Something I had to overcome in order to start being successful in my weight loss “journey” (I use this term a lot, however I mean it more in an emotional/self-discovery sense than the physical meaning…I’ll tap more into that another time) was the number on the scale. I avoided the scale for about two years prior to the beginning of this summer. Every time I stepped on in the past I was disappointed and afraid. The number was growing, and instead of owning it I was terrified of it. I feared stepping on the scale and seeing it again, so I just avoided it. I would pretend it wasn’t there and continue with life.
Now I’ve never been an over-eater, but I haven’t really been a conscious eater until recently. Most of the time I would eat what was cheap and on budget, or what my friends & family were eating. I’ve tried dieting in the past, but that restriction and inability to have something doesn’t settle well in my mind. I truly and fully believe in moderation. Not because I can’t give up all the unhealthy foods (Ok, I really can’t, Mmm chocolate!), but because I believe in choice. While I respect everyone’s decision in how they want to pursue weight loss or healthier living, I feel that I can accomplish the same goals over a longer period of time and with less anxiety. Diets such as the whole thirty teach you a lot about what you put in your body and how it affects you. High protein diets teach how to use and store energy. Low sugar diets help the body cleanse itself. But all of these diets are restrictive in a sense, and most offer short term weight loss. For those who have dieted before short term weight loss normally means: “Oh my God, I dropped ten pounds I feel great! I can eat a little more of what I want as long as I don’t go overboard...” Ten pounds later we are back to square one. One thing I’ve noticed with conscious eating is that while I have plateaued over the past couple of weeks (working at summer camp, catching up with friends, less time for hiking) I have maintained my weight loss. My activity has decreased, but because I’m aware of what I’m eating I understand my limits and I know what my body needs. I’ve learned I don’t feel good after I eat Chinese takeout, I bloat when I drink a soda, Alfredo sauce makes me feel a “bad” full fast, water helps me feel lighter, a big piece of cake will stick with my longer than I want, etc. My body is letting me know when I reach my limits, all I’m doing differently is listening & adjusting.
Since I know that I have been eating in moderation and I’ve maintained my weight that number on the scale isn’t so bad. I’m not ready to share it with the world, but I’m not afraid of it. It won’t be staying around long anyway. It’s time to incorporate harder cardio into my daily routine outside of walking Tiki, and find that balance again. This isn’t just about losing weight, but about gaining confidence and a better understanding of my body.
So as the old saying goes....everything is better in moderation.