Summary

The author reflects on their personal struggle with weight gain, juxtaposed with their mother-in-law's weight loss due to Sjogren's syndrome and a decline in health, leading to an 'aha' moment that shifts their perspective on self-worth and the importance of inner qualities over physical appearance.

Abstract

The article "Weight Loss Goals for Eternity" delves into the author's emotional journey with weight management, contrasting their own experience with that of their mother-in-law, who has been losing weight due to the chronic autoimmune disease Sjogren's syndrome. The author recalls the vibrant personality of their mother-in-law before her health deteriorated, emphasizing the impact of her condition on their relationship. This reflection triggers a moment of clarity for the author, who realizes that the desire to be thin should not overshadow the value of a giving spirit and the importance of living life fully. The author decides to embrace self-acceptance and encourages others to prioritize inner qualities and contentment over the pursuit of thinness.

Opinions

The author has been struggling with weight gain since August 2019 and feels a deep emotional impact from observing their mother-in-law's physical decline.
The mother-in-law's health issues, including Sjogren's syndrome and hearing loss, have distanced her from the author and from enjoying life's pleasures, such as camping trips.
The author acknowledges a transformation in their own character, particularly becoming more giving and empathetic after surviving breast cancer, which has enriched their perspective on self-worth.
There is an expressed frustration with societal pressures to be thin, as the author admits to sometimes feeling inadequate due to their weight.
The author experiences an epiphany, deciding to lay down the burden of weight obsession and focusing instead on the virtues of a good person, such as generosity

Weight Loss Goals for Eternity

My mother-in-law is slowly withering away; I had an aha moment

“My mother-in-law was the best wedding gift I received.”

– Unknown author

I’ve struggled with my weight gain since August of 2019, and to watch my mother-in-law slowly withering away punched me in the gut today!

My mother-in-law is slowly slipping away. I miss the woman I met twenty-some years ago. She had been one of my best friends until she took a fall at work and hit her head, and broke her arm several years ago.

Her weight has been decreasing for years, even before this fall. She has an autoimmune disease called Sjogren’s syndrome.

Sjogren’s is an autoimmune illness. Your immune system mistakenly attacks its cells and tissues.

Scientists aren’t sure why some people develop Sjogren’s syndrome. Specific genes put certain people at higher risk of developing this disorder. Still, it seems that a triggering mechanism – such as infection with a particular virus or strain of bacteria – is also the basis for developing it.

I don’t talk about it much, but we used to talk on the phone like besties until her health stole her slowly away from me. Her hearing loss makes talking on the phone and, as of lately, even in person almost impossible.

My aha moment

When I think about my weight gain, I want to be thin again. It eats me up constantly. I want to be more energetic and feel like how I did before having breast cancer.

Fortunately, I’m not the same person I was before. I have way more to offer the world. And no, I do not just mean my weight. I’m more giving; even though I felt I was before; cancer took me to a whole new level.

Then why do I sit here some days beating myself up? This battle of my weight is over. I’m laying it down this morning.

Our good times together

My in-laws used to come camping with us before my mother-in-law’s declining health began to rob her of the most simplest of life’s pleasures.

In our good times when the kids were younger, well, weren’t we all; my mother-in-law was always heavy.

Regardless, she was loving, giving, full of life, and generous with everything she ever had. She is my hero now and forever.

“Unless you have bad times, you can’t appreciate the good times.”

– Joe Torre

Because of her, I’m laying my weight down

I’m not throwing in the towel, but maybe only half of the towel. I’m finished feeling bad about myself based on the numbers on the scale. Maybe a giving spirit weighs a lot.

All I know is living life to the fullest isn’t about what we do or do not eat! It’s about being content along the way.

So, today I hope to set someone free from the feeling that being thin makes us a better person. This feeling couldn’t be further from the truth.

Loving ourselves and those around us for what’s inside has always been more important, and therefore, I will go forth filling up on the humble qualities of a good person. Please, won’t you join me?