There are some fine, fine bloggers out there in the weight loss world and I have great admiration for them. There are a few blogs I read every day, others that I read from time to time. Here's what they all have in common: they are honest and true to themselves and they walk the talk.
However, I find that in most cases, I just can't connect with what I'm reading.
Most weight loss bloggers are coming from a completely different world from mine. Their world was populated in the past with gallons of ice cream, Big Mac attacks, mounds of doughnuts, economy packs of Hershey's kisses, litres of Coke for breakfast. Then these valiant people started turning their lives around. They discovered oatmeal, whole-grain bread, grilled chicken, luscious asparagus, cherries fresh from the tree. They discovered real, unprocessed foods, dusted off their bikes, parked the car at the farthest end of the mall, went for a walk every day...
...and miracles started happening. They felt better, their blood pressure went down to normal, the weight started dropping away.
I am incredibly happy for these people. They have realized that the so-called "obesity epidemic" in North America is actually an epidemic of not eating real food and not moving. In a sense, our society doesn't need to tax or ban junk food. We need to ignore it.
But I digress (what's new?)...
I have yet to find, however, many people like me. I'm talking about people who don't and never have lived on junk food; people who grew up knowing and appreciating the value of real food; people who have the same obstacles and sadness in their lives as everyone else but have never felt the need to drown them in a couple of iced, mocha-choco-ccinos with a big cinnamon bun (or three) on the side; people who wouldn't know a binge if it bit them on behind.
People who eat good food, but obviously just a wee bit too much for their bodies. People who are near and dear to my heart who take a least a 1/2 hour walk every day, who almost never eat sugary desserts, who care about the quality of the food they eat...and who still, year after year, gain a couple of pounds and are starting to look rolly-polly.
It seems like it's almost easier for people who have to radically turn their lives around than for those of us whose "missteps" aren't even worthy of the name.
Weird, isn't it?
When Your “Friend” Is Your Worst Enemy
8 hours ago
Very interesting post, very true. I can see where it is definitely a different perspective---But ultimately we're aiming for the same goals---to eat good, within reason---and move more...Certainly a different past---but eventually a very similar future.
ReplyDeleteYes---my non-weighted routine in the mornings---that you asked about:
Squats with a chair---I stand straight up and sit down, then up, and down over and over... at least 60 times in sets of 20.
sit-ups and pushups---as best I can do them... I can do the sit-ups pretty well---the push-ups...oh my, very hard to do...I end up doing a VERY modified version. My arms are weak---always have been. But they're getting stronger!!
My best always,
Sean
Another great post... I was inspired in a rant of my own [which will likely never see the light of day, although I might post it to my blog just to solicit a lil' moral support] when one of my riding buddies "thoughtfully" mailed me ANOTHER inspirational article about some Biggest Loser contestant who lost 130+ lbs as you said: by cutting out the binges on crap, & "only" 6 - 8 hrs/day of exercise!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm the first to admit that I have made many MANY poor nutritional choices over the years, but for the most part I ain't that bad.
Yet, without my thyroid, my metabolism is a razor-sharp model of efficiency, hoarding every calorie...
My dad is a mostly healthy eater, been trying to lose 10 - 20 extra pounds for the last 60 years. I think his food is fine, he eats too much. This is a strange concept that he doesn't really understand, and I'm not going to piss him off by pushing the issue. He exercises as much as he can with his back nerves, spongy feet, etc. And the most frustrating thing is my mom eats burgers, cookies, ice cream, whatever she wants, exercises a bunch, doesn't gain weight.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine him writing a blog, though, what would he have to say? Weight is not his be-all end-all, and he has no useful advice for anyone. He reads physics mags, news, no weight loss stuff. Maybe I should aspire to that a bit more, maybe I'd feel saner.
I've been feeling the same way lately. I put on my weight when I quit smoking back in 2003 (40lbs). I've never been one to eat a whole carton of ice cream or more than three pieces of pizza or maybe a second small piece of cake. I grew up eating brown bread and vegetables and fruit and lean meats. So no, I can't really relate to the emotions/eating disorders so many write about in their blogs.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a year to peel off 17 lbs. These megalosers (I hope that's not a nasty name) make me happy for them but I wonder why it's so hard for me to shift that half pound (or less) per week. I'm really only worried about getting rid of 10 more pounds but it seems to be disproprotionately slow to come off. So be it, I'm not done yet.
Well I'm not going to go down a rat hole on it, I'm just going to get out do stuff and eat well (not excessively) and be happy that I'm strong, capable and not half bad looking for a grandmother.
Barb