Hey you? Listen up...yeah... you, I am talking to you. Now that I have your attention I have something I need to get off my chest. I'VE BEEN INSPIRED, and I don't know when the last time it was I have felt inspired. Isn't that sad? Let me think for a second about that........................................Well, that was longer than I expected it to take, but I have an answer. The last time I was inspired was March 1991. I was born in '76 so I'll let you do the math on how long ago that was.
So you are probably wondering what it was that inspired me huh? Well, it was the day I was in my private hospital room in St.Johns, NL, just after undergoing every test in the world to find out why my broken arm would not heal properly. I was expecting the doctor any minute, when my door opened my doctor walked in, I saw his face first, squinted up as if he didn't want to even look at me. I thought to myself, "Chris, your life will never ever be the same again once he leaves your room". I was right. "Chris", he said, "We have your results and I am afraid its not good news". I already knew, but I don't think Mom and Dad were prepared for what they were they were about to hear....but I was. He proceeded to hand me what Mom and Dad felt was a death sentence. "Chris, after looking at your bloodwork, and scans we found a tumor". Before he could say another word I blurted out, "Bone Cancer, what kind?" Mom and dad looked at me instantly their mouth hanging wide enough to park a car in them, then looked straight back at the doctor. "Yes, he said, Ewing's Sarcoma, and its a childhood cancer, one in a 1,000,000". I said, "So what you're telling me is I am the winner of the unluckiest lottery in the world", he said. "Yes".
It seemed like hours that Mom and Dad were holding me, they were understandably emotional and visibly upset. I on the other hand, was like a stone. The doctor was still in the room, and I tried to brush mom and dad off my shoulders a bit, I had more questions. "What are my chances?".....pause......"Well, it's gotten a lot better over the years", he said. I said, "That wasn't my question, I know I am only 14 and a kid, but I'd like to be treated as an adult in this case please, and I would like to know if I am going to die".......pause......"Well Chris, I have no way of knowing". I said, "How many kids beat this?"....pause....."55%", he said. Mom and Dad lost it at that point. I however, still, stone cold. I..felt..nothing! I looked at him and said...."I'll be one of the 55%". The doctor smiled.
Well, its 23 years later. I can say I am a member of the 55% club. I kicked cancer's ass square in the teeth. I felt invincible. What happened during that period of my life, well, I could write a book on, but I digress, that's another story.
After treatments, and lots of inactivity, as well as lack of mobility the weight started to go on, and on and on and on. I was helpless, no energy, people were bringing me my favorite foods all the time, and I had no problem eating them. UNTIL....I was FAT. Yep, the fat kid. This carried on into my adult life, my lifestyle led me to keep making poor eating decisions throughout my adult life, and now, I am here.
So in December I stumbled upon a woman's blog, who was on her weight loss journey. Her first post hooked me, she was truly inspired, and it caught on with me. I was now inspired, for the first time in 23 years. It feels good, really good. So after much research I found out what I needed to do for myself, food-wise, calorie intake, fat intake, and what kinds of fats are good/bad. I put together a plan.
January 1, 2014, I started MY journey. So far, I eat for fuel, not taste. I needed to separate, "Liking to eat", and "needing" to eat. I now eat to live, not live to eat. I am sure I'll fall, in fact I know I'll fall. Everyone does, and everyone is not perfect. I am not looking for six pack abs, I just want to be healthy. After all, if I can beat cancer, surely I can beat unhealthiness. P.S - To the woman who's blog I happened to read, Thank-you! Please know that you have helped one person at least, realize this is possible. Maybe one day Ill get to say thanks, face to face.
CHD - Nfldman
No comments:
Post a Comment