Life changes after losing more than 10 lbs?

[Anonymous]

I am currently 22 years old, a bit overweight 160 lbs, 5'6.

I have been yo-yo dieting ever since I can remember, and I'm getting sick and tired of trying to maintain a low weight. Right now, I am at my highest weight, and I feel quite depressed and I spend most of my time worrying in bed, when I'm not at school.

I had an eating disorder before, and got to my lowest weight of 118 lbs.

I am currently trying to lose all this weight that I have gained throughout the summer, and it's freaking hard, especially because it is cold outside.

It's so hard to get inspiration to lose weight, when I've done it so many times before, just to gain it all back again.

These days, nobody in classes or in school approach me, and I feel invisible and very miserable. My mother even ignores me at home as well, she only gives me attention when "I look good" and have lost weight, which sucks.

I have no friends therefore, no social support system.

I feel really depressed and going to classes everyday is torture.

I would like to hear your stories of weight gain and loss, and how your life has changed...

Do you also struggle with constant gain and loss of weight?

[Darkfairie17]

I feel your pain. I have been struggling with weight for most of my life. It sucks, especially since I have a thyroid issue, and it's not being treated properly. Makes it even harder. My weight and my body works against me at times.

I have gained and lost weight, usually losing by denying myself anything but salads and low calorie foods :( And working out constantly. It's not something someone can keep up. The only thing I can suggest is find a weight that you can maintain with a moderate amount of exercise and eating well. Some people are just naturally thin and others are not. Doesn't mean you can't still be healthy. Just exercise and eat well.

I wouldn't fixate on a particular weight either. Who says 160 is unhealthy? On someone with my body frame it would actually be a good weight. Sure it would be overweight, but when I was 150, I was really thin and my ribs were starting to show :S Everyone is different. I happen to have a naturally larger frame, my shoulders and hips are wide, there's nothing I can do to change that. I carry weight all over my body, and my body shape is between a pear and an hourglass.

I know people always talk about the BMI, but it's not a perfect way of looking at health. Doesn't take into account where your body is storing the fat and also can't distinguish between fat and muscle. Have your doctor do blood tests and a physical to determine your health, that way it is based on actual levels of vitamins, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc...

When I lost weight, my life actually didn't change much. Sure I could wear more clothes and I looked a little better, but I realized that it wasn't going to bring me everlasting happiness. I can say that I am happier and more well-adjusted now than I have ever been, and I am much bigger than in the past.

People may say things or even think things about us and our weight, but our worst critics are ourselves. Let go of the inner critic and accept yourself. It isn't easy, but find new respect for your body. Set a goal for yourself and try to attain it. Make it reasonable, and don't over do it.

Accept that your idea of a good weight and your bodies idea are different. Don't worry about your friends or others in your circle. They are all different too.

[heartmedic]

I used to be chronic yo-yo dieter too! I'd always sway, crash diet that almost resembled anorexia, or lose control and binge. It was making me miserable. Until finally, I had had it at my highest weight (170 @ 5'5", even bigger than you now) and decided to do it the right way.

Over the course of 6-10 months I lost 40 lbs during my sophomore year of high school, and it's the best thing that ever happened to me. I feel healthier and happier. Before, I had always been the chubby one in a sea of toothpick girls. I felt a huge confidence boost, because I actually started getting attention from guys, all of them. Guys I knew, guys I didn't know.

The confidence boost was the best though. I shop happily knowing that I wear a size 4 and a small. Before it was a size 10/12 and a large.

It was tough, but it taught me self-discipline (to ditch the second servings), how to deal with stress through exercise, how to make smart decisions and gave me a new outlook to always look for a better future. The Journey to losing weight has changed me forever and I developed new lifestyle choices that'll keep me happy and healthy for the rest of my life :)

Good luck, and remember that no matter how many time you fall off the wagon, you haven't quit until you decide not to get back on! You can do it!

[NerdInDenial]

I dropped 20 pounds after my Freshman year of college. I've never been really heavy, but I noticed that I feel better about myself. I can run faster and do more because of the fat loss. Don't do diets. Change your eating habits for the better. Indulge in the sinful foods once in a while and then go back to the healthier menu. Personally, it hasn't changed much for me. I still feel a little insecure because I'm not shredded and don't have that "6 pack." I still see the flaws, but others do notice you when you have lost weight. If you can, join a gym. If you cannot and need motivation to do something, I suggest just walking and/or downloading insanity.

[martyfellow]

#1 rule is to stop worrying about it and get a good night's rest. Then DO something, sign up with Weight Watchers or some organization that will give you sensible goals, support, alternative foods and a reasonable plan for dieting.

[AnonyLady07]

My weight has been up and down my whole life. I was overweight most of my high school years. I started losing a lot of weight at age 16. I wasn't really dieting or anything. At my thinnestyou could see all of my ribs, but I have Crohn's disease and it was what made me get so thin. My body just couldn't absorb the calories or vitamins I needed. Once I was treated I started gaining back all the weight. I tried my best to control it but no matter what I did the number on the scale kept going up. I went to my gynecologist early this year because I am having problems getting pregnant. She diagnosed me with PCOS. This causes insulin resistance, which makes weight loss nearly impossible. My doc put me on metformin and my appetite changed a lot. I don't crave carbs and sweets like I used to. I started losing wieght on metformin but it wasn't coming off fast enough for me so I went to my family doctor. She gave me a medication called phentermine that suppresses the appetite. I lost 10 pounds in just one month! I still want to lose more weight but it feels so good just to see some progress. I eat between 1200 and 1400 calories a day and I exercise 4 days a week. Struggling with weight is so much harder than most people realize. Sometimes there is a medical reason that people have problems with weight.

[Anonymous]

I lost a lot of weight when I became a vegan and it made me so tired and dizzy all the time. I don't know if it's because of the food or the weight or both