Beyond Size: Overcoming Judgments about Your Weight and Feeling Great After 40 – The struggles are not exclusive to those facing weight issues. Whether you are on the skinny side or heavier side, people will talk, make fun of you, bully you, and even judge you. The key is to know your own self-worth and stay strong in your own journey.
As I grew older, the realization dawned that societal, familial, and friend circles hold diverse opinions about what constitutes the “right” weight.
As someone who has long been the “skinny girl,” I’ve encountered my share of challenges and judgments.
The echoes of a school memory resurface—being told to “put that stick down” as I raised my hand. Family gatherings became arenas for comments about my weight, as if being skinny meant that you are unhealthy and diseased.
Even my grandmother, with the best intentions, would scold me, urging me to gain weight and eat more. I recall my mom always saying, “She lives off eating air.“ No matter whether I ate a lot or a little, it didn’t matter; the character was already built in other people’s eyes about my relationship with food.
Honestly, throughout my entire life, I found myself uncertain about what to include in my diet. I was never taught about how many calories I should be eating or even looking at my macros to make sure I was getting a balance of protein, carbs and fats. The Indian diet consisted mostly of carbs. I didn’t know any better and I wish someone taught me early on.
As a child into my 20s, I grew up on junk food mostly. Later, in my 30s, I started incorporating vegetables and healthier options so that my kids would learn to eat better than I did. I realized that I was so out of tune with my body when I started having health problems.
Believe it or not, I maintained a diet of just a little over 1000 calories for numerous years, under the impression that I was making healthy choices. However, a recent revelation has dawned upon me – I wasn’t as health-conscious, healthy, or even as strong as I believed, making all the voices of my family and friends even louder.
My commitment to my health journey intensified when individuals of my age group began grappling with health issues. Recognizing the need for proactive measures, I decided that I wanted to lead a life free from diseases as I aged. My ultimate goal is to be self-reliant in terms of my health, not depending on my kids or anyone else because I neglected to invest in my well-being.
Over the years, I sought guidance from various professionals, including a trainer, ayurvedic practitioner, homeopath, and nutritionist, all in an attempt to comprehend the ideal dietary choices for my body. Despite these efforts, nothing seemed to work. I faced ongoing struggles with digestive issues, menopause, geographic tongue, rosacea, acne, hormonal imbalances, fatigue and mood swings, which only seemed to worsen.
The persistent question in my mind became, “Where do I go from here?” Frustration led me to give up for a considerable period, convinced that the transformation into a stronger, leaner, and healthier version of myself was an unattainable dream.
However, a turning point occurred in the past year when I witnessed my brother’s remarkable transformation. He successfully shed from 220 lbs to 150 lbs in just over a year, conquering his own health challenges. Observing and absorbing his journey served as the catalyst for me to embark on my personal transformation using the same virtual coaching program.
Having completed the initial phase of my health journey, a dedicated six-month commitment, I am thrilled to share my progress. The numbers speak for themselves – a remarkable shift from 114 lbs to 97 lbs. The euphoria of this achievement is beyond words; I genuinely feel better than I have in the last 47 years.
The positive changes are not merely reflected in the numbers on the scale; rather, they are a testament to the profound rewiring my body has undergone. Gone are the days of mood swings and menopause. My hormonal have been restored, evidenced by impeccable lab results, my skin is clear, and an unprecedented surge of energy courses through me. The once perplexing question of what to eat has been replaced with the simplicity of balanced meals and a consistent exercise routine.
Yet, amidst this personal triumph, an unexpected challenge persists. Strikingly, certain elders, friends, and family members continue to offer unsolicited opinions that transcend mere commentary on weight.
This serves as a stark reminder that societal perceptions of our bodies reach far beyond the numerical value on a scale. It underscores the undeniable truth that there is no universally accepted standard for the “right” body. The authentic measure of significance lies in what we feel within ourselves – our desired appearance, the emotional state we aspire to embody, and the sources of joy that resonate with us.
Through this health-transformative journey, the importance of self-acceptance, self-love, and authenticity has become abundantly clear. It’s about steering our own course towards health and happiness and, along the way, embracing who we are—irrespective of our size. Beauty, after all, comes in myriad shapes and sizes.
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