The other day my plus one and I got into a conversation about “our thing.” I casually asked him what he thought my thing was and he said that is was “snacking and working out.” (So true, by the way.) I immediately thought to defend myself as this topic directly relates to my life-long weight struggle and he quickly pointed out that those things don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
You can love eating and working out. You can enjoy these things at leisure or with a fiery intensity. I don’t have to fit the ideal image of a fitness enthusiast to prove that it is something I love.
In the epic struggle that is weight loss I often revert back to a thought that lingers in the depths of my consciousness. Maybe this is my body’s healthy weight? Sure I don’t have abs, and to most people I probably do look a little hefty, but if my body is healthy, I am able to do what I love and eat what I like, should I not just embrace it?
My thoughts on weight loss are constant. I feel like I am fighting an internal battle 24/7. I’m too hard on myself in regards to this, I just know it. But when I see other people succeed, or never deal with their weight at all, I can’t help but want to try a little harder. I think society as a whole places a lot of pressure on us to fit a certain ideal. Whether you are reading about bloggers who work out for a living or view images of stick thin celebrities who are encouraged to be thin, it is messaging that is difficult to escape.
I’m not sure I will ever find a real balance between being healthy and wanting to lose weight. In my mind these things are correlated no matter how hard I try to separate them. But I will keep trucking along because what I am doing works. It keep she healthy and happy and I suppose that’s all that matters at the end of the day.
Question: Would you rather lose all the excess weight you’ve been struggling with or keep the weight but have perfect health?
P.S. Check back on Monday for a super sweet giveaway from yours truly!
Your question is a poignant one. A ‘catch 22′ question. Personally, I believe it would be wonderful if ONLY I could maintain good health while carrying the extra weight. When you are in your 20′s, that is much easier to do. However, I have learned the hard way, that aging (under the best of circumstances) is difficult, and having shlepping around the extra weight has affected my health and well being.
In a perfect world, I would LOVE to be able to ‘have my ‘cake’ (lots and lots and lots and lots) and ‘eat it too!”
As you have known for a long time, CAKE is my “thing”!
Signed,
Your one and only Smutha Mutha
Amazing post, my dear. I don’t think the choice is determining whether or not you’d like to lose weight or whether or not you’d like to be healthy without losing weight, what matters most, in my opinion, is that it these feelings don’t impede on the rest of life–the parts that don’t involve calories. I recently blogged about nutrition from a very critical point. I think when we realize how constructed this mindset is, it allows for room for even healthier approaches which require less analytical thought and more ease. This is not to say that I don’t understand it’s a process, nor that I no longer value being healthy and/or feeling confident in my size, just… food for thought.
By the way, you should be SO proud of yourself. You look great, and more importantly, seem happy
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Hello from America! Thank you for your comment. You raise A LOT of good points. I read your post on nutrition and found it fascinating. I hope you are well over there! You seem to be having the time of your life!
Just never lose sight of how beautiful you are, inside and out! And remember that you inspire so many people. It is easy to feel bad when we set a goal and don’t meet it. I’m very guilty of putting a lot of pressure on myself too. But in times of doubt, sit back and think of all the things you have accomplished/are accomplishing that many people are still striving to achieve. Love ya
Thank you B!! I think we are a lot alike in that we put to much pressure on ourselves. Love you too!
I think you are right, society does put a lot of pressure on us to be a certain way and look a certain way. I think finding that balance is kind of just coming to terms with what matters more, living life or being plagued by thoughts of change. If that makes sense… Great post per usual lady.
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That is really a tough balance to strike. I think it is important to be happy, healthy, and enjoying life and not worried about every extra pound. Ps I’m a huge fan of your headband!
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