'Former fatties'

Although I've gained some back, at one point I was down 80lbs. I went from a size 24 to a size 12, which is the smallest I got. To this day I refuse to show anyone pictures of how big I used to be (except on this site). I have no problem saying I lost a lot of weight, but showing old pictures would take a lot of time and trust. Most people are very congratulatory and happy for me when I tell them, so I don't think it would take me long to bring it up with a new dating prospect.

I have lost a lot and though I dont feel slim I am constantly told that I am lol. About feeling "ashamed" of being obese (well I was "morbidly obese") its more like I knew that I was big before but I never realized HOW BIG I was until I started losing. At this time I can fit into one leg of my pant! I'm not "ashamed" as if I hide it, its more like I'm embarrassed that I never realized how bad my weight problem was until it got that bad. I sometimes want to tell people who have never known me at my biggest about my weight loss but at the same time I dont, because after a lifetime of being the "big girl" I dont want to be associated with my weight any more, and I'd rather people not know about it until or unless I feel its important. At first I felt like I was somehow lying to them but then I realized like other people without weigh issues, its not something your looked at when your at a more normal weight.

I have plenty of pictures and sometimes I share them with people and other times I dont. Its a personal thing. Some people like to shout it from the rooftops and are fine with everyone knowing and others are like me prefer to keep it to themselves and only discuss it on occasion. Also I dont want like being peoples weight loss "guru" and I hate when I'm asked about my regiment and what I do - and then sometime criticized for the choices I make or dont make. I'm doing this not just to lose weight but more importantly to keep it off so the choice I make are for my long-term benefits and I hate trying to explain that to people (e.g. I sometimes "cheat" and I eat cracker but not bread). When things move along and the get closer to your goal you'll know and do what feel right for you.

Good luck and keep at it!

I'm pretty open about it. I lost 70 lbs. during my senior year of high school. It's been about 35 years since and I have gained and lost some weight. I've never gained back more than half, even through two pregnancies. Sometimes the topic of weight comes up and sometimes it doesn't. If it does, I want people to know it can be done and it is possible to maintain a healthy weight! So many people want to just throw in the towel.:flowerforyou:

People call me skinny all the time, and I don't feel like I am. I don't have an eating disorder or anything, but I don't see a slim person when I look in the mirror. I guess it's just me being self-conscience since I was so uncomfortable in my own body for so long.

I've been all over the board, but at my heaviest was 294 and now I'm 152ish. Lost down to 138 and bounced up, so just trying to get back down there again, but... Losing 140+ pounds is a TRIP. I don't care if people know per se, but the person I was then is miles away from the person I am now, so it feels strange to talk about it. I almost feel like I don't have anything in common with that old me. My awesome boyfriend/fiance knows and loves me anyway (because I had to explain exactly WHY I have so much extra skin).

Online I am very open about it. Real close friends and family, they know. Offline, it's a different story. I am a bit shy to begin with and don't like being the center of attention. I'd could never been a actor or do public speaking. The gym I have been going to for nearly 2 years, I know quite a few people there and only 2 people know and I haven't showed them before pics either. I'm not scared but I just don't really talk about it unless others ask.

I'm an attention *kitten*, and I have been cast for TV game shows previously...

In that type of situation, I milk the hell out of my weight loss. I can overcome anything. Bring the pain. Bring the ruckus.

When I meet people for the first time, I choose not to tell them, unless it comes up organically in conversation.

It's really awkward going into the diner by my house, and the staff showing my before and after pictures to other patrons (I've been going there for years)

I'm only 1/3 of the way to my goal, but considering I've already gone from a size 22 to a size 12, I already look like a completely different person. I'm not shy about my weight loss if things come up in conversation(I don't go telling everyone... I'm super shy, so people are lucky I'm even talking to them!!), and will show people my before picture that I have in my profile here. Being open about things has helped me a lot

I'll bring it up if it comes up in the conversation. Mostly, people say "what?! You were fat?!" I don't have any before pictures that I carry around or anything, so I just tell people my high weight and it usually blows their minds.

I'm almost scared to let my husband see pictures of me at my biggest, because I wonder if it'll "taint" how he sees me. It's one of those things you can't unsee!

For me its a combination of wanting to tell people because im proud but also being embarrassed and ashamed that i let myself get to that point. I was morbidly obese and wore a size 22. Now i'm a size 8. So definitely a big difference. I look at pictures of my old self and they make me sad. Sad because I feel like i have nothing at all in common with my old self. My new self loves my new life, loves eating healthy, loves being so motivated. The old me would have rolled her eyes at people like the new me. But, at the same time, i'm insanely proud that i've done something that so many people would kill to do. Sometimes i share with people who are wanting support and motivation. I actually love sharing in those situations if i can help someone. Otherwise, i prefer for people i just met to not know that i was obese.