I know it sounds pretty weird, but I find myself scared of loosing the weight that I had previously so badly wished to be gone. I mean, I still want it gone, but I'm a little nervous about it. I can't even remember what it feels like to be thin. I'm scared of going back to school and having people think that I'm just trying to fit in or something, and that's silly.

And I'm scared of how I will act, will I keep myself humble or will I be too prideful? I don't want to lower my personal standards or forget about moral obligations just because I might look hotter and let it get to my head? There doesn't seem to be a solid reason for feeling like this though. It just seems like I won't be ME if I'm thinner. Then again, as a fat girl, I don't even feel like a REAL PERSON which is silly too!!

Did anyone else feel this? I know that everytime I've started to loose weight I would only do about 4-5 pounds, then kind of freak out and put it back on. Is this normal?

I understand what you are saying. I have never been thin, I have no idea what it's like. This is the most serious I've ever been a diet. Usually I would cry late at night and swear I would change, then eat as much chocolate as possible the next day as if I had to put myself back in place. It made no sense.

I'm still scared though. I hide behind my weight, it is my identity. So I guess that, in a way, I am scared I will be losing that identity along with the weight. I don't know how to be a normal person and, for the first time, I won't have a good excuse not to give it a shot. If it wasn't for a good support system, I know I'd fail... I don't want to fail, I want to take a chance on the identity I have trapped inside somewhere. I just wish I had more faith in myself.

Although I haven't felt that way, I think that it's not unusual for folks to be afraid about changing their weight. It could be that you get afraid of unwanted attention--about having to face those "moral dilemmas" because of being more attractive--about "who you are" as a thinner person. Identity crisis, anyone?

I'd say, take it slow! Don't let yourself feel rushed or that you're changing too fast. Healthy weight loss goes at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds a week, sometimes more at first. That way your change will be gradual and less scary.

Increased activity is a good thing, too! That way you feel physically stronger as you go.

Jay

People sometimes fear success when they're getting really close to it, especially if they've never experienced it, so fearing weight loss actually makes sense.

Honestly, if you're losing weight the "healthy" way, you might not even notice it coming off until your clothes fit you differently and/or other people notice, so the transformation won't be shocking. And once you hear how hot you look with your weight loss, you DEFINITELY won't have anything to fear then!

wow....jay said it so perfectly. I myself have never been afraid of losing weight. As a skinny person in my former life, i know what it is like to be thin. But as a thin person, i was the same person then as i was a fat person. I don't think it will change your morals or how you act just because you lose weight. Especially if you are losing it the healthy way in a healthy time frame. I think your personality will for the most part be the same, but because of the attention you get as you start losing and the feeling of accomplishment you will get as you see yourself succeeding at weight loss, you may become more confident in yourself. (did that make sense?? sometimes i forget what i'm trying to say as i am typing. lol). Listen to Jay...she is very intelligent!!!

I have never been thin, and probably never will be by today's standards. But I can understand what you mean. I doubt I will act the same way I do now when I am 100 lbs lighter. Even though I will still be overweight at that point, I will feel so much lighter and better about myself, because for me it will be a HUGE change. I am sure I will have more confidence and courage. But who knows what other ways I will change, and how different I will act when I have more confidence in myself?

I don't think it's uncommon to feel that way. It's too easy to hide behind being fat, and let that be an excuse or a shield - what happens when that is gone, and all that is left is ... me? Yikes!

Your life will change, but only how you let it. Committing to a healthier lifestyle in terms of nutrition and exercise will spill into other parts of your life - the best change I've made since starting this lifestyle change has been to reduce my contact with some of my more negative friends. Whatever changes, though, you will still be YOU.

It's good that you (and me and anyone else) think about these things, because it means you are aware of it, and it means you can actively, consciously work to make positive changes and prevent negative ones.

I'm a little scared to lose weight because I know I'll have excess skin. I weighed 115 before I had my daughter and shot up to 195 or so by the end of my pregnancy, and my skin on my midsection is already loose and covered in stretch marks. I'm not the type to ever EVER get a tummy tuck because I am dreadfully fearful of surgery and have had difficulty coming out of anesthesia at all anytime I've been operated on.

So, I know I'll have a flabby belly no matter what. All the other ladies in my family who have gained / lost have the same problem and it looks atrocious, but oh well. We just wear clothes. ^_^

I also get scared about my breast size going down a lot. They're DD's now and I quite like that, but they were only C's before. So I'm not excited about being two cup sizes smaller - but again - oh well.

Weight loss is really exhilerating and I think you will grow to love seeing the pounds come off (and bragging about it to everyone) as I have.

Thank goodness. I thought I might be overreacting or something. Plus, you all described it exactly how I was thinking it, though I culdn't exactly put it in words at the moment. And loose skin! Oh my gosh. I REALLY hope I don't get that but if it happens, it happens.

Thanks for the support, guys.

cupcakesundae....i have had a plentiful size C cup and am afraid of going back down to a mostly B cup!!! I also am afraid of having excess skin. I was 100 pounds before i got pregnant my first time and then shooting up to 196 after my 3rd pregnancy. I am more afraid of not having the money to get a tummy tuck. and i know they finance, but i have such bad credit...no surgeon is going to extend credit to me. I'll have to pay for it out of income taxes!!

I am also more afraid of "NOT" losing weight than I am of losing it!! If i don't lose the weight...i don't know what i will do!!

I know what ya'll mean.

I've been like this for so many years... I hide behind it. I was in an abusive relationship for many years and am scared to be close to anyone again. I think that I hide behind...no, INSIDE my weight b/c I fear getting close to a man who could hurt me, and I also fear rejection.

I start out on a diet and excersize plan no problem, but losing it and keeping it off... I'm glad to know I'm not alone!