This post has been rolling around in my head for a few weeks now, but I have not really had the guts to write it. (Not sure I have it now either, but let’s see how it goes!)

I say we should all respect obese people

If you are blessed with skinny genes –  pun fully intended – you might disagree. Many skinny people say obese people don’t have self-control and discipline. Be that as it may, understanding the troubles us fatties have to endure will show you just how tough a person has to be to live the more well-rounded life.

They said I was obese… ?

In my relatively short adult life, one could say that I have been prone to a yo-yo dieting lifestyle and bad dietary habits. It didn’t help that my husband is a fast food fiend who believes that carbohydrates are more important than oxygen. (Read more about why he is wrong and I am right – as always) My downfall which led to my current state of heftiness, was the fact that I used to exercise a lot and eating a LOT of food (particularly for a girl) – and then I stopped exercising and I stopped taking Herbalife.  Taking on a more sedentary job didn’t help. Comfort food, cakes and chocolates have been my closest friend and my worst enemy. I packed on 37 kgs over the last 10 years.

What it feels like to be obese

The first time I realized that I was getting fat, was when I took my kids to the doctor for a check-up. The elderly doctor told me that I need to start minding my diet. He said I was mortally obese andI was mortified.  How could he?

• Later on I started getting headaches, nausea and a range of other symptoms. People said it’s because I am overweight and I got angry. I know better…
• So I went through a battery of tests: diabetes, thyroid, you name it. I even had a referral to go for a brain scan for the headaches. There had to be a medical reason for the weight gain…
• Over the years it became increasingly difficult to find clothes to wear. I refused to “let myself go” more by buying clothes above a certain size. This meant that I couldn’t often go out and when I had to, I was always very uncomfortable and grumpy.
• A short walk would cause my legs to be excruciatingly painful. My chest would hurt and all of this would make me incredibly grumpy. The kids no longer wanted to go on  walks with me.
• Even bathing became an ordeal.  Large hips and thighs limited my maneuverability and lying back was more of a requirement than a relaxing option.
• I needed naps at lunchtime every day without fail and bedtime became earlier as time went by and I became more grumpy as it was hard to lug myself around all day.

All the while I have been begging Wade to diet with me. We tried a soup diet, which was a nightmare. My plan to convince him that dieting is good was completely ruined by this experience. He wanted more rice, pasta, bread and potatoes, which meant that I gained more weight. Let’s face it – it’s a mission to cook veggies for yourself while the family eats nice foods. I didn’t think there was a way to eat what you love and still lose weight. That’s when one day he brought home Herbalife. It was the one program he could stick to, because:

• He could still eat all the foods he likes
• It doesn’t taste like soup or salad
• The results were guaranteed
• The products are good, safe and promote good health

What it feels to lose weight

Since I started losing weight, I have come to a few important realizations:

• Yes, it was my fault that I became obese – I had no discipline.
• Yes, my health problems were caused by my obesity and not a mystery illness.
• Yes, I can get my good health back – it has started!

I have also realized that it takes work to lose the weight. It cannot happen overnight. After all, it took me 10 years of yo-yo dieting to get here. It took a tremendous amount of emotional and physical pain to realize that it is time to do something about about the obesity. Even when the decision was made, it still took effort to find a safe and healthy way to lose the weight. It’s easy to pop an appetite suppressant – it’s quite different to change your life with a new lifestyle program and eating plan. It is one thing to take some diet pills and losing weight quickly (without any regard for your health and the fact that the faster you lose, the faster you gain it back). Learning to make healthier choices and adapting your attitude to food to help maintain your goal weight is quite different. That is why everyone should respect previously obese people who have made the decision to do what it takes to lose weight.  Most importantly, if you are obese you need to respect yourself and love yourself enough to do what it takes to become healthier and happier.

What are your biggest obstacles to weight loss? Have you lost a lot of weight before?  What kind of results did you experience? Share with us!

PS:  Herbalife helped me remove all these problems. Request a free brochure: