We’re now in the midst of January, and many are following a “new year, new me” health and fitness regime.
Most of us over-indulge at Christmas. Too much rich food and too much booze.
Everywhere you look, it seems people are trying to lose weight and tone-up. Fair play to them! Do what makes you feel good.
But just to break the trend, here I am trying to put on weight!
Okay, so…I’m teeny tiny. Pixie sized! My weight has always been fairly consistent and never really fluctuated.
Of course, my condition influences this. Muscle weighs vastly more than fat, right? Well, I have very little muscle mass. And so my BMI is always going to be much lower than the average.
I won’t lie, I’ve always consciously monitored my weight and my calorie intake. Not due to vanity, but practicality.
I am non-ambulant and therefore cannot transfer independently. I get thrown around a lot! From chair to chair, chair to bed etc. If I were significantly heavier, life would be much more difficult!
People who struggle to lose weight often ask me how I stay so tiny, considering I’m unable to exercise. Well…
~ Growing up with older brothers helps! I’ve always scraped food off my plate onto theirs. And they were always happy to finish off any food I left.
~ Study food labels and count calories.
~ Self limitation. I’ve almost trained myself to say no when someone offers me chocolate or a biscuit. Bad, I know.
~ It might sound silly but, over time your stomach does shrink and your body adapts. You learn to function on fewer calories.
*Now, to make it absolutely clear, I am in no way dictating, advising or advocating such bad habits! I am very much aware that this is unhealthy behaviour.*
So, why do I now want to put on weight?
When I’m ill, I eat less. When I’m really stressed, I stop eating. In these instances, I am NOT consciously monitoring my weight.
Over the past 2 months, I have unintentionally lost weight. This will no doubt affect my overall health and wellbeing, reducing energy levels and leaving me vulnerable to infection and illness.
Believe it or not, increasing calorie intake is far more challenging (for me) than you might imagine. It’s difficult to break the habit of a lifetime!
Before, I would go literally all day without eating a thing. No breakfast, no lunch. I would then pick at my dinner and that would be it.
I am now constantly reminding and forcing myself to consume food and drink, little and often, throughout the day.
If I can put on half a stone, I’ll be happy. I’ll still be skinny, but I’ll be healthier. That can only be a good thing!