That keeping the weight off is probably harder than losing it in the first place.
It's a totally different mindset and skill set to try and stay at one weight (within reason and normal fluctuations). It's kind of like marriage: getting married and staying married are totally different, the later takes a LOT more work than you think going into it!
Over the last few days, I've been struck by the realisation that I feel simultaneously thinner and fatter. I don't know how to explain it. Perhaps you're right, and I can better see the fat clinging to various parts of my body. It's just... weird. Feeling fat, feeling thin... that makes sense. Feeling both? I don't get it. And yet, that is how I feel right now.
@thelastnightingale and @AwesomeSquirrel - I definitely went through that phase - when you have this odd combination of loose skin and subcutaneous fat that just hangs down and flaps all over the place. The only way around it is through it. Just hang on and keep losing. You'll go through a period (and I'm still in it) where you look better with your clothes on than off, but eventually you'll start to notice certain areas slimming down and you'll have hope that the rest of you body will catch up too.
I know I’m replacing fat with muscle, and dropping fat entirely. I see the changes. I also feel more floppy because I can see things that were previously either hidden or bulked out with greater fat deposits. Even though I know this change is good, I have to continually remind myself of progress made.
May run with 30 lbs of flour in a backpack tomorrow morning to remind myself how far I’ve come.
The weight loss battle is a war within ourselves. It's starts with immediate gratification. In the beginning you may want or require food reward alternatives while the weight loss process is going on. In the end, Maintenance will be your reward. You'll value that more than immediate gratification and food reward alternatives.
Feeling good in your own skin will mean more than anything else money can buy.
I love what you said about immediate gratification, Diatonic - and I've found that being able to put off gratification has been a huge tool.
One thing nobody ever told me is how much I'd enjoy feeling the contours of my own face. I love how I can feel my cheekbones and the slight indentation below them and how my jaw doesn't having anything hanging off it anymore and how my face actually tapers now instead of being round.
I'm working on having faith regarding the pockets of loose skin/fat. I keep reminding myself when I go through the nightly routine of wiping out skin folds and drying and powdering them that I am not having to do as many as I used to, and the day will come where I won't have to do this at all. In fact, I've cut out doing that for my back folds as they are now shallow enough that they don't need it. So that's an NSV.
On that same note of feeling both thinner and fatter, my clothes fit weirdly. I’m wearing things I haven’t touched in a couple of years and they all slide on easily, but developing muscles in the calves are what keep capris in line now, while fabric sags and swishes emptily around thighs and glutes where the slacks used to hug snugly.
I’m not ready to size down further yet, but I feel like an alien on occasion when dressed for the day.
On a related note, it’s harder to sort laundry now. I have to look carefully at every tee and blouse to determine if it’s mine or if it belongs to one of my children—which is a really bizarre thing to say at the age of 46. It’s equally odd to be folding a tee I *know* to be mine even though it’s medium sized. That toy-sized shirt can fit on me?? Really?
@thelastnightingale and @AwesomeSquirrel - I definitely went through that phase - when you have this odd combination of loose skin and subcutaneous fat that just hangs down and flaps all over the place. The only way around it is through it. Just hang on and keep losing. You'll go through a period (and I'm still in it) where you look better with your clothes on than off, but eventually you'll start to notice certain areas slimming down and you'll have hope that the rest of you body will catch up too.
I'm right there too - so weird! I realized last night that it's even on my forearms! Who even knew my forearms were fat?!!
Nobody told me that every article of clothing I own would look like it's still on a hanger. My entire wardrobe is crap now. I even had to get smaller under shirts!
Also, my super power used to be that I was never cold. I have to bring a dang sweater, which hangs on me, with me everywhere I go now.
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.
Morbid obesity can be a condition that can cause handicaps. Heart and cardiovascular problems can make them weak and in need of the stability bars in the handicapped stalls. Not to mention they just need the additional room to be able to take care of their toileting needs. We're all doing the best we can and trying to improve each day.
I'm not sure how to describe this or if anyone here has had a similar experience... My stomach felt firmer at maximum fatness. I'm not saying the skin is loose now or anything (well, maybe it's a bit looser, but that's not what I mean), but it feels... softer and squishier? I don't have to prod it to know it feels different, I just 'know' - but if I prod it, I can feel the difference.
There's less fat overall, but what is left feels like a different type of fat. A different texture. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just that it's different and it's a little bit weird.
Is it just me?
I've noticed that too and that the fat becomes less softer / squishier after a longer than usual sleep - and gets more squishier as I sleep less ( all while on a lifestyle aimed for fat loss and muscle increase ) .
My doctor high-fived me months back at only 17 lbs down and said "when it starts to sag keep going...and it WILL sag". I'm down 50 lbs, actually past my goal and in maintenance mode and it DOES sag. Buy a really excellent bra, it helps in a multitude of ways! I'm in my mid-50's so I don't think that will change but so many things have changed for the positive! Comments from people i haven't seen for a while "Where is the rest of you?" "You've lost a PERSON!". Shopping and be able to try on any type of style (including skinny jeans) and have them fit or to even have to go down a size smaller that you thought. This has been a journey for sure! I'm working on a great new wardrobe and my husband of almost 25 years can't get over the change. If you think you can't do it...you can!
One thing that i have learned on my weight loss mission. Is that the scale is a helpful tool to use, but photos are a must. They help me see physically what the scale may be hiding from me. PS scales are so dumb.
Replies
It's a totally different mindset and skill set to try and stay at one weight (within reason and normal fluctuations). It's kind of like marriage: getting married and staying married are totally different, the later takes a LOT more work than you think going into it!
Over the last few days, I've been struck by the realisation that I feel simultaneously thinner and fatter. I don't know how to explain it. Perhaps you're right, and I can better see the fat clinging to various parts of my body. It's just... weird. Feeling fat, feeling thin... that makes sense. Feeling both? I don't get it. And yet, that is how I feel right now.
I know I’m replacing fat with muscle, and dropping fat entirely. I see the changes. I also feel more floppy because I can see things that were previously either hidden or bulked out with greater fat deposits. Even though I know this change is good, I have to continually remind myself of progress made.
May run with 30 lbs of flour in a backpack tomorrow morning to remind myself how far I’ve come.
Feeling good in your own skin will mean more than anything else money can buy.
One thing nobody ever told me is how much I'd enjoy feeling the contours of my own face. I love how I can feel my cheekbones and the slight indentation below them and how my jaw doesn't having anything hanging off it anymore and how my face actually tapers now instead of being round.
Onwards and downwards!
Oh yes, so true. This time around I am really thinking about how to manage maintenance and not just about reaching my goal.
Like you guys, I’ve slimmed down but have the pockets of fat or loose skin.
It floats!
Me and mah belly had the best time in the tub. It was like playing with Floam. Very entertaining, and totally gravity defying.
I’m not ready to size down further yet, but I feel like an alien on occasion when dressed for the day.
On a related note, it’s harder to sort laundry now. I have to look carefully at every tee and blouse to determine if it’s mine or if it belongs to one of my children—which is a really bizarre thing to say at the age of 46. It’s equally odd to be folding a tee I *know* to be mine even though it’s medium sized. That toy-sized shirt can fit on me?? Really?
I'm right there too - so weird! I realized last night that it's even on my forearms! Who even knew my forearms were fat?!!
Also, my super power used to be that I was never cold. I have to bring a dang sweater, which hangs on me, with me everywhere I go now.
Morbid obesity can be a condition that can cause handicaps. Heart and cardiovascular problems can make them weak and in need of the stability bars in the handicapped stalls. Not to mention they just need the additional room to be able to take care of their toileting needs. We're all doing the best we can and trying to improve each day.
I've noticed that too and that the fat becomes less softer / squishier after a longer than usual sleep - and gets more squishier as I sleep less ( all while on a lifestyle aimed for fat loss and muscle increase ) .