Do You
This post was originally written about two weeks after Farewell Fatso! made it’s debut. Just think if I would’ve listened to the person who was trying to give me advice… Thank goodness I didn’t.
Along my journey to combat obesity and create a healthy lifestyle for myself –I’ve shared my trials, triumphs, and story with plenty of people. For the most part, people are very supportive and are truly excited for me. Of course, there are those who half-heartedly listen to my story for fear they may have to look at themselves and re-evaluate their lifestyles. And, then some folks like to give advice on how I should proceed on my journey. Since I’m not really a private person and I have the propensity to open up to people. Sometimes folks feel they need to give me advice – even if I’m not particularly seeking it.
Recently, someone suggested to me that perhaps I should focus on myself more and not worry about helping others by blogging,*facebooking, and helping parents with their overweight children. After all, I still have plenty of weight to lose before I meet my weight goal…So maybe, just maybe I should take care of me, first.
Long pause. Deep breath. Regroup.
The truth of the matter is my blogging, facebooking, and helping others is actually very cathartic for me. By reaching out to you all it helps me work through my feelings, and furthermore it keeps me accountable knowing I have all of you rooting for me. Besides, what am I to do, wait until I lose all the weight and then begin my work? I don’t think so. I’m not promised tomorrow. None of us are. So I’m doing my thing today.
Here’s my unsolicited advice to you. Do you. Heed others opinions with caution. Remember, you have to be comfortable with the course you are traveling. Don’t let anyone dictate the path you take to get to your destination. In all likelihood the person giving the advice is trying to be helpful, but when it comes down to it, you have to know within yourself the road you travel is at your pace. No doubt, along the course you may hit some road bumps those are to be expected. Stay the course.
In closing, this journey is mine. Me, and only me, chooses the route I take. The course, I’ve decided to travel includes: Blogging, facebooking, and reaching out to the public in hopes to help and inspire. All aboard!
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!