I had my "Alcoholics Anonymous" (or is it "Weight Watcher's Anonymous"?) moment at a most unexpected time this past weekend.
You know what I mean. A moment in your life where you get up in front of a group of folks and admit one of your life's frailties. For some it is alcohol, others medications, gambling, work or money. For me it has always been food. It is the thing that comforts me in my life.
On Sunday morning the Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce, the town of Oro Valley and Oro Valley Hospital sponsored the Healthiest Town in America's free Fall 2011 Health Expo.
The Healthiest Town in America's executive director, Kathy Dunn, handed me the microphone and asked me to kick off the expo.
That's when the AA moment came. I realized I was wearing a pair of blue jeans that were very special to me. I have had them well over 25 years but they do not look so bad because I couldn't wear them for about the last 22 years.
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These were the pair of jeans that I could not part with when I was in my "heavy stage." They have sat in the back of my closet as the inspiration for getting back to "that size" again.
Well, there I was on stage revealing that I had finally overcome my unhealthy habits and that I could actually fit into these jeans. The ultimate reward was that I was comfortable in them.
I had to confess that being the champion for HTA really had a great reward for me. Going in, though, I never knew if I would get there. I was an "emotional overeater." But I have made many small changes in my life and now I reap the rewards. Getting to tell my story to my community members is my way of saying thanks for inspiring me to lead a healthier lifestyle.
It has taken me five years to gradually make the changes to a new lifestyle. I am happy to say I have lost four inches from my waist and 35 pounds overall.
To show off my new me, I got to do a Zumba lesson led by May Parker. Mayor Satish Hiremath and the town council members were particularly impressed at how Deb and I did the workout as a team - she worked out while I went and got a towel and some water for her.
Once again the ladies from Splendido, the "Gestures of Joy" group, stole the show. Their style and energy is just ageless. Cody Patterson won the pushup contest with 96, representing Oro Valley Fitness 24.
My thanks to the event sponsors, Kathy Dunn, HTA board chairman Dr. Jeff Monash and event coordinator MJ Jensen, all of whom did a great job making the event happen.
Enjoy the journey,
Bob
E-mail Bob Oro at northwest@azstarnet.com
