My Journey with Obesity:

A Word of Encouragement

I want to offer a word of encouragement to you who are in the midst of your journey or perhaps haven't started yet.  If I can begin to turn my life around, anyone can! I have been the most unlikely person ever to start exercising and actually start reversing some of the processes taking place in me.  The most important advice I can give you is

START WHERE YOU ARE TODAY!

and take it one day at a time.  Several years ago, I read a story about a man who was so obese and immobile that it was a major effort to get from one room to another in his home.  He realized he was going to die if he didn't do something about his condition.  The first day he was able with great exertion to walk as far as his mailbox and back.  The next day he went a bit further.  At the writing of the article he was many pounds lighter and involved in regular exercise.  When I first realized I had to do something, I knew I would have to become more mobile before I could even think about an exercise program.  A chiropractor recommend I purchase a Body by Jake machine.  I found one at a previously-owned equipment store for about half of retail.  It is a machine with stretch bands for control resistance. 

It has several good advantages for a person just getting started.  It is a small machine so doesn't take up much room.  It is easy to use so you can start out with just a bit of stretching.  It stays indoors so you can use it everyday if you like no matter what the weather.  It's convenient; you don't have to get in your car and drive to a fitness center.  You won't get a fantastic workout from it, nor will you get any aerobic exercise; you will, however, tone and strengthen your muscles and begin to build some stamina.  Even with only 5-10 minutes a day you will be surprised at how quickly you are able to do more and more reps and eventually add more bands. 

Find new activities for yourself.  This will make your life more interesting and also help occupy your mind with things other than food.  Read a book, go for a walk, go swimming, take a continuing education course, persue a new hobby, visit a lonely person, volunteer for a church job or a community service activity.  The list is only limited by your own imagination.  Let me give a word of caution.  If you are thinking of volunteering for church or community work, talk with the person in charge and ask enough questions to find out what physical activity will be involved.  Because I have had trouble with heel spurs, I cannot do major walking although I can do more than before.  So, I always want to know if there is extensive walking involved.  The organization may have several jobs that need attention which don't demand lots of physical exertion. 

If you have been immobile for some time, begin the first day by walking to the mailbox if that's all you can manage.  Maybe the next day you'll also feel like walking a bit further.  Be patient with yourself.  Today you may feel energetic and want to walk all the way to the end of the block; tomorrow your energy levels may be down and just going to the mailbox will be a real effort.  Look at a week or two to evaluate your progress.  Always work toward increasing your exertion by just a bit each time. 

Change your wardrobe if you need to.  If you've been going around in sloppy, old clothes, get rid of them and make efforts to dress more attractively.  You are worth looking like the great person that you are.  So often the grubby clothes are just a reflection of how you see yourself. 

Take heart, all of my fellow-travelers!

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