Feeling Like a 'Fairy' Godmother on Mother's Day

Wow, it was the most surprising Mother's Day. Completely and unexpectedly I received, not only flowers but chocolate covered strawberries, a balloon and a card!

And he said, "Happy Mothers Day, you're almost like my mother, you are my God Mother."

Yes, that's right I remembered ...

It happened 29 years ago in April. I became godmother to my first nephew. Such an honor to be selected for what I considered to be a serious responsibility while I also felt it would allow for the tendency toward sparing no expense to spoil this happy baby boy, (especially since my part time job was at a toy store).  

Three fun filled years pass and a relocation removes him, breaking our bond, to the distant island of Hawaii. Yes, Aloha also means goodbye :-( Sad and with tears in my eyes, I knew it would be quite long before I could see him again. This at a time before FaceTime and Facebook and the only faces revealed were in the printed on paper photographs sent via the post office. How did we survive? Um pretty OK, right? Well, anyway a couple of visits there and a couple here over the years would have to suffice as he grew. And grew. And grew. And grew. OK, that's four-times grown and to a point of 4XL and to 367 pounds grown.  

Now understand my background and expertise for the last 20 years is in health, fitness and nutrition. I have helped hundreds of people to reach their goals and take control of their bodies to live a better life. So then how did I miss one of the most important people in my life in need of my help?!  

OK, I thought, then it's time to take action. After mentioning to him the prospect of a contest to win hundreds of thousands of dollars, he jumped at the opportunity (one year later). Mind you, his jump and my jump at opportunity were obviously out of sync (a year?). OK, OK, let's chalk it up to the Hawaiian in him, only by residence and location however, we are talking strong sturdy stock of European descent. Although there's irony in his mom's distant relationship to Billie Burk. Yes, Glinda, none other than the good witch in her fairy godmother like presence and persona from The Wizard of Oz. Yes, the one who waves the wand and click, click, click there's no place like home ... (you know the story).

OK, so there I stood considering, hey I'm the fairy godmother! I waved the magic wand (for the past six months) and transformed my precious nephew and godson Frank from the brink of health disaster. OK, yes it is a bit more than magic and more like careful guidance and support rather than just a wave. And let me tell you though that he has done far beyond some serious heel clicking and much much more in the workouts and dedication to a program that undoubtedly yields the most significant results in the shortest time.  

Frank has achieved the following results in only six months.

• Released 130 pounds (33 percent of his body weight)
• Decreased 101.5 inches from his body
• Reduced Body Fat from 48 percent to 18 percent
• Has more energy than ever and can truly enjoy and appreciate some of the most simple things in life on a daily basis such as: getting up off the floor; sitting comfortably in a car or on a plane; hiking; biking; running (he's registered for the Honolulu Marathon, Dec. 9)

Yes, transformations are truly magical and inspiring. My nephew Frank has taken up the challenge to release himself from the self imposed chains of poor choices which led him astray and now feels better than he has ever felt in his life.  

I wish it only takes waving of the magic wand, but anything that's worth it in life does not come easy.  

For me, it's truly more rewarding to bring out the magic in the person who desires and decides to get hold of themselves, do whatever it takes and achieve what I know they can.

Valerie Pawlowski, ACSM, ACE

Medical Exercise Specialist

Licensed Nutrition Manager

A GREAT day is just beginning ... EVERYDAY!