Photo by David Joles, Star Tribune
Did you read the story of the 24-year-old daughter who challenged her dad and basically saved his life?
The article titled “No Lament for These ‘Losers’ published June 12, 2010 in the Minneapolis Star Tribune described the journey prompted by a concerned daughter’s love for her father.
SunShine Hampton challenged her dad, O’Neal, to participate in The Biggest Loser show this season. While they didn’t win the season finale, they sure did win in real life. O’Neal went from 389 pounds to 230 pounds and SunShine went from 275 pounds to 161 pounds, and she’s still losing weight. My heart sang for O’Neal as I read he had previously taken up to 10 pills a day — a day! — for diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol and kidneys and had been unable to walk up stairs for 30 years. Today, he is not taking any pills and walks stairs with ease. And, SunShine? Well, you should see her sass and confidence as she proudly encourages others.
The impact of one choice, one step, one small change at a time makes me smile every time I think of them. Their story is about perseverance, teamwork, family, hope and resilience. (O’Neal lost two siblings to cancer and a stroke while on the show.) And they are stepping up to help Minnesota’s larger companies help employees become healthy winners in their own way. (Companies mentioned were Target, Medtronic and General Mills.) The positive impact keeps spreading; the employers of the winners will give a donation to Second Harvest Heartland.
I wonder if each of us were to make those small choices, beginning today, what success we would experience and who would be impacted by the ripple effect of our changed behaviors and attitudes? What is one small smart choice you could make today that would be a loving challenge to yourself?
I’m following through with my small choice today and I’ll post the outcome the next time I write. I’d love to hear what yours is.
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