Columnist is ready to kick her junk food addiction
My addiction with unhealthy food started at an early age. I would break into the cupboards stealing baking chocolate, decorative sprinkles, and ate sugar by the spoonful - Thanks Mary Poppins.
Happy Meals and soda were enjoyed regularly.
At dinner, Grandma would serve me green mush (also known as canned vegetables) and I would sit defiantly for what seemed hours until she annoyingly released me to my wonder.
Like many young kids I enjoyed watching TV and this device has remained a thorn in my side for years.
Fast forward to today. I still enjoy a good binge of favorite shows and awarding myself with junk food but at least now I can enjoy a lush array of fresh veggies on my plate.
My dietary habits changed drastically after picking up work at a health food grocer. After five years working as a sous chef, I acquired healthy cooking skills, learned about nutrient dense foods, and discovered new ingredients that previously never existed in my world.
I was fortunate enough to participate in a health immersion paid for by the grocer and ate a week's worth of healthy food that had no oil, no salt, no processed sugar or anything. It was a big challenge, but toward the end of the excursion there was a noticeable difference in how things tasted.
Natural flavors of grains, fruits and vegetables began to become more prominent. I lost a few pounds and, more importantly, I began feeling physically better.
Can you guess what happened after the health immersion? I slipped right back into old habits.
A couple years ago I suffered a back injured due to the nature of my work. The repetitive cutting motion, physical demands, and staring down at a cutting board each day produced paresthesia in my back and right arm.
The pain brought me to tears and after six months of physical therapy and chiropractic care, I was able to return to work.
Even though the numbness and tingling subsided, there is still a sharp pain that radiates in my upper back, making me no stranger to headaches.
The fear of working out haunts me, but with the experienced guidance of Josh Steckler at Push Fitness, I'm in good hands.
I'm excited to get over this barrier holding me back, to have strength again, improve my overall health, and to feel good!
At the end of the challenge I'm hoping to have forks full of kale instead of spoons full of sugar.
• Kat Polomsky is a Daily Herald events specialist and also helps manage the Fittest Loser At Work Challenge.