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Recognizing Unhealthy
When it comes to getting healthy, we need to recognize the unhealthy, first.
I have spent most of my life overweight to one degree or another.
In my youth, I was the fat kid. Still active, but the last to finish any runs in gym class, among the last picked for most teams. But I downhill skied in the winter, biked and swam in the summer, and did a lot of walks and hikes over the years.
In my 20s, I discovered medieval rapier combat (fencing). It became a passion of mine, and I have been practicing it for nearly 30 years — and also taught it to others for about 25 of those.
Throughout my adult life, I still love walking and hiking, swimming, and generally being outdoors. Thus, I’m active and muscular — despite being overweight.
The issue is often that I like to eat. Food is a source of comfort and always has been. Also, I am something of a foodie — I love to explore new cuisine, am enamored of multiple ethnic foods, and have a terrible habit of savoring the flavor and eating past full.
Also, I have a love of burgers, French fries, chicken wings, ice cream, and lots of other fried, doughy, sugary foods. This is why my cholesterol and A1C have become an increasing challenge to control.
