Monday, February 13, 2017

Female Friends and Dieting

What is it about telling a female friend that you are dieting that makes her urge you to stop?
My friend Sheila says maybe we're only trying to help each other increase our self-esteem -- "You look great!" "You don't need to lose weight!" or even "Diets don't work."
We all do it.
I don't enjoy dieting, but a look at the scale reminds me that I weigh about 30 pounds more than I did when we moved to Columbus.
I was even heavier here when we traveled to France in 2015.
I don't want to avoid cameras or dislike my photos in France
because of my weight. 
I weigh almost as much now as I did when I gave birth to my youngest, and he's the one I gained the most weight with.
Yes, I know that muscle weighs more than fat and that I work out constantly so I am probably healthy, but what is wrong with wanting to be at a lower weight?
I'm not trying to lose 30 pounds. People say that would be too skinny, but if you look at me when I was that weight, you wouldn't think I was anorexic.
See? Healthy. Not too skinny. But also young. I'm not trying
to get to that weight. Just less than I am now. 
I look good, healthy -- although at the time, I never realized it.
I just want to lose about 10 pounds.
If I lose 4 pounds from where I am now -- mid diet -- I'll officially not be overweight anymore. That means I'll reach the top end of the BMI which means between 21-25 BMI. Again, I know that muscle might throw off the official BMI reading, but if you looked at the places I carry fat, you really can't argue that I could lose those pounds and it wouldn't hurt. It might make me feel better, run faster, feel sexy about my body.
I promise I'm not in danger of becoming anorexic, and I'm not judging anyone else who is happy with their body. Good for you. I hope to join you on that platform once I reach my goal.

4 comments:

Just Me said...

I can relate to what you're saying. I think as friends perhaps we should lighten up on the mothering of each other. We're all grown. It's all good intentions but there's something to be said for giving people the dignity to make their own choices. Gosh I hope I'm responding to your post and not some hidden issue in me. Ha !

Jeanie said...

I know just what you mean. But I DO need to lose more than four or ten. Still, I don't need to be what one would say you "should" be. I need to be healthy and feel right. This is such a good post. I know our friends care and care a lot. But sometimes it comes out wrong!

Paulita said...

Just Me, Yes, I should keep in mind that friends' intentions are always good.
Jeanie, Feeling good is what matters the most, isn't it?

our life in france said...

Oh the dreaded word diet, sadly people have a picture in their minds of what we should all look like but we are all different thankfully

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