What nobody tells you about losing weight

Dianakop72

Today for the first time when I walked by the bathroom mirror I saw ME. not the old me, but the me I am today at 180lbs. not quite to goal yet but down to the last 35lbs ish. I honestly never thought I would be here. I was almost 300 for 20 years and I thought I would die that way. I thank God for my lightbulb momemt last year and for finding MFP. I never wanted to count calories, always said it was too much work, but this time it just works for me. it all clicked and I have lost 103lbs so far. But today. seeing me, knowing my brain is finally accepting this new outside is just simply wonderfully amazing

Laurie6578

That strangers are touching me more..wth??

ChrisNels1

The full body scan from some guys. I keep checking to make sure I didn't leave my zipper down or something.

jprewitt1

akf2000 wrote: »

LOL yes the shirt tug/ trouser pull - also I'm never ever going to do the t-shirt w/shirt combo again, I used to think it was some optical illusion that made me look slim but I was kidding myself.

I do that all the time now. I truly thought it worked. Now I'm even more self conscious.

JustHilsie

That even if you go off the life style for a few days some good habits will stubbornly remain.
I haven't add sugar to my coffee in almost a year, and I cringe when I remember how much sugar I used to add to every cup.

RebeccaB0416

I just started using MFP yesterday and have read a several pages of this post. Thank you everyone for sharing. I'm looking forward to experiencing some of these weight loss "side effects".

amusedmonkey

Your single sized covers will somehow get bigger and you are no longer exposed to the cold if you move white sleeping (now how cold you often feel, even under the covers, that's a different story).

NanCaudill

My spouse is no longer talking about a king size bed, the queen size fits much better
I can wear clothes again that I refused to throw out when I injured my knee, its like having a store to shop in!
I am no longer snoring!!
My back doesnt hurt as much anymore when I sit all day at work

just a few and with just 26lbs lost. I have a long way to go and I feel this is the best Ive ever done. At 54 I had given up, but now Im gaining a new way of thinking!

kgirlhart

That you can dry most clothes the the dryer and they won't shrink. I used to always blame my dryer for shrinking my clothes. Lol. It was not the dryers fault.

IremiaRe

kgirlhart wrote: »

That you can dry most clothes the the dryer and they won't shrink. I used to always blame my dryer for shrinking my clothes. Lol. It was not the dryers fault.

Heck, nowadays, I PRAY for the dryer to shrink my clothes, so I can put off buying new ones... LOL

JeffreyOC

You see fat shaming in a whole new light. People who may have ignored/not bothered with you before will suddenly show interest.

RredSonja

Syneea wrote: »

Bentnotbroken130 wrote: »

pinkpsyche wrote: »

riffraff2112 wrote: »

Lots of good stuff here.
I remember finding a few new 'friends' who all of a sudden would talk to me, or notice me, or remember my name next time I visited their establishment when I had been going there for years or had mutual friends etc....

Some people obviously let vanity cloud their judgement.

Or maybe I just had a better attitude after and was more approachable?
Nah..I was always jolly

Yes! To be honest though, those that couldn't give me the time of day as a heavier person really are not worth my time. It shows to me their true character. Maybe that sounds mean and I should be more forgiving?

Curious what others thought are. What does one say to a friend that hits on you After losing the weight. Wasn't negative or mean or anything prior just wanted to wait...

Hmm a part of me would feel a certain type of way.. I understand folks are attracted to what they are attracted to, but Man, I'd find it a bit hard to get past them waiting to find me good enough to hit on. Like no, no....if you couldn't like me then, then you can't even dream of the goodies now. Lol I can see it from both sides...

I don't think people wait for others to be good enough to hit on, or that its all about the weight. My weight has changed, but so has my confidence and demeanor. Besides, that's how a good relationship starts - friends for a good while first, then more. Just because it coincides with your weight loss doesn't imply the attraction was caused by the weight loss.

FinallyFatToFit

I posted maybe a week ago that I'm slowly reading every post from the beginning. I'm up to last summer (page 50?) and I've noticed something very consistent that I want to share. People are saying "I've only lost X but" and then say what they have to share. I get mad when I read the 'only'. It's (to me) discounting what was accomplished; as if our opinions don't matter yet because we're still big. I'm big. I have a lot to lose. I understand thinking we don't count at our size. I'm not putting people down for doing that. I am finding it fascinating how many times over 50 pages I'm seeing it. It's helping me (I think) make sure I stay proud of every pound (10.5 so far!) and not to minimize it since it's seemingly so far to get to maintaining. But every pound I lose is another pound closer to that stage, no matter how long it takes, and I hope I'm proud of every damn one!

CrabbyCancerMama

shopping in a store versus online. and in the regular section not the plus size area

History1027

FinallyFatToFit wrote: »

I posted maybe a week ago that I'm slowly reading every post from the beginning. I'm up to last summer (page 50?) and I've noticed something very consistent that I want to share. People are saying "I've only lost X but" and then say what they have to share. I get mad when I read the 'only'. It's (to me) discounting what was accomplished; as if our opinions don't matter yet because we're still big. I'm big. I have a lot to lose. I understand thinking we don't count at our size. I'm not putting people down for doing that. I am finding it fascinating how many times over 50 pages I'm seeing it. It's helping me (I think) make sure I stay proud of every pound (10.5 so far!) and not to minimize it since it's seemingly so far to get to maintaining. But every pound I lose is another pound closer to that stage, no matter how long it takes, and I hope I'm proud of every damn one!

Thank you! I have totally been thinking of my weight loss as ONLY 22lbs, but you are right. I should be proud with how far I've come! I am 22lbs lighter then I was 9 months ago.

kgirlhart

FinallyFatToFit wrote: »

I posted maybe a week ago that I'm slowly reading every post from the beginning. I'm up to last summer (page 50?) and I've noticed something very consistent that I want to share. People are saying "I've only lost X but" and then say what they have to share. I get mad when I read the 'only'. It's (to me) discounting what was accomplished; as if our opinions don't matter yet because we're still big. I'm big. I have a lot to lose. I understand thinking we don't count at our size. I'm not putting people down for doing that. I am finding it fascinating how many times over 50 pages I'm seeing it. It's helping me (I think) make sure I stay proud of every pound (10.5 so far!) and not to minimize it since it's seemingly so far to get to maintaining. But every pound I lose is another pound closer to that stage, no matter how long it takes, and I hope I'm proud of every damn one!

I have noticed that too. Or they will list an nsv and preface it with "this is a small one" or "I still have a long way to go". It all counts and it is all awesome.

treehugnmama

I tried on uniform for work and I'm not tje biggest size!! last time we ordered I was and it was tight.

amusedmonkey

FinallyFatToFit wrote: »

I posted maybe a week ago that I'm slowly reading every post from the beginning. I'm up to last summer (page 50?) and I've noticed something very consistent that I want to share. People are saying "I've only lost X but" and then say what they have to share. I get mad when I read the 'only'. It's (to me) discounting what was accomplished; as if our opinions don't matter yet because we're still big. I'm big. I have a lot to lose. I understand thinking we don't count at our size. I'm not putting people down for doing that. I am finding it fascinating how many times over 50 pages I'm seeing it. It's helping me (I think) make sure I stay proud of every pound (10.5 so far!) and not to minimize it since it's seemingly so far to get to maintaining. But every pound I lose is another pound closer to that stage, no matter how long it takes, and I hope I'm proud of every damn one!

That's why I'm always careful to use "so far" instead of "only". Many people tend to think of themselves in a binary "before and after" sort of way, where their life is in suspended animation until they lose all the weight they set out to lose. I don't like to think of it like that. I'm nowhere near weight goal, but I'm no longer pre diabetic, and my hypertension and high cholesterol are gone. Even when they were still there, but better, I still felt like I have made a difference. People need to stop being so harsh on themselve. Whenever I'm tempted to be negative about my body or progress I ask myself "would I judge someone else for this exact thing?" and the answer is often no, so why would I do it to myself?

li1luna

No one really tells you that you may feel uncomfortable. I love that I have lost this much weight. But at first, it didnt feel like my body. It's such a weird feeling. I still dont love my body, but im getting there. Someone mentioned checking yourself out more, yup, i do that! I am constantly fidgiting and turning to see how dang good i look. Lol

treehugnmama

that different days you can see a different reflection in the mirror. I just posted that I could see my loss (59.6 pounds) in the mirror finally after many months of not seeing it. yesterday I saw the pre loss me looking back...she was smiling though so that's what matters. it's weird I still have 75 to go so i know im not there but the body image thing is odd!

Intentional_Me

treehugnmama wrote: »

that different days you can see a different reflection in the mirror. I just posted that I could see my loss (59.6 pounds) in the mirror finally after many months of not seeing it. yesterday I saw the pre loss me looking back...she was smiling though so that's what matters. it's weird I still have 75 to go so i know im not there but the body image thing is odd!

I experience this too! I think it's because the first time I lost a significant amount of weight I did it in a really unhealth way (VLCD) so a 65 pound loss in 3 months (yikes) was pretty noticeable. This time it has been slow and steady so I actually have to think about where I came from if that makes sense!

PhedraJD

@FinallyFatToFit I had noticed this as well and feel the same way. Darn it, I have worked hard, making decision after decision, taking on step after another (literally and figuratively) to get where I am now. Darn it! I am very proud of each and everyone of those decisions and steps. I am already 1/3 of the way to my goal, and I am enjoying being that much closer to where I want to be, what I have accomplished, and what I can do. I am also looking forward to all those new things I will accomplish, and be able to do.

jacintadibble

For me, it is confidence. I look ahead now, instead of down, when I walk.

ChrisNels1

jacintadibble wrote: »

For me, it is confidence. I look ahead now, instead of down, when I walk.

This! I notice that most people are staring at the floor. I used to be one of them. I hold my head up and shoulders back because it looks better on the body. I say hi to everyone, especially them looking down.

carriefingholt

Thank you all for your entries! I'm back on the wagon again myself, and it is so inspiring to see all of you on here and read about your successes. I'm not alone

SueSueDio

ChrisNels1 wrote: »

jacintadibble wrote: »

For me, it is confidence. I look ahead now, instead of down, when I walk.

This! I notice that most people are staring at the floor. I used to be one of them. I hold my head up and shoulders back because it looks better on the body. I say hi to everyone, especially them looking down.

Yes! I find myself "walking taller" now - still look down sometimes, but far less often than I used to! (And you can't catch sight of your reflection in the pavement... )

NancyYale

I'm always surprised when I catch a glimpse in the mirror. With clothes on, it's oooooo cool! With clothes off - at 119 ponds lost and at 52 - it's UGH when the heck did THAT happen?

Lose saggy baggy skin EVERYEHERE is not fun. But feeling boundless energy and 20 yrs younger are worth it.

salleewins

It isn't as nasty warm in the summer anymore.

Sp8zmanSpiff

Anyone else notice it takes less alcohol to get a buzz than before? I used to drink the high alcohol content beers to get a buzz, now any beer gives me a buzz.

nuffer

Sp8zmanSpiff wrote: »

Anyone else notice it takes less alcohol to get a buzz than before? I used to drink the high alcohol content beers to get a buzz, now any beer gives me a buzz.

Yeah, the liquor budget is definitely in the black now!