Social life after reaching weight goals?

I know forum is probably flooded with these types of questions, but I'm generally curious in this too.

I'm 5'7 weighing at 174 LBS. According to the BMI scale, I'm overweight. I'm not happy with the way that I look and the way I physically feel.

Of course my main priority is to lose weight for myself.

But my question is, what was your social life after reaching your target goal?

More friends? More dates?

Any and all opinions are accepted... :)

Replies

  • spectralmoon
    spectralmoon Posts: 1,179 Member
    I'm getting hit on a lot more. :laugh:

    As for friends, I'm not sure if the upped number is more because of the weight loss (I doubt it) or because I'm coming out of the shame-shell of both weight gain and social anxiety. This "journey" through MFP has been beneficial to both, oddly enough, as each fueled the other. I am more outgoing now than I was before and "braver" with some outfits, and have even bought a bikini (though I haven't had a place to wear it yet this year). So... yeah, attitude probably helped me more, but it was definitely motivated by feeling better about myself and feeling accepted here when I felt I was at my worst. :heart:
  • fitfreakymom
    fitfreakymom Posts: 1,400 Member
    I am married but I did notice that there was alot more interest in me after the weight loss.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    My social life is exactly the same as it was 35 pounds ago. My friends (and significant other) are in for the delightful person I have always been. Most of them want to know my secret.
  • Being overweight for me was kind of like being invisible. Most people didn't pay much attention to me. Now that I'm thinner I have more male attention. Women at work who never spoke to me have come up to me asking me questions about what I'm doing, asking for advice and telling me that I look good. People in general are friendlier when I go to a store, more helpful. I'm married, so not too much has changed as far as going out socially. I can only imagine how the difference would be as a single person.
  • That's awesome. Yeah I've heard that nothing externally changing, but internally. You feel better about yourself therefore everything lee around you will change.
  • TiberiusClaudis
    TiberiusClaudis Posts: 423 Member
    Well..can't say more dates as the wife may look over my shoulder. :tongue:

    But I get A LOT more attention.

    I consider myself a very humble guy, there is nothing whatsoever special about me..I simply made a plan to get healthy and stuck to it. When you start seeing results, it's like a drug..you want more...it took me 2 1/2 years to complete my transformation. If I can do it...trust me anyone can...and you'd be amazed at what your body can accomplish if you just stay focused.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    eh I am 1 inch taller and 1 lb lighter than you...so basically the same size. But perspective's everything sometimes, because I used to be 134 lb heavier. So for me THIS is "average" and even small compared to the size I was from age 16-36 (well over 200 lb).

    I'm married. I get hit on/flirted with the same amount as before, though I have noticed a slight change in the guys. Less of the indie/skater 20-something guys who hit on me before, and many more "mainstream" guys in their 30's and 40's seem interested now. Doesn't matter of course as I'm happily married.

    With weight loss I've noticed women in stores tend to be a little less friendly and helpful. This seems to be the opposite of most peoples' experience after weight loss...I am not sure why it has been so different for me! Women who are total strangers honestly seem to look at me differently now, but sort of in a bad way...I believe I got lots of pity kindness before, and was seen as charmingly fat and in ANY weird style, still very nonthreatening...now I'm more of a competitor or "who does she think she is, wearing that weird yellow dress!?" It's odd.

    However with female friends of friends I am 10X more appealing, it seems. In the past, if one of my close friends introduced me to someone (female friend) they would just say "Oh hi, nice to meet you"...now they are more likely to take a real interest in me, involve me in their social circle, etc. In this way I have seen a pretty big change. I think a lot of it is fat prejudice whether they would have realized it before or not. But I do think some of it is that I'm more comfortable now, as far as body language. I have always been friendly, welcoming, and chatty. But I believe my body language was weird because I was always fidgeting and twisting myself into awkward positions (like at a girls' night dinner out) trying to avoid looking as fat as I was. Although I am still overweight, I am now totally comfortable with my body and there is none of that...so I imagine my body language is a lot different, and I am more open and "present" in the situation.
  • fitfreakymom
    fitfreakymom Posts: 1,400 Member
    Also now that I am smaller I have noticed that bigger ladies have in some cases viewed me as a threat.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    Also now that I am smaller I have noticed that bigger ladies have in some cases viewed me as a threat.

    I've had that experience too. It really surprised me especially because I am not SMALL. I am still overweight. I really think some women out there hate anyone who is even 1-2 jean sizes smaller than they are and I find that so sad...especially when I realize at one point in my life I was often the largest in every group, office, store or room I entered...my life would have been AWFUL if I stopped to catalog everyone's weight/size and hated all other women.
  • cottony
    cottony Posts: 109 Member
    Now being 50 pounds lighter I finally feel visible....yeey :laugh:
    No but really,when i was fat,people especially males,never noticed my existence as a human,not even mentioning as a girl. But now all of a sudden I see that some men are gentlemen,which was unnoticable before....I wonder why :grumble:
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Personally, I'm the same smart *kitten*, outgoing self as I was when I was heavier. I've noticed no substantial difference, but I also don't pay too much attention.
  • TheSatinPumpkin
    TheSatinPumpkin Posts: 948 Member
    my daily routine is the same just i am at a smaller mass. I do get more done around the home since i am bouncing off the walls a lot more.
  • Aishteru85
    Aishteru85 Posts: 51 Member
    I think, generally you will feel a lot happier in your own skin and have more confidence. And this will definitely make you appear more attractive to everyone else. I do notice that I get hit on a lot now.. and people are more friendlier and helpful. When before I would get stared at for being "obese".. you know the kinda stare from either men or women that screamed " holy cow, she's huge"... now i get stares from men that look more like "she's cute"...it is different... its sad that this is the reality of today's world....
  • JtKeil
    JtKeil Posts: 1,389 Member
    I'm still not at goal weight but I just want to add to the whole 'I'm no longer invisible' thing. Unfortunately I'm not the most outgoing person and get a bit of social anxiety, but I'm hoping that will be improved once I lose the rest of the weight. It's already improved loads. As far as attention goes, yes I get a lot more now. Not just male attention, just people in general seem to see me and theres more casual interactions.