YOU ARE WORTH YOUR HEALTH

Do you remember Sunday dinners at Grandma’s house? Every Sunday felt like thanksgiving. Grandma would cook all the greens, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, lambs, hams, hogs, dogs, chicken, and turkey. Whatever you could name, grandma provided it!!! Lol, you get the picture. We ate good, laughed hard, and took long naps afterward.  It was my favorite day of the week because I knew I would see all my cousins, but more than that, I could eat all the food I wanted. My grandmother was the queen of baking and she made all our favorite desserts. 

My grandmother was a very strong God-fearing woman. She taught me the meaning of pure love. She expressed love for every member of our family. It was as if she knew each of our love languages by the way she carefully poured into us. Every one of her grandchildren thought we were her favorite.  She made sure that we knew God and his word. She ensured that we took family trips. She also made sure we understood the importance of educating ourselves and nurturing our gifts. I remember the last conversation we had, a couple of days before she died, she said, “Always do your best. Go after your dreams and be great! You can and will do what people don’t think you can do! Believe in yourself the way God and I believe in you. You are going to be alright.”

I miss my grandma, but not because of the food. Food was just her way of bringing us all together. It was the one common thing that everyone loved. Growing up we were told, “eat all your food, you better not throw that food away because it’s so many homeless people that would die for your meal.” I have also heard people say, “stop forcing kids to eat things they don’t like. If they don’t like fruits and veggies, they will be ok!” Parents, on the flip side we open the door for our children to eat all the chips, cookies, candy and drinks insight. What child do you know who would choose healthy foods over junk food? Not many. 

I had the worst eating habits because eating Junk food was comfort food for our family. I literally ate fried foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I ate junk food all day and drank at least 10 cokes every day. Alcohol was like coffee, I needed it to wake up in the morning, to function throughout the day, and to go to bed at night. Anything unhealthy I craved. It was like healthy food was poisonous.

Well, now that I’m older a lot has changed. My life views and choices are completely different. My food and beverage choices are extremely different.  Everything I once hated; I now love. I now crave vegetables and fruit. I eat clean and watch my daily intake. No, I’m not vegan, I just watch my intake and stay away from junk.  My desire is to live a healthier life than what was presented to me in my youth. Many days I wonder if all of that unhealthy soul food worth my Grandma’s health? Or would she live a lot longer life had she taken better care of her health? I often wonder if she ate better and drank more water, would that have changed the trajectory of her life. I watched my grandma suffer from diabetes to having multiple strokes before she died.  As strong as she was in all other areas, she failed to be disciplined in choosing better food choices and exercising her body.

A year and a half ago, I really took a step back and evaluated my life. I knew that I wanted to change many things about myself. I knew the things I didn’t like and to be honest, I wasn’t ready to give it up. Man, I was married to sugar, chicken, and alcohol.  Every year I would set all these major goals and save all these pictures of how I wanted my body to look. I also would have blowouts/arguments with my parents about their health and how they needed to change their eating so that they could live a healthier life. One day as I was talking to them, I was held in contempt as the words that were spewing out of my lips began to convict me. How could I tell someone else to do better when I made conscious decisions to eat and drank bull shit daily. I didn’t consider my own life, my own health. So, I decided to change and become a change agent for my family. In the words of the Migos, I had to walk it as I talked it.”

I had to search for the root of my issues I didn’t change or I refused to change because my mind was filled with anger, frustration, doubt, and unbelief. These little inside agents allowed me to make excuses. My mind was cluttered and confused. I did not give my mind permission to make healthy decisions or become whole.

I’m saying all of this because being healthy starts in your mind and not in the mirror. It’s so easy for us to judge others but it’s even more difficult when you must judge yourself. It’s easy for us to criticize and talk ourselves out of our goals. Our health is more than a number, shape or size. We must get beyond trying to look like models and become a model for our own lives. We must learn to accept our flaws and weaknesses all while breaking bad habits and overcoming everything that stands in the way of our health. 

Most people refuse to value their health. However, when we value our health it will save our lives. Just think, most diseases like diabetes, cancer, heart diseases, and weight gain show up because of our negligence. Which in return brings about depression, self-hate, and sometimes even suicide. When we become intentional about our health, we will see most of those illnesses dissipate. Let’s go… Challenge yourselves and Carpe Vita Tau (Seize your life)!

2 Corinthians 7:1 

With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.

Eat Clean and Exercise! You Are Worth Your Health!

 Together we can and will be FIT2HEAL!