Monday, June 01, 2009

Health By The Numbers

While I can track my weight struggles back to my teens, I’ve chosen to let go of a lot of my harsh self-judgments and work strictly by the numbers. After more than SEVEN months of chillin’ out and ignoring my gym membership, I mustered the courage to return in time to – I HOPE – be presentable for my beach-birthday-getaway in August. I’m now officially more than 25 lbs. heavier than I was last summer. Amazing, but expected, since I stopped smoking and took on eating as a hobby. The truth is, I’ve never really been this heavy and was almost amused by how different my body felt and appeared. It wasn’t until I couldn’t fit my clothes that I became alarmed. My dimensions changed stretching my enviable 29” waist to a bulging 34”, while my behind and thighs now threaten to tear my underwear to shreds. The one plus out of the whole deal is that my face somehow filled-in and wrinkles were pushed out from around my cheek area. Someone once said that you reach an age when you have to choose between your face or your body. If you gain weight your face will look younger, but if you keep a fit body, then your face will betray your youthful efforts. I accept that I’ll need to sacrifice the face because being this large is simply uncomfortable. I lumbered on to the scales at the gym on Saturday to give myself a starting weight – and contrary to what anyone thinks, I’m not ashamed to share it here – 179 lbs! At 5’7”, I’m thick and happy. Many friends and family have surmised that I’m somehow healthier than I was when I was thinner, but I’m not. I guess sometimes folks see fuller as healthier. My man also makes me feel great at any size and that has helped me be more comfortable in my own skin as the numbers climbed. Sunday I returned to the gym and knocked-out 60 minutes of cardio before getting re-acquainted with my toning exercises. It will be a while before my stamina, strength and flexibility return, but I’m glad to be back. As the weeks go by I will provide updates on the changes – including those I’ve taken with regard to my food intake. The present goal may be a 40th beach-birthday weekend, but the true long-term plan is to be healthier in general.

On Blast
The numbers don’t judge…they just state what is. Reveal your current height, weight and waist size.

Keep passin’ the open windows…

6 comments:

Ty said...

You don't even want to know what I weigh. LOL And I definitely feel you with the decision of whether to let you body look great or your face. When I loose weight my face shows the excess skin as well.

The most important thing is that you are with someone who loves you either way. So that leaves you with being able to decide which Cocoa you want to be. As for this single bruh, well I guess I need to keep it cute if I want to catch someone. Then let myself go. JK.

Ian said...

Cocoa I admire you for putting the numbers out there, but you'll forgive a much "thicker" brother than you for not displaying the numbers. I'll give my height, 5'10", but the rest? Uh-uh. I gots shame brother! LOL. I'm an elephant.

Definitely got a long way to go before I consider revealing my numbers. Catch my post(s) though on this thought on our common blog, MALE.

Good luck in your no found weight loss campaign.

kennyking78 said...

Hey Cocoa,

The interesting thing about weight concerns is that it goes both ways.

Some people want to weigh more and others want to weigh less.

I am 6'4" and I weigh 210 lbs. That is a good weight, but my workouts have not been consistent over the last 7 months and I have lost 8 lbs. of muscle. It is not a good feeling, because, for me, healthy living represents order.

The loss of weight (though it makes my shirts not fit as well)is an eye opener for me and I am back in the gym as well... trying to build the body again, but more importantly, trying to restore order.

Good luck on your journey.

bLaQ~n~MiLD said...

Hmmmmm I'm 5'6 and weight between 150 n 155 lbs. I gained a few lbs cause at one point at the end of last year I weighed 145.

~Damnit!

Anonymous said...

Hi, my name is Cas and I am a foodaholic. I stand at just under 6'0 in height. I am 222 lbs and I wear a size 16. I am a 40 DD in bra size. I had a facial a few weeks ago and I felt like my tits would choke me when I laid down flat on the table...because they rolled up to my neck. I would attach photos of myself nude, but I wouldnt want anyone's eyes to bleed.

I have taken up rollerblading and more fruits and veggies as of late. While I may never again be a perfect size 6, I would settle for a voluptuous size 8 to 12. Anywhere in that range would be fine with me. Its an uphill battle, but just to be able to clean my house without getting winded would be great too.

I still love all of me though. Just need to let some of me go...for my own good.

So, whenever your ready to do that Roller Skating Jam named Saturdays with me, I could use the company.

That Dude Right There said...

I am 6'2", weigh 202lbs and have a 35" waist. I have decided that I want to weigh 180lbs by October and have a flat stomach!!!!