A Weighty Issue

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My desire to lose weight is a really big part of my life right now, but it’s also been something I’ve felt reluctant to blog about. There are so many negative connotations to being a woman striving to lose a few pounds these days. You can be accused of:

• Losing weight just because you want to attract men.
• Trying to conform to media stereotypes.
• Being shallow and placing too much value in looks alone., because obviously the only reason anyone wants to lose weight is because of how they look (and apparently this is a very bad thing).
• Trying to be something you’re not, not being proud of your shape, etc.
• Having low self-esteem.

Etc…

Personally, if trolls want to accuse me of any of the above, the can, however since my weight loss endeavours will probably creep into the blog a little here and there, I wanted to share my real reasons for wanting to shed some excess pounds. Also I wouldn’t want any of my readers to think that I believe everyone should be thin. I think peoples’ bodies are their own to do what they wish with however my advice to others if they asked for it would always be to strive to be as healthy as you can, whatever body shape and size that happens to come with.

I intend to lose around 30lbs. Two years ago, I was at my healthiest weight. Since then I’ve been working 9 – 5 and studying in the evenings so I’ve basically spent 24 months sitting at various desks. Boredom-snacking became the norm, so whilst I was still eating healthy, nutritious meals, the amount of sweets, chocolate, cakes and other comfort foods I consumed between meals increased massively, as did my waistline measurements! It piled on gradually, so as is so often the case, I didn’t really think about it much until one day I pulled out a pair of jeans I hadn’t worn in a while and couldn’t get them past my thighs.

I hope that losing this weight will:

• Increase my stamina – with my reduced lung capacity, every extra pound means my breathing muscles have to work much harder, and I get out of breath more quickly.
• Increase my vitality – I feel sluggish and tired a lot at the moment, and I’m sure it’s in part to do with my weight and health in general.
• Have a psychological effect – In feeling better I hope I won’t “need” to comfort-eat as much!
• Save me from having to buy a whole new wardrobe!

Of course, I am looking forward to looking more svelte too, but it’s not my primary concern and my healthy weight by no means meets the fashion magazine idea of “thin” anyway. If I lose too much weight I get really “knobbly” knees, and since I consider my legs my best feature, I don’t want to get to that stage!

For those that may be interested, here’s what I’m doing in my attempt to “battle the bulge”:

• Exercising portion control in my meals, and eating more slowly to allow myself time to digest instead of wolfing down a second helping then feeling over-full.
• Eating fewer processed carbohydrates by only buying wholemeal bread, avoiding sweets, etc. and snacking on fruit and veg, seeds, etc. rather than cheese on toast and Doritos!
• Never skipping breakfast.
• Drinking the low calorie alcoholic options such as white wine, vodka tonics, etc. rather than beer or sickly-sweet cocktails (except as an occasional treat).
• Drinking loads of water.
• Trying to walk more, when possible (i.e. when not under time constraints).
• Accepting any invitation to go out dancing that I can get!
• Sitting on a gym ball whilst watching TV (I haven’t actually done this yet, but I will do once I can find the pump for the ball!)

As you can probably tell, I’m not the gym-bunny type, though as my energy levels start to rise I’ll probably increase my exercise too.

I’m losing weight because I think it will improve my well-being. It’s for me, not for anyone else, and I really feel the need to emphasise this as I wouldn’t want anyone to get the impression that I was perpetuating any kind of thin = pretty = superior agenda. I simply know what size and weight I’m comfortable and healthy at, and it’s that health and comfort-level I’m trying to get back. If I felt healthier at the weight I’m at, I’d stick to it.