The Savvy Survivor

I was fat-shamed by a stranger, this afternoon. Typically, I wouldn’t give two shits about what anyone thinks of me, but he blindsided me. What he said hurt me; and it shouldn’t have. Back story….yesterday, I commented on the health and environmental benefits of going vegan, on one of the Facebook pages I'm a fan of, and had all manner of replies from a few people, which I dealt with; it was a heated exchange of opinions vs. facts. However, nobody has said anything else in that conversation thread, for a while; then, suddenly the fat-shamer shows his ugliness. Not only did this person insult me, belittle me, and call me out for being overweight (as if my being fat was the sole cause of everything that was wrong with the world); he also used my portion of the thread against me. He twisted everything I had previously said to the others, and made it all about how much I don't deserve to feel that way....because I'm fat. This was my reply to the attack... " In cas...

I just celebrated my seven year Cancerversary, this month; I was elated, once I'd realized what day it was (July 3rd), after helping my daughter get the kids ready to go to daycare. I'm still here...I'm still alive!! But, I'm not where I want to be, in my journey. I have, unfortunately, lived my life giving up on myself; everything I do (including most hobbies), I simply dabble at, rather than making a commitment to something that will enrich my life. I always try...but never do.   Like Luke, I must unlearn what I have learned. Even during the l ast seven years, while fighting Metastatic Breast Cancer ; if you've been following me, for that long, you've seen me slide back into old, unhealthy habits. Habitual dabbling is a habit I formed, early in childhood; and one that I need to break. I don't want to die, any time soon! As a result of a lifetime of giving up on myself, I've developed (or I'm on the verge of developing) a number of fat...

Yesterday, I began my fitness journey; I went to Planet Fitness , with my daughter, and spoke to her Personal Trainer. He tried me out on four machines, gauging the weight and reps that felt comfortable for me. All four machines were challenging, but two were a bit easier; I also spent about 20 minutes on a recumbent bike. The sitting crunch machine was one of the machines I worked out on; in order for me to work it, I have to stretch behind myself, to reach the bars behind me. The muscles in my lower abdomen and lumbar region did not appreciate that, one bit! I'm sure it'll get easier, given some time. After our workout, we had some errands to run; one of mine was a trip to the doctor's office; no, I didn't get hurt at the gym, I had an appointment for a checkup. I had some blood work done, the last time I was there, and it was time to discuss the findings. I informed her that I was not taking the Lipitor , and why; two of the side effects scared me. My li...