I spent last night selecting more than 100 individuals! But that figure has to be brought down to 5. I have received tons of applications, but now it’s time to do a draw for 25, who I will then e-mail. I really have read all the applications, and many have completely bared their souls. There are so many wonderful people out there who just want a push in the right direction.
I have laughed, felt sad, angry and upset. As usually, I have put far too much of my heart and soul into this. Most of the applicants have demonstrated a great sense of humour, and some have really worked hard to make me understand how badly they want to be part of this. Others have left me feeling angry and sad when I read how far their self-respect has been allowed to fall. I have realised that we are programmed by society to accept size zero as the ideal, but not that it was this bad! Not even models live up to this image until they’ve been Photoshopped! Many people have spent their lives struggling to keep their weight down, and have now reached the point where this daily battle has become something of an obsession. Must slim down, can’t eat this or that. Then you fall by the wayside, and eat something to make yourself feel better …
Stop being so hard on yourselves – you have shown that you have the will and courage, and this is the first day of the rest of your lives! Stop feeling sorry for yourselves!
I challenge everyone who’s reading this to get a new life! I have set a date – 19 October! This is a great opportunity, and you will have others to chat to and nag. Create your own low-calorie diet, starting from your own personal favourite food. Mine is hamburgers. If you accept this challenge, seek help. Book a doctor’s appointment and find someone to share your journey with. I’ve already acted as something of a “matchmaker”. That’s not my word for it, but what Liz and Allan have told me (actually, they said “pimp”!!!). They found each other through the blog, and their names will be in the draw to find 25 individuals. Please don’t try to argue that you’ve found someone to nag for daily walks in the Park just because you live close together. And if you’re not one of the 5, I urge you to make the most of this push and start your own journey. What I’m saying is, don’t try this on your own. Find a pal, mate, lady, gentleman, boy or girl to share it with. This makes it so much easier. Feel free to get in touch with me if you like – I may be able to find someone close to where you live.
What do I expect of those who are selected?
Oh, poor you! Firstly, you must have read this whole entry to get this far. You will be expected to take quite a bit of exercise, and to eat hamburgers! LOL One absolute must is that you are healthy enough to go on a diet. The media – haven’t they laid into me! You will definitely be featured in the media and I would be delighted if you could write a blog of your journey. You will need reasonably easy access to a Max restaurant, but you won’t have to go there every day. You will be able to collect food packages with assembly instructions to make your own burgers. And last but by no means least, you must be keen to change your life right now!
I’m taking the weekend off, to hold a party for the neighbours. It is exactly a year since I moved into my cosy terraced house in Ormkärr. You may receive an e-mail next week!
But it has brought home an important message – if you have a stationary job or you’re studying, you just don’t move enough each day. Those with more mobile jobs move enough to achieve the exercise they need as part of their work. You need to exercise at least 3-4 times a week, and take a walk, run, cycle, visit the gym and maybe go for a swim. Many of you have made a real effort and adopted a tough exercise regime for a week. But the most important thing is to be consistent and not to just adopt a tough exercise regime every other month.
