You, yes, you have the power to change. I know this to be true not because I’ve read about it in self-help books but because I’ve changed. Not on accident, but on purpose.
Most people who meet me these days don’t believe this about me, but I used to be a bitter, unhappy, carping person with a very negative outlook. I think part of my ugly disposition stemmed from carrying so much excess weight. I mean weighing 388 pounds is hard. Being overweight makes the simplest things much harder: walking, tying shoes, being social, on and on. It takes a toll on your body and consequently it weighs down the spirit.
After a series of unfortunate events in 2009 I began to realize that the physical weight was causing most of my unhappiness but there was a lot of other things about myself that I really didn’t like. It’s been a long time coming and I’m in work in progress, but I’ve changed. I changed because I realized that I had the power to change. Yes, it’s just that simple — make the conscious decision to do something and then put forth the effort. I’ll be honest, it’s been hard, very hard. But, today I’m happier, friendlier, healthier, and 170 (give or take a few) pounds lighter.
Might I suggest, if you have areas in your life that you’d like to improve (weight, health, attitude). Take the time and take the necessary steps. You, yes, you have the power to change. Take it from someone who knows — you can do anything you set your mind to.
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!