The Start of My Weight Loss Journey, and My Take on Fat Acceptance

[bbch25]

Just a quick follow up from my weight loss mytake and follow up to a lot of complaints I see about "fat acceptance" and what I, and many others, believe it really is.

So today I started my gym journey. I joined last week but kept putting it off with pathetic reasons. Yesterday I went to the gym. Got there at 5am and when I saw the several people in there I just couldn't bring myself to go in, I felt embarrassed, I'd been laughed out of gyms before. So I left.

But, I realised, I got up at 5am, I got dressed and that's a start. It's more than I'd done.

Today, thankfully, it was empty when I arrived (4.45am), and I did 25 minutes of cardio and one small weight exercise (I have a sprained muscle currently so I'm limited too, on top of my weight). But, I went in.

Even if I had done nothing, just going in was something to be happy about.

Many people may not have that fear or bad experience, but I do, and you may too. And to do even something as small as rock up and the next day go in, that's something to be proud of.

And that's what fat acceptance is to me, and many people I know. Promoting overweight models (I won't even say plus size, there's a difference), is not promoting being overweight, is not saying there aren't health benefits to being slimmer, it's not saying you HAVE to date me and find me attractive. Just that I am allowed to exist. That I'm a person too. And I shouldn't have to be nervous about gyms or clothing stores because of people laughing at me.

I always used to hear just go work out. But in what?! A lot of stores. Even cheaper chains, don't make clothes that fit me, and I'm not even the biggest person around. So I can only buy leggings and a long shirt to hide my butt, then I got told I'm too fat for that by girls who look good in their sports bra's (directed at the rude people).

The body that I am in the gym to try and get, the body they tell me I should have, and then tell me I can't exercise in front of them until I have that body because I'm ugly - how does that make sense!

So, by stores 'promoting' weight and saying "it's ok to exist", they're supposed to show that their clothes will also reflect that. A size 6 model, advertises to the sizes below and around that, a size 20 model is for the size 20 girls to show that we can have clothes too and not hate our bodies and existence, no matter where abouts on your weight loss journey we are (or if we choose to be big, we're still allowed to be happy).

And if I can see a beautiful women who's larger, it will motivate me a lot better than being told "you're fat and obviously a waste of space so go exercise, but not in front of me"

It may not be healthy, it may not be a choice, it may be bad diet, medications, many other reasons, but it shouldn't matter. You shouldn't look at me and laugh, spit on me, follow me laughing, bully me etc, because I'm not as skinny as you'd like, as you've decided. And that's what fat acceptance is to many people. Just that I am allowed to walk into a shop.

I love complimenting people, every shop I go into I'll compliment someones hair or outfit or something about them, and I love doing that, but I surprisingly only ever get insults back, barely even a thank you. Because of my weight. That's why "fat acceptance" is important. Not because we're trying to pretend obesity doesn't have risks associated with it, but that you're allowed to not hate yourself for being that size. If you aren't attracted to my size, then don't date me, simple, you don't have to come up to my face to tell me that though, I wouldn't have known better and there is someone out there who WILL want to date me (evident by my boyfriend! ha).

If tomorrow I don't go into the gym again but I at least get up, dressed and drive there... I'm still doing something at least. And I'm proud of that.

I've apparently lost 5kg since the start of this year. It's not much, but it's less than the start of the year. so I'm happy for now.

So if you feel embarrassed, or scared, know that some of us are also taking baby steps to get into the gym or even just out in public :)

I've had some horrible looks and things said to me just because of my weight, blast the headphones and just know you're there for you, and no amount of exercise is going to change the crappy personality a person has to tell you to disappear etc.

Today I did 25 minutes of cardio. Tomorrow is 25 minutes and 10 seconds!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, but I believe the important thing about body acceptance/fat acceptance is to love yourself regardless of size. This does not mean you HAVE to be fat always. It means to treat people humanely, regardless of whether they are fit or fat. Too many people don't realize that they are making cruel comments and jokes about obese and overweight people. Obese people may receive even more cruel comments than overweight people, and the cruelty adds a mental burden on the women. Women especially have to focus on their appearance, but if they don't, then they will be criticized publicly, as if their looks are more important than their actions or accomplishments. It's a tough world for obese/overweight people.

[Papier]

I've also started two weeks ago.

Even though I'm still going backwards with the food I eat (I gain weight), but I started to do more exercises on a daily basis.

[bbch25]

It's a start, you get into a routine and then slowly cut down on the foods and drinks! We'll get there :)

[TayTay21]

I totally agree. I'm super fit and have dedicated myself to being fit for the past 3 years. I love the feeling of being fit and hate having fat on my body, but I don't understand people who hate overweight people. It's like hating someone because they're black or have red hair. Somehow, though, this type of discrimination is socially acceptable.

My best friend is overweight, and it takes everything I have to get her to go to the gym with me.. The reason she doesn't want to go has nothing to do with laziness. It's simply because she's afraid that she'll be mocked there for being overweight. So I agree that fat acceptance is important, because no one should have to experience discrimination simply because of their body shape.

[ladyinwhite]

I love your post.
tbh I don't like people who make fun of other people, they have less self-esteem than the ones who are literally attacked because they look different than the others. we all have rights to look as we want, to do what we want and so on... and no one else has the rights to tell us that we can't...
There's no list of rules which include "be skinny or die" or "Your mission on Earth is to look/act/feel/do just like everybody else"
JUST be yourself, DO what you want, LOOK the way you want , LIVE your own life and be happy because that's all that matters !

[PrettyBama]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 this is a different perspective to fat acceptance. I never thought about it that way. I've always ran into th fat acceptance crowd that screams "I love being fat! I love my body!" Because as a person who's on her own weight loss journey I know that that's a damn lie 😂

[bbch25]

Hey now, I don't hate those people necessarily either lol.
I mean, if you WANT to be overweight, and you do love your body then you should be able to exist and be happy to. If you're lying to yourself saying you're healthy, it's different, if you know it's not healthy but you don't care, then who is anyone else to tell you you don't get to be happy and dress nicely.

I mean I guess I'm saying similar, just let me be me, and don't insult me and pretend you know me, but I'm saying it a bit differently and less confrontationally ha.

[PrettyBama]

Yeah. The problem is I don't think anyone enjoys being over weight. And I don't think it's healthy at all 😂 It's a difference between being a slightly thicker person and being just way over weight. The people in talking about are people that are way over weight. A lot of celebrities even will say they're happy then all of a sudden they get smaller and smaller because at the end of the day it's not fun lol

[bbch25]

True, and many many aren't happy, but I know some that are truly happy with they are, they'd lose weight for health, but not for confidence or "beauty". And whether it's about health, happiness etc, they still have the right to not be laughed at, hated on, judged etc. If they're not your type of person then just ignore them lol. That's all I think. But you are right.

[PrettyBama]

Yeah. Nobody should be ridiculed. Period.

[CHARismatic110]

Love this! I'm glad someone else realizes what the real meaning behind the body acceptance movement is. It was never about promoting obesity but more about being able to love yourself at any size. I can relate to the gym thing because it's happened to me too and I haven't been back. I workout from home. Good luck on your journey!

[snowangle]

I started running over a month ago (first exercise I've done in my life) although I had to take a few weeks off because I'd promptly injured myself hahaha. Runner's knee in both my knees, I could barely walk for 2 weeks. So I started back up last week (adding cross training to give my joints a break), and this week I made slight diet changes on top of that. Excited to see how it works out!

Good luck to you! :) Good job tuning out the critical people, you don't need that negative energy.

[Felinegirl]

Great take!

As for your gym problem, I am not overweight but I still don't dare to go to the gym because of embarrassment. So I do excersizes at home. Isn't that an option for you?
What you can also do is walk or cycle towards the gym instead of driving there. Even if you don't go inside it means you've had a work out. Have you tried stuff like that?

(Im not trying to insult you, just trying to help)

[bbch25]

Oh no I get what you're saying and no, exercising here isn't really an option, it's a bit too far to walk and I don't own a bike. I have knee and feet problems currently so I use the non-joint bearing equipment for cardio currently anyway. But you're right, and if that's an option it's totally worth it.

[Felinegirl]

that sure makes things more difficult. It can still pay off to buy your own equipment like dumbells

[bbch25]

Yeah but then I'd be going in for the cardio equipment and coming home for weights and I'd rather get it done in one go, and they are a bigger selection of weights. Like, certain exercises I can use heavier weights on compared to others and dumbbells aren't each! ha.

[somebodysaycheese]

I loved this. And thank you for simplifying fat/body acceptance. Its amazing and keep working hard on your goal.

[bbch25]

Thank you, and you're welcome.
I see a lot of people put down the movement or whatever you want to call it, and say that we're just promoting obesity etc (and who cares if we are, it's your choice to be what weight you want then! ha), but I know it's not how a lot see it. So I hoped by saying it here some may see it ha.

[Anonymous]

That's awesome, keep at it. You will feel so much better when you continue to workout and eat well consistently, you won't ever want to go back once you get used to it.

[bbch25]

Thank you, and this is the biggest I've ever been, I used to be smaller (and still got called fat and a whale by people, so that's not helpful! ha), so I definitely don't want to come back to this stage. For myself or my partner.

[Opinion Owner]

I hate when people pick on someone because of their weight, it pisses me off to no end and it happens so often on here. How does talking down to someone help their situation at all.

Keep it up though, i've always worked out but I used to eat out a lot still, drink cokes and work out less than I do now but i've given up all fast food except for maybe one day a week i'll eat pizza, i'll drink like one coke a week now and I work out like 5-7 days a week, I drink water and sparkling water now constantly. So i'm telling you from experience that it feels so good once you get used to it lol. I've gotten my sister and niece into working out with me now, we have a whole room setup for it and it feels amazing.

I'm really glad you're doing something about it though, you seem like a nice person who deserves to do better for yourself.

[bbch25]

That sounds so awesome for you guys, it's great if you all enjoy it!
And yeah, you don't even realise how many calories you drink let alone eat. A lot of people change the diet without even considering the liquids it's crazy.

Well, in Australian sizes, i was like a 10-12, and I'd get bullied relentlessly, and I'm a lot bigger than that now, so it gets hard some days lol but I know now, I wasn't fat then, and I'd love to be that size again! ha
But I know right, what does being rude gain for you, just say nothing!

[Opinion Owner]

lol that's so true, I was literally drinking more than what most people eat, luckily I was working out so it didn't show as much on me but it was very eye opening to sit down and count the calories that drinks alone had in them.

I know how you feel, I remember being called fat by rude people, I was 115lbs, they did it because I was bigger than them and because it hurt my feelings, so naturally I thought I was fat but I was a healthy weight for my height and still am and now i'm aware enough to know that. It sucks when you're younger because it feels like words hurt so much more. That's why it breaks my heart to see people saying rude things to people who struggle with their weight.

[bbch25]

I know it's crazy, I'm really much more a liquids person than food, I'll eat soups, noodles (a homemade version not instant ha), drink more than eat, teas. I don't even like food that much :P So yeah, when I looked at my diet a while ago and was like "ok so no more chocolate milk and tropical juice for me!" it was crazy.

I know it's horrible, I mean realistically, I'm 2 sizes bigger than they were, maybe 3, which in the grand scheme of things isn't THAT much, but high school can be horrible, so now I think I'm some grotesque huge monster thanks to that bullying lol. It's why I hate it, and hope people listen to things like this.

[Fathoms77]

Hope you have a lot of GO-fers for friends and family. :)

[Phoenix98]

Keep training, getting healthy and staying healthy is literally a life long commitment.

[AVE_PROFITUS]

is that... the doctor from stargate merged with sunken eye guy from joan of arc?

[bbch25]

If you say so :P

[AVE_PROFITUS]

either way he's clearly scottish

[John_Doesnt]

Have you ever used the joke "Fatty, fatty 2X4 can't get through the kitchen door"?

[bbch25]

No because that's horrible ha.

[bradlazer]

Keep going 👏👏

[bbch25]

Thank you <3

[orphan]

awesome! remember.. no cheat days.