Food doesn't take as good as skinny feels. -Kate Moss
I've been telling myself this for the past few weeks. Whenever I feel like I'm about to indulge on a cupcake (or leftover Chinese take-out) past 11pm, I repeat the words, "Food doesn't taste as good as skinny feels." I say it two or three times and it tends to keep me from indulging.
For some time now my physical image has been a constant, active concern in my mind. Ever since I took on that job in retail a few months ago I realized how much my image truly mattered. Hence why I quit the job. Among other things, I couldn't stand the pressure of being systematically judged for how I looked... especially being constantly aware of it. Sure, I've always been decently dressed.
The problem has been the body that puts itself in the clothes bought.
When I was in middle school and early on in high school my clothes ran from medium to large. After some time, I lost weight and realized that clothes running in small sizes were a better fit. I went from ~167 lbs. when I was in middle school and got to my lowest weight of ~135 lbs. just due to puberty kicking in. Clothes became more flattering, I was given a greater range of choices in clothes, and I gained more confidence. However, now that my metabolism is starting to slow down and physical education/workouts are no longer mandated, as they were throughout elementary and high school, I have become more conscious of my body image. I've started to gain back the weight. I can no longer eat an order of 10-piece chicken McNuggets, two Big Macs, large fries, and a large sweet tea everyday after school. My metabolism can longer process it all as quickly as it used to.
Realistically, I've reached the peak of my metabolism and now keeping off the weight will depend on my choices, not the automated, inner workings of my body.
I've taken on another retail job, which I will be starting at next week. (Don't worry, I left my food service job on good terms.) I will be the first batch of employees hired as it is a new store opening in the city. Surprisingly, it's a job I never thought I could attain, not even get an interview for. I sent in an application just for the heck of it one night. Surprisingly, they called me for an interview, and after two interviews, I was hired. Now, my greatest concern is being prepared for the job. Yes, they will train me on proper protocol, the brand/company's history, the lingo, etc. Meanwhile, I will personally have to take into my own hands the state of my body: clearing up my acne (as much as I can under my control) and getting my body in a much fitter shape.
Either a) I keep denying the fact that I will have to start wearing clothes running in sizes medium/large if I don't take action, b) lose the weight, or c) stay on the path I'm on and just choose clothing in sizes larger than a small. I choose the second option. I will lose the weight.
So where do I go on from here?
Realistically, I've reached the peak of my metabolism and now keeping off the weight will depend on my choices, not the automated, inner workings of my body.
I've taken on another retail job, which I will be starting at next week. (Don't worry, I left my food service job on good terms.) I will be the first batch of employees hired as it is a new store opening in the city. Surprisingly, it's a job I never thought I could attain, not even get an interview for. I sent in an application just for the heck of it one night. Surprisingly, they called me for an interview, and after two interviews, I was hired. Now, my greatest concern is being prepared for the job. Yes, they will train me on proper protocol, the brand/company's history, the lingo, etc. Meanwhile, I will personally have to take into my own hands the state of my body: clearing up my acne (as much as I can under my control) and getting my body in a much fitter shape.
Either a) I keep denying the fact that I will have to start wearing clothes running in sizes medium/large if I don't take action, b) lose the weight, or c) stay on the path I'm on and just choose clothing in sizes larger than a small. I choose the second option. I will lose the weight.
So where do I go on from here?
OK K.C., listen carefully. Yes the metabolism does slow down more in your 20's and you will put on fat if you keep eating like a teenager. Weight control is really very simple; if you take in more calories every day than you burn up it will go on your waist so you will survive in case of famine (blame it on our caveman genes). Ever look at guys in third world countries who work hard and look slim and healthy on two meals a day? The small intestine is nearly 20ft long and does a very good job of extracting the last little bit of nutrition out of food. Here in North America we just grossly over-eat and on top of that 1/3 of people get no exercise at all. Some suggestions;
ReplyDelete- Always have breakfast, a light lunch, and a decent supper, and don't snack in between. Never eat until your stomach feels too full and have a glass of water with each meal so you feel fuller sooner.
-Pay attention to WHAT is in the food you are eating; avoid fat, white flour, sugar and excessive salt (and alcohol). Go for high fiber food which is much better for your digestive tract, has fewer calories, more nutrition, and makes you feel fuller sooner.
-Eat regular farm food not packaged processed junk full of artificial flavors and preservatives.
-Generally speaking fast food is poison but the occasional indulgence won't hurt.
-For breakfast I usually have high fiber cereal with 2% milk, orange juice, a banana, and coffee; quick and easy and you won't be starving mid-morning.
-Set aside the time to prepare and eat proper farm food.
-Set aside the time for exercise every day; resistance or aerobic. Even a half hour jogging every day helps to raise the metabolism. Huge benefit to the body circulation.
-The idea is not necessarily to lose weight but to lose fat and gain muscle, and that is about lifestyle not a quick overnight fix. Your weight should not be bouncing up and down 10 or 20 lbs each year but keep fairly steady. Your weight will vary around 3 lbs a day depending on water retention. If you are trending heavier with more fat as the months go by then it is simply a matter of reducing calorie intake and changing WHAT you are eating, and combine that with regular exercise like jogging or vigorous biking. Make this a lifetime lifestyle and you won't regret it, and the health benefits are enormous. I just went water-skiing today at the age of 61; my brother just died of a heart attack at age 60 from years of cigarette smoking, no exercise and poor diet (in spite of my pleas over the years). The choice is yours. It is not about clothes but lifestyle. bfn - Wayne :)
hi KC, i really dont know what to say. but the truth, i have kept myself in a way I did. it's the choice of food, not the amount of food you take. and do more activities that would keep you fit and feel better. Mind set.
ReplyDeletetell you this, the mere fact that they hired you, simply means what they see in you, physically and mentally is for sure beautiful...
so keep it up! but i admire your desire to be looking good as it really add to self-esteem.. Carry on...
JJRod'z
It's really all about eating.
ReplyDeleteExercise is good for the heart and the mind, but the way the human body is built simply does not, in the long run, allow for a workable ratio of calories burned :: calories you will realistically take in. You can exercise all day and then gain back all the calories (and then some) simply by eating supper.
Plus, exercise stimulates your craving for food:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1914974,00.html
There are a lot of "healthy foods" that are in reality very fattening, too:
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/13-healthy-foods-that-will-make-you-fat-2510096#photoViewer=1
It takes a lot of effort to sort through nutrition labels and figure out what's good to eat. Vegetables/fruits are almost always a winning bet, as are rice, tofu, and some noodles. There are also a lot of counter-intuitive food choices that can help weight loss, such as eating a hearty breakfast (bacon/eggs/toast) in order to bolster your metabolism and prevent snack cravings.
Kenny!
ReplyDeleteI thought you were rather slim when we last hung out.
Maybe this is all in your head?
Go on and diet if you want but I'm still eating Chicken McNuggets!
-Dean