This has been on my mind a lot since ACL surgery in August. While my body didn’t undergo huge visible changes, it definitely underwent some changes on the scale. I’ve fluctuated about 10 pounds between the months I first tore my ACL and now.
Arguably, it was mostly due to muscle loss – my activity levels drastically changed, and seven weeks on crutches took their toll on strength. But now that my weight (and muscle) has increased again, that reminds me:
Weight gain doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It can be an indicator of so many things:
You’re injured or healing and just can’t work out as much.
You’re actively gaining muscle, which has weight.
You’re stressed and coping with food as comfort.
You’re out of tune with what your body needs for fuel.
And the list goes on. The point is, it’s all just information to work with, vs. a reason to blame yourself for “letting yourself go.” Especially because that negates the fact that weight gain can be a positive change, whether it’s a sign that you’re getting stronger or a sign that you’re no longer being restrictive around food.
The perfect comparison: I woke up later than I wanted to this morning and didn’t meet my goal of writing by 6a.m. Me waking up late is an indicator of something else → I went to bed late because I went out for wine with girlfriends. This doesn’t mean I was BAD. This is just information to work with – it tells me I need to put down the wine a little sooner and get to bed at a better time so I can be up bright and early to work, like I mean to.
Addressing weight gain can be just as objective. No blame necessary.
