Can taking care of our mental health help in losing weight? How much of a difference can 2 years make in a person's life?
Well, these two images are a testament about what two years can do. Now, allow me to tell you all a story...
Back in 2022 I was under extreme stress because of juggling family responsibilities, research work, and my start up, while tossing away social life and self care out of the window (like, who's got the time for all that, right?). My priorities were misplaced, my emotional wounds were flaring up like nobody's business, and my boundaries had decided to go into hibernation. I was okay with it because I was alive (a.k.a surviving), and the people around me were pleased with my efforts.
Come 2023, I began to take greater accountability for my health (instead of playing the victim card and blame my circumstances), paid more active attention to my emotional and psychological wounds, had difficult conversations that allowed me to unload some of my responsibilities, sought help from friends and family, began to work towards embracing my shadows, actively worked on forgiveness in my personal life, became more mindful of my own needs, introduced discipline in my life, and all in all, not only learned the true meaning of self love, but began to actively practicing it.
As a result my incessant cravings for junk food subsided, my appetite became more regulated, I could optimally perform for longer periods of time without depending on food, I began to listen more to the needs of my body, and became more comfortable with physical movements.
This in turn allowed me to follow a more disciplined lifestyle (which would not have been possible if I continued to carry the same burden as two years back).
Since the end of 2023, till now, I have managed to maintain a constant 72 KGs. Do I have six packs? Not yet, but am not fussed about it (even though it is in my bucket list), because being fit is more important to me than having a poster friendly physique.
So, why did I really share this story of mine? Is it meant to be a motivational post? Is it a weight loss journey story? Not exactly... my primary intention with this post is to highlight how important it is to take care of our mental health; even if our goal is only to become physically fitter.
Have you noticed the impact of your mental health on your physical health?
P.S: On the physical front, I simply introduced these four changes in my life:
1. Intermittent fasting (I also have started fasting on spiritually charged days);
2. Reducing processed food (not stopped yet);
3. Stopped drinking and smoking;
4. Becoming less sedentary.
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