Am I crazy? Excited to lose...but what all is gonna be lost??
 

Ok so I have been big most of my life. Went from a relatively normal kid to a fat kid an obese teenager and young adult...I'm 24 now. I've always been big and now i'm good at being the big guy. When people describe me...they of course say "You know, the heavy-set guy...real tall"(I don't consider myself THAT tall...i MIGHT be 6'4''). I know I can lose weight,because I know I have the drive to do so...but I kinda don't wanna lose who I am. I been so caught up with loving me....that I kinda love the big me and don't know what it will be like to be smaller. I mean...I want it...DEFINITELY...but I don't know. Also if I lose all this weight and still look "ew" because of hanging loose skin. I'm gonna lose my mind! I am very healthy now,besides my sheer weight....I have good mobility,good blood pressure,no diabetes...no breathing issues...aside my dumb allergy congestion...lol. Alot of my motivation for losing weight is looking better! (along with being proactive concerning what could happen from obesity...) ANOTHER big deal for me and sadly a huge reason for me losing weight is easier shopping...lol... I really,really love clothes! I don't am I crazy...missing the point of weight loss and health...or are these somewhat understandable worries?

first of all, :wel3fc:

Second of all, I think 6'4 is pretty tall!!!

Thirdly, just because you have no health issues now does not mean you will not acquire them if you don't change your lifestyle.

As far as "losing yourself" goes, going through a dramatic lifestyle change takes time and effort and yes, you may find yourself changed a little bit. But you may find yourself to be more confident, stronger, and yes, more attractive. I know how you feel about not knowing how you will appear at a healthy weight, I'm in that boat myself.

I think your worries are completely understandable. These are the things we can actively see change about ourselves. The pant size, the differences on our physical body. It's somewhat difficult to put the health aspect into perspective if you're not aware of just what's going on inside of your body.

Your reasons alone are reasons enough to get started and you may find somewhere along the way that your weight loss priorities have changed slightly. It happens all the time.

As far as hanging skin goes? I'm not gonna lie. You may have some. But that's why it's important to include plenty of exercise in your new lifestyle.

Good luck!

It is understandable to have concerns... I think a lot of us wonder what our bodies will look like when we reach goal. I am just really trying to focus on being healthy and crossing that bridge when I get there. If it is an issue for me when I get to that point then I will deal with it... for now it is more about feeling better and feeling healthy.

Welcome!

I too, was in your same boat. I have a few health concerns, but nothing major. It wasn't until last week when I was thinking that I didn't want to stay on the path that I was on, destined to be a diabetic because of my weight. You definately made the right choice to get healthy! A lot of the people are going through some of the same struggles you are, and are more than willing to lend an ear! Stay active on the forums, and you'll get all the support and advice you'll need! Good luck on your weight loss journey!

thanks for all the replies! I think I will definitely goat the weight loss full-force...and worry about the other issues when I approach them (or get way closer). Exercise is definitely a big part of how I am losing weight. I'm starting off moderately, but it'll be a big part of the plan...I just don't wanna lose TOO much TOO fast, because that loose skin thing is more likely when you go too hard,too fast! And exercise only does so much for that issue(been reading up on it)...I wanna lose quickly,but i'd rather be (and look) healthier!

I think everyone would love to lose quickly! My WW leader said it pretty well at my first meeting Monday night "You didn't put on your weight overnight, so you can't expect to lose it overnight. It takes time, dedication, exercise and healthy eating habits to get to where you want to be." I've only been exercising for about the last week or so, and my energy is already increasing. I'm not tired all the time like I used to be.

Excerise is of course very important for overall health, wellbeing and weight loss. However, it does not have any effect on loose skin. The speed at which you lose weight doesn't effect the amount of loose skin one might have after losing a lot of weight either.
Just so you know-- the subforum here, Body Image and Issues After Weight Loss, addresses those concerns and we have many threads about the skin issue that you can peruse. :)

And of course, Welcome to 3FC!!! :)

Good luck and welcome to the site :D

All I can say is expect the unexpected....I lost weight in places I thought I'd NEVER have lost. It takes some time to get used to a new body, and for all the complaining I do on here sometimes, the health benefits are worth it. I wasn't having any big issues, but they were building. My cholesterol and blood pressure were high, and if I hadn't changed things when I did I was BOUND to have problems.

Coming here is a good thing...good luck!!

thanks for all the replies and I will definitely be hitting up the body image forum....and MindiV...i'm not not gonna lie...u scared me a lil bit with the expect the unexpected line lolol

Don't be scared!! It's not bad unexpected...

I was just one of those people who thought, "I've always had a big butt, no matter what...I won't lose there!" I'm now the buttless wonder. nothing too horrible, I promise!!

HA!....wow...ok...we'll see! LOL

good luck and welcome!!

what a great thread. and welcome. i think alot of ppl have concerns about losing weight especially if they've never been thin.

i have never been thin. and i think it sabotages my efforts to lose weight. i can't see the big picture. so its hard to stay on track. ive always been the big girl. i have big boobs, big thighs, big ***, big hands, big feet. ppl always tell me i'll never be thin, bc of my body shape. i think that's BS though.

and i know what you are saying about losing your big guy status. i had a friend that was a big guy. "big bill" was his name. and he's 6'5". it was who he was. i could never picture him small. he was the giant that i always wanted to crawl in his lap. he was my protector ya know.

anyway, goooooood luck to you!!!!!!

Thanks Stellart!