As the New Year is quickly approaching, and people are sharing their New Year’s resolutions via social media, among friends, and other various networks, losing weight is one of the more popular goals that people set to achieve. Admittedly, I was one.
“It’s winter time, and I feel heavier than normal.”
“There is always weight to lose.”
“I can always be thinner.”
These are all thoughts that run through my head; all of which I have to ignore or fight against.
It doesn’t help that every time I turn on the television or open a magazine while in line at the grocery store, all I see are segments or articles titled, “How to Lose Weight in 2017,” “Tips on how to lose weight in the New Year,” and, even, “No-Diet Way to Lose Weight Quickly.” We are enticed by these fads as they proclaim immediate success.
But, why does the focus of every New Year’s have to be “losing weight?” What media doesn’t convey is that in order to ultimately lose weight there are many things that need to happen to see a result; not just one. For instance, incorporating exercise into one’s daily routine is very helpful, but isn’t the only answer. Though exercise can contribute to weight loss, there are many other health benefits of exercise that should motivate us to be active. Exercise prevents diseases, improves our stamina, strengthens us, and improves our quality of life. For the purpose of living a “healthier” life, exercise should be a priority and is a great New Year’s resolution.
Starting a diet or a “cleanse” can, also, be helpful in an attempt to lose weight. However, it is not a long-term fix. Eventually, it becomes very unfeasible to sustain this type of lifestyle for a lengthy period of time. And once you restrict yourself from foods, eliminate major food groups from your diet, or cut out an unhealthy amount of calories, it can end up backfiring. I did this. I cut calories, eliminated fat from my diet, and deprived myself of my favorite foods: pizza, desserts, and anything else I deemed unhealthy. I lost weight. I got thin. I was able to buy smaller clothes. But, I was not happy, nor was I healthy. And, to top it off, once I started eating again, I binged. I couldn’t stop. I salivated and craved large quantities of the foods I had given up for so long.
Some healthier goals to set instead of going on a “diet” would be: to eat in moderation and make overall healthier food choices. This does not mean restricting or depriving yourself. It simply means to be cognizant of what you are eating, do not overeat, and create a new type of lifestyle that makes you feel healthier. Over time, weight loss should occur. It’s imperative that we set ourselves up for success rather than failure. Therefore, we need to set realistic and practical.
Ultimately, if you are looking to make a New Year’s resolution for 2017, your focus should be on working to become a healthier and happier person. Whether it’s adding exercise, eating in moderation, or other practices, you should be making long lasting, lifestyle changes. Make sure to get help from a professional if necessary so you don’t fall into an unhealthy disorder, like I did. I learned my lesson the hard way thirteen years ago; and, I hope that my story of developing anorexia nervosa in an attempt to lose a little weight and get in better shape raises enough awareness to prevent it from happening to someone else.
It wasn’t a “New Year’s” resolution, but it was a summer resolution. I was determined to lose weight and get in shape. Well, unbeknownst to me, I had a predisposition to develop an eating disorder if triggered by certain behaviors or influences. My simple goal of slimming down and getting fit led to a full-blown eating disorder. I attempted to accomplish my goals without consulting a professional who would have been able to provide me with a proper plan to reach my goal in a healthy manner. Instead, I quickly saw results from my regimen, and became motivated to keep going…and going…and going.
For 2017, my New Year’s resolution for is to focus on the benefits and reasons to exercise: for my overall physical and mental health. My goal is not to correlate the amount of exercise I endured with how much food I can eat or have eaten. This, in turn, will hopefully help manage exercise in my life so it doesn’t become a sick obsession; and, so I am more balanced. In addition, I hope to continue growing Kick The Scale, and influencing and helping as many people I am able to reach.