When will it be noticeable?

thedreamhazer · April 2009

Ugh. I feel awful even posting this, but I know other people here have probably encountered the same problem, and I just need a little support right now.

When I stepped on the scale this morning, I had lost another 2 lbs., bringing my total up to 10 lbs lost. I felt great, but there was something nagging in the back of my mind. The thing is, I'VE noticed my weight loss beyond the scale. I feel stronger, I can do longer cardio, and I've definitely lost weight around my waistline. I look in the mirror and I can see the weight loss.

But nobody else has noticed. I'm losing the weight primarily for myself, but, if I'm being honest, I want other people to notice, too. The other day, I was out at coffee with my friends. They were talking about how stupid diets were. I agreed, with an addendum about how watching what you eat and cutting back to moderation really does work. When they laughed, I mentioned that I had already lost 8 lbs. in 3 weeks by doing that with some regular exercise. One of my friends looked at me with a confused face that seemed to be looking for the weight loss. I felt embarrassed and quickly said, "Oh, it's probably not noticeable yet."

But it IS noticeable, and I just want some outside encouragement or acknowledgment of my hard work.

Has anybody else encountered this kind of problem? How did you handle it/what did you tell yourself?

thedreamhazer · April 2009

Ugh. I feel awful even posting this, but I know other people here have probably encountered the same problem, and I just need a little support right now.

When I stepped on the scale this morning, I had lost another 2 lbs., bringing my total up to 10 lbs lost. I felt great, but there was something nagging in the back of my mind. The thing is, I'VE noticed my weight loss beyond the scale. I feel stronger, I can do longer cardio, and I've definitely lost weight around my waistline. I look in the mirror and I can see the weight loss.

But nobody else has noticed. I'm losing the weight primarily for myself, but, if I'm being honest, I want other people to notice, too. The other day, I was out at coffee with my friends. They were talking about how stupid diets were. I agreed, with an addendum about how watching what you eat and cutting back to moderation really does work. When they laughed, I mentioned that I had already lost 8 lbs. in 3 weeks by doing that with some regular exercise. One of my friends looked at me with a confused face that seemed to be looking for the weight loss. I felt embarrassed and quickly said, "Oh, it's probably not noticeable yet."

But it IS noticeable, and I just want some outside encouragement or acknowledgment of my hard work.

Has anybody else encountered this kind of problem? How did you handle it/what did you tell yourself?

Katy009 · April 2009

You will always be the first one able to see the changes. Especially because we notice a lot of those changes naked. And I suppose you weren't at coffee naked, were you?!?

I posted something a long time ago about how I started walking with the dog and my husband commented one day about how much weight the dog had lost and how good she looked and, of course, nothing about me. So, I think it's just natural that it will take some time for people to see that your clothes, etc. are fitting different. Be patient and be proud of yourself for what you have accomplished.

dolphin7 · April 2009

There jealous, if they couldn't notice your weight loss, being your friends they should have noticed. I have found when people ask me how I do it, and I tell them watch what I eat and work out at least 5 days a week for at least 30 min., they look at me like I'm crazy, most people want a miracle to happen, they want it to be instant, and if they don't notice, or don't care to notice it when you've lost weight thats there problem. I feel almost 100% better than I did last year, losing almost 40 lbs., I've gone from a size 18 to a size 12, I still have a ways to go, but for me, just knowing I am a smaller size, I'm healthier, I think I look better, not perfect, but I look better, thats all I need. It's what I think, not what anyone else thinks. Keep doing what your doing, its how you feel that counts, not what everyone else thinks, good luck on your journey. :flowerforyou:

CassieNic · April 2009

i think its how when you raise kids, you dont see them change until one day you pull up an old picture and think OMG they are so different. if you see that person regularly your mind doesnt notice the small slow changes, ya know? way to go on the 10 pounds!! keep it up!

thedreamhazer · April 2009

Katy009- Nope, I don't go out for coffee naked a lot! I suppose it's true that I do notice my weight loss primarily when I'm naked, or in how my clothes feel on me. Also, I'm sure your hubby will/has noticed your weight loss! I feel like those who are the closest to us (perhaps men in particular) can sometimes be the last to notice changes.

Dolphin7- Congratulations on your incredible weight loss so far! It must feel wonderful. From personal experience, and reading posts on the forum, I feel like the experience of people being a little jealous or upset with others for losing weight "the hard way" is (sadly) common. Keep up the good work!

Cassie- Totally true! I have younger siblings, and I only ever notice them growing up when I'm away for a while. And thank you for the congratulations! :flowerforyou:

tayner · April 2009

i think at this point you are likely wearing the same clothes as well... and clothes hide things, good and bad.

People you see every day, or quite often, wont notice, and frankly, I dont think alot of people pay that much attention.. I know I never did before I started this journey.

Great job on losing it, and stick with it.. one day you will be surprise because out of the blue someone will surprise you when they notice

thejarviclan · April 2009

Usually around that 10 pound mark you will have to go down a size - and that seems to be a point where folks start to notice. If you're wearing your "old" clothes still, they may look looser but they're still baggy, right? The new size should make it more noticeable.

That said, I have lost 19 pounds since January 9th and no one at work has said a word about it. (Meebee I'm invisible here. :laugh:)

kerrilucko · April 2009

through all of this I have learned that most people are extremely weary of commenting on weight changes. It's almost taboo in a way it's like... what if I say something and they havnt lost weight, they'll think I think they are fat! or what am I saying if I comment on how great they look now, they'll think I thought they looked awful before. Unless it is REALLY obvious, you won't get a lot of comments. I know it seems weird but it's true. I get comments from my immediate family (mom, sister), and my fiance but that is really all. Don;t be down about it, you said it yourself, YOU see the changes.

thedreamhazer · April 2009

Thanks everyone! :flowerforyou:

I just needed to hear that I'm not alone in this! Thank you all for your wonderful support, and great job to all of you!

suemomof2 · April 2009

I really think once you need to go down a size in clothes that your friends will notice. But like others have said, if you see them pretty regularly they more than likely won't notice until you have lost at least 25 pounds or so depending on where you are starting at. So, if you want them to notice tell them you can't see them for a month! lol.

MTGirl · April 2009

I don't have much to say on the people noticing thing - I work with a bunch of guys (most older) who wouldn't notice if my left arm fell off! LOL - well, maybe that :laugh: But I did want to say congratulations on hitting 10 lbs gone for good!! Good job :drinker:

adopt4 · April 2009

I've lost 30 pounds, THAT should be noticeable, right? Met with a friend I don't see often, so she didn't see me since I had that 30 pounds on me... did she notice? No.... Some people are not observant, others are too self absorbed.. and depending on how large you were when you started, it may not be very noticeable.

KatWood · April 2009

through all of this I have learned that most people are extremely weary of commenting on weight changes. It's almost taboo in a way it's like... what if I say something and they havnt lost weight, they'll think I think they are fat! or what am I saying if I comment on how great they look now, they'll think I thought they looked awful before. Unless it is REALLY obvious, you won't get a lot of comments. I know it seems weird but it's true. I get comments from my immediate family (mom, sister), and my fiance but that is really all. Don;t be down about it, you said it yourself, YOU see the changes.

Very true.

Unless they know you are trying to lose weight or feel comfortable enough with you to say something without worrying about insulting you they may not say anything.
Also, people who see you regularly will have a harder time seeing the difference or may be jealous.

You are doing great don't worry about what other see or don't see

Sarandipity · April 2009

Congratulations on the 10lbs! That's great!

I have to say that even being down 30lbs surprisingly few people have noticed or at least commented. There are a couple people at work that know I am working on it and have noticed, but most others haven't said anything. I have one friend that thought it was the medication I was on (nope totally unrelated). I think Kerri is right, many don't want to say something and be wrong.

I hadn't seen my parents in 3 months and my own mother didn't want to say anything for fear I wouldn't react well. She is one of those that always nagged about how I shoud lose weight and wouldn't let it go. My SIL said something that let the cat out of the bag about how much I had lost and then she started talking about it. My dad on the other hand just made the comment at the end of the day "have you lost weight?" Men can be so blunt sometimes it is great.

I think someone else commented on getting clothes in the proper size and I can't agree more. As good as it can feel in looser clothing, you look better in clothes that fit. You don't have to go and get whole new wardrobe each time you change a size, but get a couple pieces that can adapt as you go. I have been trying to alter or shrink what I have too. Even just hemming the now too long pants makes a huge difference :laugh:

holpak · April 2009

Also a good idea.. because i don't even notice a whole lot of changes sometimes.....take pictures of yourself in the same outfit.. i do it once a week... you can do it less often.. but then you also can see changes you never even noticed before.. and that definitely put's a different strut in your walk... hold your head high.. and feel great for what you've accomplished... Great job so far!!! Keep up the good work!!

Holly

ghost_buster · April 2009

Congrats, it will definatly be noticable if you keep this up!
i wish i could do that!
Being the weight you want to be will boost your confidence.
As long as you see it, and see a healthy image, then thats all that matters!

xxx

Violet_Mist · April 2009

My mom has noticed after only 3 pounds...but I think others will start to notice once I hit the 10 pound mark. That's how it went last year when I lost a lot of poundage.

When will it be noticeable?

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