What nobody tells you about losing weight

smantha32 wrote: »

lawsonsaysread wrote: »

At 200 lbs down, I have found the following surprising:

I do not care what anyone (other than my wife and daughter) thinks about how I dress, my old truck, my taste in literature, my love of classical music, my nerdy side, my redneck side, my political perspectives, my ignorance of pop culture, my income, etc. But hearing what someone (and everyone seems to think they need to comment) thinks/feels about my weight loss makes me feel like crap. This is a problem in me, not other people, but, oh my, it has surprised me how intense this is.

I experience the exact same thing. Which is why I never talk about weight loss with ANYONE while I'm doing it.

I don't get those people at all who need validation from everyone around them or they give up on their weight loss efforts. I want everyone to leave me the F alone and shut up about my weight.

I'm on the validation train. Not to say I would give up if people didn't notice (I haven't). But after being made fun of by my cousins growing up because of my weight, I relish hearing them gush about how thin I am, especially since they're all overweight now. Petty? Yes, yes it is.

Hungry_Shopgirl wrote: »

smantha32 wrote: »

lawsonsaysread wrote: »

At 200 lbs down, I have found the following surprising:

I do not care what anyone (other than my wife and daughter) thinks about how I dress, my old truck, my taste in literature, my love of classical music, my nerdy side, my redneck side, my political perspectives, my ignorance of pop culture, my income, etc. But hearing what someone (and everyone seems to think they need to comment) thinks/feels about my weight loss makes me feel like crap. This is a problem in me, not other people, but, oh my, it has surprised me how intense this is.

I experience the exact same thing. Which is why I never talk about weight loss with ANYONE while I'm doing it.

I don't get those people at all who need validation from everyone around them or they give up on their weight loss efforts. I want everyone to leave me the F alone and shut up about my weight.

I'm on the validation train. Not to say I would give up if people didn't notice (I haven't). But after being made fun of by my cousins growing up because of my weight, I relish hearing them gush about how thin I am, especially since they're all overweight now. Petty? Yes, yes it is.

Well, there's petty and there's simply being human, right? And living well IS the best way to have revenge after all.

Angelfire365 wrote: »

malcolmjcooper wrote: »

kuwick1230 wrote: »

That moment when you pull out your drivers license and realize that for the first time in years you actually weigh less than what's printed on the card!!

They put your weight on your licence really that bloody invasive

They don't put your weight on your licence? Where are you from? I'm Canadian, and that's standard. No sarcasm intended, just curious?

I'm Canadian too but we don't have that here in Ontario, just our height.

When I was gaining weight, the last time I bought clothes, I was a size 14. I continued to think I was a size 14, even though my clothes were getting tight.

I then lost about 35 pounds. For someone my height, this is 3-4 dress sizes. Therefore, I thought I was a size 8. I went to go try on clothes for the first time in a while, since my stuff is getting loose.

I am not a size 8. I did drop 3-4 dress sizes, but I am a size 10-12 now. Denial was strong with this person. I was probably up to like an 18 before I started losing, but my brain did not connect.

smiliekiwi wrote: »

What I noticed last time I lost weight how high tables are ... I had lost the padding on my butt!
Now that I’ve put it on with interest .. how floatable I am! I do not need a life jacket! I do hope next Summer I won’t be so bouyant!!

I've lost about 30. I still float like a MF. I probably need to add more muscle.

Hungry_Shopgirl wrote: »

smantha32 wrote: »

lawsonsaysread wrote: »

At 200 lbs down, I have found the following surprising:

I do not care what anyone (other than my wife and daughter) thinks about how I dress, my old truck, my taste in literature, my love of classical music, my nerdy side, my redneck side, my political perspectives, my ignorance of pop culture, my income, etc. But hearing what someone (and everyone seems to think they need to comment) thinks/feels about my weight loss makes me feel like crap. This is a problem in me, not other people, but, oh my, it has surprised me how intense this is.

I experience the exact same thing. Which is why I never talk about weight loss with ANYONE while I'm doing it.

I don't get those people at all who need validation from everyone around them or they give up on their weight loss efforts. I want everyone to leave me the F alone and shut up about my weight.

I'm on the validation train. Not to say I would give up if people didn't notice (I haven't). But after being made fun of by my cousins growing up because of my weight, I relish hearing them gush about how thin I am, especially since they're all overweight now. Petty? Yes, yes it is.

I will never forget one post I read here awhile back. .. a woman losing weight lost 20 pounds, stopped losing and put it all back on because her friends and family didn't compliment her. That's sort of what I meant by "validation".

Sticking it to mean family members is something completely different. lol

lawsonsaysread wrote: »

At 200 lbs down, I find the following surprising-

-How much I HATE being told I am inspiring or having the talk about "How did you loose all the weight?" Those conversations just make me want to go binge on Reece's Peanut Butter Eggs. When strangers comment on my fitness level, I feel uplifted. When people I know (even family) comment on weight loss, I feel judged. When a mere acquaintance tells me thy are "proud" of me, I want to get violent. It is kind of funny because I do not care about other people's judgments except in this area. I do not care what anyone (other than my wife and daughter) thinks about how I dress, my old truck, my taste in literature, my love of classical music, my nerdy side, my redneck side, my political perspectives, my ignorance of pop culture, my income, etc. But hearing what someone (and everyone seems to think they need to comment) thinks/feels about my weight loss makes me feel like crap. This is a problem in me, not other people, but, oh my, it has surprised me how intense this is.

Congratulations on your successful weight loss!
And old trucks are the best!
I hear what you are saying about being uncomfortable addressing weight-loss comments but I think your angst is may be a bit short-sighted.
I believe we will be experiencing much more openess in society talking about weight loss and gain and everything surrounding that issue.
30 years ago, you never mentioned someones fat in front of them. If you had to describe people, they were hefty, husky, big boned. It was almost a taboo subject seen as very negative almost as bad as a drug habit, etc.

We as a WORLD society have become obese.
Yes, there are places and people that still deal with chronic hungar but society as a whole has been doing a great job of ‘eating away’ at the problem of people dying of starvation.
In fact, mankind has developed the ability (in creating a corn ‘food-product industry’ ) to feed the world now!
It’s a matter of getting the food to those last hungry places.

That being said- The World is now dealing with an obesity problem.
IMO, The current social conversation needs to address it at a high level and even more important the next generation needs to be given the tools in school to learn about choosing the right diet for a healthy life in both the classroom and lunch table.

I was fat at the start of my journey. I might as well admit it to myself because everyone else knew it.
I remember even shocking a few people saying it out loud, as in -
Since I am fat....
‘I am going to lose weight, workout, start watching my diet, research the current related medical information, etc.

Others around me are also fat... not putting them down, just making an accurate judgement.
However, they are not mentally at that place of starting this journey yet (even if they need to be for their own health and lifes sake)
The conversation of us discussing my weight-loss because I was fat is safe because as I share my journey maybe they think they can start theirs. I am still fatter than I need to be, at least to be as fit and healthy as I want.
When family and friends comment or say they are proud of me it shows me they are emotionally invested in my well being enough to care to comment. They are thinking it anyway and I would rather know than not know.
Of course, there are also those insincere people, who say it without really meaning it. Maybe your hackles were raised by that aspect?

At any rate, I believe society as a whole will be talking more and more about fat and weight loss as a higher and higher percentage of our population struggles being seriously overweight and obese. We even have levels of obesity now because what used to be the highest and rarest level of fat is now a common living space for so many people.

Just know that in some cases, whether you like or or not, your example makes others look at themselves and some are seriously, maybe even desperately searching for a bridge to start that journey.
Maybe develop a few truthful comebacks to the common comments that annoy you that could be helpful to someone else.
Those comments may be annoying simply because you don’t know how to respond because you have never had to before.
Maybe interpret the words a bit different.
Proud= impressed
Losing weight = fitness level
You can never go wrong by just graciously saying thank you.

Just know that in some cases, whether you like or or not, your example makes others look at themselves and some are seriously, maybe even desperately searching for a bridge to start that journey.
Maybe develop a few truthful comebacks to the common comments that annoy you that could be helpful to someone else.

Typically most people don't really want the answers though. They want you to say "I was on this diet, or took this miracle pill". When you say "I ate less and got more exercise", they literally tune out, or they think you're keeping secrets.. or they just want to bag on your method of doing it.

nooie19 wrote: »

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?

Yes, and be patient... given time, SOME of the increase in wrinkle action goes away... I had a neck wattle form after the first 25 pounds came off... I feared, greatly, that I would have a wattle down to my belly button before it was all said and done - but, thank Heaven, the wattle has stayed fairly consistent - although I have lost another 50 pounds.