I’m A Livestrong Girl: Part VII

I’m going to wrap up my Livestrong Girl series. I think I’ve given you a lot of good information, at least I hope I have. But before I conclude, I’d like to touch on one last, very important part of any fitness goals you may have.

Let’s talk about positive life changes.

Before I took my physical fitness and well being into my own hands, I was depressed, fat, ugly, and hating the world. I’m already a half glass empty kind of a gal, and not because I’m a pessimist. I consider myself a realist. But add to my realism, and throw in some unhappy self-loathing thoughts, and you’ve got one cranky mama!

So there I am, biding my time, hoping the fat just melts itself away… and it hits me. I have to take matters into my own hands. The way things had been progressing, I was not going to get skinny by eating ice cream, chips, and bagels with cream cheese. It was just not going to happen.

In addition to working out and eating right, I made some other positive life changes. I also noticed a big change in my mentality the more weight I lost. The two go hand in hand. Do better, feel better. Feel better, do better. Either way, Nike was right.

Just do it.

These are some of the most important things that I have done to help me through to successfully complete my goals.

These are in no particular order. They are equally beneficial to achieving your goals — whatever they may be. This list can be applied to weight loss, overcoming fears, shaping a positive work environment and achieving career goals, finding a job, or anything else you may find considerably challenging in your life.

I’ve found that the more I challenged myself, the more I achieved. And the more I achieved, the better I felt. And the better I felt, the more positive energy I would exude to my family and others around me.

Obesity, Diabetes and Other Statistics

Through all of my Livestrong Girl posts, I never touched on the most important topic of all. Obesity.

Obesity is a major risk factor for things such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. It is indicated by a body mass index of 30 or more.

More scary statistics: More than 2/3 of the states in the United States have adult obesity rates above 25%. One in every three Americans is considered obese. Ohio is the 13th most obese state in the nation. That’s astounding.

Both obesity and type 2 diabetes are on the rise, and have been for the last 25 years. Here’s how they’re related: Being overweight inhibits the body from maintaining proper blood glucose levels, and eventually become resistant to insulin. This means that if Americans continue on the path of high fat and high sugar convenience foods, insulin resistance will cause more and more people to become diabetic.

Even if you don’t fall into either of those categories, it is still important to maintain a stimulating fitness level. Individuals with fast metabolism, who appear to be able to eat whatever they want and not gain an ounce, are still at risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and more. Choose a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy fruits and vegetables, consuming the right portions of all foods, and by maintaining an active fitness level.

To make the best decision about your health and fitness goals, as well as to discuss your family health history and your risk factors (if any), it is best to discuss with your primary care physician.

In Conclusion

I appreciate your support of my healthy lifestyle efforts, and I appreciate your desire to start the journey to your own healthy lifestyle.

I couldn’t have done this without the love and support of my family, especially my husband. He has been my rock through this all. He patiently listens to my workout stats every morning while he feeds our son breakfast and I stand sweating and panting in the kitchen, clutching my ice cold water bottle from the fridge. Without him sacrificing his “time” in the mornings for me, as well as replacing my hand-me-down treadmill back in October, I would still be fat, frumpy and unhappy.

Thanks, babe.

And thank you to my son, Boo! The other morning I wasn’t able to run on the treadmill but it was nice out, so I asked him if he wanted to run with mommy. He started going down to the basement to run with me on the treadmill! It was the cutest. I redirected him outside and we ran and walked with the jog stroller instead.

I am shaping my son’s life, day in and day out, for better and for worse. I hope that my positive lifestyle changes will impact his life in a good way. I hope as he grows he realizes the importance of being physically fit, active, happy and healthy.

I truly hope you and your families challenge yourselves to eat better, live better and feel the best you can feel. We only live once so make sure to make the best of this life.

If you ever have any questions, or need any positive reinforcement, please contact me via my profile information. I am also on Facebook.

*some research suggests that a glass of red wine can deliver antioxidants, raise HDL levels (“good” cholesterol) which are linked to lower risks of heart disease, as well as boost brain power for some women. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, you should not drink.