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You are here: Home / Healthy Living / You Don’t Have to Stay Fat

You Don’t Have to Stay Fat

January 25, 2011 by Evelyn Parham

overweight womanAre you overweight or obese? Chances are you are probably overweight and some of you may even be obese. I was overweight and headed down the road of being obese. You don’t have to stay fat. The choice is up to you.

The Meaning of Overweight and Obese

Overweight is when one has more body fat than optimally healthy.

Obese is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on healthy, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems.

Last night, I watched a show on A&E TV and the name of the show is Heavy. The people in this episode (Ricky Wayne and Jessica) really touched me.  I found myself in tears and cheering them on all at the same time.

What is Heavy?

Heavy is a documentary that airs on Mondays at 10/9 Central on A&E. Twenty-two people facing extreme life-threatening health consequences as a result of their obesity experience real life change. Heavy airs eleven one-hour series and follows participants per episode documenting their incredible transformation during a six month treatment program.

Here’s a little background on Ricky Wayne and Jessica.

Ricky Wayne

Ricky Wayne is 35 years old, 5’11” and his start weight was 555 lbs. Ricky says, “I choose life, not death. It is an every-day struggle, but I have been given the weapon to fight this addiction. I’m heavy, but not for long.’  He started off wanting to give up and even told the personal trainer to leave him alone. But Ricky snapped out of it and stuck with the grueling exercise regimen.

Jessica

Jessica is 28 years old, 5’2″ and her start weight was 288.4 lbs. Jessica says, “This is the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever been a part of in my life. I owed it to myself to make a lifestyle change.” Jessica stuck with it, at times, she was crying during almost every workout, but after the 30 days, she was a new person, inside and out.

I can’t tell you the exact amount of weight that Ricky Wayne and Jessica lost, but they lost a lot of weight. Ricky Wayne looks good and you can tell that he lost weight. Not only that, but he has a great attitude. Jessica decided that she wanted to join the Police Academy. They are both very active and continue their journey of getting their health and life under control.

Lessons Learned from Ricky Wayne and Jessica

  1. You are never too fat to exercise. I know some people who have told me, “I can’t do that.” Well, stop saying you can’t and get your body moving.  Start with walking and start out slow. Pretty soon you will be walking farther and doing more than you ever could imagine. But you must start.

The journey of a thousand miles, starts with one step. – Lao-tzu

  1. You must want it. Our high school cheer, “You have to want it, to win it and we want it bad.” Anything you want, you must work hard and put in the blood, sweat and tears to see the results. Ricky and Jessica couldn’t do certain exercises, they started out slow, but in the end they wanted it so bad, that they stuck with it. Today, they are winners making exercising and healthy eating a part of their everyday life. They are winners!

3. You are the only one who can do this. No one can lose the weight for you. People can give you the tools for success, but ultimately it is up to you. When the going gets tough, you must keep pushing and hang in there no matter what. This is something you must do for yourself.

  1. Make healthier food choices. Ricky and Jessica learned how to make wiser and healthier food choices. You don’t have to eat a vegetarian diet to lose weight. Knowing the foods to avoid, reading labels and controlling portion sizes really do matter.

  2. Get professional counseling. Some people turn to food for comfort. Get in touch with your emotions and know why you turn to food in times of pain and desperation. My heart ached for Ricky because he blamed himself for his mother’s death and he was never able to shake that, until he got the counseling that he needed. The counseling helped him deal with the pain and understand why he had an addiction to food.

  3. No one likes being fat. If those that are fat, come across as loving and enjoying the skin they’re in, you know they are faking the funk to some degree. Being overweight brings with it health risks as well as emotional issues.  Ricky and Jessica were not very happy, yet they went on with their daily lives and had come accept themselves the way they were. But when Ricky and Jessica started the program their determination kicked in and they did what they had to do.

  4. Push no matter how much pain it takes. Never give up. When your legs, arms, and stomach are sore from working your muscles, don’t quit, keep going. You will see the results and the results alone will keep you going.

There were many lessons that I took away from Ricky/Jessica’s struggle with being overweight. The biggest lesson that I took home was that no matter what, you must keep pushing and never give up.

I loved Ricky’s attitude. He pushed no matter how bad he felt. Why? Because he knew in the end he would get the prize. Ricky says in the show that he feels better. He also looks amazing!

Jessica started out a little whiney, because she was crying all the time. But when push came to shove, she did what she had to do. She now has an air of confidence and says she feels sexy.

I was so moved by this episode that I went to Facebook and join the Fan Page as well as watched the Live Streaming video after the show aired. You can view the full episode of Ricky and Jessica here.

Final Words

You are only as limited as you choose to be. It is up to you! So, what will you do?  Will you sink or will you swim?

Related articles
  • Diets: the big, fat lies (independent.co.uk)

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Filed Under: Healthy Living Tagged With: featured, health, healthy lifestyle changes, obesity, overweight

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About Evelyn Parham

Evelyn is a blogger, reader, and book reviewer. She enjoys adult coloring, knitting, writing, and dancing with her daughter. Learn more here

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Comments

  1. Michelle B. says

    March 19, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Hey Evelyn,

    I watch Heavy as well. I believe what causes obesity is all of that junk food and fast food people eat. A lot of people on that show eat a lot of junk fast food and that is what has gotten them to that point. I know I was one of them.

    I agree with you that most fat people do not like being overweight. Remember Star Jones before she has WLS? I remember when she was on The View and she pretended that she was happy being a “big girl.” I always knew she was lying to the public and herself.

    Always love reading your blog!

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    • Evelyn Parham says

      March 21, 2011 at 10:02 AM

      Hi Michelle!

      I am so glad you stopped by!

      I totally agree with you about the junk fast food. I was one of those people too, but thank God for change! 🙂

      Thanks for sharing and chiming in. Great points you’ve shared here!

      Keep it healthy,
      Evelyn

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  2. Dr. Mark Kubert says

    February 4, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    Good post Evelyn.

    Determination and pushing through are important. However, it bears noting that it’s equally important to know the difference between good pain (minor muscle soreness and fatigue) and bad pain (the pain of doing too much too soon or moving beyond one’s physical limits). But I know that you’re meaning mental toughness and stick-to-it-ness.

    I just watched an interesting TED talk put on by Dr. Dean Ornish on the importance and impact that making healthy choices can have:

    http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/dean_ornish_on_healing.html

    What I especially liked at the end of the presentation was his illustration of the difference between illness and wellness. (I)llness, he says, relies only on our own input. (We)llness, on the other hand, comes from our support of one another. I vs We.

    Thanks Evelyn for continually supporting our wellness.

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    • Evelyn Parham says

      February 4, 2011 at 11:53 PM

      Hi Dr. Mark,

      Yes, you are correct! That’s what I mean.

      Thank you for sharing this video. I watched the video before replying to your comment. I enjoyed it and I especially liked Dr. Ornish’s point at the end. I vs. We It takes a community to for true wellness to occur. No one can heal on his/her own. Love it and I will never forget this!

      Have a wonderful weekend!

      Evelyn

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  3. Uttoran Sen says

    January 30, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    I wish some day they will broadcast those shows in India as well. 6 months is a good enough time to properly plan the weight loss journey.

    Being sad and blaming one self can result in over eating, it happens to a lot of people, whenever they feel sad they start eating. This is something that can only be cured by professional counseling.

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    • Evelyn Parham says

      January 30, 2011 at 8:54 PM

      Hi Uttoran Sen,

      I totally agree about professional counseling. It seems that Ricky did a lot better after he had counseling.

      Thanks for sharing and chiming in!

      Evelyn

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  4. Evelyn Parham ( says

    January 27, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    It takes willpower and determination, You Don’t Have to Stay Fat http://t.co/qZFGiQ3

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  5. Tia (bizchickblogs) ( says

    January 25, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    RT @evelyn_parham You Don’t Have to Stay Fat http://ow.ly/1b1NqS

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  6. Dandy says

    January 25, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    Hi Evelyn!
    I watched the show Heavy too and was really moved by it. I found myself rooting these people on. I thought to myself, if they can do it, I can do it. I woke up this morning with a big desire to hit the gym. I admire these folks for their honesty and vulnerability. I cheer them on! Thanks Evelyn, great post!

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    • Evelyn Parham says

      January 25, 2011 at 9:03 PM

      Hi Dandy,

      The show was very inspiring. I’m like you, if they can do it I can do it. Great minds think a like! 🙂

      Thank you for chiming in and good to see you!

      Evelyn

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  7. Health Votes ( says

    January 25, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    You Don’t Have to Stay Fat http://t.co/3cGAnWZ via @evelyn_parham

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  8. Karen Lange says

    January 25, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Great advice, Evelyn. You are a good cheerleader! Thanks for sharing this. 🙂

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    • Evelyn Parham says

      January 25, 2011 at 12:28 PM

      Hi Karen,

      Thanks!

      Enjoy your day!

      Evelyn

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  9. Project Swole ( says

    January 25, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    You Don’t Have to Stay Fat: Are you overweight or obese? Chances are you are probably overweight and some of yo… http://bit.ly/dLqT3z

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  10. Evelyn Parham says

    January 25, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    New Post You Don’t Have to Stay Fat: Are you overweight or obese? Chances are you are probably ov… http://bit.ly/enoY0B #health #diet

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    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by bizchickblogs.com, Health Votes. Health Votes said: You Don't Have to Stay Fat http://t.co/3cGAnWZ via @evelyn_parham […]

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