What does it actually feel like?
Lois_1989
Posts: 6,410 Member
This is more of a question for people who have lost a significant amount of weight. I asked my slimmer friends the other day "What does it feel like to be slim?" They looked at me like i was mental and said "I don't know". Of course. They have always been slim and so they don't know anything different.
I know we can all imagine how it feels to be slim, but i would love to hear stories of elation at the smaller things in life, like your shirt not riding up when you walk, the cabinets not bouncing around as you walk across floor boards, or the near fatal creaking of a chair as you sit on it. I knew I had to loose weight when a stool i use to reach the higher cupboards cracked the other day and I sat and thought "How will it feel not having to think I'll break everything I put my weight on to." I'm pretty sure I heard my mattress cry the other day when I sat down on it.
SO. I would like some positive 'little victories' for motivation. A tick list if you will, of things I can say "Yep, that has/hasn't happened in a while, there must be some improvement happening here"
I know we can all imagine how it feels to be slim, but i would love to hear stories of elation at the smaller things in life, like your shirt not riding up when you walk, the cabinets not bouncing around as you walk across floor boards, or the near fatal creaking of a chair as you sit on it. I knew I had to loose weight when a stool i use to reach the higher cupboards cracked the other day and I sat and thought "How will it feel not having to think I'll break everything I put my weight on to." I'm pretty sure I heard my mattress cry the other day when I sat down on it.
SO. I would like some positive 'little victories' for motivation. A tick list if you will, of things I can say "Yep, that has/hasn't happened in a while, there must be some improvement happening here"
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Wow, so many to list. I lost over 70 lbs. years ago and never looked back. I'd say:
- Self confidence when walking into a room
- More confidence talking to women
- Self confidence when public speaking
- Knowing that I can do anything physically that I want to do
- Doing a chin-up (I NEVER could do one growing up and now I can do them with extra weight added)
- Clothes still don't fit, but this time it's because my thighs, torso and arms are too big, not my belly!
- Wearing fitted shirts, not "big man" clothes
- The knowledge that I know how to lose the weight and keep it off. This is something most fitness professional have never had to do, so many really do not know what it takes besides what the textbook says.
That's just a few off top of my head.
Losing the weight truly changed my life so don't give up!0 -
Being able to glide through a room and not feel like I have a huge gut or feel anything bouncing around. I got as low as 135 and I remember walking was so much easier. I felt amazing when I didn't hear the scrape of my legs rubbing together or feel like every step in high heels would strike oil from the force of hitting the ground. Clothing sales people were suddenly a lot nicer too. As soon as I gained weight I disappeared again though.0
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Being able to glide through a room and not feel like I have a huge gut or feel anything bouncing around. I got as low as 135 and I remember walking was so much easier. I felt amazing when I didn't hear the scrape of my legs rubbing together or feel like every step in high heels would strike oil from the force of hitting the ground. Clothing sales people were suddenly a lot nicer too. As soon as I gained weight I disappeared again though.
Awww gliding sounds amazing!
Hold on to that thought and you will be gliding once again!
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-160#
Feels like a huge relief. Being anonymous is nice. No one judging me because I am no longer obese.0 -
- Self confidence when public speaking
Yea, I miss that bit. I was fairly confident speaking even up to a year ago, but now I even hate introducing myself.
I may as well say "Hi, I'm the chubby girl you will forget as soon as you turn around". She is somewhere buried beneath the layers. 0 -
Going from BMI 31.7(obese) to 22.1(normal)
It feels just like you have imagined it would feel and even better.
-Going shopping and finally buying clothes that not only fit but also look good.
-Not being the fat kid in the group.
-Men are being gentlemen.
-People are noticing that you actually exists(woups...am i holding too much grudges?
) 0 -
Being able to shop in stores and actually fitting into the clothes!
Walking by a window display and instead of thinking, "that will never fit me," I think, "wow, that might actually look good on me."
Confidence.
Strength. I know I can out lift most people I see on a daily basis.
Not thinking twice when asked to go out. (I used to hem and haw about going out, knowing that I didn't have anything to wear that looked good on me and I was ashamed of how much weight I had gained and didn't want to face friends)
Endurance. I can out row and out run my former self by miles and miles!
My love handles don't pop out anymore! I am no longer constantly tugging at my clothes.
The list goes on and on. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey but the feeling of having accomplished my goals is much sweeter.
YOU CAN DO IT.0 -
-Sitting down in a chair and having there be loads of space at my sides, no matter the chair.
-Walking into a clothing store knowing that I will not have to get the largest size that they sell, not even close.
-People ask you how you keep your figure all the time
-Walking briskly to get to a meeting feels totally normal and not like I'm shuffling/waddling/worrying about my clothing bunching up.
-People hold doors for you even if you're across a parking lot and insist that you don't need to scurry to get to the door.0 -
Seeing the comments about public speaking, and men being more of a gentleman made me think of something I heard many years ago and never forgot: "When a man speaks, people listen. When a woman speaks, people look, and if they like what they see, then they listen." I found this to be very true. Most of my life, I bounced from between 135-150. After I had my daughter, I sat around 170. I noticed people treated me differently. Then I ballooned up to 210. People treated me A LOT differently. Not I'm around 140, and people are again treating me differently - better differently. Sad. But true.0
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Things I like:
- More than anything, just feeling strong - going for a hike or to Zumba or whatever and just OWNING it while feeling like I still have more energy to spare. This usually only happens the day after a rest day
- That feeling when you smooth your shirt or skirt down over your stomach in a straight motion - priceless.
- Not feeling weird about trying on wetsuits in front of other people - totally weird and good feeling.
- Buying ice cream without feeling like people are judging me.
Things I don't like:
- Being flirted with at work. Blech. I guess it's flattering, but it makes me really uncomfortable and makes me wonder whether people are helping me because they respect the work I do or because I'm not unattractive for my age.0 -
-Being able to walk on an airplane without putting my gut or butt in someone's face.
-Being able to run without having to constantly pull my shorts down from riding up.
-Being able to shop in non-plus size sections.
-Not having to wear guy's clothes because women's clothes don't fit right.
-Not worrying about wearing sleeveless tops! (I actually love my arms now.)
-Not worrying about telling someone what size I wear when they want to get me a gift/souvenir/etc..
-Being able to play with my niece on the park jungle gym.
-Going to the neighborhood pool without a t-shirt on.
-Being able to squeeze out of my truck when the parking spaces are too close. (I actually had this happen the other day. The lady driving the parking shuttle actually said to me, "It's a good thing your a smaller-sized lady otherwise you would have been stuck in your truck.")
-Knowing my husband's back isn't going to break if he picks me up (I still tell him not to because I think I'm bigger than I truly am).
-Knowing if something happened to me (unconscious in a fire, in an accident, severly injured in a race) people would be able to move me without much issue. (My husband is a fire fighter. They often get called to assist in moving people who weigh too much for two ambulance techs to move on their own.)
I could keep going, but that's a pretty good idea of the things that I've noticed in the 8+ years since I was obese.0 -
Seeing the comments about public speaking, and men being more of a gentleman made me think of something I heard many years ago and never forgot: "When a man speaks, people listen. When a woman speaks, people look, and if they like what they see, then they listen." I found this to be very true. Most of my life, I bounced from between 135-150. After I had my daughter, I sat around 170. I noticed people treated me differently. Then I ballooned up to 210. People treated me A LOT differently. Not I'm around 140, and people are again treating me differently - better differently. Sad. But true.
As much as I don't want that to be true, it sadly is. Particularly men holding the door open. Maybe they think we won't fit ? :laugh:0 -
Lots of good ones in here, but the one I noticed most:
I'm always cold...0 -
-Being able to walk on an airplane without putting my gut or butt in someone's face.
-Being able to run without having to constantly pull my shorts down from riding up.
-Being able to shop in non-plus size sections.
-Not having to wear guy's clothes because women's clothes don't fit right.
-Not worrying about wearing sleeveless tops! (I actually love my arms now.)
-Not worrying about telling someone what size I wear when they want to get me a gift/souvenir/etc..
-Being able to play with my niece on the park jungle gym.
-Going to the neighborhood pool without a t-shirt on.
-Being able to squeeze out of my truck when the parking spaces are too close. (I actually had this happen the other day. The lady driving the parking shuttle actually said to me, "It's a good thing your a smaller-sized lady otherwise you would have been stuck in your truck.")
-Knowing my husband's back isn't going to break if he picks me up (I still tell him not to because I think I'm bigger than I truly am).
-Knowing if something happened to me (unconscious in a fire, in an accident, severly injured in a race) people would be able to move me without much issue. (My husband is a fire fighter. They often get called to assist in moving people who weigh too much for two ambulance techs to move on their own.)
I could keep going, but that's a pretty good idea of the things that I've noticed in the 8+ years since I was obese.
ALL! I want all of these! Ah, there are some i hadn't thought of, like squeezing out of my car. I actually squeeze my hand between my door and the next car because I don't want to damage the car!0 -
everything is just easier. I wake up in the morning and get out of bed without having to massage my back pain. I can bend down to pick things up - i can tie my shoelaces without a second thought. I can carry my food shopping up the 2 flights of stairs to my house and not be out of breath. Couple all that with the confidence and the fact I can shop in any store and get clothes to fit is awesome.
I could never go back to how I was now I have been here0 -
Everything these folks have mentioned are so true... I am not quite there yet but have noticed many differences in life... I love NOT shopping in the plus size department. It feels like that's all I've ever known and still gravitate there without thinking sometimes. I am stronger. Just stronger and more able to move quicker, more energy.
Not so fun part is that is seems like I get colder easier... my fingertips turn white when they get cold. Otherwise, I don't mind putting the sweatshirt or sweater on - it's totally worth it! Good luck!!0 -
I keep touching my thighs, amazed at how much is missing. When I look in the mirror, I see an imaginary outline of everything that used to be there.0
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A year and almost 100lbs later:
-being able to buy clothes based on "do I like this?" rather than "does this fit?"
-feeling a weird lump on my body, only to realize that it's bone/muscle that has spent years under a layer of fat
-being able to climb a set of stairs without being winded
-my significant other being able to wrap her arms all the way around me
-being able to shower without having to move flabby parts of me out of the way to wash (might be TMI, but hey, still true)
-not having to swing the car door all the way open
-getting to look through Hallowe'en costumes without any reluctance or hesitation as to how they might look on me
-the reaction I get from people I haven't seen in over a year
-not craving junk/fast food 24/70 -
I have never been as small as I am now (at least since Jr high
) and am experiencing all sorts of surprising & new things.
*Boom - Chicka - Wow - Wow
*When my hubby hugs me we are closer
*My hubby can pick me up!
*Outpacing my husband on walks
*I can fit in my hubby's shirts (he's a slender/lanky dude)
*Fit in an airplane / helicopter seat and fasten the seat belt comfortably*Shop in Non-Plus size section
*I will be zip-lining, horseback riding & go cart driving in a few days...things I never dreamed I would be able to do/fit into
In summary, I have never felt so alive, happy & proud.
The above outweigh any negative crap anyone has given me.0 -
People treat me with more kindness now, although rude people barge into me more because I'm small.
I feel stronger, and I'm so much fitter, but at the same time I am nearly always cold, and when I'm sick I look frail as hell.
Honestly though, I didn't start to feel smaller until my brain realised just how much I'd changed... it was like my brain had to play catch-up to my body. It suddenly dawned on me that I was smacking my hip bones into walls by accident, rather than my stomach. When dropping something, I could no longer just push my knees together to catch it, because there was a gap. And heavens, I miss being able to lie down on my side without rolling over. My flab held me up but down I just end up face down.
Mostly though, having been obese through all my life until my loss, I was amazed at just how many bones I had. I'd never felt some of them before, and I sure hadn't seen any before that point!0 -
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1. Feel great
2. Look great
3. Walking is easier
4. Heck, all exercises are easier
5. Sleep is sweeter
6. My husband enjoys the new, smaller me more
7. My attitude towards life in general is better and healthier
8. I fit in any seat I choose to sit in - including airplane seats
9. I don't have to look around every place I go to see if I am the fattest person in the room
10. I get to shop in normal stores for normal sized clothes (And they are cheaper)
11. People say I look younger and I certainly feel younger
12. I have more energy for my family and grandkids
13. I can still talk on the phone while running up and down the stairs
14. I no longer have a consuming relationship with food. It's just fuel… I enjoy it but it no longer consumes me.
15. I like to be anonymous and being thin makes me feel anonymous. Before, I always felt like people were looking at me and judging. Which we all know is probably true! We are judged differently when we are fat.
16. I am enjoying life more!
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Having more confidence in my abilities...whether at work or riding my bike...priceless
Not caring what other people think about me because I KNOW I take care of myself and I KNOW I am a worthy human being...that feeling of knowing is awesome. When I was fat I had a feeling of knowing I didn't care about myself, and it depressed me a great deal.
lying in bed: feeling my stomach, my legs, my HIP BONES....awesome....I actually feel flatness, muscles, and bones!0 -
I previously lost 90 pounds, was slim for about 18 months and then got pregnant. I'm back here to lose the baby weight.
The biggest thing I noticed (other than all the other things others have mentioned) was that I had a strange view of myself. I don't know if I would call it body dysmorphia, but I still didn't really see myself as a slim/ fit person. I would often catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and be surprised that was me because I'd forgotten that I was now "normal". I don't know if I just needed more time to wrap my head around it? I'm curious to see if this time around will be different.0 -
I love the feeling of putting my seatbelt on in the car and looking down and still seeing the lap part of the belt just laying across my hips (not being eaten by a fat roll). Sitting in chairs and having space left on either side. Rings that used to fit tightly on my ring finger now swirl around on my middle finger and thumb. Having to wear a belt (and actually having it be a cute accessory). Laying next to my man on the couch...yep we both fit together there and snuggle up. I get treated WAY differently being smaller than I did when I was heavy. People now notice me for reasons other than being fat. Wearing clothes that fit my body and not having to suck it in all the time. I still could stand to lose 15-20 pounds, but the size I am now is 'fine' ---- but a girl's got goals
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1. I can wear everything from my closet and walk around confidently without pulling things down or sucking my stomach in or worrying about whether my *kitten* looks too big.
2. I can fold my legs and sit, as in one leg over the other when sitting on a couch/chair. I wasn't able to do this before when there was too much fat on my thighs.
3. People seem to ignore me less and talk to me more. Also, a LOT more small talk from the same people who would never speak to me more than what was required. What's up with that lol!
4. Reaching for the small or xsmall sizes at clothing stores and finding them loose sometimes.
5. When I go out with friends, I'm no longer the fat friend.
6. I don't have 3 tires on my tummy anymore!
7. I can lift heavy things, run if I'm late, hike and climb things without being completely winded and that feels amazing.
8. I have no backache anymore!
9. I no longer wait for winter so I can cover myself up in coats and sweaters and hope no one notices the bulges.
10. Confidence, confidence, confidence, confidence.
11. I used to hate looking at myself in the mirror. All I could do was pick faults when I did. Now I don't mind it one bit!0 -
I still have a significant amount of weight to lose, but I can tell you some of the changes I have expeirneced since eating well and working out:
1) I'm approx. 20 pounds heavier than when I got married, but my wedding dress literally falls off. it was a 20W and I recently purchased a dress by the same designer at a 14W. to be sure, I put a 20 on and it was hanging off of me, just like my wedding dress. The 14 needed no alterations and fit perfectly!
2) When I go to lift weights, bootcamp, yoga, or go running, I surprise myself with how much I can do at varying intensities.
3) I can do exactly one unassisted pull up. I can do many more with a band....I haven't been able to do it since high school.
There's a lot that that hasn't changed, but im working on it. I find that I get upset that I haven't made more progress, but I have to stop and think what I have accomplished so far. if I didnt, I would feel utterly hopeless and run the risk of giving up. I think its important to keep in mind what you have already done. OP, what victories have you made so far? Please share with us!0 -
when i was at my heaviest, my breasts were very large (this is compared to the "B" cup i used to be, at my heaviest, i was a 42DDD)
after i lost weight, i lost alot in my breasts/chest. one day, i noticed that i didn't hit them with the door when i opened it! i was thinking to myself, "WOW! my boobs don't hit the door anymore!" it was a wonderful day. 0 -
I LOVE reading all these!! I still have a long ways to go, but after losing 52 pounds there are soooo many things that are different for me. Here are a few of my favorites:
- my seatbelt fits around me now without cutting me in half and
- when I get in others people's cars, I don't worry if the seatbelt will fit around me
- I can sit in a booth at a restaurant and not worry if I will fit
- I hold my head up when I walk now and I smile more
- I have had to get RID of clothes because they're too big! that's never happened to me before0
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