What were the moments you realized you weren't so fat anymore?
I'll never forget the day I got out of the car to walk into Home Depot. I was around 158lbs and realized I didn't have to scan the parking lot anymore in embarrassment to see who was looking at the fat lady. That in itself was enough for me to take a 5 month break and just hang in the 50s for a while.
I'm back now, and ready to take the rest off but thought it was important to try to remember all the great achievements I made last year.
So please chime in and tell me yours, I could use the inspiration.
There have been so many moments, but I think the several that happened recently made me realize that I've really mentally caught up (for the most part) as to how I look now.
The faculty room is pretty small and thus I often avoid it during lunch and opt to eat in my classroom instead. I had to go in there though to get some plates and I went past someone sitting close to the wall to get to them. It was only after I was halfway to my classroom that I had realized that I probably wouldn't have been able to do that last year without asking her to move. A few months ago I probably wouldn't have thought I could fit.
Yesterday I went clothes shopping and correctly eyeballed my size in several stores. My size 0s no longer look impossibly tiny and sizes I thought looked "normal" now look big. I haven't been able to correctly eyeball my clothes since last year.
I think my recent experiences shopping have given me a few of these moments. I've spent several Saturdays over the last few months just walking around the mall window shopping and I've noticed how my comfort level has changed a lot. When I was still firmly in my 12 jeans, I still felt really uncomfortable in stores like H&M and even department stores sometimes. There was a voice in the back of my head telling me that I didn't belong there, even though I could now find some clothes that I could fit into.
I ended up staying in those size 12s until I could fit into a size 8, but since buying my new jeans, I've become much more comfortable. I was getting there as my old jeans got baggier, but I didn't really see 100% until I was in clothes that really fit my current body. Now that little voice telling me I don't belong is much, much quieter.
I was walking through Walgreens and was shocked when I accidentally looked up at one of those bubble security mirrors and saw my reflection. At first I wanted to cringe, then I couldn't believe that was me and I was so "small." Or at least normal looking.
Normally I would feel like crying when I caught my reflection in passing like that.
That's awesome flashfacts! I never go down to the next size until I can pull my jeans off fully zipped and buttoned up and I NEVER go down to the next size if they are a little tight. Tight pants make me feel fat so I avoid them.
I can't wait to shop in stores again and feel like I belong there!
Clothing designers don't give a hoot about large women. They make our close so unbecoming to us, much of which makes us look even fatter than we actually are. It used to really piss me off that they didn't seem to bother with anyone over a size 8.
I have those moments even though I'm, you know. Above where you guys were when you started. I don't feel like I'm notably fat. I mean, I'm still fat, but I'm no longer so fat that it's my sole characteristic. It didn't totally sink in until I went to American Eagle this weekend. I was able to buy jeans there off the shelf. And they fit.
Gabe, you made me laugh because I was thinking the same about myself! I'm fine in my size 12 jeans and don't care whether anyone feels like I belong in a particular store. And I have age working against me on that one, too! (I do try to dress appropriately for my age.)
I felt like I was no longer "so fat" when I realized I could comfortably cross my legs.
I've been at this a LONG time so I've had a number of them along the way. I think my most recent one was when I was hanging up a pair of my jeans that are at least 1-2 sizes too big for me (I really need to buy new jeans) and I looked at them and just though "wow, those aren't big at all and they're too big for me"
My shirts are still way too baggy to see much but sometimes I'll pull them back to see my waist and it always surprised me when I see how small it is.
That and just the way people treat me. I can't really put me finger on one incident in particular but sometimes the way discussions on clothes go it hits home for me that another woman who I think of as small considers me to be the same size as her. It's weird because in the past I always knew I had to shop at different stores than most of my friends didn't go to, so it's weird to now be asked where I bought something or have others consider going to what stores I shop at.
i don't *feel* fat - with my eyes shut, i still "see" myself as strong and powerful, like when i was bodybuilding. then i open my eyes and the mirror says "SUCKAH! gotcha again!"
It's always so interesting to me how differently everyone feels even at the same sizes, weights, etc. I, personally, never felt out of place as a size 12 since that's the smallest size I've ever fit in, even at 143 lbs (5'6"). It just goes to show that you never know what's going on with someone in their head. Perception is the only reality!
I'm looking very forward to feeling some of these things. This will be the first place I come to brag about it when it does happen!!!
I had one heck of a time getting out of bed or off the couch. I don't know when exactly I was able to get out of bed without effort but it's nice now to remember how hard it was and not have to go through that anymore.
I'd NEVER get down on the floor because I knew getting up would be a struggle. I also used to hate our stairs, I still don't like them but don't mind going to the basement anymore. I was so afraid of falling. I still worry about falling but not to the degree I used to.
What were the moments you realized you weren't so fat anymore?
