July 03, 2011

When Science Isn't Enough

Anyone who begins a weight loss journey knows the "golden rule": if you have a calorie deficit each week, you will lose weight. Slowly but surely, you can lose up to 2 pounds per week by cutting out around 500 calories a day, more if you exercise.

That sounds all well and good, but most people do not experience this to be the truth, at least not all of the time. Things happen that make this mathematical equation not true. I mean, wouldn't it be nice if that were actually the case, week after week? Unfortunately, shit happens. Some people experience weight gain at the beginning of their weight loss regiment. Some people stagnate for weeks on end. Some people lose a lot more one week, and then nothing the next.

Why does is this equation not perfect? Why can't it be? Of course all of those issues I mentioned above have scientific factors that explain the reasons behind them. A lot of people gain weight during the first few weeks of intense exercise because their muscles are being pulled and therefor retain water. Some people stagnate in their weight loss because their body has become used to their regular form of exercise, and need to be "rebooted", while others stagnate because, holy cow, they aren't eating ENOUGH calories for the amount of exercise they do and need to fuel their bodies more to continue losing.

Weight loss is not X +Y =Z. People probably wouldn't be battling obesity on such a scale if it was the case. It can be so frustrating. Even though I've only been on this journey for mere weeks, I have already learned a lot in how I approach weight loss.

It's more than science. In order to be successful, it has to be about faith. Belief in yourself and your abilities. Belief that just because the scale isn't moving, that you are bettering yourself after each workout. Belief that just because you're not getting the results you want doesn't mean you're not getting healthy. Belief that you can get through the next 45 minutes of an intense workout when you're already tired because you're worth it.

So much of losing weight and getting healthy is mental. Damn the science.

Last night I had my first real break down. I cried like a baby, yelling at Matt and feeling so discouraged and angry because he was seeing amazing results in his fitness plan and I wasn't seeing anything. Angry that his goal right now is to get a 6-pack, while mine is to lose a whopping 50 pounds. I felt dismayed, hopeless. How could he, day after day, come to me with a smiling face showing me his new muscles? Didn't he get it? Doesn't he know this is hard for me?

But then, today, after the most intense 45 minute workout I've had yet with the Turbo Fire, I experienced such an adrenline/endorphin high and realized that if I am going to accomplish success, I need to stay focused. I need to remember the feelings I get after exercising and harness them when I am feeling dismayed. I can't let all of these factors get the best of me. I can be happy for Matt and proud of my own small achievements at the same time.

It's a battle. I know that I will break down again, but I also know how many more amazing moments I am going to have after I finish a high intensity workout and am dripping in sweat and happiness.

Just with anything else, it's 90% mental and 10% physical. Science is never enough.

1 comment:

  1. Give me one night out drinking with Matt and I'll set him back two months on his goal of 6-pack abs...

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