Weighty Issues
Several years back I went to a Chinese acupuncturist in the University District who was a 6th Generation Doctor of Oriental Medicine from Beijing. When he was a child his parents sent him to a Buddhist monastery where he studied medicine just like his father and his father’s father and his father’s father’s father and so on and so forth etc. etc. etc. This man had the smoothest skin you could ever imagine beholding. In fact you could almost get hypnotized staring at his poreless porcelain visage. That is, if were not for the fact that it takes your full concentration to decipher what he was trying to say. And I am a seasoned when it comes to understanding what Asian people are trying to say in English – I could hardly understand him.
When I first went to go see him he looked at my tongue, checked my pulse and read my palm. He then looked at me and said, “You have lots of emotional stress.” No shit, I didn’t need to pay anyone $110 to tell me that. Then he said, “Too much belly fat. Lose weight. ” Again, did I pay for this? Thinking back, that juncture I wanted out of my relationship so badly that I just ate and ate and ate my way through the stress. I didn’t need acupuncture, I need a new life. I started out at 148 lbs back in 2001 and after the implosion of my relationship, a job implosion, depression and a mid-thirties crisis, I’ve gained 40 whopping pounds. You do the math.
Suffice to say, I have reached the limits of ‘emotional stress’ and ‘belly fat’ and am now working achieving a better life balance. I am on the path to being the happiest that I have ever been, yet I am the unhealthiest that I have ever been. If you were wondering how this feels – it totally sucks ass. It’s like being in an ill-fitting outfit. Like all of the time.
So I am, as with many aspects of my life, making decisions and taking massive action. Getting in shape is just another one of those things that is so important for me to accomplish once and for all. As much as I like to think that my weight issues don’t bother me, it totally does. I am sooooo over it.
In honor of my commitment (and to get over my fear of the camera) I am going to take daily self-portraits so I can document the changes in my face leading up to the Jingle Bell 5k. I got the idea from this blog that I am addicted to. Sharyn is doing a series of self-portraits called 365 days + 1.
Her photos are much more clever and creative than mine will be.
Tags: sharyn morrow, shrinking giyen, weapons of mass distraction, weight issues
This entry was posted on Sunday, November 16th, 2008 at 10:53 pm and is filed under Daily, Weight Loss. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
12 Responses to “Weighty Issues”
Shameless!
In the interest of full disclosure, please note that product links redirecting you to other sites such as Amazon
, BlueHost, Freshbooks and OpenSky may take you a purchase page of a company where I am a member of an affiliate program. As a result, I will often get a small percentage of the revenue or a commission off of something you have purchased. I am not otherwise paid to link to these sites, nor do I link to any products that I don't actually use or covet in real life. On the rare occasion I accept payment to review a product, it will be duly noted in its associated post.
Have no fear - you are under no obligation to buy anything to get the full enjoyment of this site. We can still be friends even if you never click on an affiliate link. Rest assured, this is all low pressure. I will never show up at your door with tiny vials of Avon perfume or trial jars of pearl cream to entice you. That said, I do truly appreciate when you do purchase something from a linked site - it all helps to keep the lights on and a roof over our heads.
And Powered By
And Kept Organized By
May I also recommend daily regular ol’ portraits of your home and life. You know, kinda how Dooce does?
Jess´s last blog post..Latest Accomplishments
Good for you! If you need any emotional support, I’m here for you. And I’m happy I get to see your face online for now.
THAT is how you keep yourself committed! Sending you best wishes!
derfina´s last blog post..This, that, and some other things…
Good luck! You found a great way to hold yourself accountable.
You are beautiful! I agree facing fears is the best way to break through to a better life and new perspective. I look forward to following your new journey
Lorrie´s last blog post..in defense of the weekend
Your description of being in an ill-fitting outfit is perfectly stated. Not fitting in your own body is the worst feeling ever, and I commend you for taking radical steps to change it. I think this year is about facing fear and creating change for EVERYONE.
Hanna´s last blog post..Without her presence
You’re so pretty! I love your hair! Help me fix my hair!
Veronica Sopher´s last blog post..Shih_Wei: @roguepuppet I can’t believe they didn’t add that feature in the recent new release.
@jess thanks for the suggestion. i was actually thinking just the same thing! i gotta find the time to learn wordpress or php a little bit better – stay tuned!
@Melissa you are a sweetie! can’t wait to give you a big ol hug.
@Derfina & @Vered – yes i keep myself accountable by force. : )
@Lorrie right back atcha. let’s keep each other motivated.
@Hanna I definitely feel like Im riding the wave a change.
@Veronica – can’t wait to read YOUR blog.
Awww, shucks. Well, I’d say you’re off to a good start with your pix! For the record? I’ve always had a problem being the subject of photos. I prefer pointing the camera at other people. So this year of self-portraits has been an interesting challenge but a good one. I can look back at the photos and remember what was going on in my life on that specific day. Helps jog my not-so-great memory.
Sharyn´s last blog post..The Potential to Be Better
I have those same issues – always been a busty gal but now it’s like I’m carrying two basketballs under my shirt. They are always bumping into people who are just trying to walk past me. How did this happen? But I ramble. I look forward to reading about your progress!!
I