ME!
Holding my "before" favorite shirt after losing 125 pounds on my journey to better health.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Exercise
I don't really like the word exercise. I like to think of it as movement. At the gym the other day I was reminded of something that happened to me when I first began moving again. I was at a local pool and could not climb up the ladder. When I got in I hadn't checked to see if there was a disabled ramp or gradual stairs that I could go up. I had to climb that little metal ladder. I tried several times and finally was able to heave myself up the three little metal steps. Of course I had a big pity party and swore I would never go again. What made me remember this was a very harsh, mean comment one of the ladies at the gym uttered to me while we were relaxing in the jacuzzi. She didn't know my history or anything about me so had no idea that what she said was going to put me into internal rage. It takes a lot for me to get vocal with someone but I wish I had have said something. I was just so shocked. Anyway, down at the end of the pool was a dear lady that was having a struggle to get out. She was slowly coming up the steps(not ladder) and pulling with all her might on the rail to be able to make each step. She had two dear friends pushing and pulling her. I looked at her and thought, "good for you, you are fighting a great fight, come back, don't give up." The women next to me in the jacuzzi muttered to me....how can anyone let themselves get like that? I was so shocked. I don't know what battles the lady coming up the stairs has in her life but I know that she has more strength and courage than the lady in the jacuzzi will ever understand. I love to cheer for those who are moving and improving their lives. In Zumba one day I danced next to a lady who was in a wheelchair. She had small hand weighs and worked on her arms and upper body to that wonderful music. She had a great time and so did I. I watched a trainer helping an elderly lady from her walker onto one of the weight machines. I stopped and told her I was proud of her. I like to encourage others because so many have encourage me. These things remind me that there is always hope. Move, just move. Dance, twist, tap your feet, pace while on the phone, stand up and down while watching TV, use cans of soup as weights and lift them while watching your favorite show, toss a Nerf ball up and down in the air, walk a dog, rock up on your toes while pumping gas, walk around the grocery store a couple of times while shopping. A few extra movements a day can do so much. Use your imagination anything can be a tool to help you move. The body is a wonderful blessing. It can repair and become strong.
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Wow, I wished you had said something. That kind of makes me mad. I see people and hear people all the time make comments about people's weight. Those people have no idea what it feels like to be heavy.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you said this Eric. I know what it's like to be on the heavier side and to feel judged. It's NOT a fun place to be. Looking back some times I wonder how I got this way and I get frustrated. My real weight struggles started after my third baby, but I can't look back, I can only look forward. Sometimes life hands us trials that seem too large for us to handle, but we have to trust that Heavenly Father knows us and trust that our trials are meant to be ours, to help us reach our greatest potential. I too have many health struggles that have added to my weight gain and I am on a mission to become the best I can be. No matter what, one of my greatest desires is to love myself as I am and not to wait until I reach my goals before I can do that. I think that is the best gift we can give ourselves while on our individual journeys....to truly love ourselves and to view our body as the greatest gift we've ever been given. Thank you for the support you've given your mom and for the awesome son you are to her. She is amazing and she is such a support and strength for so many of us! ((hugs))
DeleteAgreed I can not stand when someone else says something about someone with out first knowing their situation if only Humans would take the time to listen to someones story before they judged them our society would be a better place to live!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing. I am at a very unhealthy weight and I hesitate to even use the gym membership that I pay for because I am afraid to encounter a situation like you described. I feel like such a coward but the reality is that I have so many things that weigh on me in every day life that has nothing to do with weight and I don't feel strong enough to handle any more than I already do.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, I do know that all of my burdens would be lighter if I would just get healthy. I am facing my 40th birthday and I really had it in my head that I would have taken care of this weight by then. I can't feel bad about the fact that I will have yet another birthday feeling unhappy about my weight, I can only move forward and reading your blog is a huge inspiration for me to do so. Thank you very much for sharing!
Also, I know that you wish you would have said something, but the reality is that your words would have most likely been wasted because anyone who would make a comment like that to a stranger probably doesn't have enough common sense to even realize how rude and hurtful her words were. The words that count are the words of encouragement you have given to those who most needed it. :)
I have found that if I have a lot of stuff bothering me the best place for me is the gym or even a long walk. You may be surprised if you give the gym a try. You may make some new friends and drop a little of both kinds of weight you have mentioned in your post. Please don't let the worry of someone making a comment stop you. There are many many more who are looking at you and thinking. "She is awsome to be working toward better health."
DeleteWords of Wisdom from Mama Dodge ~ When you go to the gym you drop a little of both kinds of weight. Well said...
DeleteWhat a wonderful story and outlook... you are an inspiration... It makes me happy to see others who have not let the cruelty of the human race stop their own fight! Good for you! You should be proud of your own success, and giving encouragement to others is the best way to show it!
ReplyDeleteLoved your story Laurel. It is true that people judge others on their appearance only. My sister is over the hiking department at Fitness Ridge and she said that the people that come to the center are the most amazing people, very intelligent and super nice people. They all have had different struggles in their lives and they coped with the stress by over eating, the center helped them by encouraging them and teaching them how to eat healthy. Congratulations on your achievement, again you look amazing!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry :-( I have a "quiet" disease - you know the kind where you are dying inside in so much pain you just can't move, but look fine on the outside?
ReplyDeleteI have to commend you for doing what you have and for continuing to be a great motivation.
Congratulations for doing the right things.
The other person in the jaccuzi? Shame on her!
Thank you for sharing, Mama Dodge. At one time in my life I had lost 90 lbs. I almost killed myself doing it, literally, but I did it, and was still losing. I was at a convention with my brother during that time a totally stranger walked up to me and said, "Honey, you have such a pretty face, but let me tell you how I've lost weight doing Weight Watchers." Yep, I was shocked. This woman had no idea the struggle I had been through the last 8 months to lose that 90 lbs. I smiled, said, "I'm fine." and walked away. My brother on the other hand wanted to tell her off; LOUDLY. But, I made him leave. He continued to look for the woman the rest of the day, but never saw her. After we left I kicked myself for not speaking up and saying something to her. I "lovingly" refer to these type of people as "McMorons."
ReplyDeleteThank you for being the strong lady you are Mama Dodge and for showing us the healthy way to go. I have started walking again even in the bitter cold here . Your an inspiration to all of us
ReplyDeleteI know you are strong too angie. Glad to hear you are moving. I know how hash the elements can be so be careful. Proud of you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that woman wasn't thinking when she uttered those words! I joined the local Y a few years ago, and when a coworker (insecure) heard I had done that, she said she couldn't stay a member there as "too many pretty, thin teenagers work out there"!
ReplyDeleteI kept that in mind one day when I was on the track..and sure, I saw teens all around me (so healthy! glowing!) but I saw all shapes and sizes. Three girls were walking ahead of me - very pretty girls - and they had three different body types. I wanted to tell them how pretty they each were!
One thing I have noticed at the gym is that each person is doing his or her own thing. I used to watch those around me and noticed that people have their own program they're following just like I have mine. AND they have no idea if I recently gained 50 pounds, lost 150 pounds or have been this weight for 20 years!
Seeing and knowing that is a consolation to me. I can go and do my thing, enjoy the movement, and smile at others who are also moving. We're all in this together!
I love my water fitness classes and the aqua zumba too. Now I need to try zumba.... on land?! :)
I'm wondering if the woman who made the comment about people letting themselves get like that was speaking out of fear? Regardless of why she said it, it was quite rude and thoughtless of her.
Thank you Laurel for being so honest with us. I have wanted to swim because that is what I like to do but have held myself back because I know there will be comments whether I hear them or not. I feel empowered after reading your words and may actually get myself to the rec center or the gym. Thank you for your honesty.
ReplyDeleteYou can do it Sara. Don't let anyone stop you from doing something you like to do. Good luck in your healthy goals.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt really saddens me that people can be so hurtful. Nobody knows the baggage we all carry and really, people shouldn't need to know our story in order to be sympathetic, empathetic or simply respectful. I truly commend you for being who you are and never giving up. I just saw your blog on Eric's Facebook and I'm so excited to read more about you. I too carry baggage. Lots of it. Emotional and physical. People like you inspire me and I thank you. Keep doing what you do. It does make a difference. Remember, it only takes a spark to light a fire. :-) God bless you!!
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