Negative effects of weight loss - your experience?

DapperKay

We all know the positives FAR outweigh any negative, but sometimes weight loss leads to unwanted issues. Did this happen to you?

In my case, the only thing I ended up with is this pinched nerve in my left thing, an issue known as 'Merlagia Parasthetica', and it normally actually happens to people who GAIN weight fast, but sometimes when you also lose fast that layer of fat protecting some vital nerves disappears and makes you more prone to injuries.

mamarundrc

The only negatives that i have found is more with people then with anything physically wrong with me. When I first started losing weight all of my friends were really supportive. Then when we would get together they would be very critical when I wouldn't want to go in on a very unhealthy appetizer or when I chose not to get dessert ("just do it... it's only one meal"). As I have continued to change my lifestyle to be healthier, a lot of people have offered "advice" as to why what I am doing is right or wrong for me. It has showed me who my true friends are and who I can no longer count on to support me through the rest of this journey. That is why I am so glad that I found MFP 3 years ago. It has given me an outlet for support that I have struggled to find in my life.

jollyjoe321

Because I'm less padded (ha), some chairs which seemed comfortable before I am uncomfortable sitting on ;p

the_summer_belle

The only negative i have experienced in loss in breast volume not cool for someone who already had a small pair but hey there is always surgery right

TonyStark30

Having to replace 80% of your clothes with no budget for it.

Sitting on non padded bike seats hurts.

orangeyellowkayak

I have had a problem with hair breakage. I have been told that will go away after a while.

sunsetzen

People think its ok to break out the 'I cant believe you were so fat' stories. I might be smaller, but my feelings are still the same.

BeachIron

Wardrobe replacement and alteration

Duck_Puddle

I've gone from morbidly obese to "normal" sized. The world is a very different place for someone who is morbidly obese vs someone who is normal sized. Very different. I am not having an easy time making the adjustment. I feel like I'm living in a stranger's body, not in mine. I don't recognize myself in the mirror, or in pictures. I presumed that as I lost weight, I'd think "yay, I'm smaller" and that would be that. But that isn't what has happened at all. Psychologically, it's an enormous shift and I applaud those who can make it with ease. Maybe it's different if you've been smaller at some point and you're just returning to that smaller size? Idk, but I'm struggling a great deal with adjusting to life as a normal sized person.

DapperKay

Having to replace 80% of your clothes with no budget for it.

Sitting on non padded bike seats hurts.

I hear you! It was 100% in my case and it cost a fortune. But the flipside is that now that you spent that much on new stuff, you can't possibly have more of an incentive to continue losing/maintaining!

DapperKay

I've gone from morbidly obese to "normal" sized. The world is a very different place for someone who is morbidly obese vs someone who is normal sized. Very different. I am not having an easy time making the adjustment. I feel like I'm living in a stranger's body, not in mine. I don't recognize myself in the mirror, or in pictures. I presumed that as I lost weight, I'd think "yay, I'm smaller" and that would be that. But that isn't what has happened at all. Psychologically, it's an enormous shift and I applaud those who can make it with ease. Maybe it's different if you've been smaller at some point and you're just returning to that smaller size? Idk, but I'm struggling a great deal with adjusting to life as a normal sized person.

Sorry to hear that. I was morbidly obese too, had a BMI of 39 at one point!! Made the shift to what I am now, BMI 25, smack on the normal range, so like you I had to deal with that rollercoaster ride of emotions. But it was all positive to me, the more I went down and looked better the more I now feel bad about who I USED to be and never want to go back to being that person again. That person was insecure and didn't even know, new me is filled with confidence and pride!!

nainai0585

Loss in breast volume, and now my stomach REALLY looks like a butt - I had surgery done in 2008 with a vertical scar from the belly button to public bone, now all of my loose skin makes the scar look like a butt crack.....I am not impressed.

NonnyMary

I've gone from morbidly obese to "normal" sized. The world is a very different place for someone who is morbidly obese vs someone who is normal sized. Very different. I am not having an easy time making the adjustment. I feel like I'm living in a stranger's body, not in mine. I don't recognize myself in the mirror, or in pictures. I presumed that as I lost weight, I'd think "yay, I'm smaller" and that would be that. But that isn't what has happened at all. Psychologically, it's an enormous shift and I applaud those who can make it with ease. Maybe it's different if you've been smaller at some point and you're just returning to that smaller size? Idk, but I'm struggling a great deal with adjusting to life as a normal sized person.

Thats like living in one house all your life, then moving to a new home which is prettier, but yet it lacks what you're used to.. Try not to let that be the step to regaining all the weight back because your new body is different. I wonder too what that will be like when i turn into the regular weight.

I think - celebrate! celebrate the new you. Buy a special fabulous wonderful piece of clothing that you look good in.. then admire how the new you looks. Do something that you couldn't do when you were obese, and then enjoiy that. I think if we start doing positive things with the new figure, it can help... maybe even do something ceremonial like a goodbye to the old you.

Some_Watery_Tart

Loose skin on my tummy. I look like I was in some horrific accident. It's so embarrassing.

Shellerini

I lost half of my hair within 2 months

Flabulousss

I don't know if this has ever happened to anyone else but last time I was at my thinnest I had more facial hair. Lol Could have just been all the processed veggie burgers I was eating at the time, which supposedly messes with your hormones (I have no idea) but it wasn't pretty, whatever caused it! Oh and my boobs....sigh.

LiftHeavyWeights

Loose skin on my stomach that hangs down when I am in plank position. It doesn't show when I am standing.

KittyViolet

Because I'm less padded (ha), some chairs which seemed comfortable before I am uncomfortable sitting on ;p

Ditto. Sitting down on the metro is excruciating now. Also, bewbs. Or lack thereof. :frown:

aszwarc

People thinking that if they compliment me on my loss ("You look good!") then that gives them the right to ask how much I've lost. And then not being satisfied with a vague answer like "a lot." It's embarrassing enough that I got to the point that I needed to lose as much as I have. I'm sure not going to give specific numbers out.

Wardrobe - I went from size 18/20 in November to 6/8 now. And, OMG, the cost of sports bras as I've changed sizes.... :sad: I actually need to replace all 4 sports bras I have right now, but can't afford it at the moment so I'm making do.

Ejourneys

Because I'm less padded (ha), some chairs which seemed comfortable before I am uncomfortable sitting on ;p

^^^ This, plus feeling the cold much more.

BrendaLee

I'm starting to see myself as a viable option...as a real person, which I haven't felt in a long time. When you start to feel like a part of society again, it can bring up a lot of insecurities that seemed insignificant before. All of those little imperfections that didn't matter as much because I was fat and felt like no one was looking have suddenly become more important. I always feel the need to look cute now, whereas before, I was generally happy to pull my hair up into a messy bun, throw on some stretchy pants and go. Not to mention, with the loss of the weight, I am quickly starting to look my age, and I'm mad at myself for all of the damage the extra weight did to my skin. I find myself wondering more now what I would look like at 40 if I had never been fat. On the plus side, I would have spent a lot more time in the sun, so I would probably have a ton more sun damage. Silver linings, I guess.

xraygal84

I have experienced the same thing in the past, from both family and friends. I now have very supportive friends, and it makes a world of difference! Best of luck to you!

StripedSmoker

Loose clothes, stupid comments, tiredness. Trying to gain a bit again... Yep the positive outweights the negative but in the end the balance is what to strive for for me

xraygal84

sometimes people are very insensitive! I'm sorry you've experienced some of them at a time when you need all the positive support you can get. All I can say is, you can definitely find support here!

mem50

Lots of loose skin in stomach, thigh, arm and chest area. Bruise more easily in hip area. (no more padding) It bothers me a lot less then it did at first.

ClementineGeorg

Two words: tail bone.
I hate it when I sit, I hate it when I do ground exercises.

Althought I guess it doesn't pop-up as bad... I feel that it seems better over time. I guess that I'm not used to sit on a less fat *kitten*. :laugh:

RoadsterGirlie

I've gone from morbidly obese to "normal" sized. The world is a very different place for someone who is morbidly obese vs someone who is normal sized. Very different. I am not having an easy time making the adjustment. I feel like I'm living in a stranger's body, not in mine. I don't recognize myself in the mirror, or in pictures. I presumed that as I lost weight, I'd think "yay, I'm smaller" and that would be that. But that isn't what has happened at all. Psychologically, it's an enormous shift and I applaud those who can make it with ease. Maybe it's different if you've been smaller at some point and you're just returning to that smaller size? Idk, but I'm struggling a great deal with adjusting to life as a normal sized person.

This was not my experience at all, but I do like your honesty.

I've noticed a difference in meeting new people who never knew me as heavy. They are nicer, easier to get a long with, and overall it's a more pleasant experience. It could be my own increased self confidence, or it could be people overall react more positively to a thin person than an overweight person. Maybe it's a little bit of both.

People who never knew me that way tell me that they never would known I had lost 90 lbs.

I have also had people that did know me during my journey, and told me to flat out stop, even when I was at a BMI of over 25. This was out of sheer jealousy masked as concern, and for awhile it bothered me, but then I used it as motivation knowing I could do something they couldn't.

RoadsterGirlie

Oh, and I am cold all the time. That's about it. Everything else has been positive.

TammyVieu

Cold all the time and also shaving is really a lot harder now. Plus the loose skin.

SummerSmiles07

Loose clothes, stupid comments, tiredness. Trying to gain a bit again... Yep the positive outweights the negative but in the end the balance is what to strive for for me

^^Stupid comments is one of the worst things for me.

I have never felt soooo self conscious about how I use to look until after I lost the weight. Comments about how fat my face was, how big my back side was, the broadness of my shoulders. Things I didn't even think were a problem I now am conscious about.

snazzyjazzy21

My boobs now suck :grumble: