If you lose a bunch of weight or gain a bunch of weight, how do you adjust to being a differently seen person in the world? (psychologically speaking) for Questionland Seattle

Reputation: 628

Follow 3

Follow 1

If you lose a bunch of weight or gain a bunch of weight, how do you adjust to being a differently seen person in the world? (psychologically speaking)

Kristin Bell asked in Health & Fitness over 2 years ago | Report

Answer this question or share it with a smart friend:

Type your answer here…

Latest Greatest

5 Answers

Reputation: 29

Follow 0

5 0

In my case, it's been one of getting my self image to line up with other people's. Sophomore year of high-school, I weighed upwards of 230 pounds, had atrocious acne, and was horribly awkward--so, unsurprisingly, I had very bad luck with girls, and developed this strong sense that any girl who was particularly pretty or talented was out of my league and I shouldn't even try. Now (having just finished sophomore year of college) I'm down to 195, the acne is gone, and I've gotten reasonably good at social interaction, but I still tend to see myself as that kid, and those women as out of my league. Fortunately, one such amazing woman took it upon herself to ask me out, and so far things have been going really well--but I still sometimes look at her and have to fight off thoughts like "what's someone like you doing with me."

Colin Killick answered in Health & Fitness over 2 years ago | Report

Comment on this answer

Share this answer with a friend:

Reputation: 427

Follow 0

5 0

Good question. I gained 50 pounds over the last few years. Less than 2 years actually. I had some pretty big lifestyle changes going on. I hope this weight change is not a permanent one. I am not okay with feeling so unhealthy really. As far as adjusting, I am not sure. People in general, strangers men and women even friends treat you differently. It's rather bizarre. It's kind of a fucked up thing to have to adjust to. You just don't get used to it. People they will just take it or leave it I guess. I feel weird and insecure and like isolating myself a lot. It's very different from being very thin.

Clementine answered in Health & Fitness over 2 years ago | Report

Comment on this answer

Share this answer with a friend:

Reputation: 592

Follow 0

2 0

Poorly, that's how I adjust. I was darned skinny before my first pregnancy, and gained 70lbs. while pregnant. Needless to say, I did not give birth to a 70lb. baby, so I had a little extra to deal with post-partum. And it sucked. I never realized how very much people judge you on your looks until then. My self confidence and sense of worth really lowered. I also never realised how hard it is to lose weight. Eventually I got back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but it took about two years. But you know, it made the "Hey, Baby" guys at the bus stop leave me alone.

CrazyCatLady answered in Health & Fitness over 2 years ago | Report

Comment on this answer

Share this answer with a friend:

Reputation: 34

Follow 0

0 0

I've been underweight, overweight, and everything in between. I went on birthcontrol, changed my diet, started working out and gained 30 lbs from having hovered around 90 lbs for a few years and I know I'm healthier but somedays feel giant and unattractive even though I'm not. Shallow as it sounds easiest way for me to combat that kinda blah is to gussy it up and who can feel down when ya look great?

Best advice I can give is if it doesn't fit get rid of it and replace clothes with what fits well and accentuates your features. You'll feel better if things fit you well.

Screwed up as it was I don't get hit on hardly since I'm in the normal weight range. People always want to take care of you if you look like you need to be fed or like the wind will carry you away.

cd answered in Health & Fitness about 1 year ago | Report

Comment on this answer

Share this answer with a friend:

Reputation: 1195

Follow 2

Sphinx

0 0

Over the years as I have gone on and off anti-seizure meds for migraine treatment, my weight has jumped about 45 pounds in both directions. When I'm off the meds, I'm 5'11" and about 135 pounds. Needless to say, it's a big change in my appearance when I'm back on meds. I've been free of anti-seizure meds for almost four years, and it's pretty awesome to feel like I'm in my "normal" body, but I do think I've learned some lessons along the way.

For me, it's all about trusting and liking who I am, rather than just what my body happens to be doing (this is particularly relevant in my case because I have chronic pain). Of course, this isn't always easy-- I think everyone has frustrating days when it seems like nothing fits, nothing looks the way you want it to, you are garnering more or less attention than you would like, etc.

I've learned to try to to view my weight and my appearance as as facet of myself--which sounds a lot like vapid empowerment speech, but I really mean it. A big part of getting over the appearance factor was getting out of my teens. But I've also figured out that, even at my most svelte, I'm not a person who loves to exercise or who has a perfect body. I also learned to look around--there are literally thousands of women who are more physically perfect than I am (this especially hits me when I'm in the University District), and yet I have good friends, a boyfriend who cares immensely for me, and guys hit on me on a regular basis. I'm also a talented student, a creator of gorgeous jewelry, and a tutor who has taught over twenty children how to read.

Usually, I feel good about myself when I glance in the mirror as I walk out the door, and I try to limit my contact with people or things that actively try to disrupt that good feeling.

*sorry for the (many) awkward constructions and grammatical errors--It's late and I'm tired...

Sphinx answered in Health & Fitness about 1 year ago | Report

Comment on this answer