A personal journey of losing a 100lbs. Chapter Two: Own it, page 2

Achieving a healthy BMI is all you.

You are the only one who can put food into your mouth. There has to be excitement, and electricity in the confidence it takes to get-maintain-keep a healthy BMI. Be your own cheerleader; think nice thoughts about yourself inside your mind. You have to own it, regardless what your family or community thinks; you have to be 100% committed. Think of the person you will be at the end of your life, what it would take for you to be happy with the life you lived and start working backwards to ensure those events happen. That is the key to a happy life!

Own your self confidence

You have to approach owning your self confidence with positivity, self-belief, and not rely on others to be your support. Simply put, you have to be your own advocate.

The side effects of a positive attitude that is encased in a healthy body - For the most part we all want to be liked, loved, and treated tenderly. I have noticed that over the past year I attract the positive side of people. Call it “like attracts like” I am happy, positive, and respect my body; and with this, I have noticed that strangers want to do the same for me. 

The typical repeated offence I made in my fat 30’s. Years ago, dining at most restaurants with my family; even though I was fat, I was still trying to avoid starches. The standard food sides that came with my meal were potatoes, bread, and corn; of course all three of these are starches. I asked the waitress to please substitute the starchy sides with a side salad and steamed broccoli. I would always get an unpleasant look from the employee, and then they would grudgingly write my order down. When my meal arrives it contained all the starches, my salad was never served and the broccoli was missing. Over the years I would ask for the mistake to be fixed, but it was a disruption in the meal and finally I gave up and would just not eat the offending starches, pay full price for a meal I barely ate and left the restaurant starving and feeling emotional depressed.

The scenario of today, I was with a large party of 15 people dining at a Mexican food restaurant. I ordered the chicken fajitas portion for two. I fully intend to eat both portions. For me to stay at a healthy BMI, it takes large portions of lean protein. I knew the beans and rice along with the tortillas would go untouched by me and that the chicken was the only food to keep me from starving. When my order arrived I was a little disappointed in the portion of meat on my plate. When I was able to quietly get the ear of my waitress, I asked her if this was the fajitas for two. Her facial expression changed and she said “No it’s not.” I whispered to her, “I am one of those skinny girls who eat a lot.” She gave me a huge smile and five minutes later she discreetly placed a side plate full of meat next to my dinner plate. I have worked hard to get the healthy BMI that I enjoy today and when you “own it” people respect you, they want to be a part of that positive energy buzzing around you. After this, the waitress chatted with me two more times, always topped off my unsweet iced tea and gave impeccable service.

What was the difference in the two scenarios? In the first one I didn't own my confidence. I was only avoiding the starches to please my family. I felt that I needed to put the effort out to at least show that I wanted to be healthy, but deep down I really wanted the sugar buzz that would result in eating those starchy unhealthy foods. This attitude was in my body language, facial expression, and tone of voice. Today when I avoid unhealthy foods it is with a passion to be healthy. I see those foods at poison to my body and I mean this with 100% passion and it is evident in my persona.

A personal journey of losing a 100lbs. 

Chapter Two: Own it, end of page 2

next month, starving vs hunger