Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Teenager's weigh in on the process

Do you remember growing up and wanting to be just like your friend “Sue”? You wanted to look like her, talk like her, wear the same clothes. Peer pressure during the teenage years is so common and difficult to handle. Each adolescent wants to be just like the other and at the same time is struggling to be an individual. However, the process to break free and become an individual can be long a tumultuous and as a mother of a 20 year old and a 13 year old can wreak havoc on everyone in the house as they move through their transition.

The weight loss and fitness journey can be similar to the teenage years. We see so many people that we want to emulate and ascertain to become and we also see all the obstacles in the way. What we don’t see is that the ultimate goal comes with being able to make sacrifices and be an individual; an individual who can make good decisions on food choices and exercise and not mimic the ways of the world. This can be a struggle and I’m sure that other people in our house feel as if we are wreaking havoc on them, although they probably should come along for the ride.

Just remember, if we eat and exercise like everyone else, we probably will look like everyone else and not become the individual or select few that are our ultimate goals. So, take pride in being unique and an individual. Be the example for others that are at the beginning of this journey and allow them to mimic you.

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