What nobody tells you about losing weight

you might have to relearn how to tie your shoes/boots to alleviate hot spots because your feet/ankles are a different shape with less cushioning

HappyCampr1 wrote: »

JoeMacCready wrote: »

How self-righteous you get about your new healthy habits. "I can't believe they are eating that considering the size they are..."

I'm the opposite. Since I learned portion control and that I don't need to cut anything from my diet, I'm much more tolerant in my thoughts of other people. I also don't automatically assume that overweight people aren't actively doing something about it, That 250 pound lady? Maybe she used to be 350 pounds. You just don't know here people are in their journey and MFP has opened my eyes and made me much less judgemental.

This! I'm currently at 259 but I was at 477 but I know many people assume that I'm just this fat dude eating away his life. It's not the case and I try not to let it bother me but it surely affects how I eat in public. If I have a cheat day , it's at home because I don't want to see the judging eyes when I tuck into my "treat."

It is easier to balance less weight. Agility improves.

aerochic42 wrote: »

you might have to relearn how to tie your shoes/boots to alleviate hot spots because your feet/ankles are a different shape with less cushioning

I hadn't made the link. There's a pair of shoes I absolutely love but they don't seem to be comfy anymore. I'll have to play around with the tying since they started chaffing in unusual places.

cakegoddess1 wrote: »

Being ACTUALLY handicapped, I get really annoyed when large girls take the handicapped stall. It's NOY for you...it's for us who really need it. Please...a little respect.

Interesting thing, "actual" handicapped people assume that I use the handicapped stall to accomodate my size when in actuality I need the extra height due to my knees. Respect goes both ways, it's rough, if you walk into the stall that doesn't mean you don't struggle.

This is a very interesting and amusing thread.

I am about 25% into the total amount I want to loose and I have been doing myfitnesspal for about three months. What a wonderful discovery it has been. I am still as heavy as many people would be when starting out, but I have already noticed some benefits. I have actually lost weight drastically two previous times in my life, but like an alcoholic I can only hope I have learned from each experience and know that this period of dramatic loss is the honeymoon. It feels so wonderful to feel lighter and more energetic. You start to feel more attractive and outgoing. It is no longer a hassle to get up from your desk to visit another colleague. In fact sitting for long periods becomes tedious. Interesting little changes happen such as being less clumsy and bumping into walls less (probably because you have a better sense of your own size). You worry less about spilling into other people's space. You also tend to become a more self-assured and confident and this can translate into being able to say 'no' more often or not worrying as much about pleasing others. This is all wonderful stuff.
But as I said before, I am already preparing myself for the next (and in reality more difficult) phase: maintaining the loss over time. I know that once I reach my target weight there will be a tendency to relax and then forget what it was like to be very obese. It occurs to me that keeping a diary of the things that change (both good and bad) due to weight loss is a good idea--and especially noting those effects that go beyond the superficial high of an improved physical appearance. I feel we must all keeping in mind that weight loss is as much about the mind as it is about the body. And for that reason, following this thread is great. I have found so much in common with my fellow 'losers' and you have also made me laugh out loud with some curious observations that did not occur to me. Thank you to everyone.

m1henry wrote: »

It is easier to balance less weight. Agility improves.

Yes, this is the one thing I always tell people when they ask about my weight loss! It surprises me how much better my balance is!

m1henry wrote: »

It is easier to balance less weight. Agility improves.

I can actually walk on high heels now without looking like a farmer fresh off the field trying to stop off the left over clumps of dirt underneath his shoes... That improved agility is definitely a boon!

malgamin wrote: »

ladyreva78 wrote: »

RAxB wrote: »

That it feels great to take a hot bath and have the water actually cover your whole body!

And my hips (or what passed as my hips in the past) no longer press up against the side of the tub. I actually have enough room on either side to fit my fists...

I'm looking forward to not being stuck in the bath. Sometimes my back became stuck to the tub due to suction. Or does that only happen to me

No no... rest reassured... it still happens to me (usually when I get into the bath before it's fully filled. The air and water somehow seem to create glue. Annoying as hell, but I love taking baths so much now (used to hate it because the tub was too small... or was that I was too big?) that a little bit of suction won't put me off.

ridiculous59 wrote: »

There's so much more room in bathroom stalls now. I no longer have to nearly climb up onto the toilet to close the door!

Agreed. A lot of TMI topics in this category, but they sometimes make life a bit better (less depressed about personal weight and size) when overcoming them...

Yes to all of you. This is like AA for me.

I agree with the objectification piece. I think sometimes I am more comfortable being just a little overweight so it doesn't happen as much.

themindisitsownplace wrote: »

I'm new to MFP forums, but lost 50 lbs toward my goal several years ago. ( then yo-yo plateaued and am here to finally get to the rest of it.) I am currently 40lbs away. I found it somewhat frustrating that all people could focus on was my weight/ body. It was the first and only thing they would talk about when they saw me and I feel like they only saw a body instead of a whole person. I have a pretty rich inner world, talents, interests, etc...so, weirdly enough, even though I was proud of my accomplishments, I also resented people's compliments because I felt objectified. Any one else know how I feel? Am I over thinking this?

To those who feel family didnt support them, YES!! So many people would ask how much I want to lose then discourage me from my goal because it's "too skinny" Ridiculous! Also never expected working out to be such a lonely journey/process. I've become a lot stronger and determined, though!

And on the positive side- getting used to taking up less space is wonderful. Three cheers to the middle seat on the subway! And being able to buy clothes much easier. Having hip bones, clavicles, and a tail bone is pretty nice, too

themindisitsownplace wrote: »

I'm new to MFP forums, but lost 50 lbs toward my goal several years ago. ( then yo-yo plateaued and am here to finally get to the rest of it.) I am currently 40lbs away. I found it somewhat frustrating that all people could focus on was my weight/ body. It was the first and only thing they would talk about when they saw me and I feel like they only saw a body instead of a whole person. I have a pretty rich inner world, talents, interests, etc...so, weirdly enough, even though I was proud of my accomplishments, I also resented people's compliments because I felt objectified. Any one else know how I feel? Am I over thinking this?

To those who feel family didnt support them, YES!! So many people would ask how much I want to lose then discourage me from my goal because it's "too skinny" Ridiculous! Also never expected working out to be such a lonely journey/process. I've become a lot stronger and determined, though!

And on the positive side- getting used to taking up less space is wonderful. Three cheers to the middle seat on the subway! And being able to buy clothes much easier. Having hip bones, clavicles, and a tail bone is pretty nice, too

that if you stick with your goals and plan eventually your trigger foods just become foods.

Gluten overdose makes me sick. I binged on pizza (four slices - trigger food - haven't eaten that much in one sitting in something like six months). Felt nauseous for two-three hours. Vowed not to do that ever again. I need to see trigger foods like this as just food and portion-control it. I should have had one slice, a small salad, and a very large glass of water! Next time!

susiestrike wrote: »

Relatives and friends sometimes get annoyed with you, tell you that you are going too far, you are being silly, you will be ill , get offended if you don't take a cake, etc - very hard, just plod on!

So true. Being an old male that does not get peer pressure helps in my case. Blowing away people sometimes prevents future comments.

There are food items that I no longer need to eat because I found to be too easy to abuse.