Wake Up Call

Happy Monday! Last night we were watching some specials on the TLC network called "Half-Ton Mom", "Half-Ton Dad", and "Half-Ton Teens". The show followed the largest woman, man, and teen in the world (not exactly a title worth holding). These people had not stood on their own feet for years, had not left their bed for years, and had to be cut out of their own home as the doorways were too small for them to fit through. Essentially, they took these people to a hospital that specializes in the gastric bypass surgery. The largest woman died 2 weeks after the surgery, leaving 2 young daughters behind. The man was hospitalized for 9 months before he was able to walk and go home (he began his journey at 1,031 pounds!) The reason I am sharing these stories with you is because, as I sat and watched their stories in complete awe last night, I realized I am at the perfect place in my life to lose this weight. I can still move, I can still walk, I can still bathe myself, I can still take my kids to the park, etc. After watching those stories, I felt so THANKFUL that I can still move enough to get myself up and out of this overweight body! I can move....there is no excuse not to move. They were too large to move. I NEVER, EVER, NEVER want to get that unhealthy that I could no longer support myself and have to rely on others to care for me. In fact, I was so traumatized by what I was watching, that I got up and started doing my strength/weight training as I was watching the show.....it was as if I had to prove to myself that I can still move, I am not that large, I am not that person who had to be cut out of their home. I do have to also say though that I could relate to everything they said about their struggles and addictions with food, self-esteem, intentions, etc. I have to wonder where were their friends, families, and support system long before they reached 900 plus pounds?

Today, I am THANKFUL. I give thanks that I can move. I give thanks that I am able to work daily. I give thanks to everyone in my life who supports me. I give thanks that those supporters would not let me get to 900 pounds. I give thanks for words of encouragement. I give thanks for my own self-determination. THANK YOU. THANK GOD.