(from Justice)
This was a new year and Emma Sue wanted to lose some weight.She is 40 pounds overweight and she does not like it.
Emma Sue's parents have been trying to buy and prepare healthy foods.They told Emma Sue that she would need to stop eating foods that are high in calories and bad for her body.Pizza,fried chicken,cheese burgers,pasta,soda,cookies,pies,cakes,candy, and ice cream were off of the menu.Instead of these foods,Emma Sue would eat healthy meals and snacks.
After searching on the internet and reading articles on weight loss, Emma Sue's parents had a plan.They would make turkey burgers instead of regular cheese burgers.Greek yogurt would be substituted for ice cream and the skinless chicken would be baked or grilled. Emma Sue was willing to eat less sugar and agreed to eat smaller meals.Her parents wanted this new lifestyle to be a family task.Emma Sue's mother began to shop for organic fruits,vegetables,and bought almond milk instead of cow's milk.She read the labels of the grocery items that she purchased.Sometimes Emma Sue would look at the label of a box of cereal...there were long words that she could not pronounce! The family had to watch the salt and sugar that they put into their bodies,so they bought a lot of fresh food instead of boxed foods.Emma Sue's mom taught her how to make kale with olive oil,garlic,vinegar,vegetable broth, and a pinch of nutmeg.For snacks, Emma Sue ate apples,greek yogurt,berries,nut,whole wheat crackers, and sunflower butter. Instead of snickers or other candy,she chose to eat a small piece of dark chocolate.She was happy to learn how to cook her own food.
Exercise had to be added to their daily routines.Emma Sue's dad made up an exercise schedule for the whole family. They would exercise for one hour a day, seven days a week!Emma's parents woke up early before work and walked outside or used the treadmill before work. Emma Sue walked or ran with some friends after school.Sometimes Emma would run up and down the stairs/bleachers at the school.On the weekends, the family went to their backyard,the park,or the YMCA to play games and work out.She got better at exercising everyday!
Her parents encouraged her and she wanted to play outdoor games without breathing so hard.There were kids who laughed at her at school and on the school bus.Emma Sue hated it.She wanted to fit in and have good times with the other kids.Yes, Emma Sue would show them! She would not give up on herself!
In a couple of weeks, Emma Sue and her family began to see great changes in their bodies.They had more energy and Emma Sue's acne started to clear up! Her mom lost 6 pounds and her father lost 12 pounds in 5 weeks.Emma Sue lost 9 pounds in the first month.She was so happy in the months to come!She looked in the mirror and saw a nice girl with new energy and a healthy body. On that day, Emma Sue decided that she would never go back to eating foods that were filled with saturated fat and sugar.
One evening in March, Emma Sue got on the school bus.A boy that was in a seat behind her yelled,"Hey!Emma Sue, how did you lose so much weight?"
Emma Sue turned around, and said,"I just stopped eating the food that makes YOU stand up and ask crazy questions!"
Yes, it was a new day for Emma Sue.She is a Power Girl!
find your kindness, Marie
