Welcome to WalkyTalk and my daily blog! For those of you who haven't met me yet, let me tell you a little about myself: I'm an average person, a married mother of three who lives in a small town in southwestern Michigan. I was once obese, okay... morbidly obese, which isn't something that I'm proud of. For twenty-five years I dealt with my weight, trying almost every diet "known to mankind" so I could be thin and look good. The diets never worked; in fact, I gained weight instead throughout the years, resulting in a size 24 body that tipped the scales at close to the 300-lb. mark.

I didn’t like who I was and continuously wondered why I was “cursed” with the fat gene and the rest of my family was not.  I felt as though I was the only person in my circle of friends that didn’t look normal… which was all that I wanted.  I just wanted to look normal.

For some reason, I only cared about losing weight because of my appearance and didn’t even consider the fact that being so extremely overweight was unhealthy.  Sure, I’d hear all kinds of things about how excess weight can cause many major health concerns, but that information went in “one ear and out the other.”  Just like many of you reading this today, I felt as though those things only happen to “other people”… and sadly, it did.  And this sad event was my personal turning point, one that finally allowed me to realize that I needed to lose weight for a reason other than to be thin and look good.  I needed to lose weight to help prevent the same thing from happening to me; I wanted to live.

During the next few days, I will explain how I changed my life by simply “changing my lifestyle” and, please, keep in mind that I did not go on a diet.  What I did didn’t cost me a dime, plus it was extremely simple to do… something that YOU can do too!  I will stress that walking daily was a key factor in my lifestyle change – and I love the fact that thousands of individuals in Michigan are doing the same!  In fact, this past Saturday I spent the day in Muskegon, at the Consumers Energy facility for their “Family Wellness Day.”  I will tell you what… they LOVE to walk!  It was a great day for all of us as I  talked to the employees and their families about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, followed by a brisk 3-mile walk along a bike/walking path that runs through a nature preserve/park in North Muskegon. 

What a great time we all had… especially the Harwood family!  Vicki Harwood and her two sons, Noah and Nik, were the first to cross the “finish” line in this fun, unofficial race!  I honestly just couldn’t keep up with them!  The entire family, which also includes dad, Chris, and daughter, Cydney, must be congratulated because they truly “live, love, laugh, and exercise” together – what more could you ask for, seriously?  I’m very grateful to have met them, along with all the other amazing individuals at this recent event, and I’m hoping that I will be meeting YOU next!

If you want to say “hello” today, please leave a comment below!  I’ll see you back here tomorrow as I tell you a little bit more about myself… and focus on creating a healthier Michigan! ~ Jodi