Maria Kirkeland spent over a decade trying to lose weight, but she constantly found herself in a cycle of restricting too much, binge eating, and eventually gaining even more weight. It wasn’t until the 37-year-old from the Oslo region of Norway learned about calories, protein, and strength training that she began to lose weight sustainably.
“I used to eat a lot of snacks, ice cream, chocolate, high-calorie foods, and then I’d feel awful about myself,” she told Business Insider. “I’d decide, ‘I’m going on a diet. I won’t eat ice cream. I’ll never eat chocolate again. I’m going to lose weight.’ That would last for a few days, and then I’d give in.”
Finding Comfort in Food
At age 12, Maria began drastically cutting her food intake after being bullied for her weight. This led to disrupted menstrual cycles, which worried her parents. From that point on, food became her comfort.
“I didn’t know how to handle the emotions that came with being bullied and my negative thoughts,” she recalls. “So, I turned to food for comfort, and that’s when I started eating in secret.”
The situation worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic. “I was deeply depressed. I isolated myself a lot, and I think that led to a terrible relationship with food, unhealthy eating, and rarely leaving the house.”
Lose Weight: No More Food Restrictions
Determined to break the famine-binge cycle, Maria took two key steps: counting calories and strength training. In July 2022, she downloaded TikTok and began following credible weight loss experts. She embraced a calorie deficit method, which involves burning more calories than you consume.
Counting calories allowed Maria to feel full even as she gradually lowered her intake while losing weight. “I was never really hungry, which was nice, and I still lost weight,” she said.
Initially, Maria didn’t drastically change her diet, but over time, she started incorporating more nutrient-rich foods. Now, she eats more vegetables, fish, and lean meats. She also drinks more water, cooks at home more often, and consumes fewer processed foods. Despite these changes, she hasn’t completely eliminated any foods from her diet.
“I Feel Freer”
As part of her weight loss journey, Maria first focused on cardio exercises. Later, she shifted to a strength training program while increasing her protein intake.
“I started feeling more comfortable in the gym, and I added weights,” she told Business Insider. “Over the past 12 months, I’ve really focused on getting stronger, doing deadlifts, and challenging myself.”
For Maria, physical strength has become synonymous with mental strength. “As I realized I could push myself and do things that once seemed hard, it brought me so much joy and a sense of accomplishment. I feel freer, and I’m not as afraid to try new things.”
This article first appeared on topsante.com – Author: Elena Bizzotto
