tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post7893518469948406961..comments2023-05-16T04:20:01.847-07:00Comments on What If?: ExerciseWhat if?http://www.blogger.com/profile/04168815351913975943noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-20124453718830707802013-03-05T11:17:40.928-08:002013-03-05T11:17:40.928-08:00I'm glad you said this Eric. I know what it...I'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))Smunkee Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11314634695757684811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-85288939638008411502013-01-22T06:11:21.403-08:002013-01-22T06:11:21.403-08:00It really saddens me that people can be so hurtful...It 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!!Alliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12272739936299877839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-34660252078292951682013-01-20T21:05:16.351-08:002013-01-20T21:05:16.351-08:00Loved this post! Thank you for sharing!Loved this post! Thank you for sharing!Leslee Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06121095188849671979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-20728526519138388622013-01-20T19:16:42.477-08:002013-01-20T19:16:42.477-08:00You can do it Sara. Don't let anyone stop you ...You can do it Sara. Don't let anyone stop you from doing something you like to do. Good luck in your healthy goals.<br />What if?https://www.blogger.com/profile/04168815351913975943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-19861469404637926882013-01-20T17:46:16.546-08:002013-01-20T17:46:16.546-08:00Thank you Laurel for being so honest with us. I h...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. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16885369586705746526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-17130388293202123922013-01-19T11:13:34.611-08:002013-01-19T11:13:34.611-08:00Words of Wisdom from Mama Dodge ~ When you go to t...Words of Wisdom from Mama Dodge ~ When you go to the gym you drop a little of both kinds of weight. Well said...bevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03953010794715407771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-65493721123393483132013-01-18T21:42:48.370-08:002013-01-18T21:42:48.370-08:00I am so sorry that woman wasn't thinking when ...I 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"! <br /><br />I 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!<br /><br />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! <br /><br />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! <br /><br />I love my water fitness classes and the aqua zumba too. Now I need to try zumba.... on land?! :)<br /><br />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. sunnysblog@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16557613523454884052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-19864026370240139622013-01-18T11:20:19.684-08:002013-01-18T11:20:19.684-08:00I know you are strong too angie. Glad to hear you ...I 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.What if?https://www.blogger.com/profile/04168815351913975943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-21967373171815790212013-01-18T08:38:17.810-08:002013-01-18T08:38:17.810-08:00Thank you for being the strong lady you are Mama D...Thank 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 usAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04096346421355262860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-65888612552839764602013-01-17T19:13:28.582-08:002013-01-17T19:13:28.582-08:00I have found that if I have a lot of stuff botheri...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." What if?https://www.blogger.com/profile/04168815351913975943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-83619893585226868822013-01-17T18:07:53.052-08:002013-01-17T18:07:53.052-08:00Thank you for sharing, Mama Dodge. At one time in...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."WendyDarlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15342846394629044234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-51656456274638849042013-01-17T16:13:43.670-08:002013-01-17T16:13:43.670-08:00I am so sorry :-( I have a "quiet" disea...I 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?<br />I have to commend you for doing what you have and for continuing to be a great motivation.<br />Congratulations for doing the right things.<br />The other person in the jaccuzi? Shame on her!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13993764837614268713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-38377788209296421482013-01-17T15:49:59.301-08:002013-01-17T15:49:59.301-08:00Loved your story Laurel. It is true that people ju...Loved 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!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02950935049708341616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-39277184428815736122013-01-17T15:41:57.971-08:002013-01-17T15:41:57.971-08:00What a wonderful story and outlook... you are an i...What 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! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17120851477823221235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-29286205889394883122013-01-17T15:37:40.212-08:002013-01-17T15:37:40.212-08:00Thank you so much for sharing. I am at a very unhe...Thank 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. <br /><br />At 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! <br /><br />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. :)Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05180703816523376849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-88806348044633291692013-01-17T15:30:26.090-08:002013-01-17T15:30:26.090-08:00Agreed I can not stand when someone else says some...Agreed 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! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11653936369133683986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6463015083739525718.post-19300806316752610462013-01-17T15:18:19.575-08:002013-01-17T15:18:19.575-08:00Wow, I wished you had said something. That kind of...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. Eric Dodgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06031595657146665127noreply@blogger.com