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| 1980 Freshman in High School vs Sept 2014 |
What if believed I could not be leaner than in High School?
I'm fresh off my 30th High School Reunion.
One of the best things about major transformation is choosing what is right for myself. What feels best. When I reach "I feel better" or "I feel like myself" then I know I'm on the right path.
The commonly held messaging by weight loss groups, internet personalities, etc might have had me thinking, "I will never be the weight I was in High School".
I was obese in elementary school, and also in High School . In a world that hated mightily on the obese. (the world still hates, but I was largely (pun!) alone in being obese in the 70's)
It's a good thing that I set my own course and did not have a limiting belief on my body composition post 40 years of yo-yo dieting and obesity.
I left it open to see what would happen. I got to "I feel better" rather than what popular opinion told me I should believe.
What's working now:
1. Eating a low inflammatory (yes Paleo-ish ) food template.
2. Addressing what I believe to be a life long food addiction by abstaining from grains and sugar
3. Getting support from others who understand I need to abstain rather than moderate
4. THINKING for myself and then telling others how I feel.
What did not work in the past:
1. Moderating low Weight Watchers points bars, Skinny Cow ice cream because Weight Watchers told me I should and could eat within my "points" range and be successful.
2. Ignoring the fact that when I didn't eat sugar, I felt better after learning that as a teen and ignoring my shrink when she told me "I think you are allergic to wheat and sugar- stay off!"
4. Trying to seek weight or binge support in groups that are H*ll bent on moderation. (good for you if you can moderate- but I need to abstain. Okay to do what works.)
5. Not thinking for myself and then telling others what I needed.
Here's to falling forward into your own "I feel better" and independent thinking and n=1. Not always popular, but feeling well is worth it. I'm much leaner and better health wise now than in 1980. Glad I don't follow popular thoughts when they don't match with my reality.
Any of my readers leaner now than in school?
Great job! I know I have said this before, but I really like that you continuously show that you have to re-evaluate what works now and what didn't work in the past. I think it's a crucial part of weight maintenance, and one that many don't do consistently...
ReplyDeleteI was underweight in high school and had a borderline eating disorder, so I'm not leaner than in high school, but I am leaner than I was in my 30s! :)
Andrea, thanks for sharing your story. It's interesting how we change through out our lives. Glad you are in a good place now. :)
DeleteYou are looking great Karen, eating and living wisely and passing on your inspiration and success to others. Sharing our experiences, passing on our thoughts .....what worked, what didn't is a help to all.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
thank you, Jan. :)
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