A recent medical news story about obesity & cancer caught my attention. Obesity is being linked to an increase of certain cancers in the generation known as Millenials. I am obese, based on my BMI, even though I continue to lose weight, my vital statistics are good, and I’m trying to be active. Even though I am in the age range considered Generation X, that age range is included when the authors of the articles reference ages 24-49. I am also a cancer survivor, and thinking about an increased risk of other cancers based on age range and weight is scary.
Everyone who is struggling with being overweight comes to that struggle differently. Whether it’s a lifetime of bad eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle, or a catastrophic change that leads to different habits, weight gain can be an insidious, slow-moving monster. Suddenly it seems as if your jeans don’t fit, or you can’t catch your breath after going up a flight of stairs. Maybe you know what I mean.
It also isn’t something we enjoy talking about. Between fat shaming, diet shaming, diet rollercoasters, and the immense pressure from advertisers, the media, and each other to be thin, being overweight is more than a personal issue. It’s shameful, degrading, and we are judged. “You’d be so pretty if you lost weight.” “Your health would be better if you lost weight.” “You’d feel better and be able to do more things if you lost weight.” Yes, we know. It’s frustrating enough to be on the weight loss-gain rollercoaster. Those so-called well-meaning comments are not helping. And, clearly, we have a problem. Nearly 70% of adults in the United States are overweight or obese. Let that sink in for a moment. More than 225 million people are overweight or obese.
Cancer is a gigantic and scary word. It conjures up images of needles and IV drips, radiation and lost hair, exhaustion and lost work or lost time with loved ones. I am one of the lucky ones; my kidney cancer was surgically removed and I had no chemo or radiation. I’m now ten years cancer-free, and I am grateful. Too many other patients have much, much worse experiences.
When I read the information on how obesity leads to higher risks for cancer, it’s terrifying. I will also note that obesity itself is not the only risk factor; lifestyle choices, genetics, activity levels, and so on are contributing factors as well. Obesity is a complication, not the only factor, and obviously it’s something we need to deal with. It is also an obstacle to surgeries such as joint replacement, as a high BMI is a risk factor for post-surgical infections. This leads to a frustrating and debilitating vicious circle from which it seems there is no escape. “You need to lose weight before we can replace your knees.” “It hurts to move, and I’m gaining weight not losing.” Etc., etc., etc. Every day is a struggle when you’ve learned certain behaviors, or when you’ve fallen into certain habits. Eating from boredom, or stress, or sadness, or celebration, particularly without care for quality or calories, and without exercise or activity to burn those calories, leads to weight gain. Again it feels like a vicious circle. Breaking those habits is hard.
Breaking those habits is also a daily struggle. Some things seem like common sense. Do I want to snack more than I want to lose weight? (Most of the time, no.) Do I really need to eat that much pasta? (Absolutely not.) Am I happy I seem to have broken the habit of eating potato chips? (Completely!) And so on, and so forth…I’m retraining myself to disobey certain cues. When I go to X location, I always get X treat. Except now I’m thinking to myself, “I don’t need that, I have X at home I will enjoy more.” Easy? Nope. Worthwhile & rewarding? Absolutely. I measure things now. I’m even getting better at measuring things like pasta and limiting how much I cook! In the past I resented that concept; now I’m enjoying it and appreciating that a serving is more than enough. I look for alternatives when I want certain things such as potato chips. I avoid excessive drinking, both because A) calories but also B) excessive snacking. Somehow, it’s easier to eat (and eat poorly) when drinking alcohol! I drink lots (LOTS) of water. Water is one of my favorite beverages, and it’s one of my favorite discussion topics. (Let me know if you want to chat about why water is so important!)
Where does health coaching come into the equation? Everyone needs help and support. For me, it’s about positive accountability and making sustainable choices. It’s about celebrating accomplishments without beating myself up over mistakes. It’s about understanding the triggers and creating different responses. It’s about having fun with what I’m doing, such as meal planning with better choices. A health coach can help you do all of that, if you’re willing to dig in & do the work. One step at a time leads to progress. Just as it’s important not to binge on potato chips, it’s important not to binge on making changes. I believe everyone has the capability to dig in and make those positive, sustainable changes!
Cheers! Here’s to your health!