an impact — they are alive and kickin’.
Thanks to the staff of “The Columbian” for helping me share my story with the community. I want to reach as many people as I can and they’ve helped me do just that.
A recap:
Woman packs on happiness as she sheds pounds – July 2011
Woman winning obesity battle featured on ‘AM Northwest’ – August 2011
Chrisetta Mosley keeps inspiring – September 2011
Welcome new health bloggers to Columbian.com! – September 2011
Cooking up weight-loss success – December 2011
Chrisetta Mosley
I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. As a child, my family always told me that my extra weight was merely baby fat and I’d eventually grow out of it. I never did. Instead, my childhood is filled with memories of not being able to ride a bike, flattening its training wheels from being over the recommended weight, and avoiding P.E. classes by any means necessary. For years, I wore my fatness like a wounded soldier wears a Purple Heart - with pride. I owned the look. I dressed it up. I worked the room. There wasn't a skinny girl who intimidated me. I made sure my hair was laid just right. Nails polished. Outfits coordinated to the tee. Accessories to compliment every outfit. But everyone has a breaking point, and mine came in the spring of 2004 when I tipped the scale at nearly 400 pounds 388 to be exact. I was MISERABLE trapped inside of that body. I no longer wore my Purple Heart with pride. Rather, I was ashamed and frightened. Ashamed that I had allowed food to become my everything – frightened I would die because of it. Drastic times called for drastic measures... Today, I’m bound and determined to live a better, healthier, active lifestyle. I realize I’m no longer a passenger in my life, I’m the driver. I’m overcoming my inhibitions and I’m slowly but surely saying farewell to my old childhood nemesis, obesity. For once and for all, Farewell Fatso!