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| Photo: Scott Swigart |
Ever
work hard at getting fit and then struggle to stay fit? Feel like a yo-yo that
loses and gains weight ad infinitum? You’re not alone. A recent study in the
journal, Obesity, studied contestants of The Biggest Loser 6 years after the
show. It discovered that at the start of the competition, these
contestants’ resting metabolic rate was 2,607 calories per day. But six years
later, it dipped down to a mere 1900. That means their metabolism
slowed so much, they regained all the weight they worked so hard to lose. So, what's
the trick? How can we win in real life? Against all odds....
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| Photo: Roger Wollenberg |
I think you already know the short answer. Exercise.
Nothing new. No magic pill. It’s why our parents nagged us all those years ago,
to get off the chair and “Play outside.” And nowadays, it’s backed up by
professionals like Rena Wing, a psychiatry professor at Brown
University and a founder of the National Weight Control Registry. She reminds
us that diet is just the way to get started, but “Physical activity is the key
to maintenance.”
Boy, do I ever know this. While my diet is
pretty spot-on, I’m still a workaholic. That translates into letting days go by
without any activity whatsoever.
This is not my nature. I actually love to
move, dance, run, and lift weights. The trick is getting off my office chair
and allowing myself to play again. And doing it regularly.
Did you notice earlier, how I said exercise was the
“short answer”?
Wanna know what the long answer is?
Self-empowerment.
It’s saying (out loud if you want!): I'm safe; I'm loved; I'm capable.
It’s putting your
own health and joy first sometimes. It’s reminding yourself that you’re worth
the time and effort it takes to be healthy. And it's reminding friends and family that you need this
time. To live.
Time for yourself does not make you selfish.
It may shock others at first. But that's only because they've started to assume that you don't have
a life outside of them. That's not healthy for them either. Once they realize that you are happier and healthier with some "me time" they’ll appreciate it. Or they'll learn that it feels good to support you in your goals.
Yes, it all boils down to self-care. In my experience, that’s the real trick to maintaining a
healthy weight. And exercise is a key component to self-care. It's what keeps us energized and balanced, physically and emotionally.
This will be my last blog post here for a while. November will be hectic for me; I’m moving and starting up another business. Double-whammy stress usually packs on the pounds. And I won’t have my workout buddy, Aphroditi, with me this time.
But I won't quit.
I'll find activities to do on my own. Something that brings me joy. What will you do to keep healthy this winter? Remember to take care of yourself, whatever you do.
Thanks for reading and wish me luck! As always,
I wish you health and happiness, as well. xox Regina
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