In which I post some awesomespiration

I was watching Make It or Break It the other day (because in my heart I am secretly twelve and obsessed with Olympic gymnastics and also shut up). And I noticed that Kathy Najimy, who has a recurring role in the show and who I've always kind of enjoyed, had lost a TON of weight, and I'd also seen her recently in reruns of Numb3rs (in one of the few roles  I've seen her in that granted her some actual gravitas). So I googled her, and came across the following passage from her website. And I was surprised at how positive her outlook was -- and in a small way, it supported my confidence that I can balance this tightrope I'm walking.

Fuck yeah Kathy Najimy.


How did Kathy lose the weight?
(from http://www.kathynajimy.com/katfaq.htm)

"Well, it is all relative isn't it. I have recently gained some weight. Then I lose some weight and then I gain some weight. A few years back I weighed over 315 pounds. Then I started swimming and eating low fat foods. I also did some not so healthy things like fasting and over exercising...but mostly low fat food and movement. I lost 160 pounds... Then I got pregnant... I gained 60 pounds. For the last three or so years I have fluctuated between the same 30-40 pounds... SO, at any given moment... My weight changes with the wind. It has been a constant battle my whole life BUT ... the thing that I have learned in the last 5 or so years is that..IT IS OK. We do our best to try to be as healthy as we can and that's it. Women are vital and beautiful at all weights and sizes. There is NO one way we are supposed to be, although the world will tell us everyday that we only have one option. That is not true. Live your life now. Don't wait till you lose that last ten pounds or even that last hundred pounds before trying to live you life to the fullest. Love and be loved now. Jet ski now, horseback ride now. Dance Now. Dress how you like NOW. And if along the way you find you're more comfortable losing a couple pounds...great. But don't wait and don't kill yourself trying. It is not an accident that the world is set on women obsessing constantly about their weight. It keeps us from enjoying life and successfully changing the world. We would and can change the world if we simply try to stop obsessing, and try as hard as we can to love who and what we are NOW. I used to wish I had thinner legs....then during my years of AIDS activism I realized that I am blessed to HAVE legs and even the ability to walk around. I may not be able to wear shorts in this lifetime but so what? There are a million other GREAT things in my life that I can do and have and for that, I am grateful. So, to answer all the questions: Low fat food and exercise ... but to tell the real truth.....self-love and confidence at any size are the real goals."