6 REASONS WHY WE SHOULD STRIVE TO BE SLIM AND HEALTHY ALL OUR LIVES
As I’ve turned 40, I’ve realized how family, traditions, work, house chores and other priorities have taken over our lives. We spend more time cleaning our houses than taking care of ourselves. Feeding our kids healthy food seems to be more important to us than eating healthily ourselves. Furthermore, as we grow older, certain things we do, like eating out regularly, eating junk, drinking sugar-filled beverages, overeating, etc., happily contribute to the fat accumulation in our bodies.
While some friends and acquaintances send me messages about how my determination to lose weight (especially after pushing two babies out of my womb) has motivated them to do the same, others think that because I have a puny structure and a great metabolic rate, I tend to ‘remain’ slim naturally. But that’s far from the truth. Only I know how difficult it is not to put on weight after 25. Only I know how I resist the temptation of devouring that aromatic curry with hot steamy rice from my daughter’s plate.
Though there were weird incidents that helped me maintain my size, I did not resort to starving. NOT EATING is NOT an option for me. In fact, it is simple to stay slim without starving ourselves. However, remember, this ‘simple’ is not easy. It can be very difficult to follow the ‘simple’ ways in our complex world today. But it is certainly not impossible!
No, I’m not body-shaming anyone who is overweight. I’m not sure if being overweight is a sin, but it is definitely not healthy. Remember, when most of us visit the doctor, the first remedy that we are given (before the million medications) is to ‘reduce weight’ and to take part in some physical activities, right? Why? Because not being overweight is important.
So, after writing a blog on the simple ways to stay slim without starving, here are a few REASONS that I’ve come to gather on WHY IT IS IMPORTANT to strive to be slim and healthy ALL OUR LIVES besides the obvious feel-good-factor (because you are lighter) of course:
Firstly, when you eat healthily, you get sick less. So, there is less expenditure on medications and treatments. Maybe your bad immunity lets you get attacked by the common cold or flu once in a while but if you’re eating healthy, you will surely notice that you are visiting the doctor less.
Like, interestingly, my husband’s allergy disappears once he loses weight (exact reason unknown).
Two friends, one slim and one overweight, both tripped while walking. While the overweight one badly sprained her ankle, the slim one found it easy to shift her weight in order to prevent her ankle from twisting.
Like, my grandmother is 88 and has knee issues due to multiple falls. We believe that she is able to walk despite these terrible impacts only because she strives to remain slim by eating just how much her body NEEDS.
Trust me, the amount of energy that you have if you regularly eat healthily, is surprising. While some of us tire easily, the rest of us who eat healthily, drink lots of healthy fluids and get good sleep can continue dancing throughout the night. Of course, ultimately your body needs rest but you will have the energy to do a lot of things during the day.
Just last week, a friend of mine was telling me how all the old and fat aunties (at her mother’s kitty party) were complaining about the several unknown aches and pains in their bodies. Firstly, ‘old and fat’ caught my attention and I asked myself a question – do I also want to be known as an ‘old and fat’ aunty? Or do I want to inspire the younger generation by being the ‘slim and healthy’ aunty instead? Already we cannot escape the ‘aunty’ bit for various reasons, right?
Next, ‘complaining’ is generally done when you don’t eat healthily and your insides are yelling at you to start taking care of yourself without excuses. Also, when we consume healthy food, we are generally happier and therefore tend to think positively and spend time doing what we love rather than merely complaining.
I have observed generations following a pattern. If the grandmother and mother are more concerned about eating than eating healthily, unknowingly the daughter also tends to follow in their footsteps, unless otherwise. On the other hand, if the grandmother and mother have made it a point to eat healthily and remain slim despite slipping sometimes, there are high chances that the kids and grand kids are also inspired to do the same, again naturally.
Here, of course, communication is also a key factor but you cannot preach what you don’t practice, right?
Another surprising reason for shedding excess weight is a good night’s sleep. Healthy foods and physical activities allow you to sleep well, too. I suggest that you eat healthily, drink lots of water and walk for half an hour every day to begin feeling the difference.
Only your body can indicate when it needs your attention. And, while your body weight alone is not the best indicator of your overall well-being, your diet surely is. Because you are what you eat.
FYI – Besides being obese, eating junk food regularly can lead to several ailments like chronic diseases, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and some cancers.
Accepting our bodies, the way they are, is a good thing, but taking care of our body and feeding it the right amounts of the right foods is even better, don’t you think?
There are other reasons why we should strive to remain healthy and slim. Like being more confident about ourselves, maybe less lazy and open to trying out new activities in life. So, let’s keep our health in mind before deciding to satisfy our greedy taste-buds by eating anything and everything in the market because only our lifestyle choices can take a toll on our health.
Another FYI – According to NICE, the most sort after reason to stay healthy and slim is to live longer. So, why don’t we give it a try? 😉
Do you think your lifestyle choices have affected your health in any way? Do you want to start taking care of yourself so the aches and pains don’t visit you when you get older? Let us know in the comments below what your thoughts are on this article especially curated for you as a gift on my birthday! 😉
PS: I have mentioned ‘slim and healthy‘ because only ‘slim’ (without eating healthily) is not what we should aim at ever. And some people refer to an overweight person as ‘a healthy person’ (especially here in India). I’m not really sure why because overweight and healthy don’t go hand in hand. But, keeping all this in mind, I decided to title my blog ‘slim and healthy’. You get my drift, right? Besides, I was always a slim person but would always get sick due to the type of food we consumed and our general lifestyle in the Middle East. I’ve written this post only after I have tried and tested almost everything mentioned above.
Also, just to confirm – overweight and obesity are defined as the abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to our health.
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44 Comments
You look great Cindy! But in reality, being overweight has no relation to not being healthy. They are two completely different things – people who are overweight may be unhealthy but they may also be in perfect health, as health depends on a variety of factors. I work out more regularly now than I did during the pandemic, and though I certainly haven’t lost the weight I put on during lockdown, I’m far healthier than I was even when I was slimmer (I can run and lift heavy and I no longer have back pain). The pursuit of health is important, but not necessarily the pursuit of a slim figure…! (Not coming after you… Just sharing an alternative viewpoint, so please don’t take it the wrong way :))
Glad to know your view, too, Noor.
in 2022, I had taken up a diet plan with a dietician and was on a journey to lose weight. I dropped a significant amount of weight and saw the shift in confidence and loved the new me.
Wow that is awesome, Hansa! Keep it up!
I wouldn’t agree that being slim is never but being healthy and as per BMI would definitely help . This post would definitely help people to adopt healthy changes
I agree morbid obesity is generally due to genetics or faulty lifestyle and can be a major predisposing factor for many diseases. Being Slim is not always healthy e.g. Anorexia but maintaining a healthy weight and a healthy lifestyle is important.
Yes, ‘slim and healthy’ is the title as opposed to thin or size 0 alone. Also, healthy is now a days referred to heavy people for some reason so avoided that word alone too!
First of all, belated happy birthday to you! You look fabulous at 40. I agree with all your points but I still feel the aim after a certain age should not be to become slim but healthy and that should not just include the physical health but the mental health as well.
Thank you for the wishes, Neha! If you are on the heavier side and don’t have to visit the doctor often, you’re fine. We should concentrate on many things but this post is only about your internal health. Maybe the next one will be on mental health. 🙂 Good idea!
First of all Belated Happy 40th. And I must say regarding figure you are the person I look up to. Now, coming to the points I must say your points are very true, even I tend to keep them in mind but unfortunately, after my accidents couldn’t keep my figure intact.
Thank you for the wishes, Monidipa! Concentrate on eating healthy! Your figure will take care of itself!
One should build up stamina and be fit. Being slim may not be possible as it depends on body type and other things. But as long as one is agile and has stamina and is healthy, it is definitely good. Great tips though for remaining fit as we age.
Thanks, Vasumathi! I think many of us believe that our bodies are a certain way and we can do nothing about it. But a few changes in our lifestyle (main cause) can surely take us nearer to our goal (health wise).
I totally agree with you on this. This is actually what I strive to go for, well, I use the word “strong” though, not slim as it usually gives a totally different meaning to many. Slim=sexy which is usually what others aim for when they want to lose weight. Maintaining weight I think is all about your values and discipline more than anything. If you value your body, it would be a struggle for you not to over-eat.
true,therefore i mentioned slim and healthy everywhere! 😉
I do agree that excess weight does not do us any favors. Your husband is lucky. I wish my allergies improved when I lost weight. I struggle with losing weight after my hypothyroidism diagnosis.
Find a way Ritu. I’m sure you will succeed! All the best!
I am finding it very difficult to lose weight now. Somehow the hormonal changes after my 2 nd baby has messed up my metabolism and add to that 2 years of Covid depression. I am a fat mess now
You will find a way, Mandira! All the best!
I might not be slim and trim but much more flexible and active than slim counterparts in my life. I include some form of exercise in my daily routine but due to more cheat meals in a week doesn’t not allow me to loose weight easily.. So working on it.
All the best, Swati!
I totally agree with you! Even I am on the journey to loose weight an be healthy and it is very very difficult to do so. Specially curbing the cravings. I have already seen the difference in my energy levels and I do not fall that sick also. It is important to be healthy then just loosing weight.
true Shail. All the best with your journey!
Being fit and healthy is really important. We don’t realize it until we reach a certain age and the diseases start adding up. But there are some things you cannot control.
True Madhu. But many people use ‘cannot control’ as an excuse without even trying.
I agree with you, totally, Cindy. My mom and my grandmother were conscious of themselves. My mom was lean after 7 kids and used to say eat to live not live to eat. reduce your intake as you age. My sisters are both obese and as u said old aunties and my second sister is jealous that I don’t look my age. It is a battle whether you are thin or fat you have to work at it. And health and weight are so correlated with mental health too these days. Proud to know you.
Thank you, Harjeet!
I READ SOME THOUSANDS OF BLOGS ON WEIGHT LOSS AND CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY TODAY I READ THE BEST OF THE LOT WITH REALISTIC FACTS BEAUTIFULLY PENNED WHICH I PERSONALLY FOUND WORTH SHARING WITH OTHERS
Wow, this is an honour Samata! Thank you!
Nice write up Cindy!
Welcome to the 40s… I can assure u that life begins at 40😀.
Like you I am quite conscious about my health n fitness so yes, the lifestyle changes that I have made have made a positive impact in my life n I plan to be consistent.
That is awesome Kaveri. Keep it up!
You and your post have inspired alot of us out here, and I always look upto you. So glad to see ur 40th bday making you younger and beautiful as always.
Thank you, darling!
A healthy lifestyle helps us gain or maintain good physical and mental health. A healthy lifestyle has many benefits. In the short term, it helps us feel good. In a long time, it helps us stay well for longer. I maintain my healthy lifestyle by walking or cycling for short journeys.
Wow that’s great, Anjali. Keep it up!
Happy Birthday! This is an inspirational post.
Thanks, Sakshi!
Yes, I am totally agree with you. Maintain weight or to remain slim after 25 /30 or after pushing our baby is quite difficult. Though I do not have put on so much weight but yes want to stay fit and healthy. Your post is really helpful.
Thanks, Neeta! All the best!
Health is wealth. Every one should make health the first priority and be healthy. The first step to happiness.
Hi Cindy!
Happy to have come across your blog today. I too got motivated to transform myself after motherhood. I keep telling my people how wear and tear with age is NOT a norm we should go with as I elders tell us. You point of “Inspire Kids” totally resonates. My girls are working out from tender age and want to be Fit like MOM 🙂
You may also like reading one of my popular blogs on mom fitness – http://thethinkinhat.com/2014/12/15/how-to-eat-more-and-loose-weight/
Thanks, Nancy! Will surely check out your blog!
Very well expressed! And yes we need constant reminders to pay attention and take care of ourselves more as we grow older . If we do so then the rest of our family would also follow suit !
True, Sona. Please forward it to those you think may benefit from this.