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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v12n03)
Gettin' Ripped in Ripple - A Journey for Balance - by Laura Minor
posted: Feb. 06, 2015

Gettin' Ripped in Ripple header

Guest Columnist: So.Be.Fit Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist Karena Halmen

A Journey for Balance

When Laura asked me to share my weight loss journey I said of course. I don't feel that my story is unique or one of the harder ones, but I will share it with anyone who asks me because if it can help motivate someone else it is worth the time. I like to think of it more as a lifestyle change because there are so many factors that took me to an unhealthy place that if I didn't take them into account I would not have been successful in getting to a healthier present!
I was one of the bigger kids in my class all through school which was tough because kids can be so mean! I remember some of the things said to me as if it were yesterday and the people who said them never took a second to think about the effect they had me. My parent's tried to keep me active as a child, but not to the point of being aggressive about it or ever making it out that I needed to because of my weight, thank goodness. It truly is amazing how the brain can twist things around. I thought if I went roller blading that day I could eat a full size bag of Doritos that night. Or if I had a rough, long day I deserved that giant piece of cake. Like I said I am not alone, most of us have told ourselves these things. I just didn't want to accept how often I made these decisions and where they had gotten me.
I was a "chubby" kid and I accepted that. It was easy. Then I became a chubby teenager and then chubby adult.
After my older sister had her first child, she did Weight Watchers and loved it. She shared her experience with me but I wasn't into it. It was probably a year later that I went back to her and asked her to tell me about it again, I was finally ready to make a change but I wanted it to be a full lifestyle change, not just a diet. I can't stress this enough; a diet seemed like punishment to me and I had punished myself enough with my thoughts, lack of action, and acceptance of being chubby and bad food. So I signed up for Weight Watchers. . . this worked for me. I used my sister for support as I didn't love the group leader and usually went to get weighed in then left. I like that Weight Watchers focuses on real foods so that I could adjust and design a plan within the program that worked for me. Yes, they have some they sell, portioned and prepackaged items, but that wasn't for me. I love food, I have a passion/addiction to it, but now instead of eating whatever I can get my hands on, just having my hands on food is satisfying. The kitchen is my playground and creating healthy, tasty meals for myself and my husband is how I show love to us both. I could go on and on about food, as many of my clients, friends, and family members will tell you, but I don't want to miss the opportunity to touch on other important aspect of my journey.
Mentally, I needed to address those voices in my head. Voices of others from my past that have stuck with me and ones I had created. Even after losing fifty pounds, becoming a personal trainer and having people call me skinny I still have a warped picture in my mind of myself. I have gotten better over the years, but for example, after I finally got around to throwing away all my "fat" pants, which took about two years, I still struggle some days to throw out that old picture in my head.
Exercise of course is needed to be successful, but I do not love it. Even though I am a trainer I will never lie to anyone about this. I do love what it has done for my body, heart, and mind; and to balance out my love for chocolate cake! I like to be active every day, so if I get in an hour of exercise I am good. I may not love it, but I try to be creative to keep it fresh and challenging, I am surprised sometimes at the gratification I feel I at the end of a workout.
My success has to do with the mental, physical and emotional struggles that I have faced and the way I decided work through them. In the end it is about daily choices and balance, not deprivation. Choose your success and ignore the rest.



Laura Minor owner and operator of So.Be.Fit. Personal Training and Fitness studio located at 54th and the Monon. She is passionate about teaching others how to "FIT" exercise and physical activity into their daily lives, and have fun while doing so! Visit her website at www.sobefitindy.com or e-mail laura@BroadRippleGazette.com




laura@broadripplegazette.com
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