Monthly Archives: July 2013

It’s often said that you don’t truly commit to losing weight or changing something in your life until you have a moment of epiphany. I tend to agree with that. When it comes to losing weight that’s definitely the case. I’ve seen my weight balloon over the past few years. It’s easy to place blame. In my case, my weight gain is because of several of the medications I have to take. However, I have to also take ownership of my careless food choices. I’ve used excuses upon excuses to justify being lazy about the extra effort that is needed to change. It’s been easier simply to allow my medical situation to conveniently compound a situation that I should take better control over. Nothing is accomplished by merely speaking about the changes I wish to make. Action is always necessary in order to facilitate real change.

My moment came just a few hours before writing this article. We had a very severe storm that caused the power in our house to go out for about two hours. Really, it’s that simple. The loss of power made me so angry that I said, “LaToya, you’re unhealthy and fat and you have to stop with the excuses and lose weight.” Really, the dialogue in my head was far more colorful but that’s the gist of it. Read the rest of this entry »

Summer vacations are certainly not what they used to be. In my case, it’s no vacation at all. Sure, I’m an adult and the luxuries afforded to us as children just aren’t the same with the shackles of adulthood. Additionally for me, this was the first time since I’ve been remarried that I’ve had my stepchildren stay with us for more than 3 days. During this time I’ve gone through a plethora of emotions ranging from anxiety to excitement. It has also reassured me that my decision not to have children of my own was the right one for me.

While we were still dating I had a handful of experiences around my stepdaughters. Precocious, hyper, exhausting, these are all words that did and still does describe the now nine and seven-year olds. However, there is a vast difference in having them for a weekend versus having them for two weeks. It’s the difference between hanging out and living with someone. I’ll admit it, I’m very set in my ways. I like order. I like quiet. I relish all the things a life without children brings. These past several days have taken me completely outside of my comfort zone and I know that I’ll never be quite the same. Read the rest of this entry »