Astha Chandra Inner Power Coach

Inner glow is a function of letting go of your past and making peace with your past.

Forgive, forget and let go: Beginning today.

✨Astha✨

~ Regular Day ~ Being myself

Weight Changes & Mental Health…

“Wow, you have lost so much weight!” Isn’t that a nice compliment to receive?
It’s probably nice if you have successfully lost a lot of weight or have successfully maintained weight loss over an extended period of time. But what about circumstances where you have gained a few kilos, and you receive this compliment?

Well, this dicey compliment has been received by me on several occasions when I have gained a few kilos, and the remark used to make me furious. While I would muster a meagre smile or vehemently deny losing weight, my mind would go berserk. I would think, “Are you crazy? Here I am, struggling with these extra kilos & you are saying –– I have lost a lot of weight. How much fatter do you think I was? Do you think I was a hippopotamus or something?” I couldn’t imagine why someone would insist that I have lost weight when I had gained some.

However, let’s face it. Very few people can accurately tell a weight change of up to 5% of your body weight. Depending on your overall body weight, a gain of 2, 4 or even 5 Kgs might be imperceptible & the compliment-giver may be blissfully unaware that you are a few kilos up.

Also, people take a long while to change impressions about you. They may carry strong memories of what you looked like many years ago & casually state –– “You have lost so much weight.”

So, is this compliment bad? Should one be offended to receive it?

Well, I would preferably say –– “You look good” instead of commenting on anyone’s weight.

But it’s a common compliment & one has to see what it represents.

Generally, in India & the world, weight-loss other than illness induced is considered good. If you have managed to safely lose weight –– you are likely to look younger & be healthier & fitter.

To my mind, “You have lost a lot of weight” is just a generic expression to state that something about you is different in a good way.

It could be your persona, your energy, your style or maybe just your hairstyle that are making you look different.

Bottom line is, you look good, and you look better.

So, irrespective of gaining 3-4 kilos, if someone tells me, “You have lost a lot of weight,” I assume it to mean:

~ I look wonderful.
~ I have made the right outfit choice.
~ I am looking younger & fitter.
~ I am glowing.

I don’t mind the compliment anymore & am thankful to the many people who have given it to me.

But why this elaborate discussion on weight loss & the accompanying social convos?

Because it reflects the importance our society places on “weight.” I have spent many years benchmarking my self-worth on weight changes & now, I find so many people doing the same.

It’s important to be healthy & fit but weight gain or loss shouldn’t determine your worthiness. I have noticed this time & again in society –– even minor weight changes are linked to diminishing self-worth & a sense of shame.

I have seen people hide because they have weight & I have seen them use disparaging language for themselves like “I look like a buffalo” just because they have weight.

This has to change & stop.

I want everyone to know:

1. Weight is temporary.
2. With little effort you can easily manage/change your weight.
3. You are beautiful even if you have gained weight.
4. You can receive compliments even if you have gained weight.
5. Your aliveness, vivacity & zest for life is not linked to your weight. You can be joyous & have a sparkle even if you have gained weight.
6. Both a full moon & crescent moon are beautiful.
7. Whether fat or thin, you are beautiful.

I hope this post helps people reflect on the deep impact that weight issues have on mental health, and I hope they spend their life being joyful & alive rather than stressing about weight.

Stay blessed & remember –– You are lovable, no matter what!

Warmly,
Astha.

Quick tips if you are struggling with weight changes:

🌷 Be gentle with yourself.
🌷Choose Body Positive language.
🌷Repeat: I am beautiful, alive & healthy several times a day.
🌷Love & accept your body.

Lastly, change begins from within.
When you love & accept yourself, others love & accept you too.

You got this! ✨✨



In the pic: Recent click where as you can guess people said, I have lost weight. 😂