Be encouraged
Many of you have written to me to tell me I’ve motivated, inspired, and encouraged you along my journey, thank you. I feel honored to be able to pass on what I’ve learned, and to know that people look to me for ideas and motivation is just amazing. Remember, I’m the gal who use to weigh a miserable 388 pounds, eat highly caloric, processed so-called food, and my exercise consisted of going back and forth to the kitchen. Today, I promote a healthy fit lifestyle and folks look to me for inspiration. Ha ha. That’s awesome.
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with a young woman who came to my blog after reading “The Columbian” article written about me back in July 2011. How totally cool. Anyhow, she was interested in buying a copy of Bringing Cooking Back. I agreed to meet with her at New Seasons Market. I signed her book, we chatted about my weight loss, and I offered her some tips and suggestions. Next thing, I know, my passion for good whole food and sharing my knowledge led us to the produce section. Before I knew it we were traveling the entire store — I was giving her a Personal Grocery Shopping 101 tour.
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As we walked around the store and I introduced some of my recipe ideas. She pointed out that she doesn’t like oatmeal, Brussels sprouts, and a few other things I suggested she try. I gave her permission to not like these items. There are plenty of other healthy delicious foods that she may like. Our shopping experience/conversation prompted this blog post…Look to me for your inspiration, motivation, but remember the path you travel is unique. Let me be your guide, but your journey is your journey. You may be able to use some of my recipes, exercise routines, tips, however, some of my methods may not work for you and that’s okay. Adapt what you can from me and others, but your journey will be different. Be encouraged by me, but remember your journey is uniquely yours. Good luck! Do continue to look to me, I love it!
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!