Several weeks ago, the Reflections essay was entitled, "Can't Breathe." (That essay registered more "opens" than usual...it must have been the suspense!) Well, it wasn't that exciting after all, but it did tap into a wealth of shared experience. Your responses revealed a not-surprising level of widespread anxiety around holiday eating. Today I am sharing the next chapter in my weight-management journey. It may not take us where you expected to go.
Spoiler alert! Last week I bought two pairs of stretch jeans in a larger size. I am breathing again. Now I am challenged to explain why I see that decision as a victory, not a setback (and to recognize that mine may not be the right answer for you). I have not given up on healthy eating and a desire to maintain the long-term loss of extra pounds. I have, however, adjusted my weight goal in deferring to other priorities.
It began with the annual doctor's visit, when I expressed concern about gaining a few pounds since last time. She replied that the modest gain was not a health risk, and that I needed to decide how much sacrifice was worth the skinnier jeans.
Next, I found an excellent online article that correlated a range of body mass index (BMI) figures with health risks and lifestyle factors (check it out). Risks ranged from diabetes on one end of the scale to eating disorders on the other. Lifestyle factors included "substantial effort to plan eating and exercise," "only social life centers on fitness activities," and servings of protein, fats, carbs, caloric beverages, and desserts.
As I study and evaluate the trade-offs, I accept the time needed to track my intake and engage in physical activity. I celebrate a social life that does, in large part, center on running. I welcome the incentive to back off even more from desserts and addictive sweet snacks. However I balk at extreme reduction in caloric beverages. Latte with a friend and beer with my sweetie are staples of my current connectivity. I could replace both beverages with calorie-free options, but for me at this time the step does not resonate as being worth the trade-off. The current pattern fits me well, even if my jeans are tight.
The smaller size came during a time that I was abstaining from whole food groups for months at a time to test possible food allergies. More than a year later, I have long since cleared the test and suspect foods have cleared it with me. I am back to a diverse and mostly nutritious diet. And I am back to a familiar healthy weight that includes a modest midsection bulge. I am back to a larger size.
I advocate goal-setting and progress monitoring for growing in health and happiness. However, I also advocate constant re-evaluation of goals in terms of the bigger life picture. If marathon training displaces too much family time, how about a shorter distance goal? If morning workouts force a stressful rush-hour commute, how about noon or evening? If calling mom after work means picking up fast food on the way home, how about agreeing to weekend connections?
Which of your goals have trade-offs that may, on reflection, be unacceptable? How might you modify that goal to meet the broader needs and priorities of your life as a whole?
