Still Contract
I’ve lost a lot of weight, 170 pounds to be exact. I don’t claim to be supernatural or anything. I know, I know. All this time you’ve been thinking I possessed some kind of supernatural powers. The truth is, anyone can do it. It’s really just a matter of setting your mind to it. But here’s the rub — the hardest part is setting your mind to it.
For me, I was forced into this period of stillness by a series of unfortunate events — the loss of my boyfriend, job, and car — all in a six week period of time. So there I was all by my lonesome. Sitting still. During those still moments, I heard a nagging voice. A voice I probably would have otherwise never heard zipping around, multi-tasking in the everyday fast paced world. During those still moments, I made up my mind for once and for all (Get it–For once and for all, Farewell Fatso!).
I didn’t squander this time. Instead, I recognized this time off as an opportunity and so I used the time to my advantage. I started taking walks around the neighborhood, in part, to keep me from going insane. Those walks, however, soon became my — me time. When I wasn’t out walking I spent a lot of time just sitting still. No TV, no computer, just quiet, still time to really mull things over. I envisioned the person I wanted to be. In retrospect, I was creating a mental vision board. Slowly, but surely, I started making small changes.
I’ll admit, at first, i didn’t really have a plan. I just took some random steps. But, overtime my steps, my actions became more deliberate. The more small successes I accomplished the bigger the steps I was able to take. I started believing in myself. Wellness coaches call that — self-efficacy.
Once I started believing in myself. There was no stopping me, there is no stopping me. The way I see it, when I enter into a business arrangement with someone I take the time to mull over the contract. Then if I agree to the contract, I sign the contract. So that’s what I’ve done to shed the pounds and find myself.
My word is my bond. I do what I say I’m going to do and if I can’t do it best believe there is a really compelling reason why. I certainly don’t go around just willy nilly breaking contracts with others. So the same holds true with the contracts I sign with myself. I sign on the dotted line and commit to myself. It’s me first. Not in a selfish way, but in a selfish way (a whole ‘nother blog post for a whole ‘nother time).
Hey, I’m proof. You can do anything you set your mind to. So if you have areas in your life that you are looking to change. Might I suggest — sit still with yourself, sign a contract with yourself, and set your mind to 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!