What nobody tells you about losing weight
Replies
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springlering62 wrote: »That’s is so funny, Rel. As a post menopausal woman, I always figured the Big Bad Wolf was, too. I mean the whole “hair of my chinny chin chin” proves it, right? But with weight loss, mine have moved further down my neck. And gotten fewer. I’m good with that but I think it’s hysterical that you’re noticing a difference, too! What a journey!!!! May yours be fewer and... blonder?
Lolllll, yes, I think the amount I deal with decreases as I lose. I think it's mainly related to hormones, and losing weight has improved my hormone balance. I'm only 31 so I've got a while before I have to deal with all that! May we all hope for the lightest and least-coarse hairs there are.10 -
RelCanonical wrote: »
Lolllll, yes, I think the amount I deal with decreases as I lose. I think it's mainly related to hormones, and losing weight has improved my hormone balance. I'm only 31 so I've got a while before I have to deal with all that! May we all hope for the lightest and least-coarse hairs there are.
Yeah, mine is drifting downwards, but far as I can tell hasn’t lessened or lightened any. But, heck, I just shave it off every day, and that’ll be the same whether it’s a single strand or a full beard, so I guess it ultimately doesn’t matter much to me.
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Haha! Thanks so much, that means a lot. It’s one of those weird things — I’ve always appreciated the graceful neck for instance of Audrey Hepburn, especially since I never thought I “had a neck.” But now that it’s uncovered it seems so strange to me, my head up so high from my shoulders and all the tendons and muscles and veins I never knew I had under there before! LOL! So, it’s one of those shifting body image things that will take some getting used to, but glad to hear it doesn’t look as freaky to others as it often does to me!
This is SO funny - not 5 minutes ago I almost made a comment on your success story about how beautiful your neck is but thought it sounded too weird!
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My knees don't hurt going down stairs any longer36
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Having moved long distance in December I'm now constantly meeting new folk who have no idea of my previous weight.
Knew this would happen, knew it would feel a bit weird but think it's weird in a way I didn't anticipate!
1) Realised noone talked about "dieting" around me when I was morbidly obese (so, the majority of my life 😂)... suddenly it's a frequent topic.
2) If the subject of weight loss comes up, sometimes I will share my loss & sometimes I'd rather not....
3) When I HAVE shared, not a single person has believed me & I have had to provide picture proof!
4) One of my new friends asked if she could borrow my jacket. My immediate thought was "hah, sure, if you'd like to drown!!" cos I view her as a lot smaller than me....WE ARE THE EXACT SAME CLOTHING SIZE!
Number 3 has been very strange. Head & body still haven't totally aligned for me & I still see myself as bigger than I am. To have folk say they "can't imagine me larger" is hard to wrap my head around. Also, I always feel like I look like someone who was once big & is now smaller...like it's screamingly obvious to anyone who meets me...I don't know why that is, likely due to not aligning properly yet! Totally feel like an imposter 😁
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This was a big one for me, too — never realized how much I had to use railings to help support my weight and spare my knees until I suddenly stopped having to do it.twatson4936 wrote: »My knees don't hurt going down stairs any longer
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No one told me I would WANT to move more.29
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Vonny198334 wrote: »Having moved long distance in December I'm now constantly meeting new folk who have no idea of my previous weight.
Knew this would happen, knew it would feel a bit weird but think it's weird in a way I didn't anticipate!
1) Realised noone talked about "dieting" around me when I was morbidly obese (so, the majority of my life 😂)... suddenly it's a frequent topic.
2) If the subject of weight loss comes up, sometimes I will share my loss & sometimes I'd rather not....
3) When I HAVE shared, not a single person has believed me & I have had to provide picture proof!
4) One of my new friends asked if she could borrow my jacket. My immediate thought was "hah, sure, if you'd like to drown!!" cos I view her as a lot smaller than me....WE ARE THE EXACT SAME CLOTHING SIZE!
Number 3 has been very strange. Head & body still haven't totally aligned for me & I still see myself as bigger than I am. To have folk say they "can't imagine me larger" is hard to wrap my head around. Also, I always feel like I look like someone who was once big & is now smaller...like it's screamingly obvious to anyone who meets me...I don't know why that is, likely due to not aligning properly yet! Totally feel like an imposter 😁
Over the years, as old co-workers have left work and new co-workers have come on board (we had a big churn right around the time I started losing weight 7 years ago), I've started getting these points too. Co-workers do not believe me when I mention how close I am to 100lbs lost (sitting at ~90 rn). I have to pull out pictures to make them believe!
But, what resonates most with me in your message is the feeling that you look like someone who was once big but is now smaller. That is me to a T. I look at myself in the mirror and see fun-house versions of my body parts: if a fun-house was a former obese person's parts. I feel like everything about me screams "you were bigger!", even when I know it doesn't. Now, I've still got a good 10kg to lose, probably 12kg, but... I hope that someday my mental image will shrinkwrap itself closer to reality. The discombobulation has me glancing at everyone around me and wondering "am I normal like her?"
So I hear ya. From one imposter to another, *fistbump*. One day, we will graduate from imposter syndrome into feeling awesome! I think, I hope, that that will happen when I'm in maintenance and no longer have the narrative of "I need to lose" and it's "I need to live and maintain."33 -
Without so much fat on my body, some of my joints seem hypermobile, in particular my shoulders. They don’t literally “dislocate,” but if I’m not mindful I can easily twist around into positions where they slip out of alignment and kind of get “hung up” on things and a bit stuck, so I have to kind of wiggle and shake them back into place. Like everything is “too loose” back there and gets a bit tangled up sometimes. It’s not painful at all, just kinda weird and awkward. I imagine it’s a case where I’ll need to relearn my limitations or something, figure out how not to turn and twist so they don’t get snagged up. It’s weird.7
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garystrickland357 wrote: »
You are in the right place to share. Yes, No one really cares. That's harsh but mostly true. I've started to find it amusing at work. In the past year I've lost over 80 pounds by simply using MFP and eating less of the same things I've been eating. I started exercising again because I enjoy it. I'm now at a healthy BMI and getting ready to run a 1/2 marathon in two weeks. Not a bad success story, huh? Well - no one cares in my real life except for my wife and family and a couple of close friends...
What's amusing is watching coworkers all discuss the newest diet fad and have long discussions about how they need to lose weight. Not a soul will ask how I did it - and I finally figured out why... They don't really want to lose the weight or change their life. They just want to talk about it. I don't say that to be mean spirited; it's just true. They don't talk to me about weight loss because I've actually done it. They just want the miracle diet/food/pill/exercise that will shave 20 pounds off of their body with no real investment of time or energy.
So - come here and share. We care and are happy for you. We'll give you the kudos you deserve.
Congratulations on your success!
Do you work with the exact same people as me? Lol. Okay and even when people ask and I answer with changing my eating habits, being super consistent, and exercising they choose what they want to hear. The last person focused on just exercising and ignored what I said about eating habits.
And congratulations to you too!4 -
My reading glasses are getting lose and are drooping down my nose. Is my face getting thinner?10
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That trying on new workout pants is still a struggle in the fitting room.8
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Dislocating your joints can be a real thing. My husband dislocated his shoulder one night while sleeping. Physio therapy aggravated the situation even more. They didn't really believe it was dislocated and had him doing lifting exercises with weights. He was in agony. Luckily, he was able to pop it back in (with my help) and hasn't had any problems since. But it was one of the only time I saw my husband cry. Glad to hear that you can wiggle your joints back into place without too much trouble.Sgriska wrote: Without so much fat on my body, some of my joints seem hypermobile, in particular my shoulders. They don’t literally “dislocate,” but if I’m not mindful I can easily twist around into positions where they slip out of alignment and kind of get “hung up” on things and a bit stuck, so I have to kind of wiggle and shake them back into place5
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neugebauer52 wrote: »My reading glasses are getting lose and are drooping down my nose. Is my face getting thinner?
Yep, it most likely is. My glasses got too big as well. I still wear them around the house on weekends to give my eyes a break from contacts, but they're rather comical at this point 5 -
Yep, it most likely is. My glasses got too big as well. I still wear them around the house on weekends to give my eyes a break from contacts, but they're rather comical at this point
I think I'm in the same boat. My glasses were always a little too wide and slipped down my nose - now it's worse. It hadn't really occurred to me it was weight. I hate these glasses anyway. I'm ready for something new. Thanks MFPers for the insight.8 -
Dislocating your joints can be a real thing. My husband dislocated his shoulder one night while sleeping. Physio therapy aggravated the situation even more. They didn't really believe it was dislocated and had him doing lifting exercises with weights. He was in agony. Luckily, he was able to pop it back in (with my help) and hasn't had any problems since. But it was one of the only time I saw my husband cry. Glad to hear that you can wiggle your joints back into place without too much trouble.
I didn’t at all mean to suggest it’s not a real thing, just that what I’m experiencing isn’t actually that but I’m having a hard time describing what’s going on and that sounds kinda similar but not really, cuz no pain, no injury, just bones literally ending up in the wrong location for smooth mobility because they’ve become too flexible.2 -
That when you lose fat, fat soluble hormones such as estrogen are released wrecking havoc on your body.14
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concordancia wrote: »
If you have lost a significant amount of weight, it might be time for a new mattress, as your body might now prefer a different kind.
Dear lord, I better not get a keener sense of smell, I am already more sensitive than most.
I had to get a mattress pad, it helped a lot, but all of a sudden I'm getting the shoulder and arm numbness again. I think my cheap mattress pad is wearing out, it was cheap after all.
Time for a thicker one I guess.3 -
I’m really really grateful to be at a healthy weight, with normal A1C.
But at age 50 after losing 31 pounds my wrinkles are more visible! Has anyone experienced this? Should I moisturize? Drink more water?11 -
I’m really really grateful to be at a healthy weight, with normal A1C.
But at age 50 after losing 31 pounds my wrinkles are more visible! Has anyone experienced this? Should I moisturize? Drink more water?
This is normal in my experience. Less fat padding out the wrinkles.
It could be worse - my family clearly has a genetic disposition to noticeable bags under the eyes. I thought that I'd gotten away with it but no, with weight loss comes the dreaded bags (and the life lines). But better those than excessive fat and the health risks of that. At least the bags don't seem to adversely affect physical health (not too sure about mental health as I was really quite upset when I first noticed them).
I have heard others state that their appearances changed over time once goal weight was achieved but not sure if the lines (I prefer lines to wrinkles, wrinkles makes me think of those dogs that have huge skin folds everywhere) improve or not.9 -
That when you lose fat, fat soluble hormones such as estrogen are released wrecking havoc on your body.
In no way am I doubting you, but could you describe some of what you're experiencing from a symptomatic angle? I'm curious if maybe this can explain some stuff with me.
I had some of these issues. More intense PMS, period cramping, etc.5 -
workinonit1956 wrote: »
So true! lol. Bones and angles I never know were there!
I am always asking my husband “Was this mole always there? This lump? Has it changed?” No, nothing has changed except I’ve lost a bit of weight and/or added muscle to the area and can either see bits that weren’t visible before or are now deflated (or plumped with some muscle), making all my skin marks seem to move 🙄9 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »
I had some of these issues. More intense PMS, period cramping, etc.
I'm 53 and I had had a last period about the time I started really losing weight. After about a month of weight loss I started having painful periods about every 3 weeks like when I was a teenager. I asked my Dr. and they said that fat stores fat soluble hormones like estrogen, and when you lose it the hormones are released.14 -
I'm 53 and I had had a last period about the time I started really losing weight. After about a month of weight loss I started having painful periods about every 3 weeks like when I was a teenager. I asked my Dr. and they said that fat stores fat soluble hormones like estrogen, and when you lose it the hormones are released.
Yep. Thankfully it levels back out!6 -
I dont know if I am overreacting but I have to vent somewhere.. i am almost at the weight I was 2 years ago, only then I was more firm.. Everyone I know is commenting on my weight.. One woman turned to my mother and was talking about me like I wasnt there.. "Wow she lost weight, from the butt the thighs the boobs". I know you are friends with my mother, but does this makes it okay talking about my body and commenting how my body looks? It felt disgusting.
Today someone said I lost a lot of weight and I should put some weight on because she doesnt like it. Both of them put on weight late!y. The latter turned and said that she gained 15 pounds. I told her I didnt notice and that jt was okay if she was happier this way.
Jesus, I was about to snap on her in my workplace.
Phew, venting done. :-P32 -
I dont know if I am overreacting but I have to vent somewhere.. i am almost at the weight I was 2 years ago, only then I was more firm.. Everyone I know is commenting on my weight.. One woman turned to my mother and was talking about me like I wasnt there.. "Wow she lost weight, from the butt the thighs the boobs". I know you are friends with my mother, but does this makes it okay talking about my body and commenting how my body looks? It felt disgusting.
Today someone said I lost a lot of weight and I should put some weight on because she doesnt like it. Both of them put on weight late!y. The latter turned and said that she gained 15 pounds. I told her I didnt notice and that jt was okay if she was happier this way.
Jesus, I was about to snap on her in my workplace.
Phew, venting done. :-P
'Two people get to comment on my weight, my doctor and me. You're not either. kthxbai :flowerforyou: '
Seriously, the nerve of people :huh:20 -
Madwife2009 wrote: »
This is normal in my experience. Less fat padding out the wrinkles.
It could be worse - my family clearly has a genetic disposition to noticeable bags under the eyes. I thought that I'd gotten away with it but no, with weight loss comes the dreaded bags (and the life lines). But better those than excessive fat and the health risks of that. At least the bags don't seem to adversely affect physical health (not too sure about mental health as I was really quite upset when I first noticed them).
I have heard others state that their appearances changed over time once goal weight was achieved but not sure if the lines (I prefer lines to wrinkles, wrinkles makes me think of those dogs that have huge skin folds everywhere) improve or not.
Yep, losing the fat padding under your features can definitely make some women look older when they lose weight. I'm like @Madwife2009 in that my sisters and I all have very deep hollows under our eyesockets which tend to fill up with wrinkles and bags. I have one hopeful observation though - I have been maintaining at normal BMI now for a little over a year, and I have noticed my saggy face is tightening up some. The left side of this is me with no makeup first thing on Christmas morning 2017, right side is me on Christmas morning (no makeup except smudgy eye left over from night before!) in 2018. Same weight, same bathroom, same camera and lights, and same expression, but I think my eye bags and the creases around my mouth have improved.
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rheddmobile wrote: »
Yep, losing the fat padding under your features can definitely make some women look older when they lose weight. I'm like @Madwife2009 in that my sisters and I all have very deep hollows under our eyesockets which tend to fill up with wrinkles and bags. I have one hopeful observation though - I have been maintaining at normal BMI now for a little over a year, and I have noticed my saggy face is tightening up some. The left side of this is me with no makeup first thing on Christmas morning 2017, right side is me on Christmas morning (no makeup except smudgy eye left over from night before!) in 2018. Same weight, same bathroom, same camera and lights, and same expression, but I think my eye bags and the creases around my mouth have improved.
I can see a big difference! Also, you have beautiful eyes
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I think that most people look much younger overall when they lose weight. If you have a few extra wrinkles, I think it is more than cancelled out by the overall appearance of youth that a healthier weight brings.23
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