Losing to Gain: my weight loss journey
I’ve been invited to speak this Saturday at the Weight Watchers Center in Capitola on my weight loss journey. This is as much my story as it is about my daughter Keala and my partner Desha. After all, the inspiration to commit to a life-long journey to a healthy lifestyle began after Keala came into our lives in May, 2006. Her life became my pathway (Keala means pathway in the Hawaiian language) and inspiration to live longer. Her cries for nourishment became my challenge to reshape my own views and approach to food consumption. And it’s also about Desha who has been my #1 cheerleader on this path for which I am eternally grateful. Without their love, inspiration and support, this journey would have been much much more difficult to start and sustain.
Read More10 Things: An un-Micronesian exercise in healthy lifestyle
This week’s Weight Watchers group assignment is an exercise in recognizing one of the necessary steps in recovery to a healthy lifestyle; namely, finding the good in oneself. We were asked by our inspirational leader Susan to write down 10 things we love about ourselves. It was immediately met with, “That’s hard!” by one our members. It is hard for those of us who have had the misfortune of an out of control weight problem. It just seems so hard to know and see the positive aspects of our gifted lives. But it is in fact one of the most important steps toward recovery to a healthy lifestyle. This exercise follows the previous week’s assignment of forgiveness, i.e. forgiving one from failing to maintain daily or weekly goals and move on. Now we are being asked to focus on the positive things we love about ourselves…to look inward and find the positive aspect of ourselves…being self-ish in a positive way.
Read MoreWharf to Wharf Challenge 2010
Today, I’ve launched a challenge to other members of the Weight Watchers community to join me in running the annual Wharf to Wharf run in July, 2010. Known affectionately as “the best little road race in California,” the Wharf to Wharf run was founded in 1973 by some local folks. Today 15,000 enthusiasts travel from all parts of the world to compete or just to experience it. Proceeds from this annual event go to sports programs in local schools and organizations. It starts at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk / Wharf and ends at the base of the wharf in Capitola By the Sea. I’ve always wanted to do this run, but never felt healthy enough to do it. Hopefully, it will catch on as an annual event for WW members. If anything, the low-point bonfire beachparty afterwards could be fun.
Read MoreKiva loans
I have microlent to:
Mugandu Group, Kihihi
| Location: | Uganda, Kihihi |
| Activity: | Livestock |
I am Vid Raatior, an international educator, web designer, social entrepreneur, and blogger from the outer islands of Chuuk, Micronesia. I live in Northern California and work at Santa Clara University. 
