Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Life Stages

I'm Finally Committed To Losing Weight, Because Of Vanity

"Look I know that's not the best reason to get inspired to live healthier, but that's where I'm at"

Regan Grillo

Oct 08, 2018

Kennesaw State University

I'm Finally Committed To Losing Weight, Because Of Vanity

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-measuring-her-waist-1332189/

I've known I've needed to lose weight for years now. It's just a fact. As a 5'2, curvy girl, I know I'll never have a thigh gap or be a size 2 but I let that line of thinking give me excuses for not doing anything about my extra pounds. And there's a lot of extra pounds. Once I quit sports in the 5th grade, I've steadily gained about 5-10 lbs per year. Every fall season I have to buy one size larger jeans. I've just never learned how to work exercise into my life.

Over the past year or two, I would "commit" to eating healthier and working out. But I never did. I would go a few days, maybe a week but I would always give myself an out. "Oh I had a bad day, I deserve ice cream" or "It's raining, I can't go jogging in the rain" or even "I don't have money for groceries, I'll just get Chick-fil-a, that's healthier than Wendy's right?". Just excuse after excuse.

But this time, I'm serious. No fast food, no dessert, daily workouts in my bedroom if I can't go to the gym. So what was it that finally pushed me to seriously commit for the first time? I got new stretch marks...and they're red.

That's literally it. I have new stretch marks and instead of being white like my other ones, they're bright red and I think they're ugly and I don't want anymore.

Look I know that's not the best reason to get inspired to live healthier, but that's where I'm at. And so far, I've been following through. I've really been sticking to my commitment to getting healthier and being more active. All because of some stretch marks.

But hey, if this is what's going to kick my butt into gear then so be it. Should I have a better reason, probably? But those "right" reasons never got me fired up about changing my habits like these stretch marks are.

So that's my story. About how vanity has somehow become the thing that drove me to get it together and really, truly, seriously try to lose this weight.

Wish me luck!

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

25 Thoughts Everyone Has When Registering For Classes

May the odds be ever in your favor.

University of Nebraska Omaha

119

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less

class registration

Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

University of Kentucky

707

pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

senior year

Entertainment

17 Times "Friends" Accurately Described Life

You can't say that no one told you life was gonna be this way.

Western New England University

In the 12 years since it went off the air, "Friends" continues to be adored by millions. The show that gave generations unrealistic expectations about love (or should I say lobsters?) and New York City apartments had a charming cast of characters that everyone could relate to at some point or another. Here are 17 times Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel accurately described life.

Keep Reading...Show less

friends

Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

Denison University

438

Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.