Fighting Family/Peer Body Expectations

Bobo4505

Hey guys, I'm pretty new to this site, but halfway through a 20lb journey. It's not dramatic weight loss compared to some of your impressive and praise-worthy processes, but meaningful to me personally. At 5'10" going from a well padded 195-200 to 170-175 is the goal, and I'm close to cracking below 180 which has been a barrier for me ever since I discovered beer. I'm going back to the athlete I was in my junior and senior year of high school.

When friends, family or spouses get on you with the "you look too skinny, you should eat more" crap, how do you stay strong, and get them to support your journey rather than act like road blocks or distractions? I definitely don't want to fight with my wife!

88olds

Well, any personal change is likely to make people around you a bit anxious. If you think you should lose 5 more lbs, how does your wife know you don't think she should lose 5 lbs? Or 10lbs? Or if you're trying to look good for the new girl in HR or something.

No point in denying it. She knows you're smart enough not to actually say she should lose 20lbs.
But it's what you really think, isn't it?

Keep going. In 6 months she'll figure out its just a more fit version of the same old you.

Bobo4505

Thanks Olds, yeah I definitely won't be baiting my wife into that argument at all! I also found this other thread which makes me more comfortable that it's not unusual to find resistance in peer or family groups.
community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10452539/other-peoples-reactions-to-your-weight-loss-or-diet#latest

Sorry for creating another thread for the same topic!

middlehaitch

It takes people a while to adjust to the new you. Give them time, and continue to your goal (maybe try not to bring the subject up).

Also, you may be looking a little gaunt in the face and neck. This happened to me when I lost 30 lbs. For a few months, when I was close to, and after I had reached my goal, I really did look a tad unhealthy. However, my face and neck did catch up eventually. My mum thought I had put on weight and looked healthier, whereas I was exactly the same (she hadn't seen me for the year inbeteeen).

Sometimes just thanking people for their concern, then changing the subject works.

Cheers, h.