What nobody tells you about losing weight

caguitare

NewMEEE2016 wrote: »

benevempress wrote: »

Nobody told me that it would be so hard to accept my new, used body.

When I was fat, there was that one thing that I didn't like about my body. I could tell myself that if I lost weight, I could be pretty and sexy and like how I look. How I looked naked vs dressed was consistent... fat.

I somehow thought if I got back to the weight I was 30 years ago at age 18, I would magically get back my teenage body, and now I would appreciate it! I've lost almost 70 pounds and I didn't get that body back. Instead of looking younger, smooth, and toned I look older, wrinkled, and uneven. Now instead of having one thing I don't like, I have many things I don't like about my body (loose skin, small saddlebags remaining, droopy breasts, bony shoulders and ribs). I look pretty good dressed, but naked is depressing.

I feel sad because I didn't get what I thought I would get when I lost weight, and because I don't have that "promise" anymore that if only I'd lose weight, I'd look and feel good.

I feel the same way- I've lost 30 lbs so far- and frankly it was EASY (started on Jan 1 and was losing about 2 lbs per week). I could have kept going forever on 1200 calories (1200 cals is a LOT of food when you eat very clean). I wanted to reach my goal of total body perfection by the beginning of June (another 16 lbs) and could EASILY have done it. But then I started to see the beginning of loose skin, etc and got freaked. So now I have slowed it WAY WAY down and am going to focus more on starting a weight training program. I am terrified of getting the "haggard" look in my face. It was a huge disappointment that I could not reach my goal as quickly as I wanted to- and that I may not ever get the body that I want. But I'm going to do the very best I can- and am still 100% committed.

Thanks for posting. It's good to see that someone else feels the same way.

To end on a positive note: I am 61 years old- feeling much better than I did before- am much more energetic and my chronic knee pain is all but vanished- and get copious compliments daily on how great I look.

I worry about this too... I'm only down 41.6 lbs so far but have a long way to go. I worry that I'm going to have skin hanging everywhere I have been focusing on cardio but several of my workouts are strength training as well as they are water aerobics. I have to constantly remind myself that losing the weight is much healthier than not having loose skin. Lol

RhondaDesiree120

The first thing I noticed was I needed smaller shoes. I told the sales lady I had lost 40 lbs. & she made some comment about water weight. ( water weight, 40 lbs. seriously!!!!). My rings no longer fit. I'm down 2 sizes. My workout clothes are all getting 2 big. Stairs no longer leave me breathless. I have so much more energy. Some friends are so encouraging ( one told me I have beautiful legs

becbec777

One thing I look forward to after lose the weight is being able to elegantly cross my legs instead of doing the best I can.

Acal01

-That guiltiness you feel when you eat some'n you shouldn't, even when you can.

-Not getting used to your actual look in the mirror, to the point where you actually feel ugly, when you're not.

-Being hit on, and looking aside thinking it was addressed to someone else.

beautifulwarrior18

seekingdaintiness wrote: »

The misery and loneliness you feel because you have no more social life.
The constant, grinding hunger because to actually lose weight and keep it off long term means never being able to eat anything that tastes good or anything in a quantity that will leave you satisfied ever again.

What the hell kind of diet are you on? I eat so much food now I can't finish it.

Syneea

That some areas are SO stubborn that you'll darn near have to become a rail to get the fat from those areas. That you have to continue to lose and lose and lose ...even though you are happy with Everything else (!!!) to lose One area.

NAbramovich

RhondaDesiree120 wrote: »

The first thing I noticed was I needed smaller shoes. I told the sales lady I had lost 40 lbs. & she made some comment about water weight. ( water weight, 40 lbs. seriously!!!!). My rings no longer fit. I'm down 2 sizes. My workout clothes are all getting 2 big. Stairs no longer leave me breathless. I have so much more energy. Some friends are so encouraging ( one told me I have beautiful legs

It makes me mad what the sales lady said. She totally discounted your hard work to drop 40 lbs. I'm glad you have encouraging friends, though. I really don't understand people who aren't happy for others' successes.

kgirlhart

GaleHawkins wrote: »

kgirlhart wrote: »

fattothinmum wrote: »

People suddenly begin to be annoying about your weight loss. As if we're not doing it right, or eating the right things, or doing the right medicine. Always tempted to tell them to worry about themselves and I'll worry about me...

I'm always surprised at the number of people who think they know how I'm doing it and how disappointed they are when the find out it is calorie counting. I had a lady the other day tell me that I had inspired her to give up wheat and sugar. I told her that I hadn't given up wheat or sugar and had no intention to. She looked surprised and kind of disappointed and said it must all the walking. I said the walking helps, but mostly it is because I count calories. She seemed so sad. I'll never understand how someone can think that giving up wheat and sugar is easier than counting calories.

I am not sure giving up wheat and sugar is 'easier' because the first two weeks were very hellish in my case. There is nothing wrong with counting calories.

I don't think that giving up wheat and sugar is easy at all which is why I would never do it unless I had a medical reason to do so. I think that with the internet counting calories is very easy now. It surprises me that a lot of people do not want to count calories but will go on restrictive diets.

kgirlhart

seekingdaintiness wrote: »

The misery and loneliness you feel because you have no more social life.
The constant, grinding hunger because to actually lose weight and keep it off long term means never being able to eat anything that tastes good or anything in a quantity that will leave you satisfied ever again.

This post make me so sad. This is not my experience at all. My social life hasn't changed much if any. I never feel grinding hunger. Really the only times I feel hungry are when it is close to meal time and then I eat. I eat lots of things that taste good. The quantity is lower than what I used to eat, but I am able to eat enough to feel satisfied. We still eat out at least weekly, sometimes more. I feel better than I have in years. You must be on a really restrictive diet. The only think I restrict is calories.

valente347

Syneea wrote: »

That some areas are SO stubborn that you'll darn near have to become a rail to get the fat from those areas. That you have to continue to lose and lose and lose ...even though you are happy with Everything else (!!!) to lose One area.

Omg, this is so true. I'm wondering if the fat will ever come off my calves and around my knees. I just want to wear shorts without being self-conscious! Meanwhile I now have all sorts of bones and muscles that I can see in my back, which is a look I would have never prioritized and don't care much for now.

cleliajestrada

techguymike7801 wrote: »

wateryphoenix wrote: »

-You will discover bones you forgot (or never knew) you had.

I was laying on my back in bed one night and went to scratch my stomach/chest and felt something poking out on the side. I thought maybe I had popped a rib or something and started feeling around and realized that for the first time that I could remember, I could actually feel my rib cage.

Not only that, but I could feel my xiphoid process too.

That's scary

kittehkitteh88

@seekingdaintiness s I can recommend some awesome recipes if you want? I actually excited for my lunch today - sweet potato curry clocking in at under 300 cals - yum yum

Feel free to add me as a friend

Angelfire365

kittehkitteh88 wrote: »

@seekingdaintiness s I can recommend some awesome recipes if you want? I actually excited for my lunch today - sweet potato curry clocking in at under 300 cals - yum yum

Feel free to add me as a friend

Not seekingdaintiness, but would love a sweet potato curry recipe!!

dizzieblondeuk

Angelfire365 wrote: »

kittehkitteh88 wrote: »

@seekingdaintiness s I can recommend some awesome recipes if you want? I actually excited for my lunch today - sweet potato curry clocking in at under 300 cals - yum yum

Feel free to add me as a friend

Not seekingdaintiness, but would love a sweet potato curry recipe!!

Not sure if this is the same as the other user's recipe, but this is my go-to sweet potato curry recipe - so, so easy, and amazingly tasty:
jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/sweet-potato-chickpea-amp-spinach-curry/. It makes tonnes, so at least half usually gets put in individual portions and frozen, for easy dinners later on.

lizzy_satellite

dizzieblondeuk wrote: »

Not sure if this is the same as the other user's recipe, but this is my go-to sweet potato curry recipe - so, so easy, and amazingly tasty:
jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/sweet-potato-chickpea-amp-spinach-curry/. It makes tonnes, so at least half usually gets put in individual portions and frozen, for easy dinners later on.

Not the original poster either, but thank you - that looks great!

Keliandra

That I can put the tray table down on the plane, put my computer case under the seat in front of me and still reach it, not have to "back in" to the tiny lav on the plane to use it.

milamariejm

sashayoung72 wrote: »

Has anyone else already mentioned arm pits being smaller??? Trying to shave these crazy things and they like cave in now, i gots skinny in my pits!!!! I didn't know they were fat, but i suppose they were too! LOL

my armpits make funny noises now because they're like a cave and with the right combination of sweat, deodorant, and movement, it sounds like i've just let one go ... so embarassing

rachellosesitall85

How one day you'll look down whilst driving and make the connection of how your tummy no longer touch the steering wheel and your boobs don't fight with the seatbelt as much as they used to.

margelizard

- That you will spend your life eating without feeling as guilty about it as you did before (because the food's healthier!)

- That even when you lose weight and see yourself in pictures and think "wow, I've come so far", there's always something else you could be doing

- That incorporating exercise into your day will actually be something you look forward to!

- That learning new exercises or exploring different types of exercise will be so much easier than it was before because of the whole whack of new confidence you have in yourself

- How, every once in a while, someone will say something really nice about the way you look (and often they won't realise) and it'll totally make you smile

k_nelson_24

This one may seem weird, but I can feel my pulse in my stomach when I'm laying down!
My tail bone is uncomfortable when doing exercises that require you lay on the floor.
I am cold all the time and get major goose bumps!
The veins in my arms and hands are very prominent.
My wedding ring/band is very loose!
I have to do double takes in the mirror when I am wearing sleeveless shirts because I forget that I don't have huge fat arms anymore. Plus, I now gravitate toward cute little sleeveless tops because they are actually comfortable now.
I am not self conscious going out in public without makeup on anymore. There was once a day when I wouldn't dream of leaving the house with a full face on! But when I do wear makeup, I don't feel the need to contour as much! LOL
I overall am so much more comfortable performing every day movements.

All of the struggles are SO worth it!

neiltillbrook

Having to ask the assistant at a clothing store to bring you a smaller size than the one you took in, and catching the smile on your face when you actually realise you need a smaller size. I'm going to be honest, I do a little dance.

Lisamn1214

Love it!!!

Lisamn1214

Walking past a mirror tuning your head as far as it will go to check out the back.

My best success was at a family gathering my husband's extended family that we do not see often thought he had gotten divorced and I was his new girlfriend!!!!!!!!

Unknown

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robot_potato

My baby has found my collarbones! They've been absent for awhile, but he's found them and won't stop grabbing them. I didn't realise they were visible until he did that!

justonestory

No one told me that it would become painful to sit for long periods of time. >.<

kittehkitteh88

@Angelfire365

2 Diced onions
1 red chilli
3 clove chopped garlic
1 tsp fresh Ginger
1 large sweet potato chunked
1 Tin Chopped Tinned Tomatoes
1 tbsp, Spices, curry powder
1 Tbsp, Garam Masala
1 tin coconut milk
1 medium head Cauliflower chopped into florets

Chuck everything into a slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours, best if you let it go cold and then reheat to serve as it thickens up, its lovely with fresh coriander sprinkled on top and smells amazing

Can also add chickpeas or spinach (or both!)

Angelfire365

kittehkitteh88 wrote: »

@Angelfire365

2 Diced onions
1 red chilli
3 clove chopped garlic
1 tsp fresh Ginger
1 large sweet potato chunked
1 Tin Chopped Tinned Tomatoes
1 tbsp, Spices, curry powder
1 Tbsp, Garam Masala
1 tin coconut milk
1 medium head Cauliflower chopped into florets

Chuck everything into a slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours, best if you let it go cold and then reheat to serve as it thickens up, its lovely with fresh coriander sprinkled on top and smells amazing

Can also add chickpeas or spinach (or both!)

THANK YOU!!

2011rocket3touring

seekingdaintiness wrote: »

The misery and loneliness you feel because you have no more social life.
The constant, grinding hunger because to actually lose weight and keep it off long term means never being able to eat anything that tastes good or anything in a quantity that will leave you satisfied ever again.

My diary is open have a look (my weekends are scary).
I do not let myself get hungry. "Hunger" is my signal that I've screwed up and need food. I keep Almonds (weighed portions) and have protein on hand to avoid hunger.
Find people who are into fitness, not food. I've gotten alot more social since I've gone full bore into losing weight.

time4me38

trailgirl777 wrote: »

Hello, I don't quite have the success story yet but I read this post and love the comments. I wish to congradulate all that have found the right path for them. MFP works and I know it, however, I don't stick to it for the time the process needs. Many of you post about it being easier finally and you found determination or similar statements. My question is how/what clicked to change for you guys because that is what I am trying to find at the moment.

I think what finally kicked me into gear was my parents. My dad had a massive stroke at 56 and is now paralyzed and unable to speak (almost 10 years ago now). He needs constant care with eating, bathing, toileting, etc. My mom was diagosed at 55 with Kearnes-Sayre Syndrome. (a genetic disorder discovered later in life) I watch both of them suffer through daily activities and know that both of them would give anything to have their health. I realized that I am blessed with my health (no serious issues yet) and am wasting it. I also would never forgive myself for not taking care of myself and putting my daughter through what we have gone through.