Question to the big losers (in a good way!)

Jeff92se

I have seen some pretty BIG differences in the stories here and it's amazing. All props from me.

Question: Have you noticed any difference in how people treat you? ie... people striking up conversations, general assumptions when you were big vs now, people friendlier, meaner, etc. etc. etc?

I've only lost about 10 lbs (I'm here to try to lose another 5-10 lbs) so there won't be a big difference in me. So I'm interesting in reading about people's experiences.

Brandicaloriecountess

My family and friends are the same. But they all comment on it a lot.
Strangers, I see a difference in how men react to me.

lulupallooza

I don't have the major weight loss, yet. But, I'm very interesting in reading the responses. :-)

Monica_has_a_goal

Jeff not only are people friendlier say at work and neighbors... But I think I smile more and that make me more approachable!

Also. Guys stopped looking at me a few years ago.. now they give me a friendly smile. I'm married so that really doesnt mean much

Except it is an ego boost!

Going to see some friends I havent seen in over a year.. I'll see what theyre reaction is tonight


Get leaner and people , like you, love you, are nicer to you , and treat you better (some even show you manners)! Life is GOOD!

shack1157

OH yes! People are more likely to talk with you when you are thinner vs me being almost 100 pounds heavier. Also what I really notice is how much more seriously you are taking and consideration you are given at Job interviews! It kinda sad, I am just as good an employee at 300 pounds as I am at 200 pounds! Oh well what you gonna do!

Tree72

I'm right at 80 pounds lost total and have definitely noticed some differences. Though I honestly attribute a fair amount of it to how I carry myself now rather than just how I look now. I'm much more open and more likely to smile, therefore people find me more approachable.

Jeff92se

OH yes! People are more likely to talk with you when you are thinner vs me being almost 100 pounds heavier. Also what I really notice is how much more seriously you are taking and consideration you are given at Job interviews! It kinda sad, I am just as good an employee at 300 pounds as I am at 200 pounds! Oh well what you gonna do!

The truth is what it is I guess. Dude that avatar pic is the best.

Brandicaloriecountess

OH yes! People are more likely to talk with you when you are thinner vs me being almost 100 pounds heavier. Also what I really notice is how much more seriously you are taking and consideration you are given at Job interviews! It kinda sad, I am just as good an employee at 300 pounds as I am at 200 pounds! Oh well what you gonna do!

Ok, so I have always had the "talk to me" look. When my BFF and I worked together we used to laugh because she would say "How are you" and get Ok, good or fine" But when I asked I got a life story, it baffled me! I wanted to say, hey I don't care I just have to ask hahaha

Megan2Project

Well, I weighed 240, then lost 91lbs and weighed 149, and then slowly over the last 6 years I have gained.... a lot! 277 now, was up to 307.

I definately notice a change in how people behave around me. When I was skinny I could "hang" with the guys and they liked to joke with me more. Now they don't really talk to me as much (Husband's work buddies mostly). People would offer to help me more, people stopped cars for me at cross-walks, I got invited out to social events more often, strangers would approach me more. I feel angrier as a heavy person this time, because last time, I didn't know that people were treating me different, I just thought thats how it was.

In all honesty though, I can't say I don't judge others for gaining lots of weight. It's sad really. I would like to be a non-judgemental person, but I think its just my own insecurities setting it, and trying to make myself feel better.

Jeff92se

Wow. Great post. Good luck with your goals. Can you share why you gradualy gained again?

hbrittingham

Oh definitely. I even posted a thread here about it called "I'm not invisible anymore". I noticed it once I hit 20 lbs lost. I am a friendly, outgoing person so I didn't even really notice it until I realized how many people would actually take the time to sit and talk to me rather than rushing through the niceties so they could move on to someone less unattractive.

QueenCat25

I lost 60lbs pounds when I was 17. There was definitely a difference in how people reacted to me. People were more friendly. Guys hitting on me left and right. It was awesome...

Now that I've gained it back...not so awesome.

MeganSWoods

I have noticed some difference, but I think mostly it is coming from their reaction to my attitude. I am clearly owning my body and am more confident, so I have been more open to strangers striking up conversations and such.

Megan2Project

Wow. Great post. Good luck with your goals. Can you share why you gradualy gained again?

Well, I moved out of the city and back to my home-town where I used driving for transportation instead of public transportation, and then I met my husband. We had more expendable income and ended up going out to eat a lot... from there is snowballed. I don't know why I lost the motivation. I think I felt bad about gaining weight, and then ate to make myself feel better? I also had a lot of issues to work through, and for a time I felt like eating was "getting back" at my husband... for going out to play poker... Um yeah some serious trust issues. Now that we have worked through (or I have dealt with) those issues, I think I may be ready to get back to healthy living and not use it to manage my emotions.

Jeff92se

Awesome. Thanks for sharing.

I eat chips when I'm stressed. I can go though a Costco sized chip bag in about 3 days. Probably what? 5,000 calories? eek!

katieruns

I feel a lot of it does have to do with the way you feel about yourself too. I am not saying that people don't treat you differently, because some do, but it seems to me that if you hold your head high, meet people in the eye, smile big, and love who you are regardless of what weight you are, that you will have greater success in those types of situations.

I have a lot to lose and it took me a long time to step out of being the shy (much much thinner) kid in high school that nobody liked. Now I love people and I love me and I can tell that people can see that in me. I very rarely feel like people look or treat me weird or ugly.

SMarie10

People I'd never spoken to at work started asking me about my weight loss - wanting to know what the magic trick was to losing.
When I told them it was exercise and calorie counting - they didn't want to hear it and I could see they were disappointed.

I firmly believe people treat overweight individuals poorly - no matter how confident you are, or successful - if they can't see past your weight, they cannot see you as a valuable person.

Majunta

I've lost 66 of 147lbs and have noticed a huge change as well, but truely believe 95% of past interactions were based on self confidence. My self confidence was low therefore I did not feel comfortable interacting. If I was uncomfortable I'm sure the other person was too. While I believe there is a small percentage of individuals who judge heavy people, the majority of interaction problems are about one's self confidence.

Jeff92se

I did not think about our own behavioral differences when I made this thread. Good points people.

KarmaxKitty

bump

InvictusPheonix

yeah- i went from hardly noticed to (people percieving me) as interesting and unique.
It's was weird, because my personality and interests hadn't changed at all.....
Guess it just gave me more confidence to meet a broad spectrum of people

george_ie_girl

It's hard to say whether it's me or other people that are different. I feel like a get more respect... in shops, clubs and pubs, people at uni... I must say I'm enjoying the male attention when I go out and I love flirting... That used to be so rare! Haha

solrak1969

People totally treat you differently when your thinner. People are striking up conversations with me more these days. Its kind of sad when you think about how shallow people are, but I must say I looked pretty bad 110lbs. ago.

marzahl68

20 lbs down and I get more looks from men.

amybluefish

Sad to say but you are invisible when you are overweight. I still feel invisible to most people. I do know the more weight I lose the more confidence I gain. Can't wait to lose more.

Maggieq87

I've always had really high self confidence. I love me, I'm just not happy with my body... I've never had a problem attracting male attention *blush* and I was 275 at my heaviest. I do notice more men hitting on me and strangers tend to be more friendly.

KettyLan

I have always thought my mom does not love me, until recently she started changing her attitude with me and for the very first time she said that I am beautiful! All cuz i am losing weight!!! Everyone around me acts the same, except my mom....One of the reasons why i decided to lose weight is cuz of her...she is really sick and just wanted her to love me... I guess I am doing it....

Jeff92se

Aw, that was sad to read. I hope your mom recovers and does well.

janetb21

Honestly, I haven't noticed any differences. Well, other than people I know telling me how great I look. I've lost 77 lbs so far. But as far as treating me differently, I haven't noticed anything. I'll have to pay attention more and see.
I do tend to be the kind of person people tell their life stories too anyway though.

paxetamore

bump

lacroyx

I have seen some pretty BIG differences in the stories here and it's amazing. All props from me.

Question: Have you noticed any difference in how people treat you? ie... people striking up conversations, general assumptions when you were big vs now, people friendlier, meaner, etc. etc. etc?

I've only lost about 10 lbs (I'm here to try to lose another 5-10 lbs) so there won't be a big difference in me. So I'm interesting in reading about people's experiences.

besides the usual "whats your secret?" from friends I tell them calorie counting and excercise or if I am feeling snippy, I write down a number to these magic diet pills not available in the US. 1-888-MOVE-UR-*kitten*. it's funny and sad though. Everyone has actually tried to dialing the number. I just laugh. I also get snarky remarks about when I go out to eat with friends. "oooh that's bad for you!" or "you are going off your diet!" I point out how much I''ve lost. I also say "I am hitting the gym tomorrow @ 8am. join me!" that usually shuts them up. lol