The bearable lightness of being, well, 10% lighter…
Though I would still describe myself as more on the Rubenesque side of the bumps and curves spectrum than the Picassoesque side, I am now 10% (and a bit) lighter than I used to be…and I have gone from being in the “
When I started out just a few short months ago, I was determined to get to the bottom of this weight loss gig and 1) work out why I couldn’t lose it and never see it again and 2) why it seemed so hellishly important to lose at least 10% of my body weight to start with. It seemed like a magical number to me and I thought there might be some compelling reasons why losing “just” 10% would be so important. So after extensive researching – yes, ok, some of it was done on the internet – these seem to be the Top 10 benefits of losing 10%:
1 Better blood pressure
2. Improved heart health and lower cholesterol levels
3. Decreased risk for diabetes
4. Enhanced sex life
5. A better night’s sleep for those with obstructive sleep apnea
6. Less pain associated with arthritis, joint disease, and lower back pain.
7. Better breathing
8. Decreased risk for colon and breast cancer
2. Improved heart health and lower cholesterol levels
3. Decreased risk for diabetes
4. Enhanced sex life
5. A better night’s sleep for those with obstructive sleep apnea
6. Less pain associated with arthritis, joint disease, and lower back pain.
7. Better breathing
8. Decreased risk for colon and breast cancer
9. A healthier gallbladder
10. More energy
10. More energy
So, have I managed to achieve the Top 10?
1. Let’s see, my blood pressure seems to be ok right now, and I think it was ok at the beginning. I do know a person who lost 10% of their body weight and their blood pressure dropped from 140/95 (on the quite high “you should be worried about this” side), to 120/80 (much more normal).
2. I will take “their” word for it and believe that my heart is healthier, and my cholesterol is under control.
3. This I know, it is well-documented on and off the internet. I for one am happy about this - having a few rellos with diabetes increases my risk of getting it too, but I also know that Type 2 diabetes can be easily avoided by eating well, exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight
4. Look, I am a bit of a modest girl, so what I will say is …well, um…yes
5. I didn’t have obstructive sleep apnea, but I have certainly been sleeping better…and I might not snore as much either J
6. I’m sorry, but I am yet to experience the joys of number 6. I went to a Zumba class a few weeks ago. I had a ball, clapping and jumping and yelling out “Zumba!” at odd moments, but the Zumba-bubble burst when I woke the next morning because my knee (my medial meniscus to be precise) was screaming “what the hell have you done to me?” Off to the phsyio I went and returned crestfallen and suitably admonished about not doing Zumba, going running or vigorous twisting type activities for at least 2-3 weeks. I also have to do hellishly painful exercises to help fix said meniscus. In addition, a while back I walked up a very steep hill – my thighs still haven’t forgiven me. You get the drift, don’t you? So while I like all the leaping round and moving that I have been doing, I am not exactly pain free – yet.
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| Cardio "party"? |
7. Yep and yep – I breathe better – as in I no longer feel as though I am about to have to go to hospital for “exploding lung” when I dash across the road, and I no longer feel like I am about to die after running for more than 20 seconds.
8. My colon appears to be quite happy at present, thank you. (Stay tuned for the blog about the adventures of Julia’s colon). And again I am happy to accept the assertion that my risk for both colon and breast cancers has diminished
9. I am not exactly on intimate terms with my gallbladder, but I am not having any trouble with it, so would like to keep it that way. And if my gallbladder is happy with 10% less of me, then so am I!
10. Categorically yes…smiles all round
