Exercise and Fitness Forum

Why I go to ObesityHelp Conventions (How to stalk Monica Ganz without really trying)

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by Earl R. Curry

?Monica?s going to be there!? my Ex said, trying to make me understand why we just ?had? to go on the ObesityHelp Cruise/Convention last September.

I scratched my barren skull and replied, ?Monica?who??

Well, since then, I?ve been to several of the ObesityHelp Conventions. I?ve been on the ObesityHelp Cruise/Convention that went to Jamaica and Cozumel. It was last September. (It was right in between Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, so it was just meant to be.) I?ve been to the ObesityHelp Convention in the not quite as exotic Cincinnati. I was also in Pittsburgh this past spring for the ObesityHelp Convention. (What happens in Pittsburgh stays in Pittsburgh.) And at every convention?there she is?Monica Ganz.

She?s at every lecture and every meeting. She?s in the lobby and at the social dances. She?s posing for pictures in the hall and eating lunch at my table. She?s holding raffles and handing out awards. She?s sunning on the deck of the cruise ship and shooting craps in the casino (didn?t actually see that one but it sounds like fun). She gave me a little plastic baby spoon for goodness sake. A Plastic Baby Spoon!!! (Long story. Ask Monica for a spoon at the next convention.)

Either she?s stalking me or I?m stalking her. I haven?t figured out which scenario is more frightening. But I?m sure when I do, I?m in trouble.

There are a couple of speakers I always like to listen to at the ObesityHelp conventions. Monica is one. She usually has a very motivational, common sense, "no bull" type of approach to things that I like. She has more than one lecture, so I?ve never been to the same lecture twice with her.

Bo McCoy is an inspirational and motivating speaker that will always leave you laughing and having a good time.

Big Will, William C. Elijah, was a fantastic speaker in Pittsburgh and very entertaining.

Dr. Jacqueline Jacques probably knows more about supplements and vitamins than anyone I?ve ever meet. Her lectures are always very educational and informative. I?ve been to 2 or 3 different lectures of hers and always walk away with something new. She won?t just tell you how, she?ll tell you why. Bring a pen and paper; you?ll want to take notes.

There are always a lot of things going on at the same time, so you have to make choices. Like, do I get some sleep or dance the night away? Speaking of dancing, not that I?m complaining, but we need more women dancing at the socials. I mean, Bo?s good at shaking that booty, but he?s just not the same since he got married and had a baby.

Monica runs these conventions along with the help of many of the ObesityHelp staff, such as my fellow Men?s Club members (What happens in Pittsburgh stays in Pittsburgh.), Bo McCoy and Kirk Thompson. It takes a lot of people and a lot of work to make one of these conventions successful. But it?s the ObesityHelp members, like you, who attend the conventions that make or break the event. Learning, sharing, talking, dancing, eating (yes you can eat there), drinking and having fun, while making new friends and catching up with old friends. I?ve never failed to walk away better educated, motivated, inspired and happy I had came.