by Lyn Carrier

Created on: October 22, 2008   Last Updated: October 27, 2008

My partner is a large man, and he told me the other day he didn't notice himself get to the size he is. I understood where he was coming from as somewhere over the last 3 years I gained 12 kilos and hadn't noticed. As I used to work in the fitness industry I was quite disappointed in myself because I know what to do, I just needed to apply it. So to start on this journey I enlisted my partner as my support as i knew it would be good for him too.

The first and most important question I asked him is "Do you really want to do this for yourself?" Without any hesitation he replied with an eager Yes! I know it is a battle to help anyone with any addiction and succeed unless they really want to do it for themselves and the dedication is there. That is exactly what obesity is....a form of addiction that not only affects the individual but everyone around them. The risks of obesity are quite significant and could see you falling into an early grave. Harsh, yes but very true. No more excuses, no more blaming others. As children, we cant make choices about which foods we eat, but as adults we can.

You know when you are heading toward Obesity when you start experiencing some of the following:

* Shortness of breath

* Become more reclusive

* Food is what you turn to regardless of what emotion you are feeling

* Back aches

* Troubled sleep ( snoring and sketchy sleep patterns)

* Sore joints

* Feeling flat

* Tiredness

Obesity can and will be cured with a lifestyle change, not a diet! Heart disease, risk of stroke, High blood pressure, pressure on vital organs and joints is just some of what awaits. It affects even everyday simple things that we take for granted like walking or playing with our kids, even breathing easily rather than panting. Not to mention the emotional side of things like depression and low self esteem.

One thing that stuck in my head is when my partner told me he had tried before but never found it this hard. I told him of course it was hard because I'm the first person who ever made him accountable and to stop with the excuses as excuses come from people who have a tendency to be lazy and lack of consistency.

The first step is extremely hard to take and one must have an extremely strong support system. Once this support system has been established, you will soar! I mean that literally as you will have so much energy when you pump your body with all those essential vitamins and nutrients they have been missing out on. Don't become another statistic.

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