Gympik is running a fitness contest and as I scanned the list of topics I casually dismissed them as too obvious to write about or not interesting enough. But blog contest topics are finite and I had to choose one from what was available. As someone who has fat phobia from time to time I thought it’s a good idea to revise why it’s not the fat that’s making us fat. And that’s reason enough for us to stop obsessing over the fat.
The thing is, there are many reasons why you may have a few extra kilos, but fat is not one of them. Here’s what I think.
- It’s easy for a lot of people to just blame it on the food. On the unavailability or inaccessibility of healthier options when it comes to food. Maybe you are a frequent traveler, but that means it’s more important for you to devise ways that you can cook for yourself or ALWAYS go for the healthier option. Maybe you don’t have time to cook a healthy meal for yourself in the morning before work. Well then invest in your health and get a cook who can do it for you. Can’t afford a cook and don’t know how to cook? LEARN!
- Your lifestyle is making you fat. The most used excuse is, I don’t have time to work out. Do you watch TV? Cut that out and go work out. Using the snooze button to stay in bed for half an hour longer? Cut that out and go workout. Plonk yourself in your chair post lunch and stare mindlessly at mails you don’t feel like responding to? Cut that out and go for a walk. If you have to sit all day because of your job then take frequent water breaks. And that will ensure frequent pee breaks. And that amounts to more movement. If your idea of a good weekend is to sleep until noon to recover from the rigors of a seated job, or to get piss drunk to recover from the rigors of said job, then…there are a lot of variables that need changing. Basically, it’s not the fat that’s making you fat, it’s your complacency about your lifestyle.
- You have a medical condition that makes it difficult to lose weight. Certain conditions are beyond our control. But what is in our control is managing them. If you have a medical condition then don’t compound the problem by eating crap and vegetating the entire day. Above all, don’t use a medical condition as reasons to have a pity party for yourself when it comes to your weight. Don’t allow yourself to feel that it’s OK to feel sorry for yourself. It is an uphill climb, but do it so that you can feel better. And eventually you will feel better. No two ways about it.
And at the end of the day, fat is essential. That is, good fat. So blaming your weight issues on fat is just wrong. Good fats are important to keep your bones and joints strong. Your skin supple and glowing and your hair vibrant. Good fats result in a good, optimistic mood which is essential if you want to be happy, healthy and energetic.
[*Note: This article is written as a part of Gympik Fit-A-Thon contest and should not be repurposed, republished or used otherwise. The content herein is owned by the blogger. Gympik is not responsible for any kind of infringement caused.]