What Would My Life Have Been Like If I Hadn't Been Fat?

I have asked myself that question a lot lately.  Now that I am a health coach and have been living in a smaller body for the last few years, it has made me wonder what my life would have been like if I had had this body all along.

I grew up a chubby kid, an overweight teen, and an obese adult for most of my life.  What opportunities would I have had, what choices would have been afforded me, what path might I have taken if I had been slender?  Would my life be different than it is today?  I will never know, but it brings a focus on how our appearance and how we feel about ourselves can be so influential on how our lives turn out.  How many
dreams do we not pursue because our weight holds us back?

People who have always been thin might not have any idea what I'm talking about.  Their choice of marriage mates, careers, athletic pursuits, etc. might not have been as dictated or entwined with their size as

How Did This Happen to Me?

someone who is heavy.  For the overweight, their body can be a big factor in their ability to freely choose.  Some might say it is the world we live in.  We live in a thin and pretty world where fat people need to get a handle on themselves.  Or could it just be a lack of self-esteem and confidence on the part of the overweight and they are holding themselves back from reaching out and grabbing their dreams and goals knowing they deserve the very best?

I really don't know the concrete answer to those questions, it might all play a part.  But one thing I have come to realize is that is wasn't all my fault.  Since becoming a health coach and educating myself on food and nutrition, I have come to understand that I became caught in the processed and fast food phenomenon that reached epic proportions in the last 50 or so years.  As I grew into adulthood, the food industry was adding more and more salt, sugar, and fat into my food and I became a food addict, a sugar addict to be precise.  I didn't realize they were drawing me in, that they were making me an addict.  All I knew was that Rice-A-Roni tasted so much better than plain rice and that ice cream made me feel happy.  So I ate and ate until I finally tipped the scales at around 250 lbs. and wondered "how did this happen to me?"

How did I turn it around?  Believe it or not, it was when I threw in the towel on weight.  I knew I was never going to look like Gwyneth Paltrow so why bother.  But I vowed to get myself as healthy and fit as I possibly could.  I just wanted to feel better in my body and about myself.  So I started walking, cutting down on starchy carbs and desserts, and stopped obsessing over the scale.  It took almost two years, but I lost 100 lbs.  I still don't look like Gwyneth Paltrow...I'm not stick thin, but I'm healthy.  My thighs don't rub together, I can fit into any restaurant booth, and I look forward to buying a few clothes every now and again.  Not big things, but they make me happy.

Today

 Eleven years ago I moved to central Kentucky, a state with one of the worst records for obesity, especially childhood obesity, in the country.  It was one of the deciding factors that influenced my decision to become a health coach.  Sitting in a local theater one evening, I observed that nearly every young girl who walked in was either overweight or obese.  Having walked in those shoes, my hope is that I can play a part in educating women and girls struggling with weight issues to understand that they have choices and that I can support them on their journey to better health.

I have reaped so much joy from helping my clients change their relationship with food, make peace with their bodies, and find balance in their lives.  By giving them the tools that they need to get back into good old-fashioned healthy eating, I hope to help them to see wellness is not only about weight, but it is a permanent lifestyle change, and that they have a choice to say to the food industry 'you don't own me, I'm in control'.

So, what would my life have been like if I hadn't been fat?   Like I said, who knows, but one thing I do know is that I would not be where I am today, having the joyful pleasure of helping others learn the healing power of food.  And for that opportunity, I am grateful.

About Bonnie


Bonnie Peterson received nutrition and wellness training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and is board certified by the AADP.  Bonnie offers private one-on-one health coaching and group programs in person or by phone, email, or Skype.
Bonnie also conducts workshops, seminars, and classes covering a variety of health-related topics and she will be leading a spring detox starting in a few weeks.  If you want to learn more about how to incorporate simple but healthy meals into your diet, or you need support, a nudge, and someone to be accountable to, find out how Bonnie can help you using any of the contact avenues below!  She offers a free 30 minute session.  

Contact Information

 

Phone: (859) 779-8325  

Email:  bonnie@personaljourneywellness.com

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