This is such a powerful piece. I will be awhile unpacking everything this brought up for me. You call me to turn and look inward, to examine my biases and judgments and all I can say is that I’m sorry this even needs to be pointed out. Thank you Kristi.
As
Someone who has never faced this kind of discrimination I need to have my eyes opened about everything you said. When we know better we do better.
Thank you, Donna. My eyes have been opened so much the last few years because of my own personal experiences with body change and then research on the subject matter, but I've got so much to learn still too. Because of the society we live in, a lot of these biases are really baked in, almost all of us come to the table with them, even when we're not aware of them. So it's important to give yourself grace too. And you're so right, when we know better, we do better.
Those islands look absolutely beautiful! Wow. So glad you were able to experience them!
Another great essay, and one that has me thinking about Ozempic again because I just went to my new doctor here in Virginia. We did all my bloodwork and I told her I was worried about diabetes and my weight. My bloodwork came back and although I'm just on the borderline between normal and prediabetes, my Lipid panel was all high - high cholesterol, high trigylcerides, etc. My doctor asked me if I'd consider using the injections for weight loss and I said I had...but whenever I do research on it, I just worry about the side effects. Granted, I'm on a LOT of meds already and who knows how Ozempic or a similar one would react to my meds? There are days where, like you, I feel great in my body and am not worried about my weight. But then I see my health might be improved by losing weight - because that's what happened in the past. I had high cholesterol, trigylcerides, etc., and I lost weight, and the numbers all went down. So now I'm just so, so confused as to what to do. I don't eat badly - but I don't get enough exercise because of my chronic illnesses, so losing weight just feels impossible.
Melissa, I feel you so much on this. I think there are a lot of people in similar shoes and truly weighing the best options based on their own individual health factors. I share your concerns about side effects; we don't yet have longterm studies on these meds at the higher doses recommended for weight loss. We just don't know, and by the time we do, there will be newer meds to replace them. It's just an endless cycle.
One thing I will say is some of these symptoms you're mentioning are also associated with menopause. I've heard many women report high cholesterol in peri that they never had before, and their habits and even weight haven't changed. I don't know if that changes the treatment, but it's something to think about.
You're right - being post-menopausal may definitely be contributing to all of this. I've determined to just try and eat healthier (I've found lots of recipes that help with insulin resistance) and exercise when I can. I don't want to go on weight loss meds. I have abdominal adhesions and that causes gastrointestinal issues. Ozempic and those other meds have those side effects, and I don't want to make what I have worse! Just no easy answers. Thank you for being so open and honest in your posts - it truly helps so many of us!
I have also written about weight, but in a way that is much more judgemental about myself. I enjoyed this piece and the way it offered me a different take on the subject. Also, I have absolutely had the same experience with thin friends talking about how they need to lose weight. It cuts every time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences!
I love it when a piece makes me think about something differently. I am in the weird position of being both the daughter of a mom with an eating disorder as well as the mother of a daughter with an eating disorder. So although I dodged an ED myself, I have always been highly cognizant of weight related issues. But I had never thought about being fat vs feeling fat or the privilege of the latter. Thanks for this!
WOW - thank you for your vulnerability in sharing this. I GET IT!
I. like you and so many others. had lost and gained back hundreds of pounds over the years and it didn't matter what size I was, my thoughts were still the same (not good.)
During the 2020 lockdown I was miserable. I realized part of that was because I wasn't moving my body, so I started walking and walking and walking. I consistently walk 12,000 steps a day now and have dropped - AND KEPT OFF - 60 POUNDS!
The best part? I am 65-years-old, with tons of wrinkles, aches and saggy arms, and I have never loved my body more! I focus on all that it has done (and continues to do) for me.
Thank you! And I'm so appreciative of you sharing your own story and struggles here. I love that you've finally found body love. What do you think is the reason?
Yes, I am fat, and am likely to remain so even though I have lost 50 pounds with tirzepatide. I’m overweight but not obese and all my blood work is back to normal except cholesterol, which seems like it will require a bit longer to get there. That’s good enough for me. I wasn’t looking for thin, just healthy.
Glad you enjoyed them. I want to do a full post on the trip to San Blas, because it is such a cool experience. The views were epic, but I was just so fascinated by this place where women are in charge!
I love it when a piece makes me think about something differently. I am in the weird position of being both the daughter of a mom with an eating disorder as well as the mother of a daughter with an eating disorder. So although I dodged an ED myself, I have always been highly cognizant of weight related issues. But I had never thought about being fat vs feeling fat or the privilege of the latter. Thanks for this!
This is such a powerful piece. I will be awhile unpacking everything this brought up for me. You call me to turn and look inward, to examine my biases and judgments and all I can say is that I’m sorry this even needs to be pointed out. Thank you Kristi.
As
Someone who has never faced this kind of discrimination I need to have my eyes opened about everything you said. When we know better we do better.
Thank you, Donna. My eyes have been opened so much the last few years because of my own personal experiences with body change and then research on the subject matter, but I've got so much to learn still too. Because of the society we live in, a lot of these biases are really baked in, almost all of us come to the table with them, even when we're not aware of them. So it's important to give yourself grace too. And you're so right, when we know better, we do better.
Those islands look absolutely beautiful! Wow. So glad you were able to experience them!
Another great essay, and one that has me thinking about Ozempic again because I just went to my new doctor here in Virginia. We did all my bloodwork and I told her I was worried about diabetes and my weight. My bloodwork came back and although I'm just on the borderline between normal and prediabetes, my Lipid panel was all high - high cholesterol, high trigylcerides, etc. My doctor asked me if I'd consider using the injections for weight loss and I said I had...but whenever I do research on it, I just worry about the side effects. Granted, I'm on a LOT of meds already and who knows how Ozempic or a similar one would react to my meds? There are days where, like you, I feel great in my body and am not worried about my weight. But then I see my health might be improved by losing weight - because that's what happened in the past. I had high cholesterol, trigylcerides, etc., and I lost weight, and the numbers all went down. So now I'm just so, so confused as to what to do. I don't eat badly - but I don't get enough exercise because of my chronic illnesses, so losing weight just feels impossible.
Melissa, I feel you so much on this. I think there are a lot of people in similar shoes and truly weighing the best options based on their own individual health factors. I share your concerns about side effects; we don't yet have longterm studies on these meds at the higher doses recommended for weight loss. We just don't know, and by the time we do, there will be newer meds to replace them. It's just an endless cycle.
One thing I will say is some of these symptoms you're mentioning are also associated with menopause. I've heard many women report high cholesterol in peri that they never had before, and their habits and even weight haven't changed. I don't know if that changes the treatment, but it's something to think about.
You're right - being post-menopausal may definitely be contributing to all of this. I've determined to just try and eat healthier (I've found lots of recipes that help with insulin resistance) and exercise when I can. I don't want to go on weight loss meds. I have abdominal adhesions and that causes gastrointestinal issues. Ozempic and those other meds have those side effects, and I don't want to make what I have worse! Just no easy answers. Thank you for being so open and honest in your posts - it truly helps so many of us!
I have also written about weight, but in a way that is much more judgemental about myself. I enjoyed this piece and the way it offered me a different take on the subject. Also, I have absolutely had the same experience with thin friends talking about how they need to lose weight. It cuts every time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences!
Brenda, I'm so glad to hear it's given you a different perspective, and I'd love if you'd consider sharing your own piece here.
Wow, thanks! It is here: https://open.substack.com/pub/myphoneboothphase/p/its-a-shame-she-let-herself-go?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=badlz
Thank you for sharing and I loved the honesty of it.
Such a thoughtful and thought-provoking piece, Kristi. Thank you.
Thanks, Keris!
I love it when a piece makes me think about something differently. I am in the weird position of being both the daughter of a mom with an eating disorder as well as the mother of a daughter with an eating disorder. So although I dodged an ED myself, I have always been highly cognizant of weight related issues. But I had never thought about being fat vs feeling fat or the privilege of the latter. Thanks for this!
Wow, Leslie. That must have be challenging in ways I've never thought about. I'd love to chat some time about your experiences.
Happy to chat. I haven’t written about this particular experience yet, but I will.
WOW - thank you for your vulnerability in sharing this. I GET IT!
I. like you and so many others. had lost and gained back hundreds of pounds over the years and it didn't matter what size I was, my thoughts were still the same (not good.)
During the 2020 lockdown I was miserable. I realized part of that was because I wasn't moving my body, so I started walking and walking and walking. I consistently walk 12,000 steps a day now and have dropped - AND KEPT OFF - 60 POUNDS!
The best part? I am 65-years-old, with tons of wrinkles, aches and saggy arms, and I have never loved my body more! I focus on all that it has done (and continues to do) for me.
BTW - LOVE your pic!
Thank you! And I'm so appreciative of you sharing your own story and struggles here. I love that you've finally found body love. What do you think is the reason?
Yes, I am fat, and am likely to remain so even though I have lost 50 pounds with tirzepatide. I’m overweight but not obese and all my blood work is back to normal except cholesterol, which seems like it will require a bit longer to get there. That’s good enough for me. I wasn’t looking for thin, just healthy.
Congrats to you on getting your numbers back in a good range! This is what I'm working toward too, redefining health beyond appearance.
Such a great post Kristi. So much in it and I think I need some time to digest it all.
Thanks, Linn!
Great post, Kristi! Thank you very much.
Thanks, Nan!
Thanks for this thoughtful essay. Also the pictures are giving me major envy as I read this here in chilly Philadelphia!
Glad you enjoyed them. I want to do a full post on the trip to San Blas, because it is such a cool experience. The views were epic, but I was just so fascinated by this place where women are in charge!
I love it when a piece makes me think about something differently. I am in the weird position of being both the daughter of a mom with an eating disorder as well as the mother of a daughter with an eating disorder. So although I dodged an ED myself, I have always been highly cognizant of weight related issues. But I had never thought about being fat vs feeling fat or the privilege of the latter. Thanks for this!