Big to Small does your mind really change?
I often wonder about this…Now that I have lost almost 95lbs, am I supposed to feel diffrent? I know I look diffrent infact people that once knew me will have a conversation with me and not even realize that its me the once 220lbs mom of their kids friend. Or I love this one… some guy at the gym was amazed of my before and after photos, he put it very well when he said most people lose weight but still look like themselves just smaller he said I could have commited a crime lost weight and no one would have known it was me..lol! Its true I look sooo different especially in the face, but the strange thing is I don’t feel any diffrent. I am still me, I am happier now but I haven’t changed at all on the inside. I am still a total goof ball, I was taught when I was young to never forget to laugh at yourself, and I have perfected this! People that know me know that what comes up comes out and know that I am always joking or finding humor in everything, even the tough situations, but I was always like that! At 220lbs I was the same person just in a bigger shell! I think sometimes people look at me and think that because I lost weight and got this new figure that I am diffrent on the inside and that is so far from the truth. I am probably more self concious now then ever, I fidget with my clothes all the time, if people look my way I assume my zippers down or I am dressed like a dork, hubby keeps saying to get over it, get used to it but how can you. Someone told me the other day that it takes time and eventually your mind will catch up and you will get over that "big girl" mentality but I kinda like being the same girl I once was, just cause my looks change do I have to change??Who wants to go through life thinking their S*** doesn’t stink, what fun would that be? Personally I am proud that I was once a big girl, it made me stronger as a person, as a mom and as a wife. I never will go back to where I was physically but sometimes I feel that at least back then people didn’t look at me like I am something I am not. I just want to be me, the once big mom of 2 who loves to laugh especially at myself, who is addicted to peanut m&m’s, and who worked my butt off to get to this weight loss goal ! So for others that have gone through this weight loss transformation, are you diffrent now?
July 8, 2008 at 5:23 pm
totaly, my attitude change ,the way I dress .even how I walk I have more confidence ,before I was shy now I can’t stoptalking even w/ strangers .
July 8, 2008 at 5:29 pm
First congratulations on your achievement. As I am sure you know there are very few people who lose significant amounts of weight. Even fewer keep it off.
It certainly does take time to change your mindset. I still even after nearly five years at my current weight find myself opening doors with my hip (ouch!!) or feeling wonderment and joy at discovering that I can wear slacks I wore last year (ah! the concept of a wardrobe). It might interest you to know that this year I bought my first pair of blue jeans. I have a 2-piece swim suit but have yet to get a true bikini. So, yes it takes time. Makes sense though. If you spent - in my case - 40 years in an overweight body, it is going to take time to adjust but hey what a terrific experience!!
July 31, 2008 at 11:18 am
uh oh…I’m already cocky…but it’s a fun self-absorbtion…like when a cute guy checks me out, I’ll turn to my friends and say "He’s looking at me because I’m freaking adorable!" or "baby-maker trumps supermodel, everytime!" and slap my butt, then they laugh. I like making people laugh. hmmmm I wonder if people will still find that cute and amusing once I finally get down in size?
I don’t know the answer to your question, I don’t think I changed on the inside after I gained my weight. (I was skinny until I was 18 and had an oopsie, who I’ve recently found and she’s wonderful by the way, anyway, I gained 65lbs in 5 months and aquired lots of stretchmarks. I then proceeded to yoyo up ever since to where I am now!) but I hope you don’t change on the inside, because I don’t want to change on the inside! Just on the outside!
August 25, 2008 at 9:40 am
Wow MGG,
I’m totally blown-away - a weight loss of 95 lbs, wow, congratulations. Again, I find myself on bb.com being totally inspired and blown-away by some of the people that I have met. Almost everyone is an inspiration story.
What a story of blood and guts, have you written a transformation story for bb.com - you have to!!! You win $50 !!!
Wow, I can’t get over it. You need to write a blog or a transf story on what you eat, what you did, your wo’s etc - I think people are really interested in that. Wow.
I’m thinking you in an Oxygen Magazine article!!!!! You have to…go for it…..
Well, I lost a measily 60 lbs in 10 months and I have also experienced alot of what you have said - I keep telling myself to STOP telling people I lost so much weight and just move on….but I find myself
showing the darn pic to one more person and your right people do not recognize you…
People that should stop to talk to you in the Supermarket - don’t, they don’t recognize you. My PT told me that it takes the average person 7 months to realize they are skinny - but why should it take so long - isn’t the skinny person skinny right now????
Our minds play tricks on us, I still consider myself an obese person that just got lucky - but it’s more then luck - it’s organization, consistency, dedication, education, cardio, weights, diet etc - alot of stuff.
Well, I thought I would share my feelings, your blog captured some of what I’m feeling and going through. Here’s my transf story:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/tran s_o4013.htm
I was also published in Muscle and Body mag, it’s the mag that The Vitamin Shoppe dist for free.
I think you should consider getting published. How about a Fitness show…..go for it, you can do it, start with visualization!!!! I believe in you.
Please keep in touch.
clc.
January 25, 2009 at 11:09 am
I’m sure scientifically, you could get into a long and detailed discussion about how body fat, muscle, exercise, diet, etc. effects chemicals in your brain and makes you think and act differently; however, I think it’s easy to see that getting in shape makes a person feel more confident, and view the world differently.
And there’s always the endorphin rush-if that doesn’t make you feel great, and think better of yourself and the world, I don’t know what does.
January 25, 2009 at 11:34 am
First thing’s first I stopped on your page honestly because you look great. Then I read your story and wow. The oxygen article is so awesome. I lost about 60 lbs I would say I’am about 80 percent to where I want to be. I’am really trying to lose the last 10-15 lbs and build muscle and hopefully get some abs. You are so inspiring to other people and my self.
The thing about thinking like a "fat girl" is probably a good thing. We have had both experiences and know our true friends from the hater’s. The main difference now is that everyone will laugh at your jokes even when your not funny. Have fun with it and know the real from the fake.
February 16, 2009 at 7:26 am
I am in the beginning stage of losing what I hope to be close to 100# in the end. I’m down 25#, however body fat has dropped almost 9%, I’ve added muscle all over, I love how I am starting to look and can’t wait for the end product. Regarding your question, I think a person’s mindset has a lot to do with how they look. I am able to wear smaller size pants and shirts now, so I went out and bought shirts and pant styles that I’ve never worn before, never been confident enough to wear. I feel my confidence going up daily when I look in the mirror and see the changes in myself, getting compliments from others doesn’t hurt things either. I am the same guy, same personality, same emotions, just wrapped in a different package on a daily basis. The confidence going up is a bi-product of the body changes that we give ourselves, that is not to say that we couldn’t have been confident like we were, we just didn’t know it then.
March 17, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I just wanted to tell you that you have done tremendous work. Congratulations on the hard work.