According to my BMI, I was considered obese. I did not look obese and I was barely there. My BMI was 30.9 and the standard is above 30. Now my BMI is still overweight, but low. I’m a few pounds away from “normal weight.” I know that the BMI is not the best way to indicate health because it does not take muscle into account or body fat percentage. However, it was eye opening. Plus, I was sluggish, tired, my knees hurt all the time, my back hurt all the time and I was not confident.

So I started running. And tracking what I ate using an app called My Fitness Pal . I bought a scale so I could track my progress better. I did the Insanity workout. I’m currently in the middle of TurboFire, both programs are by Beachbody.

And it was hard. And I never felt like doing it. And I got frustrated. And I had to take a lot of breaks. And my knee was killing me. And every muscle ached. And I just wanted to eat a cupcake and take a nap. But I did it. I kept doing it. The pounds dropped off and instead of slowing down when I saw progress, like I used to, my progress motivated me to do more and push harder.

My first run was in August 2011. I couldn’t run for seven continuous minutes. Now I can run up to four miles. My first mile took 14 or 15 minutes. Now it takes 10. I still crave sweets and I find that I can eat them in moderation. Or just eat something else instead. Today I was able to do a 53 minute TurboFire workout while wearing 3 pound weighted gloves. In the past, I had to take them off after 10 or 15 minutes. I was able to walk the dog with my husband around the park without being out of breath or needing a break. I have more energy. My knees hurt less. My back rarely ever hurts. My skin looks better. I feel better. My clothes are baggy. I’m wearing clothes I haven’t worn in years. I’m almost to my goal and I’m so excited to get there. I just think about what I’ll be able to do when I’m not lugging around the extra weight. A few weeks ago, my husband handed me a twenty pound weight and pointed out to me that that’s how much weight I’d lost. It felt good.

I write all this not to brag or seek congratulations, but to shed light on the obesity epidemic. I never considered myself obese, but the numbers don’t lie and I had tipped the scale in that direction. I promise myself to never see that number again.

I understand that weight loss is different for everybody and that there are issues of genetics and diseases that come into play. However, I firmly believe that there is some form of activity that is out there for everyone. Maybe you can’t run yet. You can walk. Or swim. Insanity is a crazy, high-impact workout, but there’s pilates. Or Zumba.

35.7 percent of adults are obese in this country, as of 2010. 17 percent of children. Obesity can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, respiratory problems, some cancers and other illnesses. It costs roughly $147 billion each year to treat diseases related to obesity. It’s become a national security crisis because people cannot meet military fitness standards.

While I understand the struggle of weight loss and I am sympathetic to genetic predisposition, illnesses and environmental factors, I believe that these things are preventable. I believe that we can reduce our obesity numbers in this country.

I found some hope today while we were walking the dogs around a greenway at a local park. The greenway is a cross country 5k course. It’s used for cross country meets. It’s the course where I sprained my ankle attempting my first 5k back in October.

I was watching the other people who were out there today. There were families, runners and clearly fit people who were training and people who were overweight or obese out there walking, running or riding bikes. They were active. They were struggling, but they were doing it. I hoped that they were out there regularly. I hoped that they were losing weight. I hoped that they were feeling the same feelings of pride and accomplishment that I had felt months ago. I hoped that they watched where they were going and didn’t sprain an ankle, like I had.

Our bodies were not made to carry around excess weight. I firmly believe that. My joints were constantly aching 20 pounds ago. Now they’re feeling better. There are aches and pains from exercise, but I am no longer in constant pain.

I hope that people can find an exercise regimen they like and stick with it. A diet, too. I hope that people can find a healthy way to live. Both overweight people and underweight people. As someone who struggled with an eating disorder and body dysmorphia throughout most of my adolescence, I understand the need for balance and health.

So go for a walk today! Make a nice salad!

To our health!

Today is the superbowl, so GO PATRIOTS!

I don’t really have a topic. Just dropping in.

–Garrison Keillor, The News from Lake Wobegon, 11/11/07

——————–

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow
In Flanders fields