What do people really think?
My whole life I have struggled with caring about what other people think. I guess that makes me what they call a “people-pleaser”. It does matter to me and I bet it matters to you, too. What others think about what I look like, act like and live like is important to me. Being unhappy with my life overall there were areas I found that needed some work. One of those areas was my health.
Now that I am a grandma of eight rambunctious kids, my priorities have changed a bit from when I was in my twenties. The days of partying until the cows came home are gone and going to bed with the chickens has arrived.
Today I value the time my head is on the pillow and not in the toilet. It took years of living in the fast lane to take its toll on my body. However, it hit vigorously and I nearly lost that life.
What does it really matter what people think? Probably not a lot, yet do you wonder as I do why they are so judgmental? Why are they so opinionated when you step outside the lines of what is normal for them?
My decision to get healthy
Once my body-hit rock bottom it did not take long to realize it was time for me to take action. Learning about health, nutrition, and eating properly was not a real passionate subject for me. However, with a young family and life in front of me, the alternative staring me in the face was not a popular subject I cared to discuss either.
One step at a time my understanding increased in all of those areas. Starting first with my health, I learned that Mother Earth is sick. She does not have within her the proper nutrients our plants and animals need. Due to the lack of those vitamins and minerals in the soil, our fruits, vegetables, and meats are simply filling a hole in our empty stomachs.
That first step took me a long time to accept. By using vitamin supplements my body started to sleep better, which in turn gave me more energy. It is interesting because my skin cleared up; my mind started working better, my moods leveled out.
To be truthful, life then got back in my way. Changing careers was a good thing, yet for my health, it was a shock. Although the stress level changed, other areas of my life took on a new direction and my health took a dive again. It is ironic that we are always learning something new…if we do not we will suffer the consequences.
Less stress equals weight gain
Working from home was a lifelong dream yet other people in my life did not understand what it meant to work from home. Somehow, they thought because I was home, I could do the laundry, wash the dishes, entertain the company and run errands.
When I woke up after six years of working my dream business I found I had not only allowed my health to slip I had gained over eighty pounds. Now I was heavier than I had ever been in my whole life. It was hard to walk; breathe, sleep and work due to a lack of energy and mental focus.
When we visited our grandkids, I was embarrassed to have pictures taken with the family. I am the chubby grandma and the other grandma, well she is tall and thin.
After attending a business meeting and talking with a friend I decided it was time to tackle this area of my health too. In the next picture with those grandkids, I would look better than the picture before or else. Within weeks, I had found and started my personal secret weapon diet plan. A complete program to get my health back on track and my body kicked back into shape.
Week by week my body fat started melting off. The more weight I lost, the more inches disappeared. Then it happened. Thinking my family and friends would be proud of the success I was enjoying it hit me hard when they did not.
Sabotage city…
The first bout of sabotage began the first day I shared my excitement over regaining my health with my family. “Oh, those things are scams. They do not really work. You are flushing your money down the drain”!
Imagine the feeling I had in my stomach. I had heard real, live stories from my friends and business partners – it was not a fraud. Excited, I knew my family could use the extra money working the business would generate, yet the chiding continued to the point I left in tears. Why couldn’t they just be proud of what I was doing? Why did they have to make fun of me?
Next, they started poking fun at me for wanting to turn back the clock. Comments like “Oh, act your age and be glad you made it this far. Nothing can help your back, it is shot even the doctor said so. No pill or product can make you look younger or help you feel better, only drugs can do that”. Wow, no wonder I ran away.
Finally, the straw that broke the camel’s back and prompted this article was when my family and friends tried to sabotage my dieting efforts. Almost immediately comments like “A little bit of this won’t hurt you”, “Come on, just a little bite won’t mess it up”.
Maybe they were just trying to help a girl out; however; I was determined to stick with my lean and green meal with my family regardless of their jeering comments.
Nine weeks have passed and you would think it would have gotten better. Nope, it has not. This past weekend some of my friends told me to “not lose too much weight, you don’t want to look anorexic do you”. I mean, come on…what is that all about?
What I have come to realize is this my friends. If you have dealt with any of the above circumstances or anything similar, rest assured that you are not alone. Many of you may be like this anti-aging, fiery grandma – out there in the trenches with lots of others just like us. We are battling some of the same battles and we will win.
The problem is not ours, it belongs to those who are the ones making fun, encouraging us to eat more, eat crappy food, eat too much…so they don’t have to face themselves in the mirror alone. When we succeed, they see it as their failure and they do not want to live in misery alone. The old saying really is true, “Misery Loves Company”.
Today, I am rebuking anyone out there who stands in the way of my goal. To return to the youthful vigor better than that of my twenties, the body better than that of my thirties, and be all I can be for ME! If you want to join me, come on we will fight the good fight together and let the saboteurs do their own battles.
![[Warning] 4 Secrets to Choosing the Right Network Marketing Company](https://www.carlajgardiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Warning-4-Secrets-to-Choosing-the-Right-Network-Marketing-Company1.jpg)
"Very well put. I've been with a health and nutrition company for over 26 years and I understand exactly what you are going through. I shiver to think what my health might be today at age 68 had I not stuck to my guns as far as practicing what I preach. Yes, I fall off the wagon regularly but my daily routine life reflects taking care of my health. That way I can keep up (somewhat) with my 7 grandchildren. You keep it up, Carla". 
"For most people the thought of venturing out there in pursuit of your dreams, in a place outside of your comfort zones is just what stops them. But I could sense your excitement not resentment in going against the competition. In planting your stake and truly making a difference in the clients experience. That's ultimately what matters, the rest just falls so easily into place. Thanks for that reminder"! 
Carla, I’ve got to say that I LOVE your focus on the joys and challenges facing women over 50. I’m definitely in that camp! I’ve been inspired by your candor, practical ideas, and refreshing determination to joyfully tackle life. The hours we’ve spent on the phone, in person, and through social media have enriched my life immeasurably. YOU are one Fiery Grandma, and I love your style! 
I have known Carla Gardiner for 6+ years. We met at a business training for bring business online. She is a business women at heart and willing to do the hard things to make the results show up. I have watched her run a business, work a job and take care of her family. She is a go getter when it comes to putting in the work to build her business to the level of being able to enjoy her grand kids.
She is the example that age is not a limit it is a tool for sharing knowledge to those she empowers to use their own skills and talents. Excuses are fuel to push her to learn and apply. I have seen her scared to death about implementing new technology and rock it out despite the learning curve.
I love watching you grow into your greatness Carla! Don’t slow down. 
"Carla, you are a model for me to follow. I love your site. And, I like what you have to say - very kind, very gracious. I have to say though that nothing in my life has ever been crystal clear". 
"I've known Carla for 5+ years and can tell you that she has lived every bit of this and more. We shared tears and laughs and hard work....you will enjoy getting to know Carla."