The Inauguration
Wow. Whoa. What a turnout! Last night, I facilitated the inaugural “5 or 50” Women’s Sustainable Weight Loss & Lifestyle group at the Cascade Park Community Library. 25 ladies showed up to hear my story and share theirs. I arrived to find several women there already in the lobby chatting. It was the coolest thing. You could just feel the anticipation, the positive vibes, the buzz.
I started the meeting with a brief introduction and my theory behind starting the group. Next, we went around the room introducing ourselves and sharing what we hoped to gain from our time together.
In sharing there were several reoccurring themes that motivated the women to visit the group:
- Yo-yo dieting
- Lack of confidence/Self-esteem
- Lack of spouse
We covered a lot of ground in the time we spent together: discussing sustainable weight loss, how to improve our self-esteem, practicing mindful eating, and I shared a packet that was full of healthy snacking options.
I’d have to say this was a very, very successful first meeting. I am so proud to be able to share what I’ve learned and help others along the way. I’m looking forward to our next meeting of sharing, growing, and together finding ways to live positive healthy lives.
Thanks to all the lovely ladies who came out. Remember, you are beautiful, strong, and capable.
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Thanks to LiveWell/The Columbian for promoting the event – lots of folks said they saw it in the paper, and to Teresa Torres for opening the doors of the Cascade Park Community Library to us.
Next meeting, Wednesday, August 22 from 6 -7:30 p.m.
Cascade Park Community Library
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!