I come from a long line of people that don’t take very good care of themselves. We drink, we smoke, we curse…and all sorts of other sins that won’t be mentioned here.
I did however have one shining example of self preservation in my Grandmother. She quit smoking when I was young, probably younger than 10, but I do remember the packs of nicotine gum sitting around the house on various shelves. I tried one once – super nasty!
But she did quit successfully and from that point forward the only person who could smoke in her house was her brother, my great Uncle Sonny. A few times a week she would walk around the block, and then down to Illinois Avenue which was half a mile from her house down to that road, so she would round trip a mile. When us girls were younger we would walk with her and she would stop at the middle school on the way and let us play on their playground.
That was back when Oak Cliff wasn’t so much a ghetto. We didn’t know then that she was just taking care of herself, going that extra mile to ensure her health for the long term. But in that I learned that no one will take care of you like you can take care of you.
But the point is that you have to make the effort to be healthy, your doctor can tell you what to do, your husband can tell you what you should be doing, even your kids – but it takes you to do it.
Now, I have a confession. I haven’t been taking very good care of myself. I’ve allowed myself to gain weight and eat a bad diet and drink a lot. And I mean DRINK A LOT. I won’t stop drinking, but I have cut it down quite a bit and will continue to do this in moderation – sometimes.
But my diet I will do something about, and my weight I will do something about. I bought a treadmill several years ago in an attempt to take care of the issue then, which has since grown worse – but damn treadmills are EXTREMELY boring! I need action – motivation – movement! Treadmills. Are. Not. That. I sold it to my brother in law a year or two ago for less than half the price and he uses it for running when there’s bad weather.
But today, on my lunch break, I’m going to a gym called Curves. I’m not sure if any of you are familiar – and if you are please share your opinions here – but it’s a gym strictly for women, which is very cool considering my body image right now.
I’ve worked out at an all women’s gym before and I enjoyed it, didn’t feel like I was being stared at – and I went five days a week, sometimes six and loved it. I like working out, just not the expense.
The truth is, to save a dollar I will neglect my health. In a heartbeat. But the time has come for me to reorganize my priorities and realize if I don’t take care of this body, it won’t be taking care of me.
When I called them yesterday and set up the appointment to come check them out, I inquired about monthly fees and contracts, etc. and I think I can do this without worrying about a contract, but we’ll see. I’m turning the page on this history of mine of not taking care of business.
If all goes according to plan, this turn of the page will be towards a brighter future. Next year, preferably before my birthday (April 5) I want to have Lasik done. 
But for today, baby steps, I’m checking out Curves and probably going to start working out before work several days a week. I’ll have to reorganize when I write for MouthyGirl – but don’t worry, there’ll be plenty to read! I’ll keep you all up to date on my progress, and maybe when I’ve lost a few pounds I’ll put up a timeline.
Hmm…anybody want to jump on this bandwagon to better health? What are you going to do to be a healthier, better you?
