This post is by OYS writer Alexis from Trading Cardio for Cosmos. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram sharing her awesome weight loss tips and motivation!! She’s lost over 100lbs so she has lots to share!
I started my weight loss journey in November of 2014, and I’ve kept my 100+ pound weight loss off for more than one year.
Throughout this journey there have been so many tremendously proud, powerful, sad, funny, discouraging and downright shocking moments. As prepared as I tried to make myself, there are some things I wish I had known before they happened.
Here are 10 things nobody told me before starting my 100lb weight loss journey.
#1. Your feet will shrink.
I’ve always had big feet, and the heavier I got the more I needed a 1/2 size bigger or a wider shoe. I was not prepared when my feet started to shrink and my shoes started falling off. I looked like some crazed Cinderella walking out of not one, but both of my shoes!
#2. Food you used to be able to eat may now cause tummy troubles.
I never had an issue with sweets before, but carbs and grease were surefire winners in my book! Having gone so long without a greasy hamburger, I was a total mess the first time I ate one, and overdoing it on pasta will leave me lethargic for at least 24 hours. I’ve learned the only way to enjoy these items without GI distress is by eating sensible portions in moderation.
#3. People will treat you differently.
Sometimes it feels amazing and sometimes it feels awkward as hell. People who are genuinely surprised and excited for you and your health are amazing, but I’ve found that men who pay me attention now that wouldn’t have looked my way before just come off creepy. If I wasn’t good enough before, you’re not good enough now.
#4. Your palate will change.
I have a list of food items I didn’t like before my weight loss and today I can tolerate or even like most of these foods. Spicy foods, carrots, mushrooms, trout… As I fed my body healthier options, it started to crave different flavors and I just ran with it! More healthy options is always a good thing in my book!
#5. You will still have times where you eat junk and beat yourself up about it.
Last weekend I attended three barbecues, a rehearsal dinner and a wedding. About halfway through the second BBQ I forgot that I’m not good at grazing and just ate mindlessly for the next three days. So old habits definitely still creep in on occasion and the most important thing you can do is acknowledge the mistake, forgive yourself and then get right back to the healthy habits you know work for you!
#6. You will find yourself stronger, happier and more self-confident.
So ok, maybe you know to expect this one but do you know how radically it can change your relationships? Having always been the sidekick, the funny one, etc, I surprised myself when I started to realize I tolerated so many rude or inconsiderate comments and treatment when I was heavier. I started to seek out adventures and opportunities I wouldn’t have dreamed of before, and that intimidated a lot of my friends and peers. I started to stand up for myself and not put myself in situations where I felt uncomfortable or unwelcome, which changed a lot of my relationships, both friends and family.
#7. You will go out of your way to spend more money on healthy options.
I cannot stand having to pay more for egg whites or to substitute a side salad for French fries, but I do it because I’m worth it and healthy eating is a priority for me. I make my morning coffee, breakfast, lunch and snacks at home and that savings covers the additional cost of eating healthy when dining out.
#8. You will get bold about asking friends and family what’s for dinner, suggesting healthier alternatives or bringing your own food.
When I first starting losing weight I didn’t want anyone to know. Which, in hindsight, is insane because if I was successful everyone would know, right? Over time I have found myself more willing to suggest healthy alternatives like chicken sausage in addition to pork or grilled veggies instead of potato salad. I’m also much more willing to just bring my own healthy options. I make enough to share, of course, and then I know I have healthy options on the tailgate buffet!
#9. Your skin is not going to go back to what it might have been before, no matter what you do.
Losing -100lbs with intense cardio helped me take the weight off more evenly and cleanly, but I still have areas on my upper arms, thighs and belly that are never going to be 100% taut. But I can work to make them more tone. I’m more healthy, and that has always been worth a little lose skin to me.
#10. It is going to take longer than you think.
This journey is going to be full of ups and downs, on the scale and in life. But if you give yourself the same time, patience, energy and love you show the world, there is nothing you can’t do!
Sandra says
I laughed so hard at the shoe thing, because this bewildered me so much too when I lost weight!
And the men… Well yeah, true as well, but I got over it when I realized I am not better. I had an extremely skinny friend who suddenly got hot when he gained some weight. I guess a healthy look simply IS more attraktive, whether we like it or not.
As for the skin: serious strengh training will do the trick. I lost 74lbs and had a baby and my belly is as good as new! (okay, except for the stretch Marks)
Ronda says
I too lost 100 lbs. It took 2 years to reach my goal and have maintained for 5 years. All 10 things are on point. I did manage to gain 20 pounds back over a years time. I started feeling sluggish and not just very healthy. It can sneak up on you if your not watching. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet. I recommitted to my health and was able to loose the 20 again.
Mary B. says
After decades of dieting, I have finally found the two things that have worked (for me): stop getting on a scale; stop dieting. If I thought I had lost weight, then got on a scale only to find I had gained became disheartening and would send me right back into the food. Now I go by how my clothes fit. It’s nice to put on a pair of pants and have them hang. Or have a shirt that never fit before suddenly fit. Now that makes me feel better than some numbers on a scale. And as for food, if it doesn’t make me feel better, I won’t eat it. If I do eat something that isn’t good for me, I agree with Deb, forgive yourself and move on. Great thoughts, Deb. Thanks for sharing them.
Tim Turner says
Only seen this article now, but thought I would comment. Your point about the scale is the number 1 reason why most women are unable to lose weight and keep it off. Realistically, its just a measure of one thing. Much more important is the makeup of the weight, (muscle mass, fat, water, bone mass etc.) Most fad diets give you instant pleasure on the scale, because they target the easy losses, but they are usually the losses from the part/s of the body you should not be losing weight from. To be the right weight for your body, (and the result may surprise you) you need to look at a holistic approach. If you eat and drink well most of the time your body will soon tell you when its not happy from being excessive or unable to process some junk. If the scale gives you a reading you are not happy with and your body stats, diet and exercise regime are good its time to consider getting rid of the scale all together, and rely more on clothes fitting right, and things like skin tone, and sleep patterns to monitor how your body accepts or rejects your diet.
Bev says
Hi. My name is Beverly (Bev). I’m 53 yrs old and 5′ tall. Weighing 203 lbs I feel just horrible about myself. I too am starting a journey. My first goal is to get under 200. I have learned small goals are a mood boaster and keeps you motivated. Please share any advice and encouragement. Thanks,bev
Deb says
Join From Fat to Finish Line on fb. Incredibly motivating and encouraging!
Jane McNulty says
OMG, wearing sneakers and flip flops I never checked my real shoes. After losing 103 lbs, They are flopping all over and I need some that fit pronto!
Angelica says
This is a great list! I lost 82 pounds nearly five years ago and this list nails it. One thing I would add is that I was cold all the time. It took about two years for my body to adjust to the difference in my size and metabolism and I stopped freezing all the time. I thought something was wrong with me so I asked my doctor and she told me it was normal for people who lost large amounts of weight.
Erin Sinclair says
I was two different things to men: either a buddy (heavy) or a sex buddy (slender). So I turned the tables on them and made them think sex was a possibility but not a probability until a rumor was started that I was married to a huge bad a$$ cop. That cracked me up because instead of them getting the hint I wasn’t ever going to be attracted to them they had to believe someone else had my attention because it couldn’t possibly be that they were not attractive to me. Hahaha