I have lost weight, about 72 pounds over the last three years. It was such a slow process that most people didn’t notice until recently, which was great. I want to talk about this change one time and then leave it alone.
I grew up heavy but lost weight in eighth grade then stayed about the same most of my life. I have always lived a healthy lifestyle and have always worked outside and lifted weights. For most of my life this was enough, however in the last few years I began to hurt. The pain was mostly in my feet, knees and hips.
During the worst of Covid, the gyms closed and I gained weight. The pain in my body got worse and I knew I had to do something to change it. I had strong motivation to lose weight but I wanted to do it once, no fad diets and the way I eat had to fit with my life.
I chose the Noom app as it was very comprehensive and kept it simple, eat less calories than you burn. The type of food was important too, nutrient dense but not calorie dense. A good example of food that met these parameters is grapes. My greatest food ally has been coleslaw mix, it has tons of fiber which keeps me full. I typically mix some sort of protein in with it for a low-calorie, nutritious and satisfying meal.
The biggest benefit about the Noom app is that while it is counting calories for you, it is also changing the way you think using lessons that I continue to read. Going on a diet means you are going off that diet when you reach your goal, then you are on your own with no plan to live. The Noom app prepared me to live with food and changed my relationship with eating.
Last week, someone I trust said, “don’t you wish you had done this 30 years ago?” I thought about it after our conversation. First off, looking back with regret is not only pointless, it is kind of dumb, although understandably human. Secondly, to do so, is to question the path of your life. My life was written by God before I was born so it is not for me to question. Challenges like being heavy are placed in my life to form me as a person. WIthout challenges or mistakes, I have nothing; no learning, no growth and I never become me. I guess my answer is that I am glad I didn’t do this 30 years ago, however I am glad I did it now.
I was so glad no one noticed my weight loss until recently. I wanted to focus on the process and didn’t wish to be sidetracked by compliments which, although very kind, can sometimes make you feel like you have accomplished enough and may cause you to quit. I wanted to do this “under the radar” and so kept wearing my old clothes to avoid calling attention to the changes that were occurring.
This was also a time when I found out the individuals who are “my people,” the people who have my back. It consisted of family, coworkers, friends, old friends and strangers. Thank you for your kind words of support and thanks to God for not setting me on this course thirty years ago as He had a different path for me that would lead to me becoming the person I am today, minus the painful feet and knees.
