I was that chubby kid who’s almond mom had her in Weight Watchers by the time she started 9th grade. I didn’t gain the Freshman 15, it was the Freshman 45. I graduated from college as a size 22 and spent my 20s and early 30s in that yo-yo cycle of the same 40 pounds. I was working out when I felt the need to drop a few and claiming to eat healthy. Running on sugar and coffee can only last so long. By 34 I could barely walk up a turned off escalator without being short of breath.
I spend every Thanksgiving Morning as a the back co-pilot of a Macy’s Parade Ballon. In 2015 I was under The Pillsbury DoughBoy. After taking the vehicle line for 3 blocks and running 2 city blocks to catch up after an emergency call I could barely move on Black Friday. When you’re primary career is in Department Store Retail, you kind of need to move on Black Friday.
It was the wake-up call I needed. It was a slow and ugly journey but this time it was about being able to move without being winded and tired. It was not about the number on the scale. Being active led to keystone changes of making better food choices. I relished in the fact that I was able to pick up something heavy without assistance. I’ve been wearing the same clothing size for almost 7 years, and it’s a size I only dreamt I would ever be in as a fat college kid.
I have never meat a potato chip or a whiskey I didn’t like. Getting kicked out of the gym when the world shut down in 2020 forced me to find the right amount of balance in my all or nothing attitude. I get that there are days my imperfect body needs the rest not a workout. I believe being active and doing something you enjoy is the best step to reach the best you.
Plus how many other people can credit the Pillsbury DoughBoy for putting them on a path to health?