Why I Celebrated Gaining 20 Pounds (And Maybe You Should Too)
Let's talk about something that made my Instagram followers gasp: I gained 20 pounds last year. And y'know what? I threw a party to celebrate it. 🎉
No, seriously.
Look, I get it. In a world where "before and after" photos always show weight loss as the victory, saying you're happy about gaining weight sounds... weird? Wrong? Maybe even a little crazy?
But here's the truth bomb I'm dropping today: Sometimes, weight gain isn't just okay - it's downright necessary for your health and happiness. And I'm sick of pretending otherwise.
My Story (Yeah, We're Getting Personal)
Five years ago, I was that fitness instructor who could list every calorie in every food and wore my "running on coffee and willpower" lifestyle like a badge of honor. I was also constantly exhausted, dealing with hormone issues, and hadn't had my period in two years. But hey, I looked "fit," so I must've been healthy, right?
Wrong. So, so wrong.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Weight Gain
Here's something the diet industry doesn't want you to know: Your body sometimes NEEDS to gain weight. And I'm not just talking about pregnancy (though that's definitely one legit reason).
Let me break down when weight gain is actually a GOOD thing:
1. When You're Healing Your Relationship with Food
- If you've been restricting
- If you've been over-exercising
- If you've been ignoring your hunger cues
2. When You're Building Strength
- Muscle growth requires fuel
- Strength gains often come with weight gains
- Performance > appearance
3. When You're Recovering
- From illness
- From injury
- From stress
The Science Behind "Healthy" Weight Gain
(and yeah, I'm gonna get a bit nerdy here)
When your body mass index (BMI) is too low, or when your body fat percentage dips below healthy levels, some pretty scary stuff starts happening:
- Hormone production goes haywire
- Your immune system takes a hit
- Your bones become more fragile
- Your brain doesn't function optimally
And for my athlete friends out there - being too lean can actually HURT your performance. Mind-blowing, right?
But Sarah, How Do I Know If I Need to Gain Weight?
Ask yourself these questions (be honest):
- Do you feel cold all the time?
- Are you constantly tired?
- Has your performance plateaued?
- Are you missing periods (for the ladies)?
- Do small injuries take forever to heal?
If you're nodding along, maybe it's time to consider that gaining weight could be your path to better health.
Real Talk: The Mental Game
Let's be real - gaining weight intentionally is SCARY in our current culture. I still remember the day I couldn't button my favorite jeans. I cried. Not gonna pretend I didn't.
But here's what I learned: Those tears weren't really about the jeans. They were about the stories I'd been told about what my body should look like, about what "healthy" means.
What to Do If You Need to Gain Weight
- Start slow
- Add an extra snack
- Increase portions gradually
- Focus on nutrient-dense foods
- Get support
- Find a registered dietitian
- Join supportive communities
- Tell your close friends/family
- Track non-scale victories
- Energy levels
- Mood
- Sleep quality
- Performance gains
Your Turn to Reflect
(grab a journal for this part, seriously)
- What stories are you telling yourself about weight gain?
- What would feeling energized and strong be worth to you?
- Are you ready to prioritize health over arbitrary numbers?
The Bottom Line
Weight gain isn't a failure. Sometimes it's a victory - a sign that you're healing, growing stronger, or giving your body what it needs.
And maybe, just maybe, it's time to celebrate that.
Who's with me? 🙋♀️
P.S. If you're struggling with this journey, my DMs are open. We're all in this together.
P.P.S. Yes, I still have those jeans that don't fit. They're my reminder that growth - both physical and personal - is something to be proud of.
#HealthyLiving #BodyPositivity #FitnessJourney #RealTalk #WellnessWednesday
