The Side of Weight Loss No One Talks About

YAYJules

Absolutely not. My point was that people should try to have realistic expectations. Projecting much?

No, just reacting to your frankly miserable posts in this thread, and every other thread I've seen you in. You're one of those anonymous blue users, yet you stick out since you're always posting something negative. Do you need a hug? You sound like you need a hug.

I like hugs!!!! Bring it on if you're giving them away for free.

bethira

Half the time I don't look like I actually lost anything because I'm so cold all the time now. That was never something I had to deal with in the past, but now, I'm wearing 4 layers and it's still a little chilly in here. Where did I put that blanket?

GR8TAWK

Being afraid to buy new clothes that fit because in a few months they won't fit so nicely. I hate to waste money, but I also hate looking homeless when I wear my worn out, three-sizes-too-big clothes.

I agree, I am still wearingthe same clothes after losing 30 lbs. I want to lose 20 lbs. more.

RAURARIKES

When we start to get to the core of why we are overweight and eat unhealthy and don't exercise...we begin seeing changes...it's not a overnight miracle it's a journey and a work in progress.

this!!

annepage

That I would not want to go back to my old lifestyle. That I would become someone I used to dislike - someone who enjoyed healthy eating and exercise. That my tastes would change and that I would choose my life now over my old one because I prefer it.

That my focus would shift from doing it to lose weight, to health and fitness with weight loss as a nice bonus.

^This. I started out just trying to lose weight because I was uncomfortable and ashamed in my own body. Now my focus has redirected to being fit and strong, and even the fact that I've been plateaued on the scale since December doesn't really bother me. As long as I can lift a few pounds heavier or do a few more pushups each time, that's enough for me.

And I've totally become one of those people I used to scorn/dislike, who have a focus and emphasis on fitness and healthy, clean eating. I've always done my own cooking, but I've gradually shifted away from cooking heavy cream or cheese based meals to lighter dishes with more of an emphasis on vegetables or legumes, and I don't miss it one bit. I'll still indulge if I get the urge, but honestly, I don't, often. Chocolate is a different matter, but I've also learned that I CAN have my cake and eat it, too... if I'm willing to work for it! I also did not realize how much MORE I would learn about cooking and how much fun I would have experimenting with cooking with whole grains. I feel like I can have much more creativity in my cooking now (although it really helps that I unburdened myself of an extremely picky eater). I also never thought I'd intentionally buy kale.

Some of this. When I was younger and larger some years ago, I never thought I'd be one of "those" people. The kind eating all the "weird" things like tofu, whole grains, wheat bread, abstaining from white rice and opting for brown or none. I'm starting to shift in the direction of thinking "not just in it" for the weight loss-in it for the sake of being healthy and keeping my body at it's best because it never got the chance to be. May sound corny, but I want my body to be the best that it can be and with that my mind as well-to live the best way for my body.

GR8TAWK

I was thinking of raiding goodwill for inbeweeny stuff, because I dont plan on being at any size for long/

I do this! Got some chinos just the other day. Only $4.29. It's a heck of a lot cheaper than buying new clothes that you'll only wear for a few months anyway. Then when you need the next size down, you can donate back the ones you just had, and get some more.

I do the same, still not ready to spend money on new clothing.

rachaelheaney

My boobs are teeny now! I was a C cup before, now I'm an A cup. :frown:

Thank God I have a ghetto booty, LMAO. :laugh:

GR8TAWK

Totally AGREE!!!! It's even worse when u plateau and you just can't get passed that hump. Ur so addicted to the great feeling of "I hit this milestone" and then.....ur stuck...and ur stuck for 2 weeks...and then u go up a pound....and then u go down a pound....and ur stuck again!!!!

This is my big problem, I have been at a plateau for months, I have made adjustments to meals, calories and exercise and I am still losing or gaining the same 2-3 lbs. :sad:

GR8TAWK

It takes more patience than I expected....no one mentions the waiting!

SooooooTrue

krisbychiken

bump

Mr_Bad_Example

Here's something that no one talks about when you decide to get healthier: the fact that you didn't need the lure of a silly television show, the promise of a big reward check, or fifteen minutes of fame for being the biggest loser. You decided to do this because you wanted it badly enough for yourself that nothing was going to stop you. You decided that you were worth the pain, sweat, and effort. You decided that you had had enough of not being satisfied with yourself and your station in life, and you set out to do something about it. That is a decision that not only demands, but commands respect. And when you hit that goal, you don't need any of the fluff, pomp, or circumstance. You have your health, pride, and respect... that's what no one tells you about weight loss.

And it's kind of bad *kitten*.

the_great_unknown

I recently transferred to a new office with my company in a new state and my supervisor has made comments that suggest that I got to where I am by being attractive. First of all, I still have a lot of weight to lose, and second of all. I was not always attractive at all and I busted my butt to get to where I am. I never thought this would be an issue. I am torn between being offended and laughing.

upgetupgetup

...obsessing now that I am skinny that I will wake up fat, exercising allllllllllllllllll the time! Afraid of gaining a pound, I believe I have created me somewhat of a food disorder...

THIS! My abnormal psych teacher told me that I have "disordered eating" patterns. She said it's not healthy to be afraid of gaining a pound, or eating too many calories, or looking up restaurant foods and basing my social life around the places I can eat at. She said I shouldn't know exactly how many calories and carbs are in so many different foods, and that exercising just to eat more is crazy.

And sometimes it feels crazy...

*disclaimer: I am not "skinny", just smaller

Moderation is the key. I think your psych teacher may just be a bit paranoid. There is nothing wrong with finding out how many calories are in food before we eat them. That is just smart, when you are trying to lose or maintain weight. It is no different than looking at the price tag before you buy something. It would be very irresponsible to go thru a store just grabbing whatever we wanted without knowing how much we were spending, So it is just as irresponsible to go eat whatever we want without knowing the cost.

Of course, like with anything, if it starts taking over your life and interfering with your daily loving and relationships, then it may be becoming an obsession, but I think if we just remain aware, and do gut checks frequently, we will be fine.

no actually, technically, counting calories and macros is obsessive behaviour*. unfortunately, it's necessary to maintain physical health in the context of a sick society.

* i think the important distinction between 'normal'/necessary obsession and kind-of pathological stuff is the emotional experience that accompanies the counting. If a person can count consistently and casually, and not feel *guilt* or have some other extreme response to an 'over' day, but can coolly moderate behaviour to fall within norms (that fall within recommended nutritional guidelines), that to me would seem functional. Functional, in that the calorie counter is maintaining both physical and psychological health.

What i'd consider hurtful 'obsessive' counting would involve emotional distress (guilt, fear), or would involve unreasonable goals (900 calories a day), or behaviour (excessive and regular bingeing <- though with bingeing, part of that is a normal process, a reaction to TOO MUCH deficit (ie, deprivation) - many people 'binge' or overcompensate before they learn how to eat foods that encourage satiety within reasonable limits, and once they're at it for a while, learn to manipulate guidelines to fit their tastes and lifestyle, and lose, and maintain the weight loss; so bingeing in THAT context, I think is normal too, part of a statistically normal learning process.

And implicit in learning process is a 'normal' model of 'learning to lose weight', with norms defined by the pool of experience of e.g. the mfp community, & the larger fitness community, along with folk and specialist consensus on nutrition and health (which address the actual biological theories of weight loss; hunger etc).

Gwyn1969

Not mine, but the belief that you can completely change your body shape through weight loss and exercise and that everyone who works hard will end up looking like a fitness model. The idea that your fat distribution pattern and goals have no bearing on how you work out, especially if you are close to your goal.

huh?

There is no reason anyone who works hard enough shouldn't look like a fitness model. Provided you are doing the right kind of exercise and have the right nutrition.

You are a little naive if you think that fitness models are not chosen with a certain body type in mind, just like any model. Some people will never attain that 'perfect' shape because their bodies are simply not shaped that way. Even buff and at an ideal weight, I will never look like Jillian Michaels (for example, I know she's not a model), because she has a different body type than I. I will look like a fit me. Short, with short skinny-ish legs, unusually short arms, and somewhat thick around the middle with a rather flat behind. Even at my most fit, this is what I looked like. Not unattractive, but certainly not 'cover of Fitness Magazine' attractive.

Glad a select few are responding to that comment.

No, not everyone who works hard enough will look like a fitness model. I started at 300 pounds, my goal is 150. I'm already prepared for the loose skin I'm facing in my future. I'm not gonna look like any kind of model - and I'm totally cool with that, because that isn't the goal.

I do think it's silly to say anyone can look like a fitness model.

Even fitness models don't look like fitness models. Ever met Photoshop?

impylaurie2

For the question of losing weight and buy new clothes. Try going to a resale shop, my daughter works at a high end resale shop and you can get great clothes for great prices.! People come in to buy jeans because they need them and they still need to lose more weight. If you live in California Look up The Closet in Calfornia they have 3 stores and also an online store.

CloudyBlue72

Maybe i'll understand if I lose weight (I've only recently started using the site) but honestly the part about clothes annoys me. If/when I start losing weight i'll be proud to be dropping sizes, not upset

heidihorton

Maybe i'll understand if I lose weight (I've only recently started using the site) but honestly the part about clothes annoys me. If/when I start losing weight i'll be proud to be dropping sizes, not upset

It's not that were upset, it's exciting! It's just also very expensive if you buy them for every size and buy 4-5 pairs. This year I have bought 20+ pairs of jeans alone, not counting tops. Each pair cuter and more expensive ( smaller sizes have so many more options) . That's about 600+ dollars.

CloudyBlue72

I only buy one pair of jeans a year, from discount stores, as it is, so I guess I wouldn't really understand, haha

alexveksler

Sex. So much energy when you drop 6 sizes and 1/3 of your body weight.. It is amazing...

escapeartist90210

When I lost weight the first time; currently losing it the second. I was 10 pounds away from my goal but everyone called me skinny and said I was super thin. I couldn't get used to being skinny because mentally I was still obese, ya know. The next logical move for my body would've been to gain some muscle and stuff but I screwed it because I was eating way above maintenance.