A Victim of Plate: An Unexpected Lesson – Part 1

A while back, I noticed my clothes were getting tighter, which could only mean one thing: I was gaining weight.

Since I had been watching my weight for some time, this excess weight left me concerned. Like many of us who experience changes in our bodies, I felt a mix of worry and determination to understand what was happening. To address this mindfully, I started tracking my food intake and re-evaluating my lifestyle. That’s when I discovered the unexpected culprit: our new plates!

How did this happen? Here is the gist.

I recently found a plate design I loved and switched to it without much thought – sometimes the smallest changes can have unexpected effects on our wellbeing. I didn’t pay close attention to the fact that this plate was bigger than the former. This change led to serving larger portions at times, resulting in excessive calorie consumption. This simple swap significantly impacted my eating habits, causing weight gain. It’s amazing how being aware of these subtle changes can empower us to make better choices for our health.

How is weight gained, you might want to ask.

Weight accumulation, also known as weight gain, occurs when an individual consumes more calories than their body burns, resulting in an energy surplus. Understanding this process helps us approach our health journey with knowledge rather than judgment. This surplus energy is stored as fat, leading to weight gain. Below is a step-by-step explanation:

• You eat food and drinks containing calories, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
• Your body breaks down these calories into simpler forms, absorbing them into the bloodstream.
• The absorbed calories are converted into energy (ATP) through cellular respiration.
• Your body uses energy for various functions like movement, growth, maintenance, and bodily functions.
• If the calories consumed exceed energy expenditure (use), the surplus energy is stored as glycogen (in the liver and muscles) or fat (in adipose tissue).
• Excess energy is stored as fat in adipose tissue, leading to weight gain/accumulation.

Remember, weight fluctuations are a normal part of life, and our worth isn’t determined by the number on the scale. Also note that weight gain isn’t only about food intake. Factors influencing weight accumulation include excess caloric intake, hormonal changes (especially in pregnant women), genetics, a sedentary lifestyle, and some medical conditions. It’s important to approach these changes with self-compassion and understanding.

Weight management involves balancing caloric intake with energy expenditure through a healthy diet and regular physical activity. The key is finding sustainable habits that work for your lifestyle while maintaining a positive relationship with your body and food.

Small, mindful changes can create big waves in our health journey. Be kind to yourself—your worth is never measured by a plate, a scale, or a number. Progress is a celebration of self-love.

Would you like to know easy ways to watch and reduce weight gradually? I’ll be sharing simple, sustainable approaches that prioritize both physical and mental well-being in the second part of this series.

Look forward to it, and remember – every step toward better health, no matter how small, is progress worth celebrating.