Some of the benefits of eating more
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empressichel
Posts: 730 Member
Do you know after yesterday's 'plaster your number day' started by Holly and Lucia, it got me thinking today.
A year ago I would have been horrified to share my weight with anyone, and yet there I was telling my entire FL my weight!
It became evident from other people's posts, that weight is really not so important as other factors.
Especially as I see on the forums at this time of year,' I've only lost 18 pounds in 3 weeks and now I've plateaued!' etc. etc. I am not mocking these posts, it is how society has brain washed us into believing our worth, and we also expect almost instant results from little effort.
So I would like to list a few pretty unexpected benefits that I have had since eating more and lifting heavier for all these months. None of these have anything to do with weight, body fat or clothes size.
1. Posture. An amazing result for me, I have been a round shouldered old woman looking thing since a teenager. Try as I might to keep my shoulders back, it hurt and I would slouch back into sack of potatoes position. I noticed one day, how my shoulders are now right back, without trying or thinking about because my supporting muscles are now strong and doing what they are meant to do.
2. Sleep. I always felt I slept pretty good, but now I notice the quality of my sleep. I sleep so soundly, and I make sure I get enough of it too, because I know how important it is, so I won't scimp anymore.
3. Feeling strong. Might seem obvious, but I don't mean getting new PR's with deadlifts or squats ( well there's that too!) I mean day to day feeling strong. Carrying loads of grocery shopping and not even noticing the weight, bringing in wood for the fire with ease, moving furniture that would have previously been too heavy, things like this.
4. Skin, hair and nails. My nails are strong and don't snap like they used to. My complexion is always clear and glowing. My hair just keeps on growing! :laugh:
5. Feeling happy. :happy: seriously I feel so content because I know I am looking after myself, I am not starved, over exercised, not stressed out over the whole 'must lose weight, must lose weight' philosophy any more.
6. No need to binge. I have not once now for months, felt like over eating anything! I didn't think I used to, but realised I used to carb load at the weekends. I don't need cheat meals, cheat days etc because I can work anything I feel like into my macros and daily totals. I never feel deprived or hungry.
7. Getting my sass back! I feel so much more confident as its all about loving yourself and loving your amazing body and being thankful for everything it does for you every day. :flowerforyou:
8. Having the truly most amazing friends here on MFP who help and support me and from whom I have learnt so much about nutrition, lifting, patience and acceptance. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
It's so not all about the scale, the calipers or even the tape measure.
This is a lifestyle that is doable for life.
Once you start to love all the other benefits, the other things will soon fall into place.
And if it takes me a long time to get there, that's fine with me, I'm in no hurry.
A year ago I would have been horrified to share my weight with anyone, and yet there I was telling my entire FL my weight!
It became evident from other people's posts, that weight is really not so important as other factors.
Especially as I see on the forums at this time of year,' I've only lost 18 pounds in 3 weeks and now I've plateaued!' etc. etc. I am not mocking these posts, it is how society has brain washed us into believing our worth, and we also expect almost instant results from little effort.
So I would like to list a few pretty unexpected benefits that I have had since eating more and lifting heavier for all these months. None of these have anything to do with weight, body fat or clothes size.
1. Posture. An amazing result for me, I have been a round shouldered old woman looking thing since a teenager. Try as I might to keep my shoulders back, it hurt and I would slouch back into sack of potatoes position. I noticed one day, how my shoulders are now right back, without trying or thinking about because my supporting muscles are now strong and doing what they are meant to do.
2. Sleep. I always felt I slept pretty good, but now I notice the quality of my sleep. I sleep so soundly, and I make sure I get enough of it too, because I know how important it is, so I won't scimp anymore.
3. Feeling strong. Might seem obvious, but I don't mean getting new PR's with deadlifts or squats ( well there's that too!) I mean day to day feeling strong. Carrying loads of grocery shopping and not even noticing the weight, bringing in wood for the fire with ease, moving furniture that would have previously been too heavy, things like this.
4. Skin, hair and nails. My nails are strong and don't snap like they used to. My complexion is always clear and glowing. My hair just keeps on growing! :laugh:
5. Feeling happy. :happy: seriously I feel so content because I know I am looking after myself, I am not starved, over exercised, not stressed out over the whole 'must lose weight, must lose weight' philosophy any more.
6. No need to binge. I have not once now for months, felt like over eating anything! I didn't think I used to, but realised I used to carb load at the weekends. I don't need cheat meals, cheat days etc because I can work anything I feel like into my macros and daily totals. I never feel deprived or hungry.
7. Getting my sass back! I feel so much more confident as its all about loving yourself and loving your amazing body and being thankful for everything it does for you every day. :flowerforyou:
8. Having the truly most amazing friends here on MFP who help and support me and from whom I have learnt so much about nutrition, lifting, patience and acceptance. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
It's so not all about the scale, the calipers or even the tape measure.
This is a lifestyle that is doable for life.
Once you start to love all the other benefits, the other things will soon fall into place.
And if it takes me a long time to get there, that's fine with me, I'm in no hurry.
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Replies
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Cheers to you ...my ROCKSTAR friend!!
so many, many positive things .... THANKS for reflecting and sharing0 -
Totally love this! Yes I have experienced all the added extras you mentioned! And That can do attitude that comes from lifting follows me everywhere! Thanks for posting this! You're awesome girlie!!0
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Thank you so much for posting this! Your absolutely amazing :-)0
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Love this! Thanks for sharing!!0
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I am still in the beginner stage and sometimes put too much focus on the scale. I am learning. Thank you for posting!!0
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Amen!!! I've experienced all of those. Feeding yourself properly is such a wonderful feeling! :happy:0
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love this. So many benefits to eating properly and it's so nice to read a positive post too :drinker: 0
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So much truth on so many levels!
Love you my dear fellow eater and lifter 0 -
That is an awesome testimony! You are amazing!0
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Love, love, love this!!0
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Great post!
My friend and I are both doing EM2WL
We were discussing it tonight... and it's only been 4 weeks into my diet and I already feel like a different person. I've lost 5 lbs so far and even though I don't look different at all, I feel different. I feel more alert, more rested. I didn't realize how the food I was choosing to eat was effecting my mood.0 -
Great post. Couldn't agree more!!!0
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looooove this!!!!!0
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That's just beautiful, I'm experiencing all the things you mentioned. Thank you for posting.0
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Enjoyed Reading this! So True!!! Good post:flowerforyou:0
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Love this! Mwah
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Thanks for your feedback everyone. Glad I'm not the only seeing and feeling so many positive benefits
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love this, thanks for posting and I'm happy you've had all of these awesome positive things happen 0
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What a fantastic post!!! Just reading it made me so happy. I could totally feel your positive energy! Keep it up, gorgeous!0
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Empress Ichel this was beautifully written!0
