"I'm up in the spotlight, oh does it feel right
The altitude seems to really get to me.
I'm up on the tightwire linked by life and the funeral pyre
Putting on a show for you to see." ~Leon Russell
The life of a blogger is a bit like walking a tightrope. You can choose to balance your steps toward safety, or you can take a leap of faith and blindly jump off the rope while praying you land safely.
I’ve decided to throw caution to the wind by jumping off the rope. I hope I land safely on my feet after writing about the one subject I never discuss: my weight.
I’ve never been thin or obese, yet I’ve never been comfortable with the way I look, whether I weighed 125 or 175 pounds. It's a matter of my perception; how I view myself and not necessarily how others view me.
I'm not looking to be on the cover of MORE magazine. I don't need to look like Christie Brinkley or Marisa Tomei. I'm enjoying the new career I've cultivated during the Second Chapter of my life. I simply want to be comfortable with how I look and feel.
I’ve always had a hate-hate relationship with dieting. I love all kinds of food; dieting has always meant the need to cut back on the love.
"The biggest seller is cookbooks and the second is diet books—how not to eat what you've just learned how to cook." ~Andy Rooney
Today I’m not looking for a diet. I’m looking for a new way of life.
My family’s genetics scares the hell out of me. That fear is the driving force behind waging an all-out war against gaining weight. It’s an uphill battle, and I’m determined to win the war.
Today I stand before you at 54 years old, going through menopause and living with Multiple Sclerosis. These two factors are enormous obstacles in my quest for better health.
"When we lose twenty pounds..we may be losing the twenty best pounds we have! We may be losing the pounds that contain our genius, our humanity, our love and honesty." ~Woody Allen
Recently, a Facebook friend told me to watch “”Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead”, a documentary chronicling the life of Joe Cross, a 310 pound man on a mission to get healthy. We follow his journey across America, with his juicer and camera in tow, drinking only fruits and vegetables for 60 days. His hope was to lose weight while allowing his body to heal itself from a diagnosed autoimmune disease.
I highly recommend this movie. It’s educational and uplifting.
Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead
Photo: www.drfuhrman.com
After watching the documentary I ordered the same Breville juicer Joe used. I then took a hard look at myself by asking, “Do I want to continue sailing through life not liking the way I look and feel?"
I decided to face my fear head-on by broaching my taboo subject during dinner. Out of nowhere I proclaimed, “I want to get healthier and lose weight.” I thought my husband and son would fall off of their chairs. I braced myself and waited for it. Nothing happened, except total silence.
Photo:www.comicbookmovie.com
What did happen was what I should have expected.
My husband quietly asked, “How can I help you?”
We spent time talking about healthy eating, exercises I enjoy doing and where could we buy organic fruits and vegetables in bulk. We already follow a healthy diet at home (much like Dr. Andrew Weil’s book “Eating Well for Optimal Health”), yet I need to create my own eating plan (a/k/a portion control) according to my personal goals.
Photo:www.xpter.infoI
I reached out to a Facebook friend, Amanda, who I knew possessed a wealth of knowledge on healthy living. She was so inspirational (and profound) that I’d like to share her wisdom with you:
“Find things you really love to do, and just do them. Don't feel you have to do "such and such" to be fit. If you love to take walks, take walks, but don't get stuck thinking just because you can't do other things, it's useless. I think the main thing is to feel good about whatever you can do.
Then there's food. That is something you can control. So eat healthy. Consider yourself like an expensive car that only takes the best gas. Remember to tell yourself how great you are. Imagine you are an Olympic superstar, and tell yourself you can do anything. You can do anything. You can do anything.
You have to say it, read it, actually see the words. "I can do this. I can do this."
Powerful words.
I’m ready to take the next step toward creating a healthier lifestyle, while facing my personal weight demons. Like all of you, I want to live a life of quality in my fifties, sixties and many years beyond that.
Today really IS the first day of the rest of my life. Wish me luck!
I will close by offering you the advice of Dr. Christiane Northrup from her book “Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom”:
“Nourishing yourself fully also involves understanding that your body’s metabolic processes are profoundly influenced by the following eight factors:
Nourishing yourself optimally means paying attention to each of these areas.”
What healthy habits do you follow to feel and look good?
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DISCLAIMER: Comments from An Empowered Spirit are brought to your attention on topics that could benefit you and should be discussed with your doctor or other medical professional. I am not medically trained and my posts are of a journalistic nature and not in lieu of medical advice. An Empowered Spirit and its author will not be held liable for any damages incurred from the use of this blog or any data or links provided.
Cathy, you have expressed exactly what is on my mind! I feel sluggish and heavy these days and I know I have to make a change in my diet and exercise. I walk every day and I do Pilates but it's not enough. How do you like your juicer?
Good for you and I applaud you for taking on a challenging subject. So many of us struggle with image so it's nice to see how you've turned this into a conversation about feeling good about yourself, looking at health and physical needs. I like the excerpt from Northrup.
I love this post - and am sharing with the Dames!! Although I joke a lot about my unhealthy eating, I've recently cut out all diet drinks and have only one soda. The rest of the day I have water. It seems that my sluggishness is getting better, and my headaches are gone. Good luck to you, Cathy Chester -- I think you're beautiful no matter what . . . but being healthy is key!
I began trying to improve my diet in March, and I've shared about my struggles in a couple blog posts. The biggest one is my love of sweets. The second is my struggle to eat enough protein. I've been using My Fitness Pal to track calories and nutrition.
I don't think I'd be happy on an all liquid diet. I enjoy chewing. I really need to not think of myself as dieting, but to work on changing my mindset towards food and health.
People often think that being fit and eating healthy is all about the physical. I'd say it's more mental than anything. To break old habits and get into new ones, you really have to have the mindset to do it. That's why positive self talk is so critical.
And Cathy, you my friend, are the inspiration. For me, it's easy for me to be active. I have the time, the energy, the support, etc. - which means I have NO excuse.
For you though, it is a different story. You have a few roadblocks set in your way. Just drive around them in your new sports car LOL. Go for it, girl!
Oh, and BTW, this made me cry. Thanks for that. 🙂
Very inspirational...I also vacillate between being healthy and saying "what the heck." It's a daily battle for me.
I love the Leon Russell lyrics...made me happy to see them first thing in the morning!
Beautifully put, Cathy! I completely agree that "lifestyle change" is totally different from "dieting." And physical disability does impose certain limits, but everyone has limits of one kind or another. The trick is to do things you like, and like what you choose to do.
Be well!
I am so proud of you. I desperately need to do the same thing, and for whatever reason, can't seem to get started. I will be cheering you on and hopefully will be motivated enough by your success -- which I know you'll achieve -- to get on board, too. xo
I find that I set myself a few very simple rules and then try to follow them strictly. Complicated diets are too much and easily cast aside. I look at my dietary weaknesses, make some rules and then promise to follow them. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but I feel like it is something I can manage. Good Luck, It sounds like you know where you are headed!
This post spoke to me. I've been dragging my feet (and anything else I can hold onto) to change my lifestyle. Recent changes in health say I must. My cholesterol has finally tipped over the acceptable totals and I was recently diagnosed with Essential Tremors. I hate taking meds, so my journey to a healthier lifestyle begins. Anyway, I look forward to reading your blog!
A great story about determination for one amazing woman on her road to better health, Cathy! I know you can do this! We are behind you 150%. This is such a struggle for so many people - you go, girl!
A brilliant post, Cathy! I bought the Breville juicer last fall. I've used it three times. I've bought carrots and cukes and such with the intention of juicing! Ha! I've thrown out wilted carrots and cukes and such because I can't get myself going on this thing. I'll be coming back here to read how you're doing--and for some tips to get myself started. Thank you!
Hip Hip Hooray for you Cathy!!! Deciding to opt for a healthier lifestyle is the first step. You are on your way!!! Remember, it is all about balance: eat right, exercise, and take some quiet time. May I suggest you looking at my category on my blog, "Healthy Habits?" I've got some great suggestions and tools to use on your quest to a healthy lifestyle. There is no better feeling than getting your health in order!!!
Kudos to you! You can do it — and you have such an incredible support system. I love that your husband so readily offers to help. My husband is the chocoholic of all chocoholics, and though I'm not THAT big of a candy eater, when there are M&Ms in the house day in and day out, they're a wee bit too hard to resist. Enjoy your juicer and your road to better health.
I love juicing. The 'fat, sick and nearly dead' movie had an influence on me too but I was already juicing before that.
I strictly use organic fruits though, and I can definitely say the extra $$ are worth it for those serious about health concerns.
I just watched the Fat Sick and Nearly Dead. It was really awesome! I've looked more into juicers, and I don't know why he uses the Breville, because it's not as good as slow juicers. But you know, it worked miracles anyway! Loved the movie.