wholefoodnut's Journal, 14 Aug 15

In some ways I think that body awareness is a special gift of a good healthstyle. There is something empowering about making changes and seeing results. I too have noticed changes as my body has gotten stronger. I walk differently and I have much more stamina. For a while I had gotten used to losing a little bit of mobility each year and just chalked it up to getting older, but since I made changes in my way of eating and my exercise I realize I don't have to give up anything (so far) and I have added back activities I once thought were no longer available to me. This healthstyle stuff is better than any fountain of youth! :) 

I agree grammy, I feel 20 years younger!  

I agree that this awareness that comes with paying such close attention to your body and how it responds to what you put into it and how you move it is such a wonderful thing. I think perhaps it is something that you earn from all of your conscientious hard work to get to this point. Maybe that is what keeps you on track for the long term, as long as you keep paying attention.  

Izzy, not sure but it is a different feeling for me. I think a good one, not sure yet ;) 

I think body awareness and changes is a good thing. Tells us what we are doing right and wrong.  

Glen, I think you are right, it's a lifelong quest. I know I never again want to go back on that yo-yo, was there for too many years and looking back never felt healthy. I'm rather liking this feeling but am still flabby, though not as much as before, and not where I need to be so will keep on truckin.  

You are doing maintenance well - it is vigilance and staying with it. 

Like others, I'm paying much closer attention to not only my physique (sometimes to an 'extreme' where I nitpick to perhaps a mentally unhealthy extent), but also 'cues' and responses from my body after various foods and/or activities . . . funny how, at least for me, it was quite the opposite when I was heavier and much less healthy -- i.e., turning a 'blind eye', AVOIDING mirrors, photos, etc. Thanks for the 'food for thought'! 

One thing that struck me very early on in this process was the feeling of hunger. It had been a long time since I had felt that as I had just been overfeeding myself regularly. That was the first bit of body awareness I remember and I was kind of horrified. It signaled to me that I had been eating without really being hungry for so long that I scarcely remembered what hunger felt like. WFN, sometimes the awareness can be unsettling, but overall, I think it is a precious thing to have. 

So interesting as much of this journey has been for me.  

It's a fine line and much like with WOE, body awareness is a delicate 'balance.' I think women tend to experience more body image issues than men . . . I'm betting that several of us were probably either skinny or at least a healthy weight (me) in high school and would give anything to be within a stone's throw of that weight/physique again; yet, at the time, we thought we were 'fat' and needed to lose weight. Yet again, despite that new perspective and wisdom that comes with age, and the awareness that I've made some noticeable progress thus far (progress noticed by 3rd-party observers as well), I'm still much more critical than 'celebratory' at this point (i.e., right back in high school with that 'negative' voice and perception). 

Not sure but I was fitter then as a twirler (no sports avail back in the day for girls) I could do a horizontal split from a cartwheel and catch a fire baton. High school was too darn long ago--graduated in 1967.... Not aiming for that again!! Cannot speak for the men.  

You got that right wholefoodnut...lol 

I hope you stay aware of every little change....after all that's what keeps us on track. I am so proud of you and THANK YOU for all your help and support !! 

I'm a lucky one, I found a way that has worked for me after years of failure. I'm loving the feeling of being aware of what is affecting me, though sometimes it may be negative. That's OK its a learning journey that I do not think will ever end. Krazycat, I need to be here to keep me on track and will support anyone who is trying to get healthier. To me that is the goal. Health is so important to your life!