When I Lose MY Weight

This post has been moved from another blog. I've included the comments below.

Yikes! Do I really want to post this picture??

Yes, I do. Because one day soon we'll be able to put it next to a recent one and be amazed at all the weight I've lost.

I'm going to do this, you know.

For those of us who are overweight: Have you ever thought about how we use the term, "my", when talking about our excess weight? "When I lost MY weight last year"..."I need to lose MY weight...". I have mixed feelings about using this term of ownership.

I suppose using the word MY means that we are taking responsibility for the weight gain...we are owning up to the fact that it is there and is real. But on the other hand, isn't it also a term implying that we are comfortable in this state? If something is MINE, (especially to one who lacks self-control or hoards), then I want to make sure I keep what is mine. I wallow in it and enjoy it and make it my life.

I recently read, Passing for Thin by Frances Kuffel, where Kuffel replays her weight loss journey to half her original size. This was such a well-written book---it was REAL. In it, Kuffel uses the terminology, "this body", when referring to her new self. She has a hard time claiming it...believing that it is hers and real and is going to stay.
I wonder if that is a roadblock for me---facing reality and not being in denial anymore about the fact that I really am overweight. Ok, let's be honest, the fact that I am SERIOUSLY overweight.
My life won't suddenly become drastically different when I lose the weight. It is not the magical cure-all catalyst to a better attitude, more organization, happiness, great sex, cute clothes---all the things I'm dreaming of. Those things will come during a seperate, yet concurrent, journey that I have to choose to make daily.


Char said...
The hard part? You are still the same person inside, thin or overweight. Where ever you go- there you are. But I think the person inside is pretty neat.
February 29, 2008 6:15 PM