bairn's Journal

I put some weight back on, and I feel better
Nov 10 2009 08:10

I was ill recently - for a month or two - I ended up losing my appetite, and some weight. I am doing much better now, and I have put a bit of it back on - about 4lb I guess, I'm back to 129lb. I don't look any bigger though - I just feel... strong, alive, healthy, happy again. My clothes fit the same. I just don't look gaunt and sad and drained any more. Not eating drains you of colour and strength. I am really happy I can view 4lb weight gain as a positive thing, because I was wondering if I would get grumpy about it. I mean, I thought I would probably put it back on because I lost it so unhealthily (not deliberately, I was really quite ill).

So that is great. And I actually think my brush with the crashdieting/rapid weight loss side of things which I have never experienced before has been a good wake up call. I lost about half a stone in a month, and it was - disturbingly - a little exciting - I can see why girls get addicted to those looks of concern and the shrinking dress sizes. But, for me, it was nowhere near as exciting as... eating properly again, being able to hike because I'm strong again, being able to do weights because I'm strong again, being able to be happy, fun, sociable, go out with mates and have yummy fish curry and a few beers - all that good stuff. There was some post on the forum today about losing weight for health vs losing weight for appearance. But I think health is of huge benefit to your appearance. I may have looked a bit thinner when I was ill, but I was sad, quiet, grey... not like I am now.

(and yes I am continuing to use this forum to point out it is very possible to be 5'3" and 129lb and to look good, feel good and not consider yourself fat just because you're not stupidly underweight.)