A Nanny Works to Lose Weight and Become More Fit

Overcoming Health Challenges

by Vanessa Whitney

At age nine, I had trouble breathing when I exercised. My parents always told me, "Do your best." One morning, our class ran the 1 4-mile around our playground, and my gym teacher yelled at me to "get my lazy butt moving" - in front of my 3rd grade class. I was doing my best. It was not good enough for him. Thus began my hatred of exercise.

I'm a nanny now, and the boys I take care of can outrun me. I know that it's because they are younger and faster, but I remember when my sisters and I had babysitters. And, they could keep up with us. I want to be able to catch them when we play tag. I want to run the bases when we play baseball...not just hit the ball and say, "Go get it." I felt like a hypocrite telling them to eat healthy and exercise. I was not a living example for them. So, I decided to try Backyard Bootcamp.

I'm not a morning girl, so it's been tough getting up to work out. However, after feeling the heat of the sun at 7:30am, as opposed to 6am, I realized the earlier, the better! I'm also learning to get the sleep that I need in order to have energy to do the things that I want.

Another challenge has been FOOD. I have a love affair with food, and I'm not proud of it. If you can't seem to understand why, after losing weight when you start exercising, you level off and can't lose more, it's because you are eating too much, and or eating food that is not fueling your body. You must be completely honest with yourself about it. KEEP A JOURNAL. I know it's hard or inconvenient or another excuse, but it's necessary. You can't say, "I don't know how I gained five pounds," when you see TUESDAY - Lunch - BROWNIE PIE written down. You know who you are. You can't fool a fellow food junkie. First round of Bootcamp, I've been okay with my food, but I've written it all down and I'm working on improving.

The biggest challenge has been changing my mind about what I can do. I said I hate exercise, but if I'm being honest, I think I'm afraid of it, afraid that I can't breathe, afraid that I won't do it perfectly, afraid that someone will make fun of me. I'm learning to overcome all of that. Our instructors (Leslie and Glenn) are tough, but very encouraging. They challenge me at my level, and they challenge people who are faster and stronger than me at their level.

We hiked Reseda Canyon. On a rough part of the trail, I fell - hard. I lay there, my team asking if I was okay. I was embarrassed to death. But, I kept going. For me, THAT is a miracle. I've changed my mind. I'm changing my life. Soon, I'll catch the boys when we play tag. I'll keep going. For them. For me. To be a living example.

Now, it's your turn. Look at your children and imagine what life would be like if you overcame your own health challenges. It's a simple, yet monumental, decision, but the rewards, the smiles on their faces and the positive choices they will start making in their own lives, are immeasurable.v