Life is all about balance
I rarely hate things and people. As much as possible, I try to find the goodness in everyone and everything. But if there are two things I undeniably despise, that's (1) insanity and (2) inconsistency.
I always caught myself questioning people for doing great at work but failing to look out for their health, their families, or any other aspect of their lives. I've always been a perfectionist, an idealist. I'm not easy to convince that someone is great, because for me, being great entails having to tend to all aspects of one's life - spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, so on, and so forth.
It's very unlikely that I'll look up to you if you're too great at work but your kidneys are failing, your livers are wrapped in fats, and your hearts couldn't even sustain a 3km Run because you consciously chose to neglect your health day in day out. Even if you're the most successful CEO but you failed to make time for your family, you won't pass my standard for "greatness".
The other side of the coin applies as well, if you're good at everything else except at work, that's questionable for me, not impressive at all. Maybe that's why I became a multipotentialite. I don't want to be an expert at something but I do want to be good at almost everything (except Math and dancing 😂).
The Growing Pile of Fats
I've always been the big kid in class because I was taller than most of my female classmates back in my elementary and high school days. In college, I started to gain weight exam after exam, sleepless nights after sleepless nights. I turned to stress eating, too. I'd devour Pinoy Siopao in less than 3 minutes paired with Zagu in my favorite Hazelnut Cappucino flavor. I'd feast on Thirsty's mango shake on Thursdays to make the most out of their free upsize promo paired with Waffle time's American hotdog.
Before I knew it, I was gaining weight. My BMI turned from normal to obese. But I've never given a damn about my weight. I thought it was only necessary to eat and eat more because I need to ace my exams, presentations, and papers. And how can I possibly perform on an empty stomach, right? So I ate nonstop. The only limitation to this was my allowance because have I had more money that time, I'm sure I'd be bigger then. 😂
The Tale of Free Food
Fast forward to 2015 when I entered the corporate world, I found myself employed in a food manufacturing company that produces, I'd argue, the best hotdog in the Philippines. #bastahotdogvirginia 😁
I'm still affiliated with this company up until this point. I'd say we have one of the best working environments, imagine free food every now and then, free taste of our existing and new products.
I was sent to different key cities and major towns around the Philippines to meet with business partners, open new outlets, and expand the business in all ways possible. Our VP for Sales and Marketing would always treat us to free food and even bring us to expensive buffet restaurants. Every annual planning, every National Sales Conference would look like a feast, a huge feast of food we don't normally eat.
Moreover, it has been part of our culture to celebrate each employee's birthday with cakes, pizza, french fries, fried chicken, ice cream, and a lot more. Now imagine if there are at least 4 celebrants in a month? That means at least once a week there will be a celebration and there will be overflowing food.
Who would say no to free food? I know people but at that time, I couldn't stop myself from eating what has been offered. Everyone in our office loves to eat.
We were like a family that we eat lunch and dinner together. There was this barbecue place that sells cheap BBQ and we'd be full to the brim for only Php50 ($1). And we'd do it every single night before we do our over times.
I had this workmate named Sharlyn and she's not the best person to go with. Why? We'd always end up eating out for dinner, trying out new food and cafe every now and then.
The Awakening
My lifestyle had become sedentary. That's when my health started to hit rock bottom.
In December 2016, I was diagnosed with a disc bulge in my lower spine. According to Medical News Today, disc bulge occurs when "the spongy disks between the vertebrae become compressed and bulge out." One common cause of disc bulge is aging that's why my doctor was a bit surprised that at the age of 22, I was diagnosed with such injury. The culprit? My weight.
At 5'1", 76kgs, my BMI classification was obese. My first doctor told me that I had to lose weight. Physical therapy will help but losing the extra pounds will change my life for the better. But I was a stubborn patient, so instead of listening to my doctor, I changed to another doctor. I thought, I'll find a doctor who will not tell me to lose weight.
With an injured spine, I was told I could no longer climb mountains (which was what I loved doing during those years), My back ached whenever I bring a backpack heavier than 6-7 kgs. My legs would numb for sitting long hours in the office and for walking more than a kilometer. Sleeping was not my favorite part of the day since I had to constantly find the best position that won't hurt my spine. I despised going to PT at least twice a week because I could not feel any long-term relief. It was a hilarious experience. Not to mention the check-ups after check-ups that I had to go on my own, chasing doctors and everything in between. It was painful both physically and emotionally.
It was too late. I didn't realize I slowly became the type of person I hate the most. I worked my ass off at work just to be where I am now, but while reaching one goal, I forgot to balance the rest. I even neglected the foundation of all the goals and dreams I have, my body, my health.
In 2018, I turned the tides in my favor. That's when I used all the world's energy to transform into someone who will, later on, believe that "If you want something, you gotta work for it!"
I have remastered myself (and still remastering myself every single day) and the way I look at things. And I couldn't be any excited to share my road to holistic personal development here in Hive.
Are you now curious how the transformation took place? Hang in there, fella! I'll lay all my cards and leave no stone unturned. I'll tell you every single thing I've learned in this journey so you can pick bits and pieces from it and use them for your own good. No one will be left behind. I love to ensure that I grow and people around me grow, too. That's how I operate. 😍
I shall see you next Wednesday then! Keep safe. 😉
Living life intentionally every single day, she believes that there’s no limit to one’s potentials. Right now, she’s on the loose for the pursuit of endless holistic self-growth and development. She wants to light the way for others. She believes there’s no better way to leave a legacy than to pay it forward.
Her ultimate goal in life is to reach the state of enlightenment where there’s nothing but peace, love, happiness, and contentment - nothing more, nothing less.
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