What nobody tells you about losing weight
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I feel cold quite often now vs pre-weight loss. After losing the first 25 lbs the difference is kind of shocking to me. Before I was almost always too hot. Even in the dead of winter. Makes me wonder how it's going to be after I lose another 60 lbs.
On the upside, I'm hoping this means that I'll be able to tolerate the summer heat a little easier this year.
I too am cold almost all the time. I wear long sleeves, that can be rolled up, and layers. I was the last time I lost a lot of weight before also. I don't remember it only being during a calorie deficit, like @Sand_TIger said. I'm hoping I just forgot and can look forward to that! Summer is much better, as I remember. More comfortable, less sweating and less heat rashes!
This is absolutely my experience to a T. I found that I am always cold now and for me at least it does not appear to be a deficit issue as I have been in maintenance for over three years. I was wondering if it was a circulatory issue, but it has to be the insulation. I have found that it has moderately improved over the last year as I have been trying to put more muscle on but the coldness is always there. Great for my AC bill in the summer, not great for my heating bill in the winter (damn you Nebraska and your cold winters). Even when I splurge on a meal or two in the winter it is still there. Not that it is super healthy, but I have found a couple of glasses of whiskey does help though
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justanotherloser007 wrote: »Nobody told me about: taste bud reset. Brand new taste buds? And it has happened to me at least 3 times on this journey, so I know it is a thing. I bet people call it something reasonable, because I am not great with the words and such. (If there is a thread out there about this, I would like to find it, just because I would like to see how long it took others to do it - and what was involved, SCIENCE!).
First time: So when I increased protein to "normal human" amounts, I started not really liking my free range carbs as much after three months. This won't apply to everyone, but you protein starvers know who I am talkin bout! Yeah, the carb loaders only. So, while I absolutely chaffed at the amount of protein I was supposed to eat .8 times your ultimate goal weight (because I won't eat more than that and that was the smallest protein calculator I could find lols). It changed what I crave, what I am willing to eat, how food tastes to me. Carbs, which I still eat ya'll, just aren't all the addictive shizm shazm younger me thought they were.
Second time: Then, since I wasn't craving carbs as much, I figured I would fiber load my diet. Yeah, so I was freakin hungry, so sue me. I eat a high fiber diet. Now, I will not even consider a "carb only" meal - which was my comfort food go to pretty much all day every day. And no, I didn't get diabetes, and I have no idea why, other than it doesn't generally run in the family? Or, I am the only one (out of 2) who isn't an alcoholic? Not sure.
Third time: It was only 40 days (6 weeks)! 2022 Lent. Now all my favorite diet sodas taste like crap. Pfft. I somehow reset my taste buds in record time. By using stevia sweeteners and water only. It is the only reason I can come up with.
I am beginning to think that now I have broken my taste buds, I can eat and tolerate just about any foods just as long as I get a decent amount of protein macros. No, I don't really want to test the theory by only eating locusts with honey for a couple of months, but I am thinking I might do okay with that sort of thing over time.
Free Range Carbs! Love it. I think of those as Cheetos and Tortilla chips! Funny.4 -
@huskers0079 *warning might be a rumor I am not positive* there was a lady who was evidently really struggling with wearing cuddle duds in the deep summer, and she said that she added oil to her diet and was able to tolerate the cold a little better. So maybe a look at the oil macros and what the percent is *might* help.
A diver mentioned some sort of math thing, and I doubt there is any science involved per se, the critters in the sea use blubber and they are fat. All that fatty fish! A high oil diet will not make you fat if you are tracking carefully of course. Might be a matter of what you are willing to move around in your diet for some comfort. My super skinny god-daughter eats a high oil diet, because she is always trying to gain weight (and refuses to eat more food), and she is unusually comfortable in cooler temps. It is worth a look-see is all I am saying.7 -
@justanotherloser007 that's awesome, and you know what, even if it is just a rumor it is worth a shot, heck why not! Thanks so much for the suggestion, I think I have a couple of ideas of how to fold more oil into my macros. I will report back on my experiment and let folks know how it goes (although I am hoping the cold is almost done for the season at this point 😂)3
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huskers0079 wrote: »I feel cold quite often now vs pre-weight loss. After losing the first 25 lbs the difference is kind of shocking to me. Before I was almost always too hot. Even in the dead of winter. Makes me wonder how it's going to be after I lose another 60 lbs.
On the upside, I'm hoping this means that I'll be able to tolerate the summer heat a little easier this year.
I too am cold almost all the time. I wear long sleeves, that can be rolled up, and layers. I was the last time I lost a lot of weight before also. I don't remember it only being during a calorie deficit, like @Sand_TIger said. I'm hoping I just forgot and can look forward to that! Summer is much better, as I remember. More comfortable, less sweating and less heat rashes!
This is absolutely my experience to a T. I found that I am always cold now and for me at least it does not appear to be a deficit issue as I have been in maintenance for over three years. I was wondering if it was a circulatory issue, but it has to be the insulation. I have found that it has moderately improved over the last year as I have been trying to put more muscle on but the coldness is always there. Great for my AC bill in the summer, not great for my heating bill in the winter (damn you Nebraska and your cold winters). Even when I splurge on a meal or two in the winter it is still there. Not that it is super healthy, but I have found a couple of glasses of whiskey does help though
LOL!3 -
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justanotherloser007 wrote: »First time: So when I increased protein to "normal human" amounts, I started not really liking my free range carbs as much after three months. This won't apply to everyone, but you protein starvers know who I am talkin bout! Yeah, the carb loaders only. So, while I absolutely chaffed at the amount of protein I was supposed to eat .8 times your ultimate goal weight (because I won't eat more than that and that was the smallest protein calculator I could find lols). It changed what I crave, what I am willing to eat, how food tastes to me. Carbs, which I still eat ya'll, just aren't all the addictive shizm shazm younger me thought they were.
Second time: Then, since I wasn't craving carbs as much, I figured I would fiber load my diet. Yeah, so I was freakin hungry, so sue me. I eat a high fiber diet. Now, I will not even consider a "carb only" meal - which was my comfort food go to pretty much all day every day. And no, I didn't get diabetes, and I have no idea why, other than it doesn't generally run in the family? Or, I am the only one (out of 2) who isn't an alcoholic? Not sure.
I've noticed a huge change in my taste buds, too. I have struggled with binge eating since I was a child. I haven't binged so far in 2022. I've also noticed that I've become a food snob. My body and my taste buds have become accustomed to fresh, high-quality foods. They will no longer settle for crap. They want the good stuff!
So my hubs (who knows absolutely nothing about nutrition, nor does he care) has been complaining about how bad his sweet/junk food cravings are late at night after I am already in bed. I told him that if he would increase his protein and fiber intake, it would help a lot with these cravings. He totally blew me off. Oh well, I tried.7 -
Unexpected result of weight loss: how much easier wearing heels has become!
I used to get horribly painful feet after standing for a long time in high heels (receptions etc).
Last weekend I had a family get-together where I was on my feet for more than 3 hours, during the reception and post-dessert socializing, and I wasn't even remotely sore. Meanwhile, my mom (obese) was in agony, looking for high tables to lean against etc. Before losing weight, I thought sore feet were just inevitable!14 -
Unexpected result of weight loss: how much easier wearing heels has become!
I used to get horribly painful feet after standing for a long time in high heels (receptions etc).
Last weekend I had a family get-together where I was on my feet for more than 3 hours, during the reception and post-dessert socializing, and I wasn't even remotely sore. Meanwhile, my mom (obese) was in agony, looking for high tables to lean against etc. Before losing weight, I thought sore feet were just inevitable!
YES!! I wore heels a couple nights on the cruise ship last week, and I was able to walk miles in them without a problem. I haven’t done that in about ten years.13 -
I had a family member do the "you look too skinny" thing recently. I just smiled. She then continued, "Don't YOU think you look skinny? You look so skinny to me." I just laughed and said, "I look like someone that has normal weight. This is what normal body weight looks like". She made a face and then said "I haven't seen what that looks like in a long time."
These kinds of comments used to bother me. I think I used to take it as some sort of attempt at sabotage. And, maybe in some cases they are, but in this instance I think these comments had more to do with how she is used to visualizing me and her own struggles with weight loss.
Regardless, I still find it tacky to talk about someone's body (unless they invite the conversation, of course). *shrug*12 -
That at times you may stay at a weight and want to give up. DON'T! You will lose all you have gained up to that point. Instead, keep doing what you are doing but research and discover things you can change to get losing again. Best thing to do is listen to your body. Once you have a plan on what to change, start changing it slowly and watch how you start to lose weight again. DON'T GIVE UP!21
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JessiBelleW wrote: »How there is a stage where after you start you somehow look worse than before. There isn’t really much you can do either except keep eating at a deficit and working out and waiting for your body to sort itself out
My current stage...I hate it so much!
I'll be feeling really good (currently down about 58 pounds from my high weight last year...down about 37 from 1/3/22...down from a 20/XXL to a 14/XL or L) - then I'll catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and just be completely disgusted. I swear I look the same, if not worse. I won't let it derail me, but it's horrible and I can't wait to be past this phase!20 -
I am ecstatic to be losing weight. I have just reached the 170's from low 200's. I am very pleased that my stomach is mostly flat and I have a nice waist. However, I have developed saddle bags now.
. I know with time this too will change... But geez it sure would be nice to have the weight come off evenly everywhere! 13 -
sublimedoll2108 wrote: »JessiBelleW wrote: »How there is a stage where after you start you somehow look worse than before. There isn’t really much you can do either except keep eating at a deficit and working out and waiting for your body to sort itself out
My current stage...I hate it so much!
I'll be feeling really good (currently down about 58 pounds from my high weight last year...down about 37 from 1/3/22...down from a 20/XXL to a 14/XL or L) - then I'll catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and just be completely disgusted. I swear I look the same, if not worse. I won't let it derail me, but it's horrible and I can't wait to be past this phase!
Same here. I have lost almost 45lbs and I feel it, and know it when smaller sized clothing fits, but…. When I look at myself in the mirror, I still see the big belly, the chunky arms and legs, the double chin 🤷♀️12 -
my belly looks like a deflated balloon. (I'm 70)11
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Your clothes you thought fit at a higher weight absolutely did not. I have clothes I’m wearing now that fits entirely differently at a lower weight, which is probably how it was meant to look to begin with. 🤷🏻♀️22
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MMMM Bacon (Drool Emoji)7
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That 1- 3 lb difference can really change the look of your body.14
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sublimedoll2108 wrote: »JessiBelleW wrote: »How there is a stage where after you start you somehow look worse than before. There isn’t really much you can do either except keep eating at a deficit and working out and waiting for your body to sort itself out
My current stage...I hate it so much!
I'll be feeling really good (currently down about 58 pounds from my high weight last year...down about 37 from 1/3/22...down from a 20/XXL to a 14/XL or L) - then I'll catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and just be completely disgusted. I swear I look the same, if not worse. I won't let it derail me, but it's horrible and I can't wait to be past this phase!
Same here. I have lost almost 45lbs and I feel it, and know it when smaller sized clothing fits, but…. When I look at myself in the mirror, I still see the big belly, the chunky arms and legs, the double chin 🤷♀️
I can completely relate to your feelings. I am down 137lbs and I see the saggy, loose, jiggly skin on my legs and the belly flap although flater still looks like a big belly pooch. When I bend over everything just hangs and looks horrible. But, hear is what I am slowly starting to learn during this journey. Loosing wheight doesn't magicly change how we view ourselves or see ourselves. For most of us who have struggeled for a long time we can't see the positive changes when we look in the mirror. This is where photos can help sometimes. When I look at my before picture now I strugel believing that I ever looked like that. The other part is, for most people, especially women we are supper critical about our bodies, always finding flaws, always comparing ourselves to others. Changing this mentality is hard but crucial. We are ALL different by design. We need stop looking at the negative we see and start looking at the positive. We are all beautiful just as we are. Our bodies are GOOD ; if we are doing our part to take care of them and make them as healthy as possible. Just like the physical change takes time the mental does as well. It also needs as much time and attention to changing it as the physical as well. Hang in there and know you beautiful NOW.
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I don't know if it's due to the weight loss or aging, but these days I seem to have the attention span of a demented squirrel on speed; and my decision making is similar. (For example, look at that lamp post - brilliant! I can climb that. Then a few seconds later wondering how to get down from the top of a lamp post.)17
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I don't know if it's due to the weight loss or aging, but these days I seem to have the attention span of a demented squirrel on speed; and my decision making is similar. (For example, look at that lamp post - brilliant! I can climb that. Then a few seconds later wondering how to get down from the top of a lamp post.)
Nah, not a squirrel, sounds more like a cat 😁13 -
I'm just starting my journey and reading all of your comments is really inspiring to me. Also, a bit jealous but I know that some day I will be experiencing these same things so it isn't leaving me bitter or anything.14
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Your FUPA looks worse before it gets BETTER!14
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The increased sex drive
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That your body chemistry may change. Dyed my hair for years with no problem, and since losing weight I now find myself with a horrible sensitivity to the hair dye 😞 It may be unrelated, but the timing makes me think not. On a happier note related to the same, but probably more due to drinking enough water, is that my skin is so much better - less dryness and redness!14
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Suitcases: It's amazing how much less space my smaller clothes take up. The functionally-same clothes fit in a much smaller space.
P.S. I'm neither colder nor more energetic than when I was fat, though I don't know why exactly.
It may have something to do with exercise: I was very active for a dozen years while still obese, and that did noticeably improve my energy level vs. being inactive and obese. I do find that I'm more willing to do certain active things - like I don't budget trips up and down the stairs in my house like I did when fat - but I think that's more about the things being objectively easier at lighter weight, vs. me being more energetic.
If I eat well over goal calories, one thing I notice is that hot flashes, or feeling hot in general, increase noticeably afterward, for up to around a day. Resting heart rate goes up a few beats, too, usually: Homeostasis at work, I guess?10 -
You realize that deciding to eat in a healthier way and keep track of your eating habits will help you (when first starting out), as you feel you're taking some steps in a positive direction. Those + steps will spill over into other areas of your life, eventually. You'll be surprised how eating healthier will help you to have a sharper mind. Another discovery: How having support from others can really help on those 'not-doing-so-great" days.
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That you can look worse in the middle of your journey. I have seen comments about this before. I'm over halfway to my goal now and my skin is showing some losseness, and the fat in my thighs have gone lumpy.
My thighs honestly looked better 30 pounds ago.
I know from reading threads like this in the past that this can happen and tends to sort itself out eventually. But I must admit I'm a bit disappointed in how I look in a swimsuit at the moment.
But will keep on going. On the plus side I can see some muscles on my calves now!17
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