Yeah, honestly, there can be a lot of different factors at play in weight and weight loss. Some people overstate those complicating factors, though. My ex used to constantly complain that his blood sugar was low and he just had to eat something while I was dieting; I kept telling him he needed to talk to his doctor if he's really having blood sugar problems and when he finally did, the doctor found no problems with his blood sugar. But he kept saying it was too low and he needed to eat something right then and there.
And he wasn't alone. I've seen quite a few people who absolutely insist they can't lose weight no matter how much they cut back their eating. But when you look at their instagram or facebook or twitter, they're constantly posting about this restaurant or this big dinner or this desert they're cooking. Another girl who insisted that there was absolutely no way she could lose weight by reducing her eating got upset with me when I told her that this kind of eating grossed me out. Negative mental states can play just as big a role as positive mental states.
For me, I'm finding that, again, grazing is what makes it difficult. Anyone can say "I'm just going to have a small salad for dinner tonight." That part is easy. The trick is, after dinner, when you're craving a little peanut butter jelly sandwich or some cheese and crackers or even just a few grapes, it's hard to maintain that kind of self control and focus. Focusing on eating light three separate times a day? Focusing continuously for days, weeks or even months? That's a bit harder. Part of why it's so easy to gain weight back after losing it is because it's hard to maintain that focus, consistently, over a long period of time.
And, yeah, I gained a lot of weight when my living situation changed drastically. I went from being homeless, having to walk almost everywhere I went and having very little food, to a situation where I had a fairly reliable car and plenty of food. It can be difficult to realize how your mindset needs to change when your living situation changes. I was burning a lot less calories but I was still in a mindset of eating as much as I could whenever I could. I think one of the things I've had to do is change that mindset.
Fat phobia exists, sure, but there's a difference between legitimate fat phobia and health concerns and some people don't understand the difference between the two. No, fat people don't deserve to be mocked or harassed or ridiculed for being fat. But that doesn't mean there aren't health concerns to obesity. Yes, there are health conditions that make weight loss difficult, but it's not impossible and doctors can help you deal with those conditions if you work with them on it. If you have the right mindset, you'll find a way to deal with the physical.
And he wasn't alone. I've seen quite a few people who absolutely insist they can't lose weight no matter how much they cut back their eating. But when you look at their instagram or facebook or twitter, they're constantly posting about this restaurant or this big dinner or this desert they're cooking. Another girl who insisted that there was absolutely no way she could lose weight by reducing her eating got upset with me when I told her that this kind of eating grossed me out. Negative mental states can play just as big a role as positive mental states.
For me, I'm finding that, again, grazing is what makes it difficult. Anyone can say "I'm just going to have a small salad for dinner tonight." That part is easy. The trick is, after dinner, when you're craving a little peanut butter jelly sandwich or some cheese and crackers or even just a few grapes, it's hard to maintain that kind of self control and focus. Focusing on eating light three separate times a day? Focusing continuously for days, weeks or even months? That's a bit harder. Part of why it's so easy to gain weight back after losing it is because it's hard to maintain that focus, consistently, over a long period of time.
And, yeah, I gained a lot of weight when my living situation changed drastically. I went from being homeless, having to walk almost everywhere I went and having very little food, to a situation where I had a fairly reliable car and plenty of food. It can be difficult to realize how your mindset needs to change when your living situation changes. I was burning a lot less calories but I was still in a mindset of eating as much as I could whenever I could. I think one of the things I've had to do is change that mindset.
Fat phobia exists, sure, but there's a difference between legitimate fat phobia and health concerns and some people don't understand the difference between the two. No, fat people don't deserve to be mocked or harassed or ridiculed for being fat. But that doesn't mean there aren't health concerns to obesity. Yes, there are health conditions that make weight loss difficult, but it's not impossible and doctors can help you deal with those conditions if you work with them on it. If you have the right mindset, you'll find a way to deal with the physical.
I live on facebook. Come see me there. http://www.facebook.com/tara.rizzatto
"If you cling to something as the absolute truth and you are caught in it, when the truth comes in person to knock on your door you will refuse to let it in." ~ Siddhartha Gautama
"If you cling to something as the absolute truth and you are caught in it, when the truth comes in person to knock on your door you will refuse to let it in." ~ Siddhartha Gautama