A lady left a link to this article on our family weight loss competition page a few weeks ago. I thought it was a great article and I wanted to share it with you.
Today I am recognized for being the lean, mean fitness trainer on the competitive weight-loss show The Biggest Loser, but I wasn't born with a flat tummy.
As a young girl, I was overweight and had to battle my own demons with food. I was inactive and ate for all the wrong reasons, mostly emotional ones. While this was not a pleasant time in my life, it was a valuable experience for me and very much led me to who I am and what I am doing today.
Even though I am a fitness trainer, I don't believe that beauty is solely in the physical. Personal beauty for me is someone who is at peace with themselves in every aspect. I think women can be especially hard on themselves in this respect. I remember reading Naomi Wolf's book, The Beauty Myth; and it really changed my life. It made me realize that we women are perfect with our imperfections. We need to accept not only ourselves, but also the other women around us. When we do that, I believe health and happiness are the byproducts!
Although I am thin now, I constantly battle with the emotional issues behind weight management. My own personal struggle with weight allows me to be empathetic with my clients. A person who has never struggled with their weight might be sympathetic, but they will never truly understand the issues behind obesity or the strategies with which to combat it.
My mother saw where I was in my life, and at thirteen she enrolled me in martial arts. This was a defining moment for me as it not only turned my health around, but also ultimately shaped the course of my life. The physical intensity of martial arts healed my body physically, while the self-empowerment I gained helped to answer my emotional needs. My passion became fitness and being able to use fitness as a tool in order to help people fulfill their true potential and live out their dreams. Martial arts gave me the inner strength and confidence to go on to become the woman I was meant to be.
Working with The Biggest Loser has made a real difference in my life. The show has given me an international platform to spread my thoughts and ideas. While I am not necessarily concerned about my appearance, I do feel a certain responsibility to live my life in a healthy positive way in order to practice what I preach and have the maximum impact for my message of health, wellness, and personal power.
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2 comments:
Wow, Shannon. That's a really great article.
I know I'll never get what people struggling with their weight face, but well - everyone has demons of his/her own. And a lot of us struggle to overcome them. Remembering what it took to become who we are, remembering that it wasn't easy and that it required a lot of support and hard work, all of that is what keeps us from becoming arrogant and complacent in our own success today. That's also what gives us respect for another person's private struggles.
Although I'm now fighting to gain weight in the right places although I'm already at my optimum weight, I respect what you're fighting, and am proud of you for daring to fight such a battle with so much grit and guts.(As I hope you can see, weight is not my personal demon. I wouldn't be that shallow!)
Way to go, lady!
Thanks Suki. You're sweet.
Everyone has something they struggle with. With some people it's just more visible than others. Our struggles are what makes us stronger and developes our character.
I love who I am and I know that when all is said and done I am going to be a better person for it. It's so hard to fight for me but it's so worth it.
Thank you so much for all your encouragement. It's always great to know that there are people cheering you on.
I wish I had your problem of needing to gain weight but I know your struggle to gain can be difficult as well.
Have a great day and thanks agin.
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