I've been wondering... have any of you noticed any downsides to weight loss?
This may sound horribly whiny. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled with the progress I've made. I feel way better about myself, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. However, I can't help but get irritated when strangers honk as they drive past, or yell obscene things at me. Or when I'm practically accosted by some young creeps who start touching my clothes. Or when old guys ride up on their bikes and try to follow me home. And believe it or not, all of this happened TODAY.
I suppose I should expect it. I dunno, I don't mind a little attention, but stuff like that just gets to me. Guys can be real losers sometimes.
Anyone else have any horror stories to share? Or am I just overreacting?
Nope, men always left me alone when I was heavy and they continue to leave me alone now. It's a bit depressing, although I don't mind not being sexually harassed!
Ugh yes. The other day I was on a run, and this car full of teenage boys did a Uturn and proceeded to yell at me about my body. Gross! I ran right through a persons backyard and home.
I love how guys in their teens think that it's cool to hit on women in their 20s or 30s. Or better yet, to try to sexually intimidate them. Ooooh, your patchy facial hair is really scary. What a big strong man you are. I am SOOOO in awe of your power over me.
I swear to god... next guy to touch me without permission gets his arm snapped off. And if he's under 20 (or over 40, *shudder*), I'll beat him over the head with it for good measure
I HATE when I get honked at when I'm running. Hate it.
I'm running you jerk. I'm not trying to get your attention.
I run over a bridge that goes over a major highway sometimes, I think it's kind of funny when I get honked at then, cause I know all the people can see is maybe a ponytail. They're just honking cause they are bored and stuck in traffic.
But when I'm just running down the street and I get honked at and the ever hated lean out the window and stare... I hate it.
OH my god - yes!!
I so try to stick to running in the early morning or late at night because I always run through this park where a million teenagers hang out. They always say something! I just keep my headphones on and pretend not to hear them.
But then again these kids would say something no matter what weight I am at I am sure -- haha so I guess thats not really answering the question.
Oh, and after looking at HarpoChicoGroucho's before and after thread, it reminded me of another downside.
I love the fact that my collarbones and hipbones show now, not in a creepy way, but just enough. However, I'm REALLY noticing the lack of padding! The other day I hit my hip on a desk at work, and F***, did it hurt! My hips have never experienced pain like that (they always had a few extra inches of cushy blubber to protect them before)! Same with my collarbones. I opened a cupboard and smacked them pretty hard the other day, and while I barely would have noticed before, I nearly fell to the ground and cried. A small price to pay for happiness, I suppose
I'm running you jerk. I'm not trying to get your attention.
For real! And sometimes it is someone I know, but they're driving too freakin' fast for me to see who it is! Also, loud noises scare me (because I am a wimp), and make my bladder want to let it all go (never actually happened, but I'm worried it will).
I thing the most annoying thing for me is when my jeans won't stay up anymore-- but I can't quite fit into my smaller ones. I find that so uncomfortable!!!!
Other then that, I love it-- HONK AWAY BOYS !!! :-)
I had a real hard time adjusting to the whistling and hollering and staring and rubber-necking and general learing that went on with males - I actually ended up blubbering on the phone to my mum about how much I hated being made to feel like a cheap object.
I got over it though and while every now and again I get annoyed - like on the weekend I'd been to the gym and hadn't changed out of my nice tight gym pants and made the mistake of attempting to garden out the front. Not a good idea when it's exposed and on a corner - I was only out for two seconds when the beeping started so I went inside and changed lol.
Momerath: I definitely agree about the lack of padding! Not so much now but when I was only 112 pounds bones stuck out everywhere and even lying down hurt. Now they have a little covering but i'm sporting a huge bruise on my hip where I whacked it the other day! Oh did I yelp!
I thing the most annoying thing for me is when my jeans won't stay up anymore-- but I can't quite fit into my smaller ones. I find that so uncomfortable!!!!
Other then that, I love it-- HONK AWAY BOYS !!! :-)
It isn't so much the honking that gets to me. It's more the obscene yelling. A guy screaming out his window that he wants to forcibly have his way with me kinda takes all the fun out of a leisurely walk, if you know what I mean...
And I agree about the jeans... but it's an AMAZING feeling when you do get into the smaller size!
Keep up the great work, you're doing awesomely well
Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum, I've recently started posting in the Intuitive Eating thread. I just stumbled upon this 20something section, and I'm excited cause I can totally relate!!
Having lost a large amount of weight at 16 (and am currently losing it again at 28), I know there is a HUGE difference in people's treatment and perception of me. Like, when I'm overweight trucks don't stop on the road to let me cross... or doors don't get held open quite as frequently.. and men don't tend to make as much eye contact as they pass you, as they never noticed you in the first place!!
And as for the hollering out of passing cars, I hate it! I don't think guys understand how frightening that is, when you're walking by yourself down the street. For all we know they're threatening us - even just a comment about you anatomy can sound quite threatening.
But I have to tell you what gets to me the most is how my opinion seems to hold less weight when I'm thinner. All through school I was the brain, the fat friend. Then when I lost weight people assumed I had nothing to offer intellectually. I've actually had a couple of people comment how surprised they are that I'm intelligent.. just cause I'm a lipstick and heels kinda gal. Why are women perceived on one dimension only?? Sorry to go on, but like I said, I can totally relate to you all!
Downsides?
