Just Do It
Full Member
I have been totally astounded by the side effects weight loss has had in my life.
I am not talking about the crinkly skin or the hair loss, I had been prepared for them by minimins.
What I am talking about is the difference in relationships, how I am treated by other people and the reactions of people I haven't seen for a while.
While we all know the huge benefits to be gained from weight loss, health wise, clothes wise etc there are some uncomfortable issues that come along with that.
A classic example is the people who say you are too thin. At first it is flattering - wow to be told you are too thin when you have battled with weight all your life - what a thrill. But then when they constantly tell you to put some weight back on and that you look dreadful, it starts to eat into your thoughts.
Do I look dreadful? Should I eat more? And of course for the addictive eater like me this is not a small issue. Years of scoffing for comfort and to disguise problems doesn't just go away overnight. And I am conscious that when I am making my food choices that there is that little voice telling me 'You need to put weight on, you can have what you want'
I don't feel I need to put weight on, I am totally comfortable with the way I look and with the Management food plan. So I am battling against those people who have told me I am too thin.
Of course I question their motives, especially when I bump into aquaintances who tell me I look fabulous. (I love it when they use that word!)
I really appreciated the last lady who told me that, because she had the decency to say she felt extremely jealous as well.
When I am faced with making food choices I think of the two groups of people and balance the comments out, I have had more positive than negative and I remind myself of that.
I had previously said to those that said I am too thin that I will put weight on by the end of management. Now I am telling them that I have no intention of putting on, I have worked hard to get here and I am happy with it.
Then there are the people who simply stop talking to you at all. What other reason can there be other than weight loss, nothing else has changed. Snide comments pass their lips, too low to be heard. Uncomfortable.
And my relationship with my OH has reached a different stage, I can't categorise it yet, it is changing all the time. I think he is finding my new confidence hard to handle. He enjoys seeing me get stared at by other men when we go out shopping. Yet he looked at the texts on my mobile the other day.
Lastly there is me. I know I have changed. In the past wherever I went, food shopping, clothes shopping, out for a meal, swimming, walks, anything, my mind would be constantly thinking how I would enjoy it much more if I was thin. And I would imagine going shopping the next time weighing less.
Now those thoughts have gone my mind is free. I'm looking for a new challenge.
I wasn't prepared for all of this before but don't be scared by it if you haven't got there yet, because it is all offset by looking in the mirror and reminding yourself that you have reached your goal.
The magazines that shriek 'Lose a stone for Christmas' don't apply anymore. It is unknown territory, but well worth the journey.
I am not talking about the crinkly skin or the hair loss, I had been prepared for them by minimins.
What I am talking about is the difference in relationships, how I am treated by other people and the reactions of people I haven't seen for a while.
While we all know the huge benefits to be gained from weight loss, health wise, clothes wise etc there are some uncomfortable issues that come along with that.
A classic example is the people who say you are too thin. At first it is flattering - wow to be told you are too thin when you have battled with weight all your life - what a thrill. But then when they constantly tell you to put some weight back on and that you look dreadful, it starts to eat into your thoughts.
Do I look dreadful? Should I eat more? And of course for the addictive eater like me this is not a small issue. Years of scoffing for comfort and to disguise problems doesn't just go away overnight. And I am conscious that when I am making my food choices that there is that little voice telling me 'You need to put weight on, you can have what you want'
I don't feel I need to put weight on, I am totally comfortable with the way I look and with the Management food plan. So I am battling against those people who have told me I am too thin.
Of course I question their motives, especially when I bump into aquaintances who tell me I look fabulous. (I love it when they use that word!)
I really appreciated the last lady who told me that, because she had the decency to say she felt extremely jealous as well.
When I am faced with making food choices I think of the two groups of people and balance the comments out, I have had more positive than negative and I remind myself of that.
I had previously said to those that said I am too thin that I will put weight on by the end of management. Now I am telling them that I have no intention of putting on, I have worked hard to get here and I am happy with it.
Then there are the people who simply stop talking to you at all. What other reason can there be other than weight loss, nothing else has changed. Snide comments pass their lips, too low to be heard. Uncomfortable.
And my relationship with my OH has reached a different stage, I can't categorise it yet, it is changing all the time. I think he is finding my new confidence hard to handle. He enjoys seeing me get stared at by other men when we go out shopping. Yet he looked at the texts on my mobile the other day.
Lastly there is me. I know I have changed. In the past wherever I went, food shopping, clothes shopping, out for a meal, swimming, walks, anything, my mind would be constantly thinking how I would enjoy it much more if I was thin. And I would imagine going shopping the next time weighing less.
Now those thoughts have gone my mind is free. I'm looking for a new challenge.
I wasn't prepared for all of this before but don't be scared by it if you haven't got there yet, because it is all offset by looking in the mirror and reminding yourself that you have reached your goal.
The magazines that shriek 'Lose a stone for Christmas' don't apply anymore. It is unknown territory, but well worth the journey.