Has your weight loss been bittersweet?

litatura

So, while I'm extremely happy that I've managed to lose 62lbs in 9 months and am now only 13lbs away from my goal, I have to admit that my weight loss is bittersweet. Lately, I've been getting a ton of compliments and congratulations on my weight loss, but I find myself being more embarrassed than excited that people have noticed such a big difference in how I look. It boils down to the fact that I'm ashamed to have to admit that I've had to lose this much weight. I was athletic/into sports most of my life and could eat pretty much anything I wanted and still maintain a healthy weight. Then about 6 or 7 years ago, I started putting on weight gradually (about 10lbs per year) by eating crap and leading a sedentary lifestyle. It finally dawned on me last summer when I found myself weighing over 200lbs and wondering how the heck I ever let myself get to that point. Fortunately, I've been able to erase this 6-7 years of weight gain in less than a year through cleaning up my diet with Weight Watchers (and more recently, MFP) and working out like a mofo on the treadmill, but if I could go back in time, I'd love to kick my own butt!!

Anybody else feel bittersweet about your success?

Dmaxsgirl

Wow! What a great job! I want to lose around 60 lbs, and right now I can only dream of being where you are! Congratulations! You should be proud!

jsapninz

So, you are sad to have lost weight because in a round about way people are now commenting on how fat you let yourself get?

I feel like you really shouldn't be focusing on the guilt of where you were, and should accept it and move on to being proud of where you are now.

Self-loathing is only going to put that weight right. back. on.

Good luck!:flowerforyou:

jennimben

You have done a great job- what an inspiration! Being a yo-yo over the last 25 years I have also had those bittersweet times, and this time I'm feeling it even more. I have gained and lost this same weight and last time did it totally wrong using Medifast, but professed to my coworkers this would be it! The time before that I had a tummy tuck and lipo and professed- this will take care of it! I feel like I finally "get it" through MFP and past weight watchers attempts and so far it feels really healthy. But I feel so embarrassed to be doing it AGAIN in front of all of my coworkers and family. I guess I will just have to prove to myself that I can do this in a healthy and fit way and be happy. But it is so embarrassing!

dvisser1

So, while I'm extremely happy that I've managed to lose 62lbs in 9 months and am now only 13lbs away from my goal, I have to admit that my weight loss is bittersweet. Lately, I've been getting a ton of compliments and congratulations on my weight loss, but I find myself being more embarrassed than excited that people have noticed such a big difference in how I look. It boils down to the fact that I'm ashamed to have to admit that I've had to lose this much weight. I was athletic/into sports most of my life and could eat pretty much anything I wanted and still maintain a healthy weight. Then about 6 or 7 years ago, I started putting on weight gradually (about 10lbs per year) by eating crap and leading a sedentary lifestyle. It finally dawned on me last summer when I found myself weighing over 200lbs and wondering how the heck I ever let myself get to that point. Fortunately, I've been able to erase this 6-7 years of weight gain in less than a year through cleaning up my diet with Weight Watchers (and more recently, MFP) and working out like a mofo on the treadmill, but if I could go back in time, I'd love to kick my own butt!!

Anybody else feel bittersweet about your success?

I found it was easy to lie to myself as I gained weight, but when I finally hit my breaking point I had to come clean and be completely open and honest with myself. I realized I had to lose 60 lbs at a minimum, 70 lbs optimally. I kept that to myself for a while, but after only losing 20 lbs in 9 months doing things completely by myself I realized I needed help and support. Joining MFP was part of that, but so was talking with friends about what I was doing and the changes in my life I was making. Even going so far as to post progress reports and pictures on here and on facebook as a way to hold myself accountable. I may hate that I can say I have lost 50 lbs in the last year, but I also take pride in the fact that I have lost 50 lbs in the last year and gotten myself back to within reach of my healthy weight.

phittyness

I know exactly what you mean, but at the end of the day it's a great problem to have. I prefer people say "you look good" rather than "you've lost a LOT of weight haven't you?" It's like permission for people to finally talk about how overweight I was.

The previous poster is right too. It's still something to be proud of. There are so few people willing to take control of their diet and fitness, it shouldn't be something to hide when we actually do it.

pen2u

Totally get the bittersweet thing, but not because I'm embarrassed of the "OMG-you've lost so much weight, you were so huge before" insinuations.

I regret the "lost" years now that I know what it feels like to throw anything on, walk out the door & not have to worry about muffin tops or bloated upper arms. Summer isn't a scary thought now! I can dry stuff in the dryer instead of planning a day ahead so I can line dry (unless I choose to, lol.) No panic that the chair in the beauty salon will break when the stylist tries to raise it. Pride when I go for a check up & I'm (almost) at healthy BMI. Best of all, I don't have to be on the sidelines due to fear of failure/embarrassment/panic while others enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, socializing, dressing up for fancy occasions, etc.

Why didn't I want all of this a decade or 2 ago? I don't know. But I'm doing it now, enjoying it, and will continue to feel great for years to come.

TundraTed

Not necessarily bittersweet, but I am mad at myself for not losing the weight a lot sooner.