Over the past 6 or so months I've been actively trying to lose weight including duromine, seeing a nutritionist and exercise physio for a complete lifestyle change. I've been extremely successful and I've lost close to 20 kilos!
This hasn't been an easy process with medical issues and medication hampering the efforts along with general life and kids and now I'm getting the blues over it all, none of my clothes fit me anymore, my ring has fallen off my finger several times today, my belly is losing weight but skin is remaining. I'm well aware that these are all good things and technically what I want but they're all really upsetting me.
I don't have much in the way of spare cash so buying a new wardrobe before I've finished losing the weight isn't an option, I have managed to pick up a couple of cheap items here and there but not enough and my older clothes are just too big to wear out in public now.
I guess I'm asking house other IM's got through this stage? How did you see past the negatives side effects to keep the amazing journey going?
Feeling down about successful weight-loss
Feeling down about successful weight-loss
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression, Self Care, Food, Health & Wellbeing
6 Replies
Honestly I found a psychologist really helpful. I was used to being the weight I was and there were psychological reasons I was overweight. Plus accepting that loosing weight left with an imperfect body, not a so called bikini body that is pushed down our throats was also hard. I also had to learn to cope with unwanted attention etc.
it was a big psychological adjustment.
I'm very lucky that my weight gain wasn't caused by psychological issues but from a lifetime of malnutrition. Eating a healthy balanced diet along with a multi vitamin and exercise has increased my metabolism a ridiculous amount and the weight isn't proving too hard to shift. Unfortunately it is the aftermath I'm struggling with
I frequent op-shops all the time. You get your favourites - just like normal stores - and can get some great stuff for very little. Just donate it back as you get smaller and they don't fit. You can even 'swap' once you get to know the ladies in 'your' store - take then on the journey with you ;)
Well done you! You've done amazing thing!
In regards to clothing have you tried looking on ebay? You can get loads of cheap new and 2nd hand clothing and sometimes you will score some really good quality brands. I have a bit of a shopping addiction so to justify it to myself every time I buy something new I have to sell something and I regularly clean out the closest to sell things on there.
I have similiar feelings especially about the skin on my stomach. I buy second hand clothes off Facebook and get bargains on ebay etc plus I discovered afterpay and zippay at xmas time so if I do want something new but can't justify $$$ in one hit I order it and pay it off in the 4 installments, if you do that just make sure you set yourself a maximum or it's easy to overspend and not afford the repayment. Well done on your weightloss! Amazing effort
See a psychologist regularly as part of your support/strategies. You really have to be careful not to self sabotage. I saw a kinesiologist who helped me when I hit those stages, and I had a few along the way.
I lost 30kg 6 years ago. I've always gone up n down. I'm presently back up with some health/life issues...
Anyway, as I too was on a tight budget with kids, I'd go to op shops and find a few nice 'new' clothes. Some items that I loved, but were too tight, I bought anyway. I'd focus on that as a goal for 2 weeks, and try it on again.
My goals were broken down into small increments. Every 5kg I lost I had a planned reward, like a pedicure, a book, new runners, new bra/undies, etc
Other goals were exercise related, I always changed up my routine, walked further/faster, started jogging, joined a boxing class half way along, trained for a fun run, bought my first Lorna Jane tights for running in a size medium, then a small. I was so excited to feel fit healthy and strong, I was proud of myself.
You must be feeling better in yourself? I remember doing a hilly walk with stairs (we have a lighthouse nearby) and my young son was tired, so I piggy backed 25kg up that hill, and thought, omg I used to carry this weight on me, no wonder my knees and back ached all the time! Any amount of weight off, is so much better for our health.
I was impatient and went pretty hard. This time around, it's about gaining health rather than 'losing' weight.
If you can do toning exercises, that should firm up the skin but it depends on age and how much weight you lose. We lose more elasticity in our skin as we age but shouldn't affect you until early to mid 40s.
I think it's important to buy properly fitting and nice new undies and bra. Now would be a good time as they'd be falling off you. 20kgs is 2 - 3 dress sizes.
And finally, please please please wear clothes that fit well. I see women who have lost huge amounts of weight but still dress in baggy clothes and somehow appear to still carry the weight, I think that's where the psychological help is important, and so often overlooked. Being overweight is NOT about food!!
Oh and one more thing, I had a light bulb moment when I bought a black bikini as a 'dream outfit' and was disappointed that I didn't look like Demi Moore in it ? My body is the same body I've always had, it's just smaller. My size, shape, non thigh gap, all the same, and I learnt to love it no matter how I look. It's how I feel that's most important.
See the doco Embrace if you haven't already. Taryn 'looks' chubby yet she runs marathons! I had a skinny friend in high school, she couldn't even run around the block, yet I played sport all the time and was considered 'big boned' ?