Tortoise, Hare & Weight Loss

I recently read an article which had an interesting take to the old tortoise and hare story. You know the one where the tortoise and the hare competed in a race and the tortoise, against all odds won the race? Normally we are told that the moral of the story is ‘slow and steady wins the race’ or ‘the strongest don’t always win’; some even say that the story is about the triumph of brains over brawn. Be that as it may, this new perspective was inspired. In it the author flat out challenged this entire story with a simple question…

‘Why was the tortoise in competition with the hare in the first place?’

Interesting question, right? They never do tell us why, do they?

Anyway back to my point… think for a minute about Mr Tortoise and Mr Hare...

Tortoise	Hare
Hard back Hairless Slow crawl	Soft skin Fur Speedy hop

Can you see the difference? But what is my point?

Well my point is that… I am not in competition with anyone, so I need to cut myself some slack sometimes. Can I personalize this?

YOU ARE NOT IN COMPETITION WITH ANYONE, SO GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK!

 

Some of us are made to be pear shaped, while others are more apple-shaped; some have hourglass figures; others are built with strong shoulders. I could go on about all the various body types out there, but I think you get the message.

I think that...

• Just because someone trimmed her tummy drinking cinnamon and honey tea each morning does not mean this will work for you. (I know it would all but kill me, with my allergy to honey… [shrug])
• Just because someone lost weight surviving only on popped corn for 100 days does not mean that will work for you.

 

And who says I am supposed to be a size 6, or have a BMI of 18.5? I’ve found out that contrary to what the text books say, the BMI index really does not address the differences in physiology based on our races. I am content in the fact that I just wasn’t formed to be a size 6, were you?

I have no issues with size 6 frames (a friend of mine is actually a size 4… she is tiny!) It’s good for her – anything bigger and she would be UNHEALTHY; but we all need to understand our bodies and find what works for us, and have a go at that! Let’s not strive for the impossible to the point that we look like 'zombies in spring' aka unhealthy. Or even compromise our mental health on account of some ideal...

In my opinion, the bottom line is not my dress size or my hourglass figure or lack thereof (although I do have an hourglass figure …after a fashion … cough-cough); the bottom line is the condition of my health. How healthy are you?

Blood pressure?    Diabetes?    Sleep Apnea?        Depression?         Joint pain?

Health is the stuff that life is made off, so if we are going to compare notes or compete, let’s do so on the basis on health.

If and when the tortoise and hare do compete, let the price go to the healthier of them. Although I would rather the Mr Tortoise stick to the Tortoise Marathon and Mr Hare register for the Hare Crosscountry.

My goal in 2015 is being the Winner in my own personal race, ‘coz I am not in competition with anyone else…

So, what are you in this DROP IT race for?

 

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