Why I Am Loving My Curves
Dancing Elephants Book Project: Exercise and healthy eating tips/recipes
If I were to look back on my teenage years right up until now, I don’t think I have ever been able to maintain a consistent weight. I’m not blaming myself or finger-pointing as to why it has been so — I have already done enough of that in the past.
When I delved into the causes of my fluctuating weight, I made some interesting discoveries.
While some weight gain can be attributed to ongoing health issues, I have noticed that it also happens when I am unhappy. The weight gain was significant when I went through a long period of depression mainly because of emotional eating. Strangely enough, it appears to be the same case when I’m happy.
The only times I have lost significant weight, that is without watching what I eat and diligently exercising, is in the aftermath of a major breakup.
So yes, my weight seems to fluctuate depending on the state of my emotions.
I have read up on and constantly hear about how it is important to maintain a healthy weight. I am also aware of the benefits of following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
But this all goes out the window if one is not in the proper mindset to be able to do these things.
For example, I once won a minor beauty contest. I was really thin back then but was I happy?
Not at all.
Instead, I continued to struggle with self-esteem issues. One may think with all the attention I was receiving that I would have fewer worries on that end. Not really. I would spend so much time on how I looked, and what I wore, and constantly comparing myself to other pretty girls which made me even more insecure.
I developed health issues that made me even more stressed and anxious. When things got too overwhelming, I reverted back to the comfort of stress eating. And the pattern continued.
As a result of my fluctuating weight, I have become no stranger to comments such as these:
“She’s cute but fat!”
“You’ve lost so much weight! Are you okay?”
“I love sleek bodies!”
It feels like I’ve heard it all and at this point and frankly, I don’t give a damn. It is not about what others think but it is about how I feel about my body.
Being part of a support group has not only helped me a lot in understanding my emotions but has also given me the tools with which to challenge negative thought patterns and maintain emotional equilibrium.
In other words, it has helped me find productive solutions to my emotional problem in the form of talking about them, writing, breathing exercises, and meditation.
Another resource that I have found helpful is the tips Sonakshi Kohli offers in her article titled “Are your out-of-control emotions the real reason for your weight gain?”
I use these tips to pose questions that I ask myself each time I feel the urge to binge eat:
- Is it my body signaling hunger, or is that your emotions calling for food?
- Am I recognizing the toxic elements in your life that are causing anxiety and stress and am I choosing to either ignore or simply eliminate those factors?
- What stress-relieving activities can I engage in to get my mind off of food?
- Am I eating smartly?
Chief nutritionist and dietician Neha Pathania advises choosing healthier alternatives to junk to save on some calories and provide nutrition to the body: “Replace the fizzy and sugary drinks with fluids such as coconut water, lemon water, buttermilk, or plain water.” She also suggests incorporating more fruits, sautéed veggies, and fiber-rich foods into the diet as they can make a turbulent phase more bearable.
Even though I am not very good with diets, I do try to eat healthily and exercise every day. But most of all I am mindful of triggers, particularly elements that tend to cause emotional turbulence, that have me reaching for a big bag of chips or put me off food for days.
And yes, most importantly, I don’t pay attention to what influencers have to say about the latest fad in body shapes.
I am loving my curvy body — and am proud of the work I have done to reach this point where my self-confidence and self-esteem are not tied to my body image.
References:
Healthline — https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-eating/why-do-i-eat-when-im-stressed#eating-when-stressed
Thank you Dancing Elephant Press Editors Lady Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles and Sharing Randomly