How have life changed for you since weightloss?
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jacki865
Posts: 122 Member
Iam 5"2 started at 235 and now Im at 200lbs. My goal is to get to 125 so I have 80 more lbs to go. Im to the point where it is now starting to become noticeable and I'm getting comments. I have lost 3 inches all everything and one clothes size. Im just curious what are the good and bad things I can expect for once I hit my goal weight.
Like will I be treated differently from my friends and strangers? Is shopping easier? etc. What were your experiences after losing your weight?
Like will I be treated differently from my friends and strangers? Is shopping easier? etc. What were your experiences after losing your weight?
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Replies
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3 years into maintenance and for the most part life is same old, same old
Though going to the doctor now is way more fun, because my blood work panels consistently come back excellent. Otherwise I'm sleeping better, have better sexy time with hubby and I have more energy.
On the friend front-my weight loss actually was a hindrance there, as several friends became critical (ie jealous), and I had to let them go. Family's been supportive though, and my husband is pretty geeked about the whole thing (refer back to better sexy times
).
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Hasn't changed that much, other than I have a new hobby (working out) and I don't eat as many Oreos.1
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There are good and not so good things about losing weight.
For me the not so good is the followings:
1. Not being able to "pig out"...it's not a choice I can't it hurts.
2. harder to find my size in clothing...apparently size 4 and 6 are either in short supply or lots are that size
3. spent a lot of money replacing clothing
4. my skin is a bit saggy...but that could be my age or from being pregnant.
The good stuff.
1. Way more energy
2. I am not sick and tired anymore
3. I don't hurt after doing things like gardening...I hurt after lifting tho but that isn't a bad thing.
I am sure there is more good but to be honest my life and attitude hasn't changed much. I have and always have had a lot of self confidence. I met my husband prior to the weight loss, have worked at the same company for 17 years and bought my house before this...I can't say my sex life is better or more frequent...
some people comment but not many...I don't think most know what to say...without possibly being insulting (I wouldn't take it like that)
I personally feel that life has to be good for this to work...this weight loss thing...otherwise you lose expecting great things and losing weight imo doesn't make for a great life...a great life makes it easier to lose it.2 -
I weigh less.5
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People still treat me the same IMO. The biggest thing maybe is that I stopped playing video games and I'd rather go for a walk or exercise now, but that might be partly because I *gasp* grew up. But I spend the same amount of time browsing the boards or looking up recipes, so there's that...
Clothes shopping is definitely easier and more enjoyable though, and I possibly spend too much money on clothes now. Eating out, which I LOVED, pretty much sucks now, because I have to second guess everything I'm putting in my mouth. So I cook more. A LOT more. But it also means that special occasions always have that damper on them because I always get a bit guilty if I decide to enjoy myself, so it's not just positive changes, in my experience.
Otherwise, I'm sure that more has changed, but it's very gradual, so in my case, not very noticeable. It's not like you just wake up one day 80 pounds lighter, you know?4 -
Some of the good: I feel amazing and look good too. I can do so much more than I ever thought, which is a good motivator to keep it up. Also, I'm not stuck shopping only at "big girl" stores, so shopping is much easier. Due to my routine, I have much better awareness and balance, I'm not as much of a klutz.
The bad: Deflated boobs, still have plenty, just not as much as I've always had...total bummer. I love to eat, so restricting calories is not fun for me, but it's worth it.1 -
The good:
- I am so much healthier. I had very bad sleep apnea when I was overweight, I had lots of general aches and pains, and I have PCOS. Now none of that stuff bugs me--still have the CPAP but don't need to use it, no more aches/pains, no PCOS symptoms. I also have a strong history of Type II diabetes and it feels good to know that I'm doing my best to prevent having it myself.
- Much better clothes straight off the rack. Most plus sized clothing is made for women who also have plus sized chests. I didn't fall in to that category so even the cutest plus sized tops/dresses looked sloppy on me. Not a problem now.
- Not hot as much (I was always overheated.)
- I'm stronger/fitter.
- I look better.
The bad:- Saggy stomach skin = complete lack of body confidence for me.
I don't think that people treat me any different now. I'm not a really social person and I never felt like people treated me poorly when I was overweight because in my mind, the less interaction the better. I know that I am in better shape than the majority of my peer group (middle aged midwestern women) but it hasn't made me feel particularly attractive or made me outgoing in any way. I'm still the person who prefers self checkout lanes and nonchatty servers and who will attend your party but slip out the back door and leave as soon as possible. I tend to walk around enjoying the idea that I am invisible but my husband will mention from time to time that he noticed this or that guy watching me.
ETA: Something that has been weird to me has been people telling me that I have inspired them to lose weight. I noticed last year that a woman at work had lost a significant amount of weight. I told her that she was looking great, very healthy. She told me that I had inspired her to do it. I was completely shocked by that. Once in awhile I get a message on here from women telling me that and I am always surprised. It's a nice surprise but still surprising.7 -
I know people say that losing weight doesn't make you happier but it sure has for me3
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I dont know why but I cannot post my whole message0
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I know people say that losing weight doesn't make you happier but it sure has for me I've only lost 2 sizes (3 in jeans. Almost 50lbs) and every day is more pleasurable! I love that I know I can wear whatever I want and not just pick clothes that make me feel less fat. Most of all I love that my 9 year old thinks she has the coolest mum who is fit and healthy. The only bad thing I can think of is how nearly all my clothes are too big and how hard it is to get things that fit my waist, hips and boobs but I also appreciate that is a nice problem to have ( even though it is as frustrating as hell!) honestly the only negative thing I can think is why did I wait so long!
I did have some comments from friends about not losing too much, and it is enough, or I will start to look old, or lose my curves but they all stopped now that I am now 2lbs from my goal weight and looking younger with every pound
Honestly, you will not regret losing the weight! Anyone who loves you for you will still be around. You will wake up every morning and grin at yourself in the mirror. You will feel awesome like you can take on the world. You will have so much energy and have a bounce in your step and a twinkle in your eye. You will be skint....losing weight costs you so much in clothing, but oh boy, the shopping is so much fun!
Lots of luck! Enjoy all your little victories on the way because it is not all just about the end point. Don't spend too much money on expensive clothes. I didn't quite believe I would ever be this small so bought much too much on the way down that just drowns me now.5 -
I want to add about the loose saggy stomach skin... it's a huge bummer. I honestly did not expect this at all when I decided to lose the weight - I actually really wanted to see what the 'thin me' would look like, and that was pretty much the end of a dream. It sounds stupid I know.. but when you're obese for 10 years and daydream about being thin, and finally get there, but you're still extremely self-conscious because of that pouch of skin, you pretty much have to mourn that 'ideal' that you had.
Not sure if it makes sense. But yeah, I can put on the cutest outfit (I'm 38, I guess 'cute' is relative), but I'll still have that pouch I need to tuck in (I have one over my belly button too - stretch marks and loose skin). Sure, it beats having rolls all over, but I can't even tell myself that maybe one day it will be better anymore... now I know that it won't.
Had to get this out of my chest - obviously though it's still so much better than being obese! But it's not as awesome as I thought it would be.
I lost 80 pounds and was obese for 10 years though, had a bunch of stretch marks as well (which seems to attract loose skin and subcutaneous fat more), and I was 34 when I lost the weight, so there's that.
ETA: boobs look great at least.2 -
Iam 5"2 started at 235 and now Im at 200lbs. My goal is to get to 125 so I have 80 more lbs to go. Im to the point where it is now starting to become noticeable and I'm getting comments. I have lost 3 inches all everything and one clothes size. Im just curious what are the good and bad things I can expect for once I hit my goal weight.
Like will I be treated differently from my friends and strangers? Is shopping easier? etc. What were your experiences after losing your weight?
Shopping is way more fun when you can buy cloths anywhere and not just from the big and tall, I invested $6,000 in a new wardrobe
It has it's ups and downs, people you haven't spoken with for years will reach out to you on FB, ex GF's or BF's in your case. Some female friends I had for years all of a sudden "always had a crush on me" which was just weird and I truned down all 3 of them because, I am still me, my heart is still the same.. it actually really bothered me at the time.
Other friends you hardly ever see ask stupid stuff like "have you changed?" as in personality, the assumption seems to be that I or you will be cocky, which is not the case for me but I have seen it from some people who have lost allot of weight.
If you have a desk job like me you get allot of annoying comments, people assume youre always judging their eating habits when frankly I don't care. IE walking into the lunch room and someone turns and says "it's my cheat day Brad I can have chips today" I'm like ... okay cool.. just here to get my lunch and want to go back to my office... didn't even see you there...thanks for the info? it's weird.
When doing bulking cycles (I try and bodybuild) people ask why you stopped working out, tried explaining to people what a bulk is or was but they don't get it so I just say I gave up, when I cut I get the same comments again, and I just say I started going again. It's easier cause no one really gets it at all, unless they also lift.
Strangers is different too, I get allot more looks from females now apposed to before. People at the gym talk to me now, however they never spoke to me when I was 350+ lbs, it actually wasn't until I hit 180lbs that someone spoke to me and said how good of a job I did, it was a nice feeling but at the same time...they all wanted to talk to me all the time after that, and I've always been the same person so what was wrong with me before?
that's my rant for now for you from your questions
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I want to add about the loose saggy stomach skin... it's a huge bummer. I honestly did not expect this at all when I decided to lose the weight - I actually really wanted to see what the 'thin me' would look like, and that was pretty much the end of a dream. It sounds stupid I know.. but when you're obese for 10 years and daydream about being thin, and finally get there, but you're still extremely self-conscious because of that pouch of skin, you pretty much have to mourn that 'ideal' that you had.
Not sure if it makes sense. But yeah, I can put on the cutest outfit (I'm 38, I guess 'cute' is relative), but I'll still have that pouch I need to tuck in (I have one over my belly button too - stretch marks and loose skin). Sure, it beats having rolls all over, but I can't even tell myself that maybe one day it will be better anymore... now I know that it won't.
Had to get this out of my chest - obviously though it's still so much better than being obese! But it's not as awesome as I thought it would be.
I lost 80 pounds and was obese for 10 years though, had a bunch of stretch marks as well (which seems to attract loose skin and subcutaneous fat more), and I was 34 when I lost the weight, so there's that.
ETA: boobs look great at least.
I can very much commiserate with you. I don't want to use the word "devastating" because there are certainly worse things in life (major illness, bankruptcy, etc.) but the skin thing has been extremely upsetting, disappointing, etc. I could handle droopy skin if it was of the "my skin sags when I do a plank" variety. But I apparently am one of the "lucky" ones with bad skin genetics. It's a slap in the face every time I look in the mirror, shower, etc. And I'll admit I have a low tolerance for tiny belly pooch posts.0 -
How people treat you depends. Some family/friends can be really supportive. Others not so much. Some people may react out of jealousy (you're losing weight and they're not) or some may react with negativity as if you're telling them they are overweight. I'm not saying you ARE telling others they are overweight, but they may take it that way. Just stay focused on why you're doing this, and if anyone has negative comments just keep your response simple and along the lines that you're doing what is best for you.
It becomes easier to DO things, to have energy. To not spend all the time sitting, watching but to be actively involved in life.Iam 5"2 started at 235 and now Im at 200lbs. My goal is to get to 125 so I have 80 more lbs to go. Im to the point where it is now starting to become noticeable and I'm getting comments. I have lost 3 inches all everything and one clothes size. Im just curious what are the good and bad things I can expect for once I hit my goal weight.
Like will I be treated differently from my friends and strangers? Is shopping easier? etc. What were your experiences after losing your weight?
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Things are definitely different. I lost a lot of weight a year and a half ago. However, I was thin prior to that and ballooned up almost 70 lb in a few years.
I felt awful when I gained the weight. People did treat me a lot different than when I was thin previously. But since I've lost the weight and consistently lifted weights, my body has changed significantly from when I was this weight before. I'm actually two sizes smaller than before. I attribute that to having a bit more muscle from lifting.
Anyway, it did make me a bit angry that people treated me different when I was thin prior to the weight gain, when I was larger and even differently now. But those people are not in my life anymore. I refuse to associate with people like that.
Someone posted earlier that it's a tad hard to find your size in some stores. I definitely found this to be true. I'm a size 0 (or sometimes 00) and somewhat muscular thighs. It's hard enough finding cute pants in that size, but even harder to find pants that don't cut off the circulation to my thighs.
Beyond all that, I'm genuinely happier now than I ever have been!3 -
I look different, I'm treated different. I can hold my body weight. I can run for long periods of time, and I get more female attention3
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How has my life changed? I can't think of many negatives, except that I have to spend money on a new wardrobe! I have a few new hobbies - cooking, nutrition and exercise (and exercise has become something of an obsession lately). Since joining a gym, I've made a LOT of new friends, all of whom hold me accountable when I miss a day. Exercise routines add another topic of conversation between myself and my office mates, and I've learned a ton from them! My co-workers have noticed changes in my body (a few of whom assumed I was sick rather than intentionally losing weight). I don't get winded while running drills with my players on the soccer field, or when climbing stairs or walking between buildings at work.1
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I'm still going but I'm down 150 lbs.
How has my life changed? I do things now I never would have done before, things I wouldn't have thought I could try like weight lifting, HIIT, wearing shorts, etc. I don't get out of breath walking up stairs or lifting my toddler around. I am rarely the largest person in the room anymore and when I walk by a group of teenagers or even kids I don't hear comments on how fat I am anymore (or I don't hear them if they do.) I like the way I look now. I don't feel like I have to make reasons as to why my body looks like it does. I always used to feel the need to tell people that I am fat but I eat healthy or "my doctor says my health is perfect." People don't try to sell me wraps and *kitten* in store lines anymore. I can love everyone more deeply now because I dont live in a pit of self loathing and depression.
I have some "friends" and family members that are annoyed by my weight loss. I was a size 28-32 at a time and am now a 12/14 which is the same size or smaller than some of these people. I can't say anything about my weight loss because they (direct quote here) feel like I am putting them down. Legit. I can say "today marks the 150th pound I've lost!" and they will say "why are you putting me down, I haven't lost ant weight." Meanwhile they are not doing a thing to lose weight at all. Mean while they had either put me down or allowed me to be put down my whole life. I know how that feels and I don't do it even though it would make the petty part of me super happy.
If I eat junk food, or pizza I get "what about your diet" even though I have said so many times I'm not dieting and I can eat anything I want anyway. I get lots of "your so lucky, its easy for you!" as if making myself workout and not over eating is easy for a formerly 360+ person. People will ask me how I am losing weight and get mad when I say counting calories and working out. I have had some beach body coaches steal my progress pictures and try to market me as a client of theirs.
I am still losing so buying clothing is amazing and *kitten* at the same time. Things won't fit after a month/ are too baggy but I don't want to keep buying clothes. I can shop in a regular store which is awesome but IRONICALLY I am still finding some plus stores have cuter clothes.
I don't think losing weight alone makes your life better, I think its the pride you feel from having done it, seeing what your body and mind can do, it gives you confidence to improve on all areas of your life.
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I wouldn't say my life has changed much other than I'm just more healthy, active, and fit and I'm able to do the things I like doing without feeling like I'm going to keel over. People don't treat me any differently now save for I catch a few more head turns possibly and some girls are a little more flirtatious...but then again, I don't know...I've always had girls flirt with me.
Initially, there was a lot of the, "you look great" kind of stuff...but I've been maintaining now for over three years so now I just look normal to most people around me because they've seen me like this for a long time now.
Mostly I just enjoy feeling better and having more energy, etc.1 -
I was slender most of my life ... so I'm just back to normal again now. I'm back to wearing my slender clothes and being more active again.
Almost a year ago, I went through a couple months of commenting on the weight loss at work because the people I work with only knew me as heavier. I've only been working where I am for a couple years so they didn't know me as slender. But thankfully, most of that has died off and they've become used to the way I look.
My Doctor is thrilled ... I went through a couple years of rather bad health and poor test results, but all that has been resolved.
People in general seem to notice me more ... little things like complete strangers holding the door for me. When I was heavier it was like I was partially invisible.
Mostly I'm just back to being *me* again.
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