I'm not dogging on fat people here - especially since I'm currently one of them -- but I remember hearing this many times over during my days as a Jenny Craig weight loss counselor -- "What do YOU know about weight loss, you're one of those Naturally Skinny People." The statement was accusatory (that I didn't know anything about my job) and the way they would say "Naturally Skinny People," was similar to how a typical person 100 years ago might say something about one who had Leprosy... like it was a disease and a disgusting one at that. Honestly, wouldn't those clients WANT to catch that disease (if indeed it were one...). But, through my years as a human - sometimes a skinny one, sometimes a fat one, here's a truth I have come to accept:
As a formerly accused NSP (Naturally Skinny Person) who has known many accused NSPs I can tell you I cannot think of a single woman I have met at my age (and even a tad younger) who is skinny and doesn't have to work at it. I know for many overweight people out there, this is a difficult concept to understand. Some think there is a magical gene the Skinny folk have making them a naturally fat repellent - incapable of falling victim to late night munchies, salt cravings and chocolate attacks. Well, it JUST AIN'T SO!
Even while maintaining a low weight for a long stretch of years combined with regular exercise, I have always had a vicious cycle of carefully calculating every morsel into my mouth followed by complete overindulgence and weight gain and back again to detailing every calorie in versus every calorie out.
The simple fact is that the supposed NSPs have less wiggle room when it comes to their caloric intake. For example, my resting metabolic rate at my current weight (149) is approximately 1412 calories a day (not taking activity or breastfeeding into account). For my same height and age at my previous weight, my caloric requirements to maintain my weight drop significantly -- to maintain a weight of 125, I need about 1186 calories. Imagine, having to live every single day off of less thank 1200 calories? It's possible (difficult, but possible) and add in some exercise to boost the caloric requirements and it's a livable lifestyle.
Case in point? In today's quick food world centered around food, indulgence and gluttony, there are NO NSPs at our age. Instead of blaming genetics, it's time to jump on the treadmill and start monitoring intake. Less in and more out is the only way to weight loss.
Now that this tangent is over, I would like to also share that I'm down an additional pound this morning! Can't wait to see the results at my official weigh in next Monday.
