Boy, there are a lot of misconceptions among overweight people who are starting to lose weight about how their life will change for the better after weightloss and 4 of those misconceptions were cropped up in last week’s post.
You found out about the psychological issues and wardrobe problems that will arise from getting from fat to fit (see Part 1) and this week you will find out that there are more issues that will freak you out when you hit that desired number on the scale.
Check out the remaining 6 drawbacks from the 2 part series of going from fat to fit that no one will tell you:
5. Cleaning and doing dishes more frequently
If you’ve lost weight the unhealthy way (extreme dieting, drugs and pills, laxatives, smoking, etc. – don’t want to continue the list of giving you bad ideas) then you are not experiencing this one. However, if you’ve lost weight the healthy way by sneaking veggies into your meals to trim fat and traded takeout menus for a cookbook, then chances are you spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Cutting calories and fat with healthy home made meals means more dirty dishes. Let’s admit, it’s tough to want to cook when there is a pile of dishes or pans there already, so you will find yourself cleaning and doing dishes multiple times during the day.
your hips or thighs. You can’t spot reduce fat with diet or exercise. [Tweet this!]
Fat loss is systematic in your body – if you are female, first you loose fat in the top half of your body. It means that your ribcage will at some point become exposed. Your ribcage becomes smaller when you lose weight because you lose subcutaneous fat, the layer of fat directly below the skin.
It also means that your ribs, collarbones and hipbones will start to show, you’ll notice them in the mirror, and it will alarm you. You’ll be able to touch them, and when you do so, you will be freaked out about it. You are not used to being able to feel your bones like this, so like all the other psychological issues, you will need to face this one too, and it will take some time for you to accept that it is ok to be able to feel your ribs.
7. Hands will shrink
Loosing weight means that your body will become smaller. You were prepared for getting rid of your excess belly fat when you started an active, healthy lifestyle. But you weren’t prepared that your hands will also shrink! As well as your fingers!
Fingers, just like most areas of your body, can store fat. When you lose weight, your hands and fingers become slimmer along with the rest of your body. It means that you will have to get rid of all your old rings. However, everyone is different, so it’s impossible to predict in advance how much your ring size will decrease after you lose weight.
Tip: try rings on different fingers, maybe you’ll be able to wear your favorite ring on a different finger if it gets too big.
8. Feeling cold easily
Having body fat has its advantages: your own body fat helps to keep you warm – it’s like an extra layer of clothing under your skin. Scientists found that swimmers with a greater body mass index (BMI) appear to be at much lower risk of getting hypothermia. This means that when you lose fat, you become more vulnerable to the cold – you will feel cold more easily.
This puppy is cold just like you, so he got a cute sweater. So should you. Image copyright
If you feel that your hands and feet are always cold, it may be due to the fact that your calorie intake is too low. You just have to raise your calorie intake by eating more healthy food (the healthy choice is fruits and vegetables) and problem solved! A faster and fashionable fix to this issue is to always take an extra sweater with you everywhere you go, unless it’s too hot outside. Building more muscles may also offer protection against the cold, because muscle tissue generates lots of heat. So basically all this means that people who handle cold easily are either fat or fit.
On the bright side, being fit makes summer weather more bearable.
9. Your weight loss will be all that people around you want to talk about
Be prepared that after you’ve accomplished the goal you thought was unattainable (yes, I mean changing your pudding body to sexy god body), it will draw attention of people around you. It was creeping me out that now after all this time of saying hello and insignificant small talk these people are giving me more attention and telling me how great I look. Makes me wonder if they thought that I was ugly obese before and why none of them ever bothered to bring that to my attention.
Becoming fit also can turn old friends into jealous frenemies. If you come from lalala pink fluffy rainbow land, then this may come as a surprise, but people can get bitter when you accomplish something that they haven’t or can’t. Family included!
So you can expect that everyone around you will be asking to share your weight loss success story whenever they get the opportunity to initiate a conversation with you. Basically, your weight and looks will be the only thing they really want to talk about. You will be asked about how much weight you have lost multiple times during the day. People will bring up their excuses of how they can’t change their bad habits. They will be suspicious of you sustaining your routine and results in the long run.
Tip: when you receive a positive comment about your body, say “Thanks!” and move on to other things. Don’t forget to return the compliment later. Some people like to compliment straight away, but be very careful that you’re doing this for genuine reasons and not simply as a way of discounting the original compliment made to you.
10. You won’t see your new thin body
People who used to be fat still carry that fat body image in their minds even after they loose the excess weight. Their perception of themselves does not change, and it takes time for their brain to adjust to the new, smaller body size. So basically it means that when you look in the mirror, you’ll see a fit body, but your mind will be unable to connect to it, it will feel unfamiliar, outlandish. For you, that image can’t match you, because you are fat. So when everyone around you starts to notice that you’ve become a smaller sized person, you just stand there, and rationally know that you are smaller, but you won’t see yourself small. You are, and always have been a fatso.
I already addressed this issue in my previous post about the struggles with body image distortion after weight loss, I will just say that nothing can prepare you for the psychological battle that you will need to fight with yourself about self body image in order to accept your new fit body.
Interested in facts about your body after weight loss? Click here to get more tips>>>
If you are anything like me, you assume that when you finally lose weight everything will change for the better, life will become magical! You will look like a fit model, your life will be rainbows and butterflies, and you’ll find happiness in all areas of your life at the end of your journey.
Never would you think that there are drawbacks of going from fat to fit – but there are. Check out the first 4 drawbacks from the 2 part series of going from fat to fit that no one is telling you:
Experiencing significant fat loss is psychologically complex. Emotional problems you had in your life won’t just disappear when you become thin. If you haven’t dealt with them before, now you will certainly have to face most of your emotional issues.
Any discomfort you may have felt with your body before weight loss is now accompanied by feeling a bit shamed for not being proud that you finally reached your goal – lost weight and became fit. [Tweet this]
This is because you promised yourself a new life, full of instant happiness. Weight loss is a journey, it changes you from the outside, as well as from the inside. Deal with the arising issues by talking to your friends and family, or seek professional help to get the support you need.
2. Purging all your wardrobe
This might seem obvious: losing significant weight means that all of your old plus size clothes will be huge and you won’t be able to wear any of them. You get to keep only your oversize sweater, which is quite fashionable with stretchy jeans at the moment! Everything else will have to be thrown out or donated away.
Also it may come as a surprise for you that you will need several new sizes before settling for a final wardrobe. If you don’t like shopping, this period will be a nightmare. A big problem with getting a fully new wardrobe, besides it being time consuming, is that it’s quite an expensive activity. Not every one of us can afford shopping for new clothes on a weekly basis, especially if it wasn’t planned in the monthly budget in advance.
However, you could shop at thrift stores and browse sales – it will be way cheaper than buying brand new clothes. On the bright side, with the fit body you will be able to shop in new places which you were too fat to try before! You should also see it as an opportunity to reinvent your wardrobe, find your new style and build the perfect wardrobe you always wanted that reflects your personality!
Bad news for women with small breasts: breast tissue is made up of fatty tissue so as you lose fat your breast size decreases. It means that your breast size decreases with weight loss. The bigger issue is the frustrating search for a new bra that will fit your new size. You invest in clothes, hair and makeup, but underwear is always last on your list. However, a properly fitting bra is essential for every woman! When your bra fits, you will instantly look more attractive in all your clothes! Even if you are not at your ideal weight yet, the fastest way to weight loss is to find a bra that fits, because wearing the wrong size or style bra makes you look fatter.
For determining your new bra size you could go to a department store or a lingerie shop to get fitted by a professional bra-fit specialist. Or you can measure yourself at home and calculate your bra size using an online sizing guide.
When you lose weight, the pounds come off not just from your hips, thighs, tummy, but from your feet as well! It means that your old shoes won’t fit you anymore. So you will need to invest in new, smaller size footwear for yourself. It was a surprise to me when I realized that I need to get smaller shoes for myself after my body hit the normal weight on the body mass index (BMI) chart. This meant getting new sneakers, sandals, flats, pumps, and boots. Yet, again, you should look on the bright side – this is a chance to rethink your shoe choices and get a new pair of comfy shoes that will fit your lifestyle and boost your confidence!
I've lost significant weight and my body changed. Every morning I look in the mirror I get surprised at the mirror image: it can't be me. I'm fat, not as thin as that reflection! I still feel like I take up a lot of space! What can I do to make myself see my new fit body after weight loss for the body it is now and not the body it was in the past?
Fat Girl in mirror, Fit Girl in reality. My mind is messed up.
Shopping for clothes comes with a revelation that I pick an item and think to myself there is no way I am going to fit in it… I try it, and it fits! I have so many insecurities now that I am finally thin. Thinking you are still fat when in reality you are not is a real insecurity issue, and know that you are not alone in this!
The phenomenon is known as ‘phantom fat’. Most people who used to be fat still have that body image in their minds even after their bodies have changed. Their perception of themselves did not change. This is especially the case if the weightloss happened fast. When I realized that I am not the only one facing this issue, it comforted me to some extent. I’d felt lost at times because no one around me seemed to understand the impact of this.
Get help dealing with distorted body image in order to truly accept it
The bad news is that it is harder to change the internal body image than the physical body. The good news is that this acceptance depends only on you!
The body image you have of yourself is based on your feelings and your subconscious. You are the only one who can change it – so you don’t need anything but self motivation to work on it! [Tweet this!]
Women who had to pay attention to their weight make more effort to look their best and they believe that how they look is an important part of their personality. We can be characterized by body dissatisfaction and excessive concerns about physical appearance.
The 2 main reasons of phantom fat and why you feel out of touch with your new body are:
The internal image perception still did not change from overweight to fit the new body. You are still fat in your head. You need to change your image perception in order to accept the new you.
There is a disorder in the energy field around your body. The size and shape of your body changed and this change is effecting the energy field around your body. It needs to adjust on a subconscious level in order for you to be balanced again.
Am I suffering from phantom fat?
If you agree with any of these statements, then it is highly likely that you suffer from distorted body image perception.
“I am afraid that I will get fat again.” After weight loss the fear of gaining weight or becoming fat again might be your best motivation to stay slim. However, if you know that your fear is irrational – because you exercise regularly like a beast and eat healthy – but still fear of weight gain, then it is a sign that your internal body image did not adjust to your real life body.
“I always have to look my best!” Formerly overweight woman value their appearance highly because it is an important part of who they are. If you spend a lot of time worrying about: your everyday looks – but you’re not a celebrity, putting together an outfit – but you’re not a stylist, then you are preoccupied with your appearance because you are insecure about yourself.
“Do I look fat in this dress? Do I look fit enough?” If you search for approval and reassurance that you are not fat and can’t believe when people say that you’re not fat or that you’re fit, then you surely have a problem.
“My ass is so big!”/”My tummy is really big!” You are not satisfied with your body image so you keep complaining about your looks to your best friend or workout buddy. You don’t realize that when you turn to your best friend and say “My tummy is so big” you are also saying “Your tummy is really big.” You are not just insulting yourself personally, you are also insulting others around you.
Steps to build a more positive body image perception to accept the new you
The first and most important thing to know is that fat loss does not change who you are as a person! Remember this: it is still you on the inside. Now that you are fit, try focusing more on your inside and not so much on your outside appearance. After all, it is still the same you!
Walk in the dark with closed eyes: you will need to rely on your other senses in order to navigate yourself. It connects the mental image that you have of your body with the real life body of yours. During this exercise you will need to work with the body you currently have, and not the image of the body that is imprinted in your subconscious. Do this for 10 minutes a day, and you will see improvements in sensing your whole body.
Backward walking: it works similar to the previous exercise, without closing your eyes. It is challenging to walk backwards because backward walking eliminates the typical heel-strike to the ground – the toe contacts the ground first. It is not just a simple physical activity, it requires brain activity as well. Plus it keeps you stay mentally sharp, puts your senses into overdrive, and it enhances vision as well. You’ll see all these benefits with a 10 minute walk a day for five weeks.
Shift your focus on the things you like about your body: it can be your newly toned arms or any other body part. The important thing is that you start seeing your body for what it is from body part to body part. You’ll be able to see the whole new you in time. When we are in the process of losing weight, we tend to see only the fat parts of our body that need to change. So we get used to focus on the not-so-good-looking body parts.
The summer is here! Stop wearing a swimsuit! Get out your bikini! Unless you are wearing it for an office event, you’ll see that no one else finds anything odd about it. Pool parties, here I come!
Get help dealing with body image issues after weight loss! Click here to get emotional help>>>
You’ve lost significant weight. You have become healthier and stronger.
The body you see in the mirror is everything you ever wanted.
But it still feels strange? Still surprised when you see a photo of yourself?
We offer tips for accepting this new you.
Get 9 great tips to help with mental obstacles with your body image
The biggest struggle wasn’t losing all those pounds as you thought it would be, because once you change your habits and introduce regularity in your life, it’s all easy as a pie. The real disturbance is what you’re experiencing now, after the weight loss: the image of a body you see in the mirror staring back at you feels foreign. It looks good, attractive, but it is not you.
You thought that with losing weight you will gain a higher level of self confidence and a healthy level of self-esteem. You were wrong. You are more self aware than ever before.
You are used to watching beautiful bodies everywhere around you and wishing you had that flat tummy/toned arms/defined thighs/sexy booty. That’s what get you started on your journey towards healthy weight. But now you can’t believe you already did it – your body looks good! You thought you’ll never have that body, but now it’s yours. But the biggest problem you face now is accepting it. You are used to being overweight, it is familiar, and you learned to live with it.
Why am I dissatisfied with my body after weight loss?
Weight loss in itself is a major life change, much like getting married or moving to another country. Tweet this!
Especially if the weight loss happened fast: your brain and your neurons are not as quick catching up to your new persona as your body is changing. The older you are the harder it is. Children are freely accepting changes in their bodies because they are still laying down images and views of themselves. Your view of yourself is more deep-seated when you become an adult, so it can be difficult to resolve changes with who you are as a person. This is due to the fact that the person you think you are is tied in to the body that you have. So body image after weight loss becomes a troubling and confusing experience.
A holistic approach sees this psychological trauma of being fat in the past as a disorder in the energy field. Everyone who ever experienced being shaped differently in the past go through this.
Acceptance of the problem
Also, you are used to focus on the negative things, the things that draw your attention and make you go “Ugh” about yourself. That’s exactly what kept motivating you throughout your voyage to Slim Town.
She runs everyone over on her way to Slim Town. Image copyright
So the first step is to admit that you have a problem with accepting the new you. You might not even be aware of it yet; it might just come to you as a seldom thought when you see your reflection. Your mind can’t make the connection. That reflection is not you, it can’t be: You are bigger than that; your thighs are wider; your belly is huge and looks like a beach ball. That mirror is lying to you. Then a friend notices the change, and tells you that you look great. You don’t believe them. Then other friends and family notice that too and compliment you on your looks.
First you think they are lying; then you start doubting yourself and your judgment. Then you start looking for your reflection and start seeing what they are talking about
But that new body is you, however your brain has not caught up with the weight loss yet.
How to overcome body image issues
Having the body of your dreams is new: your mind will need time to accept it. It will happen in time, I assure you there is nothing wrong with your mental health. How to speed up the process of your brain accepting your new body image? Here are my tips:
Put a photo of yourself on the fridge or another visible place where you think you look better than perfect
Get yourself a pair of skinny jeans or colored pants that make you keep thinking “Girl, you are small!”
Take pictures now & compare them to old pictures
Ask a friend or a significant other you absolutely trust what they think about your looks after the weight loss
Look yourself in the mirror while you work out and compare the body you see with other bodies in the gym
Go window shopping! Pick something out that you would never have dared to wear before and try it on just for the fun of it!
Try on your old over-sized clothes! This way you will get a clear perspective of your progress and your current body size.
Ask a friend or your significant other to point out someone from a crowd of people who has a similar body size as you. You’ll be surprised! Also, seeing other people who are similar to you in size will not trigger the same emotional response as seeing a picture of yourself would, therefore it’s helping you rationalize your new body size.
When getting a positive comment on your new body from others, don’t ignore it or dismiss it. It’s a bad manner and you come off as being rude. Say thank you for the compliments! You’ve just earned somebody’s respect and admiration. After all, you’ve worked hard for it, right? So don’t try to shy away from compliments about your looks. The other person sees something regarding your body size and lower weight that you don’t.
For best results, do all of the above!
Accept responsibility for your ownsuccess! See your body for as it is – don’t allow your old fat identity to ruin the new you!
You have problems dealing with your new body image? Share your story in the comments section!
Interested in facts about your body after weight loss? Click here to find out more>>>
smoking, etc. – don’t want to continue the list of giving you bad ideas) then you are not experiencing this one. However, if you’ve lost weight the healthy way by sneaking veggies into your meals to trim fat and traded takeout menus for a cookbook, then chances are you spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Cutting calories and fat with healthy home made meals means more dirty dishes. Let’s admit, it’s tough to want to cook when there is a pile of dishes or pans there already, so you will find yourself cleaning and doing dishes multiple times during the day.
