Sean Barel

My Wellness Journey

I have always been overweight.   It seems to be a constant struggle for me.  I grew up with terrible eating habits. Whether it was not eating the right fruits and vegetables, or having a bowl of ice cream every night with my dad, I never made good eating choices.  My mom is an excellent cook and grew up in the South, where she learned good “southern cooking” techniques (lots of fried, fatty foods).  I enjoyed her meals…. at the time.  

When I was younger, I never realized how much the extra weight affected the activities that I participated in.  I was content with my weight as a child, not realizing the negative effects it had on me.  Therefore, I never changed my habits.

As I went off to college, I gained the “Freshman 15”.  The poor eating habits continued.  After all, the college dorm offered an “all-you-can-eat” cafeteria and it was already paid for.  What more can a kid ask for????

 As I grow older, I see how bad the extra weight is and how important it is to be a good role model for my own children.  If I want them to be healthy, shouldn’t I give them someone to look up to.