I’m happy to share this ‘filler’ update that’s not much more than just a snapshot of what’s on my mind at this stage. I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been averaging over 10k steps a day for the last month. I think the extra movement has done me a great deal of good, and I’m glad to be no longer letting Winter stop me from being outside. I am very grateful for the additional sunshine every day now that Spring feels within reach.

Thoughts on ways to enjoy weight loss

Last time I asked "Can weight loss be FUN?" and had some thoughts on that I wanted to share.

• Peace, calm & patience are underrated

  It is a genuine shame that for many, a weight loss journey usually begins with a significant amount of pressure. I have noticed that both external and self-inflicted pressure are corrosive to what it really takes to prioritize living a healthy life. I have noticed that stress management is one of the most important fights in the overall process. Urgency, even when well-placed, has to be handled with care.

  I am beginning to recognize the benefits of slower approaches and prioritizing presence over performance. So many very important changes are subtle and only noticeable over the long term. No amount of wishing for quick fixes or desperate bursts of unsustainable effort will ever amount to actual change. Real progress only comes from being content with small day-to-day refinements that build up over time.

  Ironically, it was really weightlifting that has helped teach me this. It feels like the harder you push in short bursts, the harder the body pushes back. The ‘slow and steady’ approach of building momentum is so much more effective than trying to constantly borrow capacity from the future. Accepting that things take time really does go a long way to refocus on refinement rather than unending reinvention.

• Take on parallel adventures

  Having spent well over a year losing weight intensely, I can certainly attest that being kind to your mind is a primary objective. Instead of trying to spend every moment ruminating over the weight loss process itself, it is very helpful to enjoy other long-term pursuits. So many of the changes needed to transform the body over time are very applicable to other interesting domains.

  For example, I’ve found it enjoyable to learn to cook during this process. It is a great opportunity to build up self-efficacy and is very complimentary skill to dieting. Weight-lifting has been a very enjoyable adventure during this time, and I am looking forward to taking on more active skills. But not all pursuits need to be complimentary with weight loss. I think creative pursuits are definitely worth taking on if for no other reason to be more than a ‘one trick pony’ once the transformation is complete. I feel like I have been missing out for not reading fiction during this time,

• Invest in preparation

  Anything you can do to save yourself trouble goes quite a long way. Spending the time to plan things out on reasonable timeframes can do a great deal of good. Removing guesswork can definitely reduce background stress and reduce ‘decision fatigue’ day-to-day. A big part of this is ensuring you’re well equipped, having comfortable and reliable gear for activities makes a huge difference. At this stage, I’m really realizing how important it is to try to be proactive rather than reactive.

• Make the best of the outdoors

  Winter has been a harsh reminder that sunshine isn’t something to be taken for granted. As hard as it’s been I’ve come to realize that wrestling with the cold for some fresh air is absolutely worthwhile. Anything that can be done to enjoy time spent walking is worth it. Most of the time I’m listening to music or podcasts, but bringing someone along is great too. When I was starting out walks felt entirely unbearable, the standing alone would be painful fairly quickly. Now I’m really trying to appreciate the fact that I can choose to slow down and enjoy my walks as I go along.

• Hope and optimism

  Starting out, it was very difficult for me to believe that change was possible. To the degree I felt it could be done I was terrified it wouldn’t amount to enough. It is genuinely hard to be hopeful and optimistic when the smallest day-to-day challenges feel overwhelming and insurmountable. In getting to where I am now, I can recognize that it is absolutely vital to nurture your ability to feel joy and inspiration. Joining your own team, and building yourself up is the foundation that can make the biggest difference in the face of difficult challenges. Anything you can do to connect with understanding people is worthwhile. Finding people who are supportive and encouraging will absolutely help you learn to be gentler to yourself among other things. There is much to treasure in others, and recognizing it will help you appreciate your own gifts.