Good Evening TXK
Remember last summer when I wrote in this very magazine that Sonic milkshakes were the best part of my summers? Boy, have things changed! This summer I’m (unfortunately) trying to lose weight… What a joy. I’m not just doing it for appearance’s sake; health matters too. But I’d be straight lying if I said appearance had nothing to do with it.
I know for a fact that I am not the only one who has been in the water with their shirt on, whether that be at the pool, the lake, even the ocean! However, there is a big difference, in my opinion, in just being a little boy wearing a swim shirt to keep from getting a sunburn and being a full-grown adult wearing a t-shirt because you don’t want others to see your body that exposes all your late-night fast-food drive-thru secrets.
Of course, perception is reality, but it seems to me that every single person around me can frequently binge, eating anything they want at any time of the day and not gain a SINGLE pound. This was torture while I sat freezing from my t-shirt being soaked and stuck to my body and dripping all over everything at the pizza-pool parties I went to as a kid. Everyone else seemed perfectly fine with everything hanging out as they swallowed three or four pieces of pizza before jumping back in. Pool parties always gave me the most heightened anxiety.
A common misconception is that only girls deal with self-image and body issues. While I have never felt extremely overweight, and by no means do I hate my body, if I’m being completely transparent, I definitely would not say I love my body either. I don’t have the self-discipline necessary to survive an hour gym session every night, but I certainly CAN enjoy at least six pieces of pizza in one sitting. See my problem?
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This summer, my only goal was to break that vicious cycle by putting down the chocolate milkshake in favor of being able to comfortably pull my shirt off at the lake. No, one milkshake a week will not make you gain five pounds, a fact I am eternally grateful for, but I think we make ourselves mentally sick convincing ourselves it must be all or nothing.
I’m not trying to restrict myself from the pleasures of life, but which pleasure is more worth it, the milkshake every night of the week or the swim party where you feel confident now that your extra pounds are gone? That is a question only you can answer for yourself, and if your answer is to keep those milkshakes coming, GOOD FOR YOU! Enjoy every single drop of them and feel no shame!
I want something different for myself now, and I am not sure what that is, but I am excited to be driving into a summer sunset where I know full well I am doing my best to focus on having the best health with self-confidence and an unshakeable self-esteem!
LOCAL EVENTS
July 3
Freedom Fest 2022
Fireworks and Free Hotdogs
First Baptist Church Redwater, 7 pm
July 4
Freedom Fest/Fireworks
T&P Trailhead Park, New Boston, 6 pm
July 8-10
Heat Check
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
First Baptist Church Texarkana
July 9
Universal Fire Block Party
301 E. 3rd Street, Texarkana, Arkansas, 7 pm-1 am
July 11-15, 18-22 & 25-29
Spartan Summer Camp
St. James Day School
July 13-16
Texarkana Open All Pro Tour
Texarkana Country Club, start times differ daily
July 16
Used Book Sale
Benefititng For the Sake of One
422 Hickory Street, Texarkana, Arkansas, 8-11 am
July 17
Cornhole Tournament
Presented by the Texarkana Home Builders Association in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Texarkana
Crossties Event Venue, 2:30 pm
July 21-22
Sculptarama with Kay Thomas
Texarkana Regional Arts & Humanities Council, times differ daily
July 23-24
R & K Gun and Knife Show
Four States Fair Grounds
July 23
Calvin Richardson Live
“One Night Only in AR”
Texarkana Arkansas Convention Center, 7 pm
July 29-30
BOSS Sprint Cars
67 Speedway, 6 pm
SATURDAYS IN JULY
Get Out and Play
Oaklawn Resort, 7-11 pm
For more events visit
LIVE BANDS
July 2
Stone Blue
67 Landing, 8:00 pm-midnight
July 2
KdB
The Hideout, 9:00 pm
July 8
Heather Linn and the Deacons
Whiskey River Country, 9:00 pm
July 15
Amie Bishop & The Slinger
Fat Jacks, 9:00 pm
July 29
Palmer Anthony
Whiskey River Country, 4:00 pm
