What nobody tells you about losing weight

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  • c123c
    c123c Posts: 81 Member
    Sorry in advance for the wall of text! Love this thread I've read all of it over a week.

    I started at 285 and am currently at 227 (goal 150). So far the things I didn't expect/no-one told me:

    - I

    - It will take quite a lot of weight to drop a dress size (I know this changes with the paper towel effect but currently even large amounts of weight loss aren't noticeable).

    - I would become more assertive looking out for my own interests, but also less self involved. Previously I would never cancel on a friend, allow myself to be treated like a doormat, and even not sit on public transport because I felt everyone else was more worthy. Now I have the confidence to say no to things I don't want to do (and weirdly my friendships seem better I'm not sure if I was needy before, but my friendships seem to be much more chilled), and I'm quite happy to exist and take up space un-apologetically. In terms of being less self involved, I no longer assume everyone I meet is thinking horrible thoughts about me, or constantly worrying about how the world reacted to me. Now I'm not sure if I don't care, or because I feel less conspicuous I've stopped thinking about myself but focusing on the event or whats going on (it's so nice not worrying/thinking about myself so much)

    - My overall mental health would improve, I'm happier, I haven't had a panic attack in almost a year (I used to have them daily), I don't feel worthless anymore and even though I'm not at goal I love myself as I am but continue to want to improve. I feel much less shame on a day to day basis. I had the confidence to start yoga classes, and even though I'm always the worst in the class, I'm not overcome by embarrassment and self hate.

    - I would be happy going out without make up. Previously I would never be seen out without full hair and make up, because I felt I had to make twice as much effort to look half as good as everyone else. I thought if I looked even slightly unkempt I would be ridiculed. Now I'm fine popping to the shop without make up and hair scraped back.

    Looking forward to the next phase of loss, not seeing any loose skin yet but am likely to have some!


    What's the paper towel effect?
  • kristieshannon
    kristieshannon Posts: 160 Member
    What's the paper towel effect?

    I've stolen the text from http://vitals.lifehacker.com/the-paper-towel-analogy-explains-why-weight-loss-is-a-1733478690 since it explains it better than I could:

    The lesson to be learned is that fat, like paper towels, comes off in sheets. When you are heavy, you are big around. And when you are big around, that fat is spread over a MUCH larger area - just like that outside towel sheet. The closer you get to the lean you, the more each lost pound of fat shows, because it is spread over a smaller area.

    While the outside sheet may only cover 1 layer of the roll, the inside sheet may go around 4 times. That last sheet looks like it gives you 4 times the results of the first sheet, but in reality, the results are the same - your perception is just different! And you’ll never see the inside, if you aren’t patient while the outside is coming off!

    Wow-great analogy! Thank you for sharing.
  • getitamb
    getitamb Posts: 2,019 Member
    jneen29 wrote: »
    I agree with the boob loss... the saggy skin... Sad!

    And... if you only "lose weight" and don't lift weights, you will look SKINNY FAT!




    And this is why I let go of cardio for a while And do weights and count steps.
  • Wysewoman53
    Wysewoman53 Posts: 582 Member
    I am 62 years old and have lost 58 lbs so far. I am noticing the 'saggy' skin but don't know if it's due to the weight loss or my age. I keep seeing people post about weight lifting to help reduce this but don't have a clue as to how to start! I don't belong to a gym and doing all of my exercise in my house. What can someone like me do to start with weights or yoga (resistant) bands. The places I notice the most are in my arms and inside upper thighs. I don't have saggy skin on my neck, face or belly. Any suggestions?
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