As we move into Spring (at least in theory -- never mind the fact that we are expected to get several inches of snow this week), our thoughts turn to visions of summer frolics. From there we are reminded that such frolics often involve skimpy summer clothing, and then we recall with chagrin our indulgences on holiday treats, accompanied by a side of promises to get in shape by the time the shorts and tank tops come out. Like most people in this country, I've had my share of weight struggles. Thankfully, I've gotten the upper hand on the fight for now, but like any wily opponent, you can never really turn your back on weight gain once it has you in its scopes. Constant vigilence is required, and just when you think you've gotten comfortable with your routine, you find it sneaking up on you from an unexpected corner, or sometimes even waltzing down a well-worn pathway you've neglected to guard because you've grown too complacent.
I was Inspired by my friend's brother, who decided to blog his weight loss efforts at Triple Extra Large. I probably won't write regularly on this subject (well to be honest, do I actually write regularly about anything on this thing?), but I thought I'd muse a bit on my own efforts. Over the course of about a year and a half, I was successful in losing around 35 lbs, and I've kept it off for over two years now.
Those who are looking at losing 50 or 100 or more pounds may not think my situation was that big a deal, and I certainly don't want to make it sound like my problem was as grave or my success was as heroic as those who have lost more. I hadn't developed any serious health issues (though I'm sure the extra weight wasn't helping my knee problems), and I wasn't what they call "morbidly obese" (what a depressing term!), but it was definitely affecting my attitude and my quality of life. And no matter whether you are 20 lbs overweight or 200, it's not easy to lose it, certainly not for good. It may be small in the grand scheme of things, but for me, this achievement was huge.
Here's the basic background: I was a skinny child growing up. Although I had other issues fitting in at school, etc., I wasn't anxious about my weight and had pretty positive body image. I could (and did) eat whatever I wanted. Luckily, I was always active and my parents cooked healthy food and taught me pretty good eating habits, so my weight stayed at healthy levels as long as I lived at home.
Problems first began to surface during my senior year of college. I was working on my senior thesis and dealing with the accompanying stress. One of my favorite procrastination techniques was to dawdle in the dining hall, extending meals (especially dinner) much longer than necessary. Things got exponentially worse when I went to grad school a few years later. I was under tremendous stress dealing with a near full-time job that had a high learning curve on top of being a full-time graduate student. By time I finished two years later, I was at least 25 lbs overweight. This was despite having added regular trips to the gym into my routine and being much more careful about what I ate.
Despite the changes I was making, I continued to slowly gain weight over the next 8 to 10 years. I believe I topped out around 180 (and I am only about 5'2"), but I don't actually know, because after I passed 165, I stopped weighing myself. I told myself it was no use. I wasn't interested in pills, fad diets. I didn't think there was much more I could realistically do. I was frustrated. I was depressed.
Check back next week for part 2.
Posted by ldfs at April 9, 2007 1:11 PM | TrackBack