Whom? Who? I am a very smart person and I follow grammar rules, but that's one I've never fully understood.
I've been thinking a lot about why I'm so determined to lose weight and be healthier. I've tried losing weight a couple times before and I didn't make it very far. I don't think I ever lost more than a couple pounds. So, why is this time so different?
I used to want to lose weight solely to be thin and be more attractive, that was my only reason for wanting to lose weight. I thought if I were thin, I'd get lots of dates, be really happy and popular, and feel sexy. Even at my heaviest, I still went on dates, I still had lots of friends, and I was happy and I had my moments of feeling sexy. Obviously, this wasn't enough of a motivative reason for wanting to lose weight. I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't losing weight now for vain reasons. Yes, I want to look good, I want to feel more attractive, I want to feel comfortable with my body with a man. This time though, it's not the only reason.
The healthier I become, the more weight I lose, the farther I run, the better I feel. The better I feel, the more I want to keep pushing along. I realized I hadn't been living up to my full potential for years. I'm only 23 years old! I shouldn't be feeling run down, tired, depressed, and lame. I should be running around, living life, feeling like a vibrant 23 year old woman. I also want to feel like a vibrant 23 year old woman when I'm 30, when I'm 40, when I'm 50. I've been living under this illusion that I'll be young forever and that aging can't touch me, but as I get older, things start hurting, I'm slowing down, and I just feel old. Aging scares me. If eating well and exercising will help keep me feeling younger for longer, I'll do it, gladly. I don't want to fall apart later in life.
My nephew is due in May, the first in my family. I want to be there in his life for as long as I can. I want to be a fun aunt, the one who takes him to the park and plays with him. His other aunt, on his dad's side, is obese and my sister is terrified that she won't be around in his life because of her weight. She's scared that her weight will stop her from being able to play with him, babysit him, and may eventually kill her. As my sister was sharing these fears with me, I was thinking about my own health and how important it is to be a part of his life for as long as I can. I am capable of making changes in my life that will keep me in my nephew's life for longer. Having someone to be healthy for is a great motivation. I only wish that his other aunt would figure that out.
This time, my weight loss journey feels different. It feels possible because I have the right reasons. Why are you getting healthy?
That's an easy one- I'm getting healthy for me! My kids and husband are another motivator, but in the end it comes down to me. I feel better and that makes me a better mom, wife and teacher. I want to be the best me that I can and being healthy allows me to accomplish that goal.
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