For a long time even though I was obese I looked down on people who were yo-yo dieters. Sure I was fat, but I had never even tried to lose weight. The yo-yos were people who had tried and failed multiple times. They lost weight and gained it all back usually with a few extra in tow. Even though I wasn’t thin I felt superior to the them because I had not failed multiple times like they had. I was confident then that once I decided to lose weight I would lose it and keep it off. I was convinced that though I had been overweight all my life I would one day wake up, change, and be thin. Once I made that decision that would be it.
That was not it. The decision to finally lose weight happened over 5 years ago. I lost 55 pounds once I decided to live healthier. I reached 200 pounds and stayed there for over 2 years. Then I lived in Europe for a while and lost 10 more pounds to reach the lowest weight of my adult life. But thats where the success stopped and the yo-yo weight gain and loss began. I came back to America and gained back 30 pounds over the first summer at home (Depression 1). I realized how dumb that was and lost 10 pounds of it during my last year in college. Then I graduated, moved back home, felt sad (Depression 2), and all weight loss bets were off. I gained 10, lost 5, gained 20, etc until I am now 10 pounds away from the highest weight I was ever at back when “the decision” first happened.
I am just like all of those people I unfairly judged before. Losing weight was harder for me than I thought, especially when I put myself back in the surroundings that helped me gain weight in the first place. Some people are able to lose weight, stick to strict diets, work out 2 times a day 6 days a week. Apparently I am not that person. I can be that person for a while, but it never lasts. I have hit the road of yo-yo dieters and to be honest I am not enjoying the ride. I know that each trip up hurts my health as much as each journey back down helps it. Not a comforting thought.
So I will no longer be judging others so harshly. I will not look down on anyone who caves, falters, stumbles, or isn’t “perfect” in losing weight or being a weight loss blogger. We all have ups and downs. Sometimes we have a few more than others. This bumpy ride will eventually take me to where I want to go, I know it. My destination is set already and my lifestyle just has to catch up and stop taking little diverting side trips.
Very good post. I sometimes get so annoyed with people that go on and on about how they are never tempted and that this journey is ‘easy’. It’s not….so kudos to you for actually voicing your thoughts!
MaryFran’s last blog post..The day after report
I totally agree with you!! I’m sorry but when i hear that someone has never given in to cravings, never veered off the program i just honestly don’t relate to them. And honestly have a very hard time believing them. Maybe they did, but the rest of us are human and we do make mistakes.
suzanne’s last blog post..Is it spring yet??
Don’t get worked up about your weight going up and down. If you stay with it positive results will happen. Keep us updated!!
In theory, weight loss is simple. In practice? Ha! We’ve got to factor in real life when we’re trying to lose weight or get healthier.
Sagan’s last blog post..Life Lessons: Learning how to cook
Just like people who’ve never had kids judge the parent with the screaming kid at the grocery store. ;-) This is a great post.
MamaBearJune’s last blog post..Bagel Giveaway
What do they say? Walk a mile in someone elses shoes…
I think it’s only natural to judge people, especially if you haven’t had the experiences they have had. The key is to learn from it, which is apparently what you have done.
Irene’s last blog post..What I Know Now – Part 2