Finished Being Fat: An Accidental Adventure in Losing Weight and Learning How to Finish
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Authors: Betsy Schow
©2013 Betsy Schow
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, whether by graphic, visual, electronic, film, microfilm, tape recording, or any other means, without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles.
ISBN 13: 978-1-4621-1125-1
Published by Plain Sight Publishing, an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc. 2373 W. 700 S., Springville, UT 84663
Distributed by Cedar Fort, Inc.,
www.cedarfort.com
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
Schow, Betsy, 1981- author.
Finished being fat / Betsy Schow.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary: Suggestions, tips, and ideas on how to finish what you start.
ISBN 978-1-4621-1125-1 (alk. paper)
1. Self-confidence. 2. Weight loss. 3. Self-acceptance in women. I. Title.
BJ1533.S27S36 2013
158.1-dc23
2012042440
Cover design by Erica Dixon
Cover design © 2013 by Lyle Mortimer
Edited and typeset by Whitney A. Lindsley
Printed in the United States of America
10987654321
“Not Only is
Finished Being Fat
engaging and relevant to every woman that has ever had a sliver of self doubt about her body, but your true “voice” and your self-effacing humor make you the sister that has walked the walk right along with me. I recognize my own internal critic in your story. It is compelling. I found myself sneaking back to my computer while the kids ate their Cheerios, or late at night to read another dozen pages. I could not stop. You bravely share the paradigms of your pre-thin mind-set and include the reader on a journey as you become enlightened as to your own worth and power. You are so clearly priceless, and because you pull us along with you via hilarious anecdotal “aha” moments, we recognize this truth about ourselves right along with you. This book is for EVERYONE, whether or not they have battled weight. It ultimately inspires us to keep on running, never give up, and finish.”
—Tres Hatch,
TV chef and author of
Miracle Pill: 10 Truths to Healthy, Thin, and Sexy
This book is bright and inspiring—and best of all, doable. Finished Being Fat is the next “Eat, Pray, Love.” You will fall in love with Betsy’s charming, honest voice—and then you will fall in love with yourself, all over again.
—Caleb Warnock,
bestselling author of
Forgotten Skills
“Proof that losing
weight can be funny, too. Betsy is open and honest—a welcome voice in the discussion about body image and getting fit.”
“Not only an entertaining
read in its own right, but
Finished Being Fat
is full of common sense approaches to a happier and healthier life. I would definitely recommend it to anyone struggling to reach their goals and overcome the burdens of past failures.
—Jeffry H. Larson, PhD,
bestselling author of
Should We Stay Together
I loved this
book from beginning to end. Betsy has a natural sense of humor and down-to-earth way of looking at the world and weight loss, and I appreciated her honesty about her feelings and trials.
Finished Being Fat
inspired me, and I know it will inspire you, too.”
—
Tristi Pinkston,
author of
The Secret Sisters Mysteries
and others
“Finished Being Fat
is an engaging true story about one woman’s battle with herself. In her journey to lose weight, Betsy learns her problems are deeper than dropping pounds. She learns to drop the walls and attitudes that keep her from living the life she deserves. The epiphanies within this book truly do inspire others to break out of their self-imposed walls and go on their own journeys.”
—Nikki Wilson,
founder of
MormonMommyWriters.blogspot.com
Chapter 1:
You’ll Know You’ve Hit the Bottom When You Hear the
Thud
Chapter 3:
Welcome to the Fat Pack
Chapter 4:
Running Is Cheaper than Therapy
Chapter 5:
Who Says TV Isn’t Educational?
Chapter 6:
If You’re Still Alive at the End of the Day, You’re a Success
Chapter 8:
Needing to Step on Someone
Chapter 9:
A Little Spark of Correction
Chapter 11:
Don’t Throw Out Your Fat Clothes
Chapter 12:
Does God Have a Return Policy?
Chapter 13:
Burning the Blue Floral Parachute
Chapter 14:
The Figurative Thud and Literal Crash—Again
Chapter 15:
You Can Do Hard Things
Chapter 16:
The Best Introspection Comes When You Think You’re Going to Die
Epilogue:
The Philosophy of Finishing
T
here would be no story without the support of the Fat Pack: Chris Dalley, Sarah Michelle Croxford, Susan Eisert, Mallory Lambson, Lori Chadwick, Sharon Kono, Star Monson, and honorary members, Misty Barry and Lacey Hammond. Not to mention my running partner, Chrisy Ross. You ladies rock, and you kept me going. You are all beautiful and amazing, and I am blessed to have you in my corner.
My family deserves major props for putting up with all my nuttiness. Read the book, and you’ll understand. Foremost, my husband Jarom, for loving me and supporting my dreams at any size. My parents were absolutely invaluable during marathon training so I didn’t have to push an eighty-pound stroller for twenty miles. And Leslie and Kiara Schow for their love and babysitting services while I wrote the book. And my sisters, Jaime, Stacey, Jill, and Kristine, for being you. Even when you taunted me with cookies.
A big thank-you to Sunshine Academy for helping with the girls on the long runs. And Characa Waters and Mandi Edgerly for your extra support and understanding while I worked with Lily during the rough times.
Thank you to everyone at Cedar Fort for you hard work to make my dream a reality. Angie Workman and Whitney Lindsley are the best editors on the planet. They deserves untold fortunes for putting up with authors like me.
I owe my writing style and success to my two writing groups. Karen Pellet, TJ Bronley, Jessica Guernsey, Julie Peterson, Stacy Kupiec, Elaine Hume, Melody Johnson, Tanya Hanamaikai, Vickie Erickson, Kari Pike, and Jenny Alvear—thanks for telling me when my writing sucked and when it worked.
Last but never least, my undying gratitude to Caleb Warnock, writing professor extraordinaire. When I showed up at your conference one day, I had a little twinkle of an idea that you convinced me just might be a book. Even more than that, you believed there might be a writer lurking somewhere. The way you can shape and mold an author is a rare and exquisite talent. You pushed me harder than any marathon and never let me give up. You shaped this book and provided valuable insight into who I’ve become and where I am going in life. Your friendship is one of my most prized finisher medals.
T
his is not a weight-loss book. If you bought this book because you wanted to learn the secret to losing seventy-five pounds in a year, then let me stop you right here. There’s no magic pill—just eat less and run more.
This is also not a book about how to run a marathon, even though I include lot of stories about running.
Nope, this book is all about the things I learned while I was losing weight and running that changed my life forever. I’ve taken all my little “duh” moments—when the lightbulb finally turns on in my brain—and found little inspirational cubbyholes to put them in—otherwise known as chapters.
I’m not a doctor, motivational speaker, elite athlete, or anything in between. My name is Betsy Schow, and I’m just a stay-at-home mom of two, former fat person, marathoner, mountain climber, and finisher. I didn’t set out to change my life, but like some of the best things, it kind of happened by accident. At first, all I wanted was to lose a few pounds so I could look in the mirror and not cringe. The other things I just figured out on the way when I started paying attention.