What nobody tells you about losing weight
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Love this thread!! It's very inspiring. I have lost 110 pounds over several years, but am ready to get serious at 64! Some of the things I've noticed are: 1) regular toilet stalls are not as tight -- I can change in one at the gym now, instead of the handicapped stall; 2) getting up stairs are much easier, even with a bad knee; 3) when I do moderate weight lifting with my knees, my trick knee behaves itself (opposite of what I expected); 4) I don't have GERD any longer (I don't eat after 7PM at all); 5) I have fewer "leaks" when I sneeze or cough and none when my BG is controlled (type 2 diabetic); 6) I have a hard time lying on my side in bed because my knees are knobbier; 7) easier to get out of bed and especially out of a chair; 8) I can catch myself now if I misjudge a step; 9) I can fit comfortably in a movie seat; 10) I don't have to judge where I will sit by the strength of the chair. Looking forward to many more when I reach my goal!31
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Oh, one more benefit of losing weight. I still have about 100 pounds to go, but I can now bend over to pick things up without doing the granny squat, I can clip my own toenails, and can tie my laces without holding my breath! (Little things mean a lot.)32
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I empathize with all the people who have commented about how much of this weight loss thing is mental and emotional, though funnily, my brain seems to be the opposite of most. I started reading this thread from the very beginning a few weeks ago and I think I was up to about page 75 before I saw a comment that resembled my situation. While so many have shared how long it has taken for their minds to catch up with their bodies and, for example, not knowing what to do when someone randomly hit on them, etc., I—who have been doing this only a month and have purposely eased into it so have only lost a couple of inches from my waist and nothing anywhere else—found myself making eye contact with a couple of guys while walking down the street last week, and when their expressions didn't register much interest, I remember thinking, 'No no, you're mistaken, I look great!'
Any other future megalomaniacs out there, who are just waiting for their bodies to catch up with their minds, and who have possibly been doing the world a favour by suppressing their giant egos under layers of fat all these years?
I wrote the above back in June. Now, roughly 30 pounds down (total; maybe 20-25 from when I wrote this) I'm ACTUALLY getting looked at on the street instead of imagining it
I mean, I'm only at the top of the 'overweight' section of the BMI chart now so it's not as if I'm getting gawked at like a supermodel or anything, but it HAS happened. More than once now. And in real life.
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That you can kneel down on the floor without it being extremely painful.
Those extra pounds not pressing down on your knees make a big difference. Getting up from the floor is way easier too now but that's something I expected.15 -
But my knees are now bony and unpadded, so kneeling is less comfortable than it once was.9
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that women are checking our my butt more now.. haha or maybe it is my snug fitting pants.12
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That about 5 times in a row now id go to buy new sports bras or yoga pants or whatever and repeatedly buy to big sizes. I cant wrap my brain around being sized XS-S vs XL. like i just cant. I go to the store knowing I need smaller sizes, But i ALWAYS leave with larger sizes.
For pants i think its because i own 1 pair of large pants that fits and i have booty so im like i cant be size XS-S pants...
For bras i think its because i used to have really huge boobs- Still the sameish size -34D vs 36DD- So im like no way am i size XS-S...Like no way... But then the bra never fits my ribs and is all floppy.
I know all this, And yet i still do it. Over and over. Wtf brain catch up.15 -
People you haven't seen for a year will ask "are you ok?" and look concerned like you're dying of cancer.
Shopping for clothes is fun, no more big guys section!
You get colder in winter without the extra layer.
People give you free advice, like you're too skinny, even if you're still bigger than them.
You might find like me you enjoy running now you're not carrying around all that extra weight... who knew?!29 -
How this will be the only thing your family will want to talk about. Like, get off my back for a minute, pleeease!21
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That my "Resting B*tch Face" will become less severe with the more weight I lose.33
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magster4isu wrote: »That my "Resting B*tch Face" will become less severe with the more weight I lose.
I think mine got worse.
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That I'd become such a lightweight when it comes to booze. Used to be, beer and wine basically did nothing for me. I'd need like a third of a bottle of liquor just to get a buzz. Now, two glasses of wine and I'm done for the night. It's a good thing, I suppose. I save a lot of money this way.32
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AusManok74 wrote: »People you haven't seen for a year will ask "are you ok?" and look concerned like you're dying of cancer.
Shopping for clothes is fun, no more big guys section!
You get colder in winter without the extra layer.
People give you free advice, like you're too skinny, even if you're still bigger than them.
You might find like me you enjoy running now you're not carrying around all that extra weight... who knew?!
OMG the comments like "are you going to stop now, you don't want to look anorexic". Im only half way and I'm still over weight! Shut up!
The last person who made that comment I actually told her it was offensive and she is comparing me to what I used to look like. Not what I should look like.33 -
AusManok74 wrote: »People you haven't seen for a year will ask "are you ok?" and look concerned like you're dying of cancer.
Shopping for clothes is fun, no more big guys section!
You get colder in winter without the extra layer.
People give you free advice, like you're too skinny, even if you're still bigger than them.
You might find like me you enjoy running now you're not carrying around all that extra weight... who knew?!
OMG the comments like "are you going to stop now, you don't want to look anorexic". Im only half way and I'm still over weight! Shut up!
The last person who made that comment I actually told her it was offensive and she is comparing me to what I used to look like. Not what I should look like.
It's hard to understand where other people are coming from if you haven't experienced it yourself. I give those who make comments a pass because when someone loses weight it's a big change that takes time to get used to seeing. They look too thin because you are used to seeing them heavier and they now look like not themselves. I experienced this when my cousin lost weight. She wasn't too thin, I knew logically she wasn't, but I couldn't help but feel like she looked like a different person. Too thin compared to my mental image of her. It bothered me and I don't know why. I didn't like her with a flat stomach, it just doesn't compute. Think a man who you've always known with facial hair and then suddenly starts shaving. It's a shock to perception and many can't help but feel weirded out. I didn't comment because I knew my brain was being silly and that what I was feeling had nothing to do with reality, but some people are not aware of the tricks their brains play. I'm sure I look like an alien to some people, especially that I've always been fat. It takes time for mental and physical images to start to align. They just can't help it.44 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »AusManok74 wrote: »People you haven't seen for a year will ask "are you ok?" and look concerned like you're dying of cancer.
Shopping for clothes is fun, no more big guys section!
You get colder in winter without the extra layer.
People give you free advice, like you're too skinny, even if you're still bigger than them.
You might find like me you enjoy running now you're not carrying around all that extra weight... who knew?!
OMG the comments like "are you going to stop now, you don't want to look anorexic". Im only half way and I'm still over weight! Shut up!
The last person who made that comment I actually told her it was offensive and she is comparing me to what I used to look like. Not what I should look like.
It's hard to understand where other people are coming from if you haven't experienced it yourself. I give those who make comments a pass because when someone loses weight it's a big change that takes time to get used to seeing. They look too thin because you are used to seeing them heavier and they now look like not themselves. I experienced this when my cousin lost weight. She wasn't too thin, I knew logically she wasn't, but I couldn't help but feel like she looked like a different person. Too thin compared to my mental image of her. It bothered me and I don't know why. I didn't like her with a flat stomach, it just doesn't compute. Think a man who you've always known with facial hair and then suddenly starts shaving. It's a shock to perception and many can't help but feel weirded out. I didn't comment because I knew my brain was being silly and that what I was feeling had nothing to do with reality, but some people are not aware of the tricks their brains play. I'm sure I look like an alien to some people, especially that I've always been fat. It takes time for mental and physical images to start to align. They just can't help it.
You're so right! Funny, this is exactly what happens when I catch a glimpse of MYSELF in the mirror! My brain simply does not recognize that person and sees someone too thin and unhealthy (I'm not! I'm at the top of "healthy BMI" range). So I don't often look in the mirror, and since I've been fat for decades, I'm good at avoiding my mirror image, lol.
BUT I can't avoid seeing my arms, my wrists, my legs - and they are sooo freakin THIN! They look like matchsticks! They're actually just fine - strong and muscly. But that's not what my crazy brain sees. I, myself, am "weirded out," as you said, at the changes in MYSELF! So if I can't even see myself properly, how can I expect others you do so?24 -
Only down 33% percent of my total goal so can't wait to join you folks in all these exciting changes! But so far I'm excited to be losing my gross double chin and starting to see a slimmer face- wait...are those cheekbones under there??? This thread is very inspiring25
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amusedmonkey wrote: »AusManok74 wrote: »People you haven't seen for a year will ask "are you ok?" and look concerned like you're dying of cancer.
Shopping for clothes is fun, no more big guys section!
You get colder in winter without the extra layer.
People give you free advice, like you're too skinny, even if you're still bigger than them.
You might find like me you enjoy running now you're not carrying around all that extra weight... who knew?!
OMG the comments like "are you going to stop now, you don't want to look anorexic". Im only half way and I'm still over weight! Shut up!
The last person who made that comment I actually told her it was offensive and she is comparing me to what I used to look like. Not what I should look like.
It's hard to understand where other people are coming from if you haven't experienced it yourself. I give those who make comments a pass because when someone loses weight it's a big change that takes time to get used to seeing. They look too thin because you are used to seeing them heavier and they now look like not themselves. I experienced this when my cousin lost weight. She wasn't too thin, I knew logically she wasn't, but I couldn't help but feel like she looked like a different person. Too thin compared to my mental image of her. It bothered me and I don't know why. I didn't like her with a flat stomach, it just doesn't compute. Think a man who you've always known with facial hair and then suddenly starts shaving. It's a shock to perception and many can't help but feel weirded out. I didn't comment because I knew my brain was being silly and that what I was feeling had nothing to do with reality, but some people are not aware of the tricks their brains play. I'm sure I look like an alien to some people, especially that I've always been fat. It takes time for mental and physical images to start to align. They just can't help it.
I agree with this, I have heard all the comments and I just let them go for the most part. When you lose a large amount of weight and the change is so dramatic, especially if you have know the person for a long period of time. I have always had weight issues, decided to lose the weight at 38...it was a shocker for a lot of people.11 -
Last week, I experienced the whole “don’t recognize myself” thing. I was walking towards a big mirror in a hospital lobby and saw myself in the reflection. It took my brain a second to recognize that that was me in the mirror and not someone walking towards me.25
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That banging your shins and knees hurt a lot more when there isn't as much meat on them
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Maybe it’s me, but I seem to notice the flaws I still do have even more and get even more bothered my them24
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Shaving my legs is more hazardous now that the area around my knees is more boney!17
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I can sit in all sorts of strange, folded up positions, and it’s fascinating for some reason. I sit in my office chair with my feet on it and knees on the armrests. I don’t know why it’s fun but it is. Also, my butt hurts all the time when I sit, I’m cold, and I don’t freak out when I have to sit next to someone and worry that I’ll get in their space. I’m also not humiliated by every move that anyone may witness. I even dance in public, and it’s horrible!!45
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I giggle every morning when I get dressed because nothing is tight on me anymore.43
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That I'd become such a lightweight when it comes to booze. Used to be, beer and wine basically did nothing for me. I'd need like a third of a bottle of liquor just to get a buzz. Now, two glasses of wine and I'm done for the night. It's a good thing, I suppose. I save a lot of money this way.
Yep lol4 -
SapphireMoon23 wrote: »skymningen wrote: »Nobody told me that it can be harder to find fitting dresses which flatter your waist if you are a short and skinny but relatively blessed in the bust area. It worked better when I was not annoyed that the dresses matching my bust don't flatter my waist.
Nobody told me I'd no longer be blessed in the bust area...
Yep i went down a cup. Boohoo
Yup...Saggy Tits McGee here. Got some good bras to hide it though. Lol.15 -
The "in-between" stage makes you look like a melting candle and it's not the most flattering look when you're naked.43
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@aeloine - I was thinking the same thing recently. I look at myself in the mirror and think, "ew."
And then I put my clothes on and think, "wow!" 
So, good thing other people see my fully clothed.
And good thing that people who see me NOT fully clothed are LOVING my new, candley body 23 -
- Wooshes can happen and when they do its the best mornings ever
- Going to the gym will actually make you gain weight, (glycogen, water weight) and it will look like the process has stalled even though your loosing fat.
- Doing squats will fill out your jeans again even though your loosing fat, and Deadlifts will make you add back that belt notch.
- Loosing weight is not always a good thing - Loosing fat however is the best thing (got to keep that hard earned muscle)
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LauraInTheWater wrote: »SapphireMoon23 wrote: »skymningen wrote: »Nobody told me that it can be harder to find fitting dresses which flatter your waist if you are a short and skinny but relatively blessed in the bust area. It worked better when I was not annoyed that the dresses matching my bust don't flatter my waist.
Nobody told me I'd no longer be blessed in the bust area...
Yep i went down a cup. Boohoo
Yup...Saggy Tits McGee here. Got some good bras to hide it though. Lol.
I've recently begun to notice that my own girls are visibly smaller as well. Since I'm not a well-endowed woman to begin with this is not necessarily happy news for me. However—possible TMI alert; you have been warned—they are now 'pointing' the right way, as in forward. I realised yesterday that the reason they had been pointing toward the floor before was actually because they were being dragged downward by flesh-on-flesh friction as they travelled over my huge stomach. But that's smaller now too.11
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