Of Sloths and Shadow Healing
Age is relative. As I get closer to the midpoint, I find my spirit animal is the humble sloth. They spend their time hanging upside down in trees. They have the lowest metabolism of any animal. They can fall from high trees without injury. They are masters of life in slow-motion.
Women in perimenopause have incredibly slow metabolisms. Perhaps this is a queue to slow down and take things easy. Hanging upside down is also a great benefit for a sluggish system that is intent on keeping you awake at night and swelling your ankles by the end of the day. More importantly the ever present smile portrayed on our dear sloth's face when photographed is echoed on every woman who has realized the benefit of observing the fast paced world around them while hanging from a steady, hanging branch. We're amused by all things because we've been there, done that, and lived to realize it was all a great illusion.
I've a long history of documenting my weight loss journey (failure of such). While my mobility, strength, and flexibility remain relatively constant—weight loss is impossible.
When “eat less, move more” is not the answer.
It's actually detrimental for me. I've shown time and time again eating less and moving more creates a cortisol spike so great that I gain more weight and induce inflammation spikes of pain in my shoulders, hips, and legs.
My year spent weight training resulted in the conclusion that my body isn't able to sufficiently recover from any heavy strain. Will-power wasn't the limiting factor—recovery was. My ancestors didn't carry the weight that I carry. The heat of the tropics would have spiked their metabolism. Island nations are notorious for resting. Physical activity is frowned upon. Food may cycle between abundance and famine but there will always be nutrients.
Enter a world where nutrients are poor, carbohydrates many, and food is constant. There's no famine cycle to induce fasting. Instead, there's a constant stress or strain induced by society. Much of my 20s, 30s, and 40s was spent living for others. Sure, I lived—but most of my decision making was based on the needs of others and not on myself. Losing weight was more as a result of the judgement of others than for myself. The attitude towards losing weight was one of desperation to fit in.
Quitting everything didn't work either.
The only solution I've ever found is a very difficult one—fasting. Even that, needs to be taken with the understanding that a woman's cycle affects hunger, physical balance, hormones. My success with fasting lead me to believing I had 'healed' minor ailments. I have a tool to combat pre-diabetic symptoms. But it is a sledge hammer. You can't take upon it lightly. There is a spiritual component that needs to be present. You can't do heavy lifting while fasting. You can't perturb the balance. Like the humble sloth who eats one leaf a month, your bowels are affected, your metabolism slows. You become more mindful of everything. Your ability to manage temperature and sleep may go haywire. You have to supplement minerals and find ways to stay hydrated.
