Being overweight doesn't mean you aren't happy...

                                            

I have thought a lot about being overweight and if it is what made me unhappy.  And you know what, "it" isn't the reason I was unhappy.  What made me unhappy was the fact that I THOUGHT.... being overweight was the end of the world.  I thought it defined me as a person.  BUT...it didn't.  When I was overweight, I was still funny, still outgoing and one of the popular kids.  I still dressed really well.  I was a great sister, friend and daughter.  I even played a sport.  Mind you, I sucked at it, but I had the whole social part of it, down pat!  I went to a very small high school, but I was one of the "cool" kids.  I cringe now, when I say that.  But I was.  I tried to make the best of what I had.  And that was my outgoing personality.  Yes, inside I was unhappy and wished SO much that I was "skinny".  What I should have focused on was being "fit".  I really don't like the word skinny.
I prefer fit or even thin.  Because you can be "skinny" and be one unhealthy person.  This brings me to one of the most amazing women I know, my friend Diana.

Diana is overweight and I know she wishes she could be "thin" but she is truly the most amazing woman I know. She is so carefree and fun.  She is also beyond generous.  She would give you the shirt off her back, if you needed it.  And she would do this, if it were her last shirt.  She is just that person you meet and feel all warm and fuzzy inside, after doing so.  She lets NO ONE get in her way.  She is out to have fun and live life to the fullest.  She has never said, "no, I can't do that".  Where as I would have been the one saying, "no I can't go, I am not feeling well".  Which meant I was too embarrassed to do something, because of my weight.  Not Di! She is freaking awesome!  When we have GNO by my sister's pool, Di is the first one to get in.  And let me tell you, we have all seen Di's boobs...lol!  Like I said, she doesn't let her weight define her.  SHE IS TRULY HAPPY!

                                            

I wish people would not assume just because someone weighs more than what society thinks they should, that they are automatically miserable.  SO NOT TRUE!  I know Di weighs 300+ pounds but has the spirit and "got get them" attitude of a super skinny 16 year old.  She is married to her high school sweetheart and no, he is not a big man.  He fell 100% in love with Diana, inside and out.  If only more people were like this.  He is such a lucky man.  He got himself one hell of a catch.

I know when Di has been out at restaurants or other public places, people have stared and even snickered.  OMG I want to smack these morons.  It gets me so upset.  They are totally judging her solely based on how she looks.  WTF!?!?!?!  Isn't this 2013????  Why are we still so prejudice when it comes to obesity.  If these asshole would take 5 minutes to get to know her, they would love her.  AND....so many other people out there that might be overweight.  This shit has to stop.  When did people decide that overweight = unhappy.  Ummm....hello, when I was thin back in NYC I was miserable and bulimic.  So that right there blows that theory out of the water.  I hope people know that when I post my transformation pics and #ootd pics, it is not to show off.  It is so that I can inspire people to get healthy.  NOT SKINNY!  Because I could truly care less about being skinny.  I want a fit body
and healthy mind.  I want to feel strong, inside and out.  I know that Di sees me and wants to get there too, because she has told me.  I am here for her 1000000%!  BUT...she has to be ready, just like I had to be ready, to commit to the lifestyle change.  She is so funny when she sees me, her nickname for me is "slim".  I just love her.  When my article came out in FITNESS Magazie, she was SO proud of me.  She took the magazine to work so she could show all of her co-workers.  And...when we went out for Mexican to celebrate, she showed our waiter and the lady at the counter where you pay.  It feels so good to have people in your life that are genuinely happy for you and your success.  No matter how big or small that success may be. She even asked me to autograph the magazine...LOL

In high school, we were bigger than most, but we made the best of it.  I just wish so much I would have NEVER EVER let my weight issues be such a huge part of my life.  It really pisses me off.  My focus back then was ALL wrong.  I should have focused on all that I had, not what I didn't have.  I mean I had the world at my fingertips and I chose to let ONE thing, get me down and set me back.  ONE stupid thing, the # on the scale.  Being "skinny" is not what makes a person happy.  Being "healthy" inside and out, makes you happy.  And that doesn't mean you have to be a size 6.
Happy people come in ALL shapes and sizes!! When you look at the pics of me and Di, do you see an unhappy person????  I see someone that is always smiling from the inside out. I love this woman so so much and thank God, she is in my life.  No matter what has been thrown her way, she never lets it break her spirit....

 

I leave you with this, no matter how far you have come, or how far you have to go, on your journey, don't ever let it get you down.  When you see someone that you wish you looked like, because they are a skinny, size 2.  STOP!!!!  Focus on wanting to be the BEST you, not something that for most people, is unattainable. And the BEST you, might be a size 22... 

 

XO,

Lori