What does it feel like to loose weight?

NCmcMan · December 2011

Hi folks. I have been asking myself this question for years. I started gaining weight when I was about 17. When I was 17 I weighed about 275 lbs. I am now 32 and weight around 505 or so. Anyway, I have never actually LOST any weight, and I don't really know what it feels like. I am at a crossroads now because my knees are really starting to bother me because of weight and what not. I have a really serious binge eating disorder that has gotten much worse with time. All I can think about is trying to get healthy, but when I think about it to much, a part of my brain says, NOPE, impossible ,, you aren't able to loose weight and get in shape. It's like my mind is my own worst enemy. Anyways, I know a lot of you are real health oriented people for different reasons, and I would just like for you to share your weight loss stories with me, and tell me how your life has improved with your weight loss. Thank You very much for your time.

Eleanorjanethinner · December 2011

Hi there,

if you have a quick look on the forums, there are lots of amazing people who have lost over 100 pounds. Many of them with health issues to overcome too. They tended to start small and slog away, day by day until they'd done something amazing.

I'm only aiming to lose 20 pounds so I'm probably not the best one to answer, but something that does occur to me is that I suggest you work on your mind at the same time (or even before) your body.

You say you have a binge eating disorder - have you gotten effective help for that? If you have seen someone, maybe try some other therapists until you find someone you feel comfortable with who could help you challenge and change your thought patterns and behaviours. And are you seeing your doctor regularly? A couple of resources from a quick google: http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/treatment-for-binge-eating-disorder/all/1/ http://www.something-fishy.org/whatarethey/be.php If you have a disorder it's not generally something you can overcome just by sheer force of will, anymore than you could heal a broken leg very well without medical help.

In answer to your actual question, from my small amount of weight loss, it feels like daily hard work of making good choices and denying myself some of the not-good choices and being organised, taking time and effort. Short term pain and long term gain - I'm really proud of myself and I'm really pleased with the progress of how I look, fitting into smaller clothes etc.

NCmcMan · December 2011

Thanks for your reply, I definitely would love to seek medical treatment, but because I don't have insurance, I can't but you make some good points. Thank You

Flissbo · December 2011

Hi,

It feels amazing not to have to worry what I look like and to worry if my tummy is sticking out the bottom of my tshirt etc. Takes some getting used to though to go and buy a smaller size (at my biggest I was a UK 14, now a UK size 8) I still don't believe the 8 will fit me! It's also strange being told I am thin as I am not used to that having been bigger for about 15 years. People now are telling me I am too thin (I'm not, they just aren't used to seeing me like it)

I would encourage you to find help to overcome your binge eating, but as you start to lose weight this will get easier as you will want to keep up the good work!

This website is great because everyone is so supportive, so you have come to the right place!

Good luck, and you can do it! :-)

Flissbo · December 2011

ps, forgot to say, exercise too feels great as you get hooked on the endorphins it releases after a while, and that makes it easier too. Its like the good feeling of binge eating but without feeling guilty and hating yourself afterwards.

paulwgun · December 2011

Please check out marathon man on this site http://www.myfitnesspal.com/500lbs2marathon he started out at near 500lb and has certainly motivated me to loose, hes due to do the NY marathon next year and im sure he would be a friend to motivate you
It certainly feels great to loose as ive lost 4" off my waist, when I went to buy new jeans i picked up a 42" but the wife gave me a 40" to try on and they fitted I was over the moon
you will get heaps of support here and dont forget small steps it took a long time to put the weight on so it wont come off in weeks/months but you will loose
Can I suggest you read the Dukan Diet im not saying its for you but it certainly has done the job for many. It gave me my initial start and i now base my diet around it with the help of this site good luck and put me on your friend list if you like :bigsmile:

Play_outside · December 2011

I'm sorry to hear that you don't have insurance so you can't get help with your binge eating disorder

Can you look up if there are any not for profit organizations or places that do therapy and pro-rate it for people with low incomes? Maybe you can see your doctor and ask for some basic help at least? I don't really know how things work in the states. Or maybe there is a University that does psych training or something that you can go see a student as that is usually cheaper.

To answer your question, I have really noticed an increase in my fitness this week, after losing only 18 of the 86lbs I need to lose. I still get winded when hiking but I notice that it is less difficult for me now. Also, last year at this time, and even in September of this year, my backpacking boots were TOO TIGHT on me. I couldn't wear them! Today, they fit! My feet are going back to their normal small size and I haven't even lost quite 25% of the weight I need to lose!

As another poster said, you start to get addicted to exercising!

Once you find something you enjoy doing, you will look forward to exercising, and it IS like the good feeling of binge eating (or whatever other unhealthy thing someone may do) but without the negative effects.

Although I don't have as much to lose as you do, an extra 86lbs on my small 5'2 frame is a lot of extra weight. I hope you can figure out something that works for you, you deserve to be healthy!

sagetracey · December 2011

Losing weight feels like being born again, like winning the jackpot and every other awesome thing you can imagine. I've lost 112lb in eight months and I am living again. I always thought I was happy but I was living a lie, avoiding doing "normal" things because of my weight.

best wishes for your journey.

Izzy62 · December 2011

Hi xx

I have lost 110lbs in total in about 15 months, like the above poster I would go as far as to say my life has started again, I have confidence I haven't seen since I was in my 20's, I can go buy clothes I want to wear, I can go to the gym (I'm 49) and do more than many of the younger folks in there. My OH can't believe his luck (read into that what you want hehe!).
I truly feel that I have lost age as well as weight.
It isn't easy, I don't have an eating disorder, unless greedy falls into that, so I know it will be hard for you battling that also. But is it worth the effort? Abso-freaking-lutely!!
Good luck, add me as a friend if you wish, bite the bullet and go for it xx

What does it feel like to loose weight?

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