I actually get tons of comments. My weight loss has been a major topic of conversation. It's been 15 months now and I probably average at least 3 comments a week, even now. I haven't always been a feather weight though. I was quite overweight when I started. The flip side of it is, I may still want to lose a few more lbs. and now I feel under the microscope, like people will start scrutinizing me for losing more.
I totally know what you mean about feeling under the microscope. I'd prefer support than judgement..
I actually get tons of comments. My weight loss has been a major topic of conversation. It's been 15 months now and I probably average at least 3 comments a week, even now. I haven't always been a feather weight though. I was quite overweight when I started. The flip side of it is, I may still want to lose a few more lbs. and now I feel under the microscope, like people will start scrutinizing me for losing more.
You just described my experience!! I feel like everyone is watching and analyzing my body. I recently lost some inches (but not weight) which I think is from my increased strength training (or my extra skin is tightening up). Everyone is accusing me of losing weight and telling me to stop!
I'm tired of getting yelled at for it, and I just tell people that no, I haven't lost any weight, I'm just lifting more. However, then I have to hear people tell me that I'm going to "bulk up!" Agh!
My new preferred phrase is "well I want to be strong, so I'm going to lift what I want." And I just do it. I already lift heavier than all the other women at the gym. At least I've inspired a few to join me and lift heavier.
I want to say something about "vanity" pounds. I was in the high 120's low 130's when I was put on a steroid. Shortly thereafter, my relationship with my ex tanked. I "blossomed" up to 165 in a very short period of time. It was brutal to my self esteem—I was crushed. I felt awful about myself at that weight and it was reflected in the way I carried myself and the subsequent way people treated me (as a result of my behavior—it became cyclical). I was forty pounds above where I wanted to be and thirty above what I could consider okay (kind of where I am now)... I lost 20 on the post break up depression diet :P... but kept the other twenty on...now I've lost about ten to twelve of those remaining 20 gone, and when I lose just one, I feel more in control of my life, healthier, happier, and better about who I am and where I'm going. Someone might say--look to other things in your life to find yourself.. well I do!! It's not all about weight. But this is a weight loss board, I'm not talking about my skills as an artist here...
So I get a little defensive when it comes to calling it all vanity... I call it sanity weight. This is not the first time that my weight has gone up either, so losing weight is no new thing for me.
Just had to throw my two cents in. I believe we featherweights should get credit for making ourselves happier people and therefore making the world a better place to be in.
Well, I think there's a difference between sanity weight and vanity weight. When I was 10 lbs heavier, my self-esteem was in the toilet. It probably didn't affect how people treated me, but it definitely affected how I treated myself.
But these last 10 lbs? They're vanity weight. At my current weight, I look fine, my clothes fit "ok," and everyone tells me "you don't have any weight to lose." For me, these last 10 are all about rockin' a bikini with flat abs and a mini 6-pack. Not necessary for my sanity, but definitely all about vanity.
So... I think there's a difference between the two. And the threshold probably varies from person to person.
Well, I think there's a difference between sanity weight and vanity weight. When I was 10 lbs heavier, my self-esteem was in the toilet. It probably didn't affect how people treated me, but it definitely affected how I treated myself.
But these last 10 lbs? They're vanity weight. At my current weight, I look fine, my clothes fit "ok," and everyone tells me "you don't have any weight to lose." For me, these last 10 are all about rockin' a bikini with flat abs and a mini 6-pack. Not necessary for my sanity, but definitely all about vanity.
So... I think there's a difference between the two. And the threshold probably varies from person to person.
I agree. Getting to a healthy BMI is 100% sanity pounds for me. I might technically be ok in terms of blood tests etc. BUT my knees are crappy and I'm so sick of doctors bothering me about my weight! I want to be able to point to a healthy BMI and tell them LEAVE ME ALONE.
However, anything lost after that will be vanity pounds. I'm already into a size 6 and wear small tops at a lot of places. Sizewise I don't feel huge, actually pretty average. However, I'd love to see my stomach go down more and my dream is to get into G cup in bras (I was hoping for 30G's but it looks like my underbust is not cooperating and so it'll be 28G's so that means even a bit more to lose) because many brands stop at G.
I just stopped saying to people that I was losing weight. My highest weight was just already pretty low to a lot of people. They just don't understand that you can be thin and not be happy with your body. They don't congratulate me, they usually say that they are worried.
When I was at my lowest weight, several years ago, I got a lot of comments and notice. But I was also dressing better, so that might have been a factor...
I'm kinda stuck at the moment... but I think everyone is used to how I look now. I don't get any more comments. I must say, if I eat a big lunch, it shows now!!! My dad likes to comment on my food babies, and I HATE that. When I weighed 260 lbs nobody ever said "Oh be careful, you look like you're putting it back on." Gr.
absolutely! When I was on here 2 years ago, I started out at 165, and no one even noticed my efforts until I was 20lbs lighter. All in one day people were all of a sudden saying "sam, you're getting tiny!"
But also, look on the bright side, I've gained 15 lbs. Although I can't fit into my "skinny" clothes anymore, no one has noticed the weight gain either! They all think I'm nuts when I mention the gain (and I have a great BS detector so I know when they're lying).
So don't worry, you know what effort you've put into it. You know that you look and feel better. Just keep kicking butt and strut that new body! Soon enough people will notice, and when they do, it'll be such a glorious feeling!
^This. Seriously, this is so great. I don't care at all that people don't comment on my weight loss. I'm the only one who cares. But I love the fact that no one noticed the couple of times I gained the weight back.
Last edited by Petite Powerhouse; 01-30-2012 at 05:27 PM.
My family notices when I just lose or gain a few pounds of water weight. They've always been weight obsessed (think everyone should be skinny). So I actually like that other people don't comment. I don't need more attention drawn to it because to me the attention is a negative thing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaisingThemLeft
The flip side of it is, I may still want to lose a few more lbs. and now I feel under the microscope, like people will start scrutinizing me for losing more.
This definitely goes on with my friends if I dip below 140. They say I'm looking "sickly" and ask if I'm eating. I'm only 5'4". I don't look skinny at 140.
I work with alot of obese people so when I mention I'm trying to lose weight I get the "evil eyes". With that being said, I just don't mention it. It kind of sucks b/c I don't have anyone I really can discuss my weight loss adventures/fiascos with. I am very thankful for these forums.
I remember my first WW meeting in 2003 when I was 139lbs trying to get down to 118lbs. Several members asked why I was there and yet again I got the "evil eye". The leader than stated that if she would have joined 20lbs heavier than her goal she would have been a happier person. Her point being it's always good to try to fix something before it becomes way out of control.
When one of my larger co-workers loses weight they get high fives and woots when I lose 1lb I get....can anyone guess....the evil eye...LOL!!!
Is it possibe I'm imagining the evil eyes?? LOL!!!
I can really relate to the scrutinizing aspect of this! When I was at my lowest weight (140), my roommate started telling people I had an eating disorder. I was eating 1600 calories a day and could have lost another 10 pounds without being underweight. I hate that peoples response to a featherweights weight loss is usually throwing cookies and cheeseburgers your way! It is very hard to get support as a featherweight!
my highest weight was 165, and at work people noticed when i started to lose weight. well, probably because it happened so rapidly, i did the master cleanse and i dropped about 14 lbs in 10 days.
after the cleanse, i worked hard at being healthy and maintained a loss for atleast a little while. i think i was typically 140 something for a while.
i crept back up though, and was 151 when i started on here. since january, i've lost about 12 lbs but no one has noticed because (a) its not that much (b) its slow going.
Last edited by valalltogether; 05-01-2012 at 10:16 PM.
