Something amuses me about this being referred to as a body (of text), this being a fitness site and all. Regardless, this is my start. I've had many false ones in the past, but I'm
18 now. My body is my responsibility and I have to take it. I am starting at a hefty 227 pounds. The heaviest I've ever been. Strangely enough, my lucky number 27 is in there. Maybe that's some weird thing, telling me to do better. I know I need to.

I'm starting with Cardio. Everyday. I know this site recommends 3 days a week for beginners, but I usually go a little harder than most people. Plus, all it's asking for is a walk. Anyone can take a walk everyday. 3 days in the gym of harder cardio and 4 days of lesser cardio? That doesn't sound bad at all.

I guess a good start for this is stating why I want to do this. I feel the weight. I can feel how hard it is on my back, how much more my legs chafe, the way my feet don't quite fit in the shoes I bought a year ago. I can see it. Rivulets of stretched skin on my arms, angry red marks on my stomach, ill fitting clothes. Right now I'm healthy. No problems there. Sure, I get winded when I go up the stairs, but that's an easy fix. Tiny bit of conditioning and that's gone, but the weight sticks there.

Diabetes runs in my family. Eventually it will catch up with me. My boyfriend of almost 3 years is watching his father struggle against borderline diabetes right now. We are promised to each other and part of my promise to him was to take care of myself. To never cause myself harm. This is harming myself, even if only in a lack of action. Not doing anything is still a choice and the choice I've been making will eventually kill me. I owe it to him and to myself to care for my body.

I will do this. For me. For him. For the family I hope to have with him. My future children deserve as much as I can give them. And I swear right now that I will not teach them to hate they're bodies as I was taught. I will teach them that they're bodies are an investment to themselves. Because your health is truly the only thing you have any semblance of control over in your life.

---

Comments