Born2lbfat

My life with Lipedema & Lymphedema...destined to be fat.

Hometown Advocacy: Coffee with Congressman Wenstrup

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Rep. Brad Wenstrup

Rep. Brad Wenstrup

Fresh off my return from #YWM2013 in Phoenix, AZ and my second year of advocacy training, I had the opportunity to put my skills to work at a local event held by my US Representative, Brad Wenstrup. On August 27th, Rep Wenstrup hosted a “Coffee with Your Congressman” event here in Portsmouth. I have previously communicated with Wenstrup’s staff members about HR 2415 – Treat and Reduce Obesity Act and The Lymphedema Treatment Act, but I know it’s a very special honor to be able to speak directly with my congressman. Rep. Wenstrup is a Podiatrist and was very aware and knowledgeable of lymphedema, and of course obesity is a major health issue for our area.

Again, I want to thank Rep, Wenstrup and his staff for the outreach into our community!

You can be an advocate without leaving home! Check out the links below learn more about the bills and to contact your representatives and ask them to support these two very important pieces of legislation.

Join me and visit the OAC’s Legislative Action Center to urge Congress to support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2013.

Join me and visit the Lymphedema Treatment Act Legislative Action Center to urge Congress to support the Lymphedema Treatment Act.

YOU Can Still Be a Part of #YWM2013 – Join Us!

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oacsiteIt’s not too late to  be a part of Obesity Action Coalition Your Weight Matters Convention!

Registration will be available on-site August 15th. Join us for a day or the entire event.

Can’t join us in Phoenix?

No worries there will be 5 sessions  live-streamed via YouTube!

Here is the link to access all of the live-streamed educational sessions: 

http://www.ywmconvention.com/ywm2013-live-stream/  

During the Teaming-Up to Tackle Obesity event, those who can’t attend will also be able to ask questions during the Q&A using http://www.twitter.com/obesityaction and our official #YWM2013 hashtag.

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This is a great opportunity to experience OAC and get a glimpse of what the information and resources they offer.

Check out my Top 5 Reasons YOU Should Attend #YWM2013 and watch for my LIVE updates from the convention on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Donate to Walk from Obesity and I Will Walk in My Swimsuit

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$1000 Goal = Me walking in Swimsuit

Last year at the Walk from Obesity in Dallas, TX is was unusually COLD. Note the sweatshirts!

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This year I will once again be  walking as a member of Melting Mama’s BBGC  Team in  the Walk from Obesity during #YWM2013 in Phoenix, AZ…. in AUGUST, so I expect much warmer weather!  If I reach my goal of $1000 in donations by the morning of the walk, August 18th! I will WALK IN MY SWIMSUIT (and tutu).

Yes, the issue of possible thigh chaffing has been brought to my attention. I’ll be sure to pack extra Johnson & Johnson Pure Cornstarch Baby Powder. No worries!

The only thing I’m worried about is deciding which swimsuit to wear, I have close to 20!!!

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Top 5 Reasons YOU Should Attend OAC’s #YWM2013

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OAC YWM Badge

This year the Obesity Action Coalition is hosting the 2nd Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention, August 15-18 in Phoenix, AZ. I guarantee it will be a life changing weekend! In an attempt to convince you, I have listed my Top 5 Reasons You Should Attend #YWM2013.

#5 – YOU will MOVE during the fitness classes. A variety of fitness classes will be offered during the conference so if you already have an exercise routine the trip will not interrupt your activities. If you have yet to find a workout you enjoy this is the PERFECT opportunity to TRY new exercises in an accepting environment. Last year I attended the Yoga class, to my surprise I already OWNED the instructors DVD, I had just never attempted it. Now that I have participated in the class I am more confident in doing the moves correctly at home. Perhaps you are not quite ready for a structured fitness class or “hello, I don’t exercise on ‘vacation'”, that’s o.k. you will still MOVE during the Sunday morning Walk From Obesity.

If you are not able to participate in the Walk From Obesity, please support my participation by making a donation in my name.

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#4 – YOU will MEET people just like YOU. No matter where you are on your journey to health there are others who are right there, or have been there. I have been to several weight related conferences in the past 9 years and have met many wonderful people, and made several friends like my pals Eggface and MeltingMama, and yet at each new event I attend I meet and make new friends. Do not be afraid about “being alone” at the event, I assure you, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. We are all in this together, and we are stronger when we join our voices and stories with the OAC. Plus you never know when some weird chick who eats ketchup on her boiled egg asks if she can sit with you at breakfast. <— That was me making a new friend, Asha.

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#3 – YOU will EAT Lunch with the Experts. Last year I made the mistake of not signing up for Lunch with the Experts, I thought lunch time might be a good time to give my lipedema legs some rest. I quickly realized what I was missing out on, and was able to sign up for an open lunch spot on site at the conference. So if in doubt I suggest SIGN UP NOW…many Lunch with the Experts sessions are already FULL. This lunch gives you the chance to discuss important topics in a small (approx 10) group setting with an expert in the field.  Click on the image to view the #YWM2013 Agenda with a list of Lunch with the Experts topics:

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#2 – YOU will DANCE. Yes, you will! As I mentioned in #5, this is your chance to try new things in an open, accepting, non-judgement environment. Friday night’s Welcoming Event with be a! So use your imagination to come up with a really awesome costume, or just come as you are. Just be there, and shake your groove thing! And see if I can keep my title as reigning costume winner! I won as  Honey Boo Boo last year, complete with Go Go Juice and Glitzy!

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#1 – YOU will ADVOCATE for Obesity! I strongly encourage you to attend the Advocacy Training. It was by far my favorite part of attending the Inaugural Your Weight Matters Conference in Dallas, TX. Even if you are not able to participate in the Advocacy Training you are still advocating just by attending the #YWM2013. Sharing your story with others, empowering yourself to pursue your health goals, fighting against weight bias and stigma are all important pieces of advocacy. Advocacy against weight stigma and bias is one of the main reasons I joined the Obesity Action Coalition. You can read my story, The Part I Want: Advocate in the Your Weight Matters Magazine 2013. Watch my personal testimonial about the Inaugural YWM Conference.

 

But most of all ATTEND #YMW2013 because YOUR Weight Matters!!!!

If my Top 5 Reasons successfully convinced you to register for #YWM2013 Convention, contact the OAC in writing at convention@obesityaction.org and tell them Sarah from Born2lbFat referred you so I can be entered into the YWM2013 Recruitment CHALLENGE. Thank you in advance!!!!