Weight loss is not as easy as eating less and exercising more. We all know that. It’s more complex and we are all unique metabolically, so what is effective for me may not work for you. That’s why it’s best to put some foundational principles in place like proper hydration, adequate, restful sleep, eating high quality foods that agree with your makeup, paying attention to when and how often you eat and maintaining a healthy microbiome. These health aspects, as well as others, are all things we address in Today is Still the Day.
I have said before that the ultimate goal should be overall health and wholeness, spirit, soul and body, not simply reaching a specific number on the scale. Getting to your healthiest weight is definitely a worthwhile goal, but it shouldn’t be the be-all-end-all. There is a very important reason for this.
When someone is overweight or obese it is easy to see that on the outside. That isn’t the whole story, however. You may be very slim, even athletic and still have some of the same health issues as someone who is overweight or obese.
The term used to describe someone who is outwardly thin but metabolically fat inside is “skinny-fat.” There are three critical reasons this could be true: poor diet, unhealthy habits and lack of sleep. Being overweight is definitely a risk factor for chronic diseases, including diabetes. However, according to recent research, those people who are normal weight and have Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of mortality than people who are overweight or obese. This is referred to as the “obesity paradox.’ It is found to be a factor in cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure as well. Perhaps, surprisingly, as many as 25% of normal weight individuals have prediabetes.
Please don’t misunderstand. I am not saying if you are overweight you should just stay that way. What I want to point out is that there is more to health than simply the number on the scale. It is very important to consider when and what you eat, your stress level, how much sleep you get and other factors that contribute to true overall health and wholeness as well as a healthy weight.
What I am suggesting is that you seek a plan that addresses all aspects of health and wholeness and that you are able to integrate into your daily life long term. You do not want to look good on the outside and yet have serious issues happening on the inside!
Does this research surprise you? Are you focusing on the wrong thing?
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I’ve never before heard the term “skinny-fat” Ms. Ann. I wonder, “Does the opposite exist also?” I recall what has now been many years ago through a divorce, I had lost a significant amount of weight (approximately 30 percent). While the result was that my Type II diabetes improved to the point that I no longer required oral medications, the stress of the ordeal cause many other health issues. And while my diabetes was “well-controlled”, it never disappeared. As God restored my life and some normalcy returned, so did some of that weight. With it came the need for medicines to held control my diabetes. What’s worse, being overweight and taking medicine or being the weight I was in my 20s and having multiple other issues? I love your suggestion (or my understanding) that we each need to find the right balance for our lives; and the right mix of healthy habits that lead to our best life. Well said author!
J.D. you hit on an important point. Losing the weight definitely improved your blood sugar to a point, however the stress was still damaging, no matter how much weight you lost. Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world and have stress and heartaches. The chemicals released into the body by stress, in my opinion, are the most damaging. Even someone of normal weight who is healthy can develop diabetes from extreme stress. The medications all have downsides and side effects so not needing them is preferred. But the damage stress causes is also destructive. Perhaps the difference is that we can take steps to deal with the stress that don’t involve drugs.
Ann, I’m curious. When you say, “However, according to recent research, those people who are normal weight and have Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of mortality than people who are overweight or obese,” are they comparing overweight people without diabetes? That is a staggering finding. I always learn something new from you.
No, Debbie, they were comparing overweight people with diabetes to normal weight people with diabetes. It is a stunning finding, isn’t it? As always, thanks for reading and your input!
Such a great reminder, Ann. In addition to what you pointed out, almost every woman I know has underate or starved herself at some point in life. That can be dangerous as well. Especially emotionally. Thanks for the weekly encouragement.
Absolutely Holly! Either extreme is not good.