CONSIDER THIS: The Struggle Continues

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Michael Rodriguez

I know there’s plenty about myself that’s unattractive – I snore in my sleep, I eat at double the speed as ordinary humans and I’m clearly overweight. To my friends, I jokingly refer to myself as “The Obeast” in a rather pathetic attempt at self-deprecating humor. I suppose my logic was to make fun of myself before someone else did, yet all it yielded was uncomfortable laughter from people who simultaneously nodded their heads in disapproval. Consider that they were too kind not to humor me yet too responsible not to condone my behavior.

But as many of you might recall, I began a lifestyle change in 2012 that embraced healthier living. I exercised, prepared clean-eating meals and religiously tracked my weight-loss progress on a near-daily basis. I measured how well my clothes fit and stared at myself in the mirror for several minutes, studying every unflattering aspect of my physique and remembered – for effect – what it felt like to be in disgust with myself. I didn’t ever want to feel that way again.

In addition to what became a grueling regimen that began at 5 a.m. every day, I began light strength and resistance training to help tone my trouble areas… which were everywhere.

The results were encouraging, to say the least.

I lost more than 80 pounds in less than half a year and dropped several clothing sizes. Simply put, I was on a roll. The only problem is this also happened to be around the time when life hit me, and instead of answering the challenge… I folded.

To be specific, I suffered a back injury after getting a bit ahead of myself (big fellas shouldn’t run before they can walk, literally), but once healed I had little time to get back on the wagon. To make matters worse, I received word that I needed surgery for an unrelated matter. The procedure was actually nothing extensive and it all went without a hitch, but it did serve to slow me down since I wasn’t allowed to conduct any rigorous exercises for weeks.

I knew these instances were just excuses though; because if I was really that dedicated, then nothing should have stopped me. It has since taken nearly two years to get back to where I was in 2012 – this after a constant struggle with myself to get motivated. I made excuse after excuse, such as: “I worked hard today and just want to relax when I come home.” Then, there was the always effective: “It’s too early in the morning and I need my sleep so I can focus at work.” As I said… excuses.

I’m focused now, but I must say that I regret allowing a few temporary setbacks halt my attempts at self-transformation. Now I wonder how much more weight I could have lost if I never gave up.

One thing that didn’t help at that time was feeling as though I was lectured by some people around me. If you’re in my situation, then you’re well-aware of the urge to eat more when people push you to eat less. Such behavior is not necessarily born out of spite but of weakness and addiction.

And that leads me to the one piece of advice I’d like to offer the Area Business Owners Association, a group of local business merchants who plan to market San Benito as a ‘go-to’ city for healthy living. Take it from me, folks, you’ll get a much better response from local restaurants and those who dine there if you lead them rather than push them. For instance, asking local eateries to add “health fare” of 400 calories and under to their menus is a noble cause, but consider that the mere insistence of such may appear judgmental rather than admirable.

I had to discover for myself that I needed to change, and anybody who attempted to make that change for me was dismissed. I’m not saying I was right to react that way, but it was a knee-jerk reaction and hence unavoidable. So, to the good folks at the ABOA, you must anticipate the knee-jerk reactions from the public. Remember that we’re well aware of the obesity problem, but to inspire change you must lead those struggling with obesity to take action through education, encouragement and support. To that end, I offer my unyielding support and best wishes, for it is indeed a noble cause you’ve undertaken.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I must get back to eating my birthday cake… and so the struggle continues.