Going through old family pictures the other night, I suddenly came across some of my sister and I (we are twins) at about age 8. There we were, all smiles, chubby as ever.
I remember every night, sitting down at dinner with the family, the familiar words, “If you want to be part of the Johnny Clean Your Plate Club you know what to do!” And of course we did. I don’t ever remember leaving a single trace of food on my plate!
It was not until we were about 10 before I began to really be self-conscious about my weight. We had to wear a special plus dress size and I recall daydreaming about small sizes. Our only saving grace was the summer before we went into the 6th grade. My Dad decided to put a swimming pool in our backyard!
That summer my sis and I were like little fish. We were not aware that we were exercising. We were just having a blast, never leaving that pool. The weight dropped off my body, but not my mind. I have carried that stigma of “feeling fat” throughout my whole life.
I am excited about beginning a program. I really thought I would have terrible withdrawals, particularly from bread, but between my commitment to healthy food choices as well as to exercising a minimum of 30 minutes a day (I love Leslie Samsome’s Walking Program on Exercise TV), I am looking forward to the day I can put that “little chubby girl” aside!