I was chatting with a girlfriend at boot camp today (between squats and lunges) about how annoyed we are with ourselves that our bodies are not where they were at a couple of months ago. She had gotten down to a super-skinny, tight and toned size 4 for her son’s Bar Mitzvah. And even though she’s still diligently going to boot camp and working out regularly, her food intake has relaxed since she doesn’t have the red sequin dress and people flying in from far and wide to motivate her.
I, on the other hand, had to get my super-skinny on for the photo shoot for my book cover. (Obviously I had to look great for my “after” shot!)
So now here we are. Both of us look pretty good. (If I say so myself 😉 )
I might not be at my all-time super-skinny, all-my-clothes-feel-AWESOME weight. (I don’t ever seem to be at that incredibly happy place for longer than one day!) But should I even be striving for that number? Isn’t it better to have balance in my life and be able to enjoy the delicious things I make and bake (okay, I know it wasn’t necessary to “taste” FOUR Crunchies yesterday!), and go for a family walk with the puppy instead of killing myself to get to Pilates on a Saturday. If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know I’m a bonafide foodie. Should I really be eating chicken and salad when we go out instead of trying the dishes that sound most interesting—even if not the “healthiest” choices?
For me, it’s not at all about the number on the scale, but how my clothes feel. Nothing makes me crankier than feeling my “schmaltz” (translation: chicken fat) rolling over my pants!!!
Perhaps the solution is to never go clothes-shopping on a super-skinny day…?!
Staying in shape takes hard work, and a huge time commitment. And you have to be consistent. The next time you see someone who is “naturally thin” and is toned and tanned—don’t for one minute think that this came “naturally.” And if she’s over forty chances are she has to work even harder at it!
So what do you think…? Should we be listening to our bodies? Or society? Should we be doing what it takes to get to that magic number, or rather be accepting ourselves where our bodies are more comfortable? Or is that just an excuse?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! Please leave a comment at the bottom of this post or on OrnaBakes on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus, LinkedIn. (You’re already following me, right?)
Xoxo
4 Responses
Go with one feels
Good topic Orna!
It is very easy in today’s world that worships perfection to get on the treadmill of never reaching ENOUGH. Bigger here, smaller there, taller, thinner, lighter, smoother… you get the idea. Hey why not just BE. Eat good healthy foods to keep your body strong and well. Eat crunchies for enjoyment and pleasure. Be kind, generous, giving, loving and that will bring more happiness than hitting the magic number on the bathroom scale for a fleeting moment. All that does is send you in a tailspin the next time you eat that you aren’t on that number any more.
We are here on the planet for a limited time. Let’s go outside and show our loved ones the flowers and the trees in the sunshine and let’s help some elderly people through their day. Let’s stop worrying if the jeans make our rear ends look too big. I think once you are comfortable and confident inside your own self, the desire to move more and eat foods that are good for us comes along naturally. Throw the scale out.
I couldn’t agree with you more Sarah! Thanks for the thoughtful response. A good reminder to us all about what really matters in life! If you don’t mind, I might repost this on my Facebook page.
I love reading your posts.
For me, slowly but surely I am learning too that it’s not about the number on the scale but about how I feel in my clothes. That’s my best indicator….and the way they feel now…I better be making your delicious skinny soup to help me out 😉