Treated differently after weightloss

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Replies

  • AskMorphis
    AskMorphis Posts: 155 Member
    edited August 2017
    orangegato wrote: »
    So I have read countless women say that they usually attract more attention after weight loss. What about the men? Do you notice more attention or flirting coming your way? Does it also seem like people are generally nicer or no difference?

    It depends on many factors, I'm sure. So far, I see no difference with strangers. Those who know I'm changing and have seen the change are nice about it, but as far as strangers are concerned, nothing has changed. In big cities, you're pretty much invisible. In small cities, you're greated with a smile but quickly forgotten. If you talk to strangers who seem open to conversation, they're very frequently nice. I don't really see how this could change.

    No flirting directed towards me, but I suppose it's a common experience amongst men, except for the most attractive ones, maybe.

    That being said, I've not reached my goal yet, maybe it'll change in the future. I started being obese, but only lightly : people might not having as judgmental towards me to begin with, I don't know. Or maybe I just didn't care enough to notice :lol:

    As far as I'm concerned, I've gained no attention after weight loss, and it isn't my objective anyway. I've made (and am still making) a change in my life, for me, and I'm quite content with it so far.
  • cbeutler
    cbeutler Posts: 667 Member
    orangegato wrote: »
    So I have read countless women say that they usually attract more attention after weight loss. What about the men? Do you notice more attention or flirting coming your way? Does it also seem like people are generally nicer or no difference?

    Oh yes, for me below 240 women became disconcertingly aggressive, and people in general are much friendlier and helpful.
  • AskMorphis
    AskMorphis Posts: 155 Member
    cbeutler wrote: »
    Oh yes, for me below 240 women became disconcertingly aggressive, and people in general are much friendlier and helpful.

    How so ?
  • AskMorphis
    AskMorphis Posts: 155 Member
    That's great for you :smiley:
  • orangegato
    orangegato Posts: 6,572 Member
    I had to Google LuLuLemon.....
  • cbeutler
    cbeutler Posts: 667 Member
    orangegato wrote: »
    I had to Google LuLuLemon.....

    If you got the women's site you are welcome, if you got the men's site my apologies.
  • LemonadeCandy_
    LemonadeCandy_ Posts: 195 Member
    I was thin/average a lot of my life, and gained about 50-60 lbs in the past few years and the difference in treatment really got to me at first. I'm sure some of it had to do with my attitude (depression and binge eating caused me to gain weight rapidly) and my inability to dress well/afford new clothes for my new shape.

    But family and colleagues used to always compliment me and share food with me and were generally really sweet. People at stores were super friendly and helpful. Since gaining the weight I feel invisible. Family offers diet advice freely, despite never doing so before and I've never been a healthy eater. And I find people at work seek me out less for social activities that they all do together regularly.

    By now I'm used to it, but that petty part in me is interested to see if their attitude reverts if I manage to lose the weight. :P

  • sobiakhatoon
    sobiakhatoon Posts: 128 Member
    cbeutler wrote: »
    orangegato wrote: »
    I had to Google LuLuLemon.....

    If you got the women's site you are welcome, if you got the men's site my apologies.
    Lol
  • stk_pkr
    stk_pkr Posts: 18 Member
    I never though people treated me differently or badly when I was overweight (5'6 235lbs)....until I became very fit. Male attention aside (which has obviously changed drastically), the way people treat me now in ever single situation is vastly different. People go out of their way to hold doors, people go out of their way to smile, if I need to complain about something people bend over backwards to fix the thing that caused the complaint, i'm treated better at work. Overall i've been presented with many more opportunities since losing the weight.

    Seeing this disparate treatment makes me beyond sad. Sad for the overweight girl I was for 28 years who thought she was being treated equitably. Sad for anyone who is still struggling with weight who doesn't receive the same equal and kind treatment that someone who isn't overweight is more likely to receive in my experience.

    Thank you for posting.
  • Piqueaboo
    Piqueaboo Posts: 1,193 Member
    I never though people treated me differently or badly when I was overweight (5'6 235lbs)....until I became very fit. Male attention aside (which has obviously changed drastically), the way people treat me now in ever single situation is vastly different. People go out of their way to hold doors, people go out of their way to smile, if I need to complain about something people bend over backwards to fix the thing that caused the complaint, i'm treated better at work. Overall i've been presented with many more opportunities since losing the weight.

    Seeing this disparate treatment makes me beyond sad. Sad for the overweight girl I was for 28 years who thought she was being treated equitably. Sad for anyone who is still struggling with weight who doesn't receive the same equal and kind treatment that someone who isn't overweight is more likely to receive in my experience.

    This rings so true. It is very close to what I have experienced, too, not from my friends who luckily treat me exactly the same, but everyone else around me. It's heartbreaking.
  • GOT_Obsessed
    GOT_Obsessed Posts: 817 Member
    Part of it may be the confidence that comes to a lot of people after losing weight. I know I walk a little straighter and smile a little more now. If we look more approachable people are more apt to treat us better. Often people are unaware if they walk around with a scowl on their face.
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    I get asked for very dirty things indeed by men alot more now lol.

    I also get treated like a fragile little flower now, Even tho im way stronger and much less breakable now hah
  • SnazzIT
    SnazzIT Posts: 215 Member
    I found that family members can sometimes be the worst - they needle you to lose weight and develop healthy habits, then criticize you for focusing too much on diet and exercise once you've begun seeing positive changes. And heaven forbid if you gain some/most of it back!

    This time around I've not let anyone except my wife know I am trying to bet in better shape. Not providing them with any sort of declaration has made it easier for me to focus on what I need to do for myself.

    As for other people, I'd say that when I am lighter women are more apt to flirt with me at the store or strike up a conversation - it's a definite confidence booster. I haven't noticed much difference from men outside of not getting looked at with disdain when boarding a plane and looking for an available seat - airplanes in general are much easier to navigate when you're smaller.

    Exactly!!! mine is my mum...
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    perhaps you only feel worse because you pinned hopes on weight loss fixing everything in your life. It doesn't..and the realization makes you feel worse.

    LynnBBQ72 wrote: »
    I had this discussion with someone the other day. Yes - absolutely - strangers treat "normal" sized people differently in everyday situations vs. obese people. Meeting you in the eyes, striking up a random conversation in the store aisle (not flirting at all), holding doors open, etc. Quite a few people say that the formerly obese who are now "normal" sized get treated differently because they have more self confidence. I disagree. I used to weigh 245 at my highest, and am now 180 - still overweight but much more average size. I feel fatter now at 180 than I did at 245, and don't feel any more confident. If I feel WORSE at 180 than 245, but strangers treat me better, there is no other explanation. It is all about the weight and nothing else.

    I feel you. Never could have predicted how lousy I'd feel after losing a lot of weight. I know it's a good thing I did for myself, but my head is so screwed up about the whole thing.

  • mojonah
    mojonah Posts: 92 Member
    Lizzypb88 wrote: »
    I have had a bit of a different response...
    I think- her own insecurities came out.......say I'm just losing weight for attention... that just IRKS me!!

    Sad, but I got the same reaction from my own spouse. We both started MFP the same time. She gave up after 2 weeks and I continued. To date I’ve lost about 40lbs and she came up with same comments.
  • SalinitySally
    SalinitySally Posts: 258 Member
    lacrosby03 wrote: »
    I truly believe that the way we are viewed and treated has a direct correlation to the way we view ourselves. When we don't like who we are on the inside or on the outside others are able to perceive this. If you are confident in who you are, no matter your size, than shame on those who are judging you. It is unfortunate that we live in a society where looks matter more than anything else. How you treat yourself is how you will also be treated. Whether you are overweight underweight or somewhere in between, we all struggle with something. The unfortunate thing about dealing with excess weight is that others see our weight and view it as a conditional or psychological problem. Oftentimes we believe that if we lose weight all of those problems will go away. Unfortunately it is how we are feeling on the inside that matters. No amount of weight loss can help us from our eyes looking outward at oirselves. We all must learn to love ourselves for who we are, no matter what our size or our weight. Sure we should all work towards bettering ourselves health wise, but not just so we can please others and fit in to a societal view of what is appropriate. Go forth with confidence and a positive view of who you are and others will see you in the same light.

    Not true for me. I’ve always been very outgoing and confident and aware of my worth (and educated and competent) but when I’m heavier SOME other people treat me like they need me to acknowledge my lesser (fatty) worth by piping down. Or I’ve been treated like I’m invisible. When I’m closer to goal weight, I get more respect and acceptance.
  • ek0513
    ek0513 Posts: 147 Member
    utahjulia wrote: »
    lacrosby03 wrote: »
    I truly believe that the way we are viewed and treated has a direct correlation to the way we view ourselves. When we don't like who we are on the inside or on the outside others are able to perceive this. If you are confident in who you are, no matter your size, than shame on those who are judging you. It is unfortunate that we live in a society where looks matter more than anything else. How you treat yourself is how you will also be treated. Whether you are overweight underweight or somewhere in between, we all struggle with something. The unfortunate thing about dealing with excess weight is that others see our weight and view it as a conditional or psychological problem. Oftentimes we believe that if we lose weight all of those problems will go away. Unfortunately it is how we are feeling on the inside that matters. No amount of weight loss can help us from our eyes looking outward at oirselves. We all must learn to love ourselves for who we are, no matter what our size or our weight. Sure we should all work towards bettering ourselves health wise, but not just so we can please others and fit in to a societal view of what is appropriate. Go forth with confidence and a positive view of who you are and others will see you in the same light.

    Not true for me. I’ve always been very outgoing and confident and aware of my worth (and educated and competent) but when I’m heavier SOME other people treat me like they need me to acknowledge my lesser (fatty) worth by piping down. Or I’ve been treated like I’m invisible. When I’m closer to goal weight, I get more respect and acceptance.

    I’m with you as well. I feel like my personality has been the same throughout this whole process, but people use to just never give me the chance to get to know me because I wasn’t their idea of attractive. I feel like I’m being treated as if my presence is a lot more accepted and desired now that I lost weight.

  • dsboohead
    dsboohead Posts: 1,899 Member
    ek0513 wrote: »
    utahjulia wrote: »
    lacrosby03 wrote: »
    I truly believe that the way we are viewed and treated has a direct correlation to the way we view ourselves. When we don't like who we are on the inside or on the outside others are able to perceive this. If you are confident in who you are, no matter your size, than shame on those who are judging you. It is unfortunate that we live in a society where looks matter more than anything else. How you treat yourself is how you will also be treated. Whether you are overweight underweight or somewhere in between, we all struggle with something. The unfortunate thing about dealing with excess weight is that others see our weight and view it as a conditional or psychological problem. Oftentimes we believe that if we lose weight all of those problems will go away. Unfortunately it is how we are feeling on the inside that matters. No amount of weight loss can help us from our eyes looking outward at oirselves. We all must learn to love ourselves for who we are, no matter what our size or our weight. Sure we should all work towards bettering ourselves health wise, but not just so we can please others and fit in to a societal view of what is appropriate. Go forth with confidence and a positive view of who you are and others will see you in the same light.

    Not true for me. I’ve always been very outgoing and confident and aware of my worth (and educated and competent) but when I’m heavier SOME other people treat me like they need me to acknowledge my lesser (fatty) worth by piping down. Or I’ve been treated like I’m invisible. When I’m closer to goal weight, I get more respect and acceptance.

    I’m with you as well. I feel like my personality has been the same throughout this whole process, but people use to just never give me the chance to get to know me because I wasn’t their idea of attractive. I feel like I’m being treated as if my presence is a lot more accepted and desired now that I lost weight.

    It sounds like human nature is kinda lousy :/
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