The effort of losing weight should itself count as a workout. I spent 3 hours today researching different aspects of shedding menopause weight. And I am still not confident how it's all going to come together.
Genetically, I am not prone to gaining wieght. But I guess with the changes in lifestyle and a the difference of a generation makes a difference. I was almost stick thin when I got married at 28. A sentence that probably every married woman has said at some point in time or the other. I wish I knew how rapidly things can change after marriage - I could have kept a tight leash on what I eat. It's not like I ate a lot anyways. And it's humid as hell in Mumbai. But the kilos just piled up even before I knew. All the suits I got stitched stopped fitting me after a few months. Like I literally cannot imagine I had that waistline when I see some of those clothes or saree blouses. Was I ever that thin? Will I ever be that thin again? After almost 17 years, I am still waiting to find out!
Before I got married, gyms were supposed to be for men or for upper class rich women. Not for the middle class women. And for years now, workout has become a common word and activity in my life.
I have hated gyms since the first time I set foot in them. They are spaces really designed for men. The smell, the energy, the attention is all masculine. Women are expected to look cute on cardio machines. And trainers or no trainers, I have never seen a drastic decrease in my weight. The last time I did solid workout 5 days a week under good trainers, I actually gained because I built muscle. And people actually used to ask me if I have GAINED weight!!!! People only understand getting smaller in size - I do too. But bulking a bit with muscles through lifting weights felt great although a lot of my old clothes don't fit me shoulder wise!
So yeah! I really don't know how to lose weight. Also, I have always given importance to regular physical activity rather than diet. But now I realise that what you consume - or not - is actually more important in losing weight. Of course, once I start working out, I believe in consistency. Although, once I stopped in 2017 after 2 or 3 years of working out, I never joined anywhere back. I don't think I began working out years later.
And then the pandemic hit. We were literally on our asses 24/7. Even though people did go for walks but we weren't actually allowed to do that - unless you have a dog. And my surgery in 2022 made me feel like I can never workout again. But losing a considerable amount of weight due to eating less and a lot of protein rich meals proves that what we eat matter a lot. And all the weight was solely due to those 2 reasons. There was no way I was able to work out for another year at least.
The surgery and the pandemic led to an aversion of stepping out to workout at a gym or a fitness centre. That was also the time when we moved homes and there is nothing around here. The whole of 2022 was me not wanting to get off my ass. Due to the psychological fallout of the surgery and also a spillover from the pandemic. Adjusting to the new house and so many more personal setbacks like dad passing away was getting too much to focus on any kind of workout.
But towards the end of it, after postponing it hoping to find a good gym class, I started working out at home. I got consistent from August 2023 for sure. Great YouTube channels on cardio and weights workout helped me build consistency. I have never thought of dieting - more on this coming up - but getting that workout done day after day is what has helped me build consistency. I do not believe in weighing myself everyday because miracles don't happen in 24 hours.
After working out on my own for 5 months in 2023, I felt the need to get a trainer or work under guidance. That's when I joined an online home workout group for strength training 4 times a week. The trainers got us into keeping track of about 12 parameters - from protein intake, steps taken each day, sleeping time and hours, sun exposure, meditation etc. That's when I gradually started going out for walks after the workout - something that I wanted to do but hadn't since the time we moved to the new place which has plenty of space to walk around. Joining a community which shares our goals really helps.
While the workouts were great, they weren't paced to my liking and did not have much guidance in terms of posture etc. I quit that after 3 months when the package came at full price :) I went back to cardio and and routine because I thought I needed to lose weight and strength training alone may not work for me. I did consider getting a trainer and got in touch with a couple of people but nothing worked out. So I continued with my own routine. I looked at more channels to supplement my cardio. And in the last 3 months I have made a lot of changes like including planks to take care of the meno-pot!
Based on the research I did today, ideas fresh off the internet and given my current weight situation, I have decided to add strength training 4 times a week and I have looked at workouts for men. I don't want to just look cute with pink dumb bells - something that all women's channels for women have in common!
I am also getting serious about my food habits. Increasing protein is a given. Although it's hard to cook separate meals in a 2 person household. I guess I can manage salads with chicken for myself. Keeping track of calories is going to be a pain although I never thought it'd come to this. I don't think there is any other way but to be sure of creating a calorie deficit to lose weight. I have also changed my abs and plank routine. I usually try and analyse monthly or quarterly because one needs consistent efforts over a period of time before expecting results. I will maybe come back and report how well this experiment fared for me - more strength training and watching what I eat!
Stay tuned!
What has your experience with weight loss been?
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