Yes. You did read that correctly.
I am trying to be a big loser.
But not on T.V.
I joined a "Biggest Loser" competition with my friend/roommate/colleague (yeah, we see a lot of each other) at our community gym.
I am enjoying the motivation for the most part, though I realize why I have never done anything like this before. I HATE counting calories. Seriously hate it.
I love working out and having an excuse to make exercise a priority in my life. I even love getting my trash kicked at group workouts. I love running with music and I love lifting weights with friends. But I HATE counting calories.
My food beliefs are strong and pointed, though I don't always live up to them as much as I want to. I believe in eating whole foods as much as possible. I believe processed foods are dangerous. I believe it is important to eat foods high in nutrients in order to take those nutrients and vitamins in naturally. I believe in eating very small amounts of meat, sugar, and fats. I believe if we eat this way, our bodies know what we need and how much we need. Overall, I believe in healthy living and healthy eating. Perhaps this is the reason I hate counting every stinkin' calorie I touch.
I know that I haven't always listened to my body to know what I need to eat, how much, etc., but I don't believe that denying myself all foods I like is the answer either. I like a cupcake now and again. I like a piece of chocolate every day. I like ice cream on occasion. And I hate feeling guilty for wanting to have the things I like once in a while.
I have done a lot of different methods of trying to be healthier, and lose weight, and it always comes down to a lifestyle change that incorporates physical, emotional, nutritional, and spiritual health. Always. So refusing to eat sugar for a month doesn't cut it for me. And every personal trainer, weight loss competition, gym rat, weight loss program, skinny person, etc. always tells me I am overweight because I haven't denied myself those kinds of foods.
In the end, if having a perfect body means denying myself all the things that make life so enjoyable, I'd rather stay imperfect.
1 hour ago
2 things to make my day worthwhile:
Genetics contribute to how your body reacts to food. It comes down to gene expression & there have been multiple studies on lab animals & evidence found in societies that confirm this. If you grandmother or great grandmother or great great grandmother (even into 6 and 7 generations back) ever had extended period of time when she was hungry -maybe even she starved herself with an eating disorder or multiple crash diets or maybe it was the Great Depression and there simply was no food... it affected the way her body stored food & that in turn could have altered your genes as well. It's true. And crazy to think about.
I think the most important thing is to realize what you just said! That we don't HAVE to have that perfect looking body if it means depriving ourselves permanently of things we love. It's simply that we are taking care of ourselves, getting exercise and eating healthy. It is true that the average person underthinks how many calories a day they eat, and that's why counting can help. HOWEVER, I'm with you. It sucks. And I wish I just had a food calculator in my head.
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