And this morning, with breakfast, I opened up my lap-top and logged in to Facebook and found this message from my eldest Hobbit…
“So proud of u mommy, i know u can do this! Seeing that show with u tonight made me get heart pains at the thought of losing u due to weight related issues on a much smaller scale though. I always want u to be around, alive and healthy. Love u momma xoxo” – Jess
Last night we watched a documentary together, a sad story of morbid obesity and a death of a young man. It was heartbreaking. I know my daughter worries that if I don’t keep trying my obesity will run away with me and I’ll end up in a similar situation.
I can assure her that my journey may be long and even painful and sometimes I’ll fall down and even lie down for a while but I WILL ALWAYS get back up again and fight for my health, happiness and my beloved children.
I am their only living parent and I love them so much.
Please don’t worry Hobbits, I will keep on fighting and I will WIN
Mummy xxxxxxxxxxxx
Aww Carolyn that’s so lovely from your daughter…you must be a great support to each other. You are setting them such a fantastic example of strength and changing your life, you are such an amazing inspiration to others trying to lose weight and eat a healthy diet….with all the trauma and challenges you have faced so many would have given up and you NEVER do. Wishing you so much luck with the new SupperClub now you are back in the UK
My dear, dear Carolyn, your story really tugs at my heartstrings. May I suggest that you look rather at your health markers than concentrate solely on the scale? Read Health At Every Size, by Linda Bacon, and make health your first concern. Weight is only one of the factors influencing length and quality of life – it’s just the only visible one! There are online calculators that can assess your lifetime risk of heart disease or diabetes, like this one: http://www.heart.org/gglRisk/locale/en_US/index.html?gtype=health
Here’s Health At Every Size: http://www.amazon.com/Health-At-Every-Size-Surprising/dp/1935618253/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377868570&sr=1-1&keywords=health+at+every+size
Stressing about your weight sends your cortisol and adrenalin levels soaring, and your testosterone, which in turn dial up your fat storage systems.
I’m currently working on an honors thesis arguing that humans developed the ability to lay down astounding amounts of fat compared to other species between 75,000 and 60,000 years ago. The quick and dirty: I studied Venus figurines from 40,000 to 10,000 years old, hunter-gatherer women, and US women who fall within the Upper Palaeolithic norms of 5’3″ tall and weighing between 95 and 230lb. I found that obesity was definitely already a fact of life for us 40,000 years ago. I found overweight hunter-gatherer women. I found that Waist-to-hip ratio may be as flawed a tool as Body Mass Index, as even apparently very thin hunter-gatherer women often have very high waist-to-hip ratio. Researchers in the GIANT Study found at least 14 genes determine whether one is a pear or an apple, and at least 32 regulate body fat. If you get all 32 genes, you could easily carry 20lb more fat than your lucky sister who is the same height, eats the same amount, and gets the same amount of exercise! Here’s the link to my recent presentation of my preliminary work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUMBrFYjTQo
It’s possible to be thin and extremely unhealthy.
The video quality isn’t very good. If you’d like it, I’ll send you the powerpoint and script
I’m also very proud of you! Look at all your accomplishments!! Public recognition is just starting!!!
I lost my mum to obesity related heart disease (it turned out that I had also inherited it FHC) BUT the whole thing is better understood today! My tips are
1. Use a smaller plate.
2. No seconds (your tum will shrink – honest!)
3. Spray oil and nonstick pans.
PS I do like the old style grub too.
*sniff*! you WILL be there for the Hobbits, you are strong and you will get there hun! Make sure you are healthy even while not at the “ideal” weight (hmm Wartime food – yep works for me!)
Hi C,
I know you have had a tough time, but just think about the weight you were when we first met on ACL. I lost weight due to your site, but I too have put it back on. I am now going to lose it again using your inspiration and love for life. YOU CAN DO IT!
Love
RichardH
Awwww thanks Richard… hey that’s all we can do just support each other and try and remain positive and keep pushing forward. I know I eat so much better now than I’ve ever done in my life it’s just the portions I have to bring under control now! Keep in touch…. xxxxxx
Caroline,
When you became vegan, you took the most positive step toward taking care of your health. Everything I read and know personally as an MD tells us that the 1940’s Ration Diet, and vegan the way you are living it, is the healthiest way you can possibly eat. You remain an inspiration to me and all of us. Keep it up. We are so with you on this path.
Kaaren
Thank you Kaaren.. vegan (healthy vegan eating) is such a great way to help someone really improve their health quickly. It’s AMAZING what plants can do for us!! Your kind words move me – too kind xxxxxxx Take care C xx
And eating ration book style is a very sensible way to keep control of dairy and meat portion sizes and reduce processed foods and fill plates up with greens and healthy plants/veggies… it just makes sense!
Carolyn, I’ve been reading your blog for ages now and just wanted to say how much I enjoy my time here. You really are an inspiration, you have a clear determination and I know you will win out in the end. Good luck with the pop up cafe/tea room/restaurant, I wish I lived nearer (I’m marooned in London for now) to lend a hand. keep on doing what you’re doing!
It’s so lovely that your daughter not only thinks these things but says them to you too. You’ve done well with her, and that’s yet another reason to give yourself a pat on the back. I think the other respondents up there have made some very good points, about concentrating on your health rather than just your weight. Clearly you already do this, and don’t eat those awful diet products you can get in the shops. Just keep doing what you’re doing, and we will too!
Thank you Joss!! Yes you are right…. actual weight is just a guide line and two people of the same weight can be so at opposite ends of the scale according to what they eat and drink …. thank you for your kind words xxxx