's motd Tues July 13, 2010

[Guest guest]

BEACH TIME!

Tuesday, 13 July 2010

Oh it's hot out there! Every morning when I read the newspaper, I like to take a look at the weather page to check out what's happening with the weather in the rest of the country. And I've noticed that along the East Coast, temperatures are in the 90s and even cracking 100 degrees in some places...Wow! Have you ever experienced 100 degree temperatures? The sun really feels like the ball of fire it is and it's uncomfortable just being outside. And what does America do this time of year to cool off? Well, they head for the beach!

Back home in New Orleans when I was growing up and things began to heat up in the summer months, my mother would take my brother, Lenny and I to the beach on Sundays after church. We didn't own a car so we'd take a cab. Half-way to the beach, we'd stop at McKenzie's Bakery where they also served the best fried chicken and French fries you've ever had in your life. Their soft white rolls and creamy Cole slaw just topped off the meal!So, with the warm chicken loaded in the cab along with our beach gear, we'd continue on to Pontchatrain Beach right there on the lake. We always got there early to beat the crowds. (My mother wanted to be sure we got our favorite spot.) Once we were settled, we'd get ready to sun, swim and eat!

And oh yes, I remember the fights I had with my mother when she tried getting me to put on my swim trunks. (She'd finally win.) But once I had my trunks on, I'd wrap a big beach towel around the upper part of my body. I was just so ashamed of how my body looked as I walked around wearing nothing but my swim trunks. I was fat! I was like a Vienna sausage stuffed into a pair of Speedos!But I did love to swim and play in the water at he beach. Plus, that way, you only saw me from the neck up. And with that view of me, I didn't look so bad. But when I got out of the water, I'd wrap my body back up and looked like The Mummy! Were you an overweight kid? Did you hate prancing around in a bathing suit because you felt people were staring and making fun of you? Are some of you reading today's message overweight right now? Do you get into a bathing suit and go to the beach? Or do you just not go because you're so ashamed of what your body looks like? If you are...the shame must stop here! Okay, so you've let yourself go and put on some weight. You haven't exercised in a while and your body shows it. But that shouldn't stop you from getting into a bathing suit and into the water so you can cool off and enjoy yourself, just like everyone else. Hey, to heck with what other people think!

Here's what I think you should do. You should be thinking about this time next summer and how much better you'll look by getting on program to lose the weight starting today. And if you're already on program...keep working at it!Here's an idea: Have someone take a full-body photo of what you look like now. Then, every four months, have someone take a new photo of you. If you keep working hard to reach your goal, with your photo diary, you'll then be able to see just how much your body is changing as you lose the weight. And guess what else will happen as you lose the weight? Well...surprise! Your body will keep shrinking and you'll have to buy a brand new smaller swimsuit when next summer rolls around!In the meantime, please, don't let anyone else's criticism stop you from doing the things you want to do. Remember, we're on this earth for just one visit. And you have to make it count.

Have fun at the beach!Love,