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| Me and my little sister :). |
So honored doesn't begin to describe how
I felt when my beautiful sister asked me to guest - write for her blog. I am a
typical little sister: I adore my older siblings, because I can see the
brilliance that most of the world doesn't take time to appreciate.
As I sit here, writing between sets at
the gym, I have to take time to tell y'all that I have always had a weight
problem. I carry my weight well, meaning most people are surprised when I utter
the secret numbers, but you have always seen the chunk on me. In high school
Mom and I would do hours of aerobic and walking tapes. The years that followed
have been filled with extremes and yo - yo diets, despite the fact that I
actually know quite a bit about proper nutrition and working out. I have even
been a fitness trainer previously...
Presently my amazing boyfriend and I are
members of the same gym. Both of us have a history of being overweight and
mistreating ourselves nutritionally. I have recently begun to love me for who I
am despite how I look. My gym motivation? Health. Forget looking like a size 2
anorexic model. I want to be able to play with my niece and nephew and not feel
winded. I want to know that I can climb that hill if I choose.
All that being said, I take for granted
what I know about healthy eating and often forget that not everyone has seen
nutritionists for the last 20 years or so due to a chronic illness. All this to
say that Ray and I work out together and encourage each other to eat well. He
did not grow up with the same knowledge that I did, and I have had fun
introducing the idea of fruit as a dessert to satiate a sweet tooth. I give him
tips on how to use machines at the gym, and he pushes me to challenge myself.
I'm the personality that does the bare minimum at the gym, though I encourage
others to do more. Ray doesn't let that slide. Ever. Talk about relationship
building! We have been together 5 months now and the gym and nutrition have
caused a great deal of arguments due to one or the other of us being lazy or
wanting junk. You have not seen wrath until you have told me to put down the
French fries. My loving boyfriend is motivated by a desire for me to be healthy
that often comes out in a not - so - loving manner. Tact is not his strong
suit, so I have had to adjust how I process what is said as he works on his
tone and wording.
Despite the frustration, nothing makes
me happier than looking over at my guy on the next machine and him pausing to
give me a thumbs up followed by his fist pumping in the air to cheer me on!
Here's to a healthy lifestyle!
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| The healthy and happy couple! |
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| Ray and DesaRay hanging out at the San Antonio Farmer's Market making healthy choices. |
