Question for Those Already Successful

aeb09

I have a lot of issues I'm hoping will be fixed by losing weight and getting healthy. I've always been fat and have dieted on and off since I was 8. The lifestyle change I made in March (finally for the right reasons) is going much better than anything ever has in the past.

My biggest fear, though, is that my anxiety and depression issues will not get better even after I lose the weight. I've heard of people who still think of themselves as their fat self even after they've lost weight - they still buy clothes that are too big, they feel like they may not fit in a particularly small space because they used to be too wide, they still have low self-esteem, etc. I know ideally I'd already love and accept myself for who I am now, but I don't and I never have.

I'm afraid that my fears will continue - afraid to be in public, afraid people are judging me, afraid to be taking up too much space, afraid of being in the way, afraid of not fitting in the booth - even if I do get down to a normal, healthy size. I've become so mentally exhausted from all this that I'm essentially a hermit in my apartment unless I'm at work and I'm literally wasting my life, so I really don't want this to continue post-weight loss. Maybe these are things only therapy would help, but I'm hoping I'll gain confidence and self-esteem as I lose the weight.

tl;dr My question is: for those that have lost significant weight, did you ever get stuck still feeling like your fat self after losing weight? Did you have a hard time accepting your new body? Did you gain confidence throughout your weight loss journey?

Thanks in advance.

CipherZero

Was 230 lbs, currently 167.

I can guarantee you NOT doing anything about the weight won't help. What made me gain confidence was gaining strength in the gym.

FFfitgirl

History of me.... I've struggled with eating disorder for about 5 years. I've yoyo my weight loss/gains. I also have servers depression.
This isn't an add for crossfit, but since I've joined my mood has been so much better. I workout 5-6 days a week. I leave with such an endorphin rush it makes my entire day better. It's truly become my therapy and antidepressant. I'm still over 200 pounds so you probably can guess how I feel about that....knowing what my body can do now has completely changed my attitude towards it. I can do a REAL push up now!!!
Find an exercise that you enjoy and stick with it. Exercise has been the best thing for my anxiety/depression

zyxst

did you ever get stuck still feeling like your fat self after losing weight?

No. Though I am much smaller, I am still fat.

Did you have a hard time accepting your new body?

No. My body is the same shape and weight distribution as it's always been, just not carrying around 138#.

Did you gain confidence throughout your weight loss journey?

No. My self-worth/self-confidence isn't tied to how I look/my physical body. I would still have the same mental problems (depression, anxiety) if my body was 120#, fit, low BF%, no physical health problems.

aeb09

I can guarantee you NOT doing anything about the weight won't help. What made me gain confidence was gaining strength in the gym.

Agreed, it won't help and it has only made things worse, which is why I'm making the change. Thanks for the input!

Find an exercise that you enjoy and stick with it. Exercise has been the best thing for my anxiety/depression

For now all I can muster is walking but I do plan to do that once I am smaller and able to do strength training. Thank you for your story!


zyxst thank you for your honest answers!