I talk a lot about weight, because I am a fatty. But here’s what I want you to know, before I share this article and some discussion – I am not looking for a reason to be fat. I’m not trying to make excuses. Whether or not you’re fat or skinny – eating well and getting exercise are important and always will be.
What studies are finding out more and more frequently, is that our bodies are different in ways that do impact weight. I understand why doctors and the public view scorns the idea of genetics or metabolic issues when a fat person comes around, because chances are if most people watched what they ate and worked out, they’d lose weight.
But read this article about serotonin and weight loss. They make the point that genetics may play a larger role than we’re willing to admit.
I’d also like to make this point – someone who has spent a significant period of time not eating well and not working out have changed their bodies relationship with food. They have screwed up their metabolism, which screws up all sorts of bodily functions. When that person decides to start eating better and working out, they probably won’t get immediate results. Their body can’t change back as soon as their behaviors change. It takes the body time to readjust.
There’s been a lot of research about diets failing and a lot of people think they have an answer. I am not thinking about slim-fast as a diet. The changes I am making are permanent changes, not a diet. Even if I’m not on slim-fast forever, I will probably never eat any more calories than I am eating right now.
Sometimes it is depressing to me when I think of how much weight I’d like to lose, and how frequently I plateau and how little weight it seems I have lost. But the truth is – my weight has consistently been on a downward trend. I have ended the cycle of gaining weight. I think it’s important for each of us to create individual goals and re-evaluate them. I can’t compare my weight loss to Michael’s weight loss because he’s attempting to lose a quarter of the weight I am.
I talk a lot about what’s working for me now. I do this because what’s working for me now isn’t what worked for me in the past. Which makes sense since I’m in a different place emotionally and time-wise. Weight loss is such an individual thing, and I know having a community makes people more likely to succeed, but it’s important not to forget that it is an individual thing, that each of our bodies is different. My point is, depending on where you are, the time you have – you may have to approach your thinking about your body, calories and exercise differently in order to be successful with losing weight. It’s important not to get discouraged if one method isn’t working for you.
Oh, by the way – that reasoning applies to everything, not just weight. Unhappy? Change your approach to life.
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