Up to the Challenge
Clark College! Whew. What an experience. It was so cool to be the lecturer in the very same room, OSC 204 I sat in as a student just over a year ago. Thanks Steve and Garet from the Thompson Fitness Center for inviting me.
Last week, I had the great pleasure and honor of holding four lectures over three days for Clark College’s Biggest Loser Challenge. I believe I did what I sought to do — encourage, inspire, and motivate. “”I’ve been asked by your trainers and professors to speak to you today because I have a story to tell that the textbooks can’t. I have a story to tell that will resonate with you as you begin your journey to health and fitness. I am your real example. I am your real life Biggest Loser. I’ve been there, done that — am doing that. That’s why most of you can relate to me. I’m not a Biggest Loser contestant on TV being worked by a staff of personal trainers and fed by personal chefs. I’m not an airbrushed Weight Watchers celebrity spokesperson. I’m right here in the midst of life trying to figure it all out too. I’m your real example. I’m your Biggest Loser.”
In turn, as often the case I was inspired as well. I really love the vibe on campus, the energy — learning, thinking, growing. Professor Mosley? Hmm…maybe. I will be guest lecturer on campus seven times next month.
Here’s some of the photos from my time on campus.
Tuesday, January 22 — Lecture 1 & 2
Thursday, January 24 — Lecture 3
Friday, January 25 — Lecture 4 — The grand finale
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!