Personal Responsibility

I was always told that once I got married, my metabolism would slow down and I would have to pay attention to what I eat and maybe even exercise... Oh the horror!

When I turned 25, I weighed over 250 pounds, while I was 170 just four years before. 60 of those pounds happened in the first two years. It had nothing to do with marriage, so get that notion out of your head.

What Can I attribute that kind of weight gain? 

Genetics? Maybe a little.

Sedentary lifestyle? Sure. I work at a desk, after all. 

Being poor and only eating pasta? Yeah, especially for the first 2 years.

Other contributing factors were Starbucks Double Shots, iced triple grande extra caramel macchiatos, Vanilla Coke, Sobe, Mt Dew, Dr Pepper, Pumpkin Ice Cream, any Ben and Jerry's flavor, lemon heads, sour patch kids, caramel cremes, Friendly's, and last but not least, burritos with extra cheese and sour cream.

I liked cheese so much, that I would eat a brick of Monterey Jack like a snickers...

My motto might as well have been, "Any pizza can be a personal pizza if you try hard and believe in yourself."

Those items helped, but the real problem was me. I had NO self control when it came to food. I loved food, and still do. 

But when you're 25 and your doctor tells you that your cholesterol levels are similar to that of a morbidly obese 45 year old on a McDiet...  (He was more polite than that, but that's how I heard it)... Something has to change.

So, when I walk past the break area at my office and see a bowl full of candy, my internal reaction is, "Why does someone keep filling this up? No wonder I'm not losing any weight."

My reaction should be, "Oh look, candy." And then I should proceed to walk away. But I never did. Until recently.

I've kept my weight at 210 for a year, and I've packed on a good portion of muscle. What's my secret?

Personal Responsibility... Hence the title.

I started lifting weights, correctly. Started eating well. And what do you know... It started to work...

So for 2 years, I stuck to water, black coffee or dirty chais. (double dirty Oprah chai) I did have a brief addiction to Cranberry RedBull. (Still have one here and there) I'd have soda now and then, mostly while on the road with the band, moving gear and running around on a stage like a fool, actually getting exercise...

This is not a "Yay!! Look at my success" story... It's just an example of how taking responsibility for yourself can improve your well being.

In conclusion...

Stop blaming food. Stop blaming McDonalds. (Apparently people still do that) 

Stop expecting the government to tell us what we can and can't eat. 

Don't want a 36oz soda? Don't order one.

Make some positive choices and you might actually see some positive consequences. 

Fin