Big Weight Loss Crew: What Surprised You Most?

[bayardtrustin]

It’s also funny how many people tell you to stop losing weight.

Yes indeed!

 

[bayardtrustin]

I can cross my right leg over my left, and tuck my right foot behind my left calf to lock it in place.

I can do the same thing with my left leg.

I thought that was just a thing in books.

Hold my GLP1, I'm going to try this right now!

 

[bayardtrustin]

You know, I did consider a career in pimping, but I didn't want the hassle of dealing with women. Duh! But you're saying we can use socks instead? Is there a good enough market for that? I mean, I have heard of people stuffing their sausage into a sock while beating the monkey, but I didn't know they would pay money for it.

Oh yeah, for the topic, I'm a guy who loves to outdo people. I used to see fitness freaks yap about their 6-pack abs, so I always wanted to top them. After my weight loss surgery, I developed a 12-pack instead, but my placement went awry. I got it on my ass. six folds of skin on either side.

Oh but I lost the edema on my feet, but now I have trouble lying down on my side with one leg on top of the other because it hurts when my ankles and knees press each other, with close bone contact.

Then, I used to love winters, hating summers. Now I still hate the heat, but the cold abandoned me too. No resistance at all. If I was Mr. Freeze before, now I am just the Shiver man.

What else, oh yeah, when I met my college friends for the twenty year reunion, I was the youngest looking man of the lot.

But on a more serious note: I lost whatever muscle and strength I had built over 28 years of intermittent training and when I entered an armwrestling contest, I was forced to eat enough humble pie to feed China.

But at least you were the youngest looking man of the lot! That is quite the accomplishment!

 

[bayardtrustin]

When I was fat I fell a lot. Like tripping up stairs, losing my footing on a perfectly flat surface, ice was deadly, and all kinds of clumsy weirdness. After a lifetime of swimming and many years of ballet, I think I had no idea how to move properly at double my usual size. That doesn't happen any more.

I like being able to put on a pair of single digit-size jeans and have them zip up easily.

I don't miss feeling overheated. At least now when it flashes through me, I know it's menopause.

My partner can wrap his arms all the way around me. That's the best feeling.

I'm really enjoying the quality-of-life improvements. Going for long walks is enjoyable and no longer feels like a chore!

 

[bayardtrustin]

97 lbs down in 12 months. 61 y.o. male.

The Good:

*97 lbs down

*improved blood labs

*libido and morning readiness returned

*movement, mobility, steadiness

*esteem, confidence, feeling like I belong here

*less fatigue

*new clothes

*less EEEWWWW when looking in the mirror

The Bad:

*I thought my orthopedic health would SHINE with less stress on my musculoskeletal system. I was so wrong, I've had lumbar, cervical, hip, tendons, bursas, nerves, and neuropathy woes show up. Almost like the obesity was masking everything until pounds were shed. Sure, there was some aches and pains here and there. But I've had to undergo epidurals, EMT tests, strong anti-inflammatories, and even pain killers when a cervical pinched nerve rendered my left side neck, and left shoulder/arm region numb, tingly, with shooting pain that resulted in some sleepless nights. I have never had problems with my neck but they showed up. I have never been limited by my right hip but now have a Dx of severe osteoarthritis/degeneration, and something called congenital stenosis of the lumbar spinal region leading to inflamed nerve roots and radiculopathy/spondylosis/somethingsomething...

Anyway, enough of that...97 LBS GONE AND IN SIGHT OF A GOAL...never wanna go back...

Cheers y'all!

EDIT: And begone f*cking CHUB RUB (brutal year round in central Texas y'all)

97lbs! That is a really nice accomplishment! Never thought I would be in skinny jeans, but here we are!

 

[mybodyisasewer]

Usually the ones who were urging you to lose weight in the first place.

You cannot please some people, they live for things to neg about. I try to actively identify and ignore these people now that I'm wise to it.

It’s also funny how many people tell you to stop losing weight.

Yeah, I could almost chart it. Around 200 lbs once I looked normal-ish, I noticed I was asked why I drink diet soda and stuff like that.

Then, once I started to have even a hint of visible muscle I heard the "protein kidneys" trope my goodness, I was eating the same slop as before just less of it. If you really cared about my health you would be telling me to stop eating McDonalds and to stop smoking cigarettes but apparently those habits were a-ok with everyone.

 

[m100568]

What surprised me the most was the reaction of other people. I'm down 112lbs, which for me is 46% of my body weight and a change from a BMI of 39 to 21. My spouse was looking at some pre-weight loss photos. It was painful to see, but I understand other people's reaction. I don't recognize myself. It is a complete transformation. After decades of looking at fat me, even I am still struggling to accept that the new me is really me.

 

[TooGood76]

This is so true! I'm finding that people take me more seriously in my work. I'm thinking it's because I look sharper in my suits.

Being fat absolutely makes people look down on you and take you less seriously people do it instinctually and it's been proven out in studies.

 

[RubbaDubba1]

I hate the loose skin and bumpy rides

Love the pic of your Sammy, I've only ever seen 3 out in the wild my whole life. Beautiful dogs! I've had 3 Chow Chows, a German shepherd and a Husky right now. I'm all about that fluffy goodness,

 

[professorpeppy]

I dont even know where to start with the positive side of the loss (very almost 70ibs)

clothes fitting, back to my old style, as a female men are way nicer to me and willing to help (sadly true, men literally flock to help me vs when i was fat i was invisible. not trying to brag but ive always been decently pretty as well the whole time!), fitting into roller coasters without worry(never got turned away but damn i was close), fitting into seats, walking around is just easier, my confidence (weird one, i am way more critical of myself now and hate my reflection more than when i was 240ibs, but i am shocked at photos in a good way), intimacy, taking photos doesnt make me freak out, and so much more....

 

[SeaGypsy]

You know, I did consider a career in pimping, but I didn't want the hassle of dealing with women. Duh! But you're saying we can use socks instead? Is there a good enough market for that? I mean, I have heard of people stuffing their sausage into a sock while beating the monkey, but I didn't know they

 

[bayardtrustin]

What surprised me the most was the reaction of other people. I'm down 112lbs, which for me is 46% of my body weight and a change from a BMI of 39 to 21. My spouse was looking at some pre-weight loss photos. It was painful to see, but I understand other people's reaction. I don't recognize myself. It is a complete transformation. After decades of looking at fat me, even I am still struggling to accept that the new me is really me.

I’m still adjusting to the “new me.” When I look at a size M or S shirt, it’s hard to believe it will actually fit. I’ve also seen photos where I’m in the background and had to do a double take—like, is that really me?

 

[bayardtrustin]

I dont even know where to start with the positive side of the loss (very almost 70ibs)

clothes fitting, back to my old style, as a female men are way nicer to me and willing to help (sadly true, men literally flock to help me vs when i was fat i was invisible. not trying to brag but ive always been decently pretty as well the whole time!), fitting into roller coasters without worry(never got turned away but damn i was close), fitting into seats, walking around is just easier, my confidence (weird one, i am way more critical of myself now and hate my reflection more than when i was 240ibs, but i am shocked at photos in a good way), intimacy, taking photos doesnt make me freak out, and so much more....

My rock bottom came at an amusement park. About three years ago, while vacationing in Florida, I couldn’t get on a ride with my kids because of the weight limit. We’re going back this summer—and this time, I’m getting my revenge.

 

[domin8brix]

Pros:

-I've lost 135lbs. Which is insane. That is a whole person. It is insane to see the numbers on the scale.

-I no longer look like I am pregnant and thus no longer have random strangers asking when I am due or touching my stomach thinking a kid will kick ( something will kick them, that's for sure.)

-My health is so much better overall, I no longer have sleep apnea, I no longer need treatment for asthma, so many meds either went way down or are no longer needed.

-Doctors almost ALMOST take me seriously now, vs saying "if you'd lose weight, you wouldn't have whatever ailment that has nothing to do with weight."

-I got my back fixed so I averted paralysis and regained 2 1/2 inches of my height back.

-I can run now, and run a lot. And lift a lot. And I am strong AF.

-I can wear pretty much anything I want. And a lot of my clothing is kids clothing now, vs being unable to find stuff large enough.

-The general public is nicer now, as if I suddenly have value and their permission to live, at least when they aren't being catty or discounting my hard work.

-Heat doesn't absolutely kill me anymore.

-People don't recognize me so I don't have to engage lol (this is such a huge perk!)

-I can get like 3-4 meals out of damn near every nice meal out.

Cons:

-Extra skin on my stomach makes it hard to see all my progress, and will cost more than a car to remove. Botox can handle the turkey waddle on my neck a little but that also will cost a lot to deal with.

-I cannot see how I really look--I am still that fatty in the mirror, and still refer to myself as fata**.

-Maintenance is expensive...Botox costs more, GLPs, protein stuff, meat, etc. And having to buy new clothing was not inexpensive either. (But kids clothes are way cheaper so win!)

-Maintenance overall is time consuming--rebuilding the lost muscle from a combination of fast weight lost and recovering from massive surgeries has been a long and challenging road. Meal prepping, making sure I have a supply of my GLPs, way more botox than before, etc.

-My OCD gets seriously flared up when the scale fluctuates. Tirz does help that, but sometimes it's like a total compulsion spiral.

-People are catty and while I have no problem handling that in a less than polite manner, it's still obnoxious. I also think it's weird that despite looking ripped, people think I am some frail little weakling.

-Men still don't hit on me (I am actually ok with that for the most part ), and unfortunately the only ones that reciprocate "interest" when I hit on them are married and I am not tolerant of that.

-I get dehydrated SUPER fast, so I need to hammer electrolytes pretty often since water goes through me faster than most people (bariatric surgery related.) I have to bring a lot of water with me for tournament weekends so that I can keep myself hydrated.

-This is more related to the bariatric part, but I cannot just spontaneously go eat somewhere. There's a lot of timing and planning involved.

Down 83 lbs, and at maintenance.

Airline travel, absolutely! Not only do I fit in the seat better, but now I usually have to tighten the seatbelt from whoever was sitting there last, rather than loosen it almost to the end.

People I interact with in public are nicer to me. Sad, but true.

My husband's and kids' friends tell them I'm hot.

Not sweating at the slightest hint of heat or exertion.

Having to buy all new clothes.

Extra skin on my abdomen and under my chin.

And, yeah, sitting on hard surfaces.

Hell to the yes on that sweating thing. I can sit out all day at a baseball tournament in the summer or will run in jeans during lunch on a 95 degree day, and while I will sweat, I am also not dying from heat exhaustion! That's a biggie.

But that extra skin...ugh. I worked so hard to get ripped, and I know my abs are probably pretty nice but you'd never know it because of the skin in the way. If it didn't cost a fortune to get taken care of, I'd totally do it.

What surprised me the most was the reaction of other people. I'm down 112lbs, which for me is 46% of my body weight and a change from a BMI of 39 to 21. My spouse was looking at some pre-weight loss photos. It was painful to see, but I understand other people's reaction. I don't recognize myself. It is a complete transformation. After decades of looking at fat me, even I am still struggling to accept that the new me is really me.

THAT right there. That is a big one. I do not see myself in the mirror at all. I have always had to do side-by-side photos of before and after to really see it and even then, I do not see it.

My therapist follows my instagram (as does my surgeon), and part of my therapy was that I had to post a selfie or a full body shot everyday so that I can see what everyone else sees -- so any post I made about working out or progress had to include that. I absolutely HATE it, I still hate it every damn day I post, and I always apologize to anyone who follows me because it's basically a nightmare of vanity for me. Like my face is this whole sea for yeeears. I hate it.

 

[Beardboost]

Its nice when you see the scale go down every week, but the best feeling is giggling the belly when the fat cells are shrinking, just walking around all day wobbling that thing

 

[Smiter]

THAT right there. That is a big one. I do not see myself in the mirror at all. I have always had to do side-by-side photos of before and after to really see it and even then, I do not see it.

Huh, never knew this could be a problem. I have

my suspicions on the why. Hmmmm.... I am not usually a glass half full kinda guy, but in this case, I suppose I'd put it in a list of good problems to have.

I still hate it every damn day I post, and I always apologize to anyone who follows me because it's basically a nightmare of vanity for me. Like my face is this whole sea for yeeears. I hate it.

Damn! Nope, you can have that problem.

But that extra skin...ugh. I worked so hard to get ripped, and I know my abs are probably pretty nice but you'd never know it because of the skin in the way. If it didn't cost a fortune to get taken care of, I'd totally do it.

I've heard people say that Brazil, Turkey, India, South Korea, are great places to visit... Benjamin Franklin goes a long way there, but even George Washington has value there.

-Men still don't hit on me (I am actually ok with that for the most part ), and unfortunately the only ones that reciprocate "interest" when I hit on them are married and I am not tolerant of that.

Yeah that tracks. Women and their hypergamy also include their innate pre-vetting and social confirmation. It's due to the extra X chromosome. It comes naturally. It's instinctive. Why fight evolutionary psychology? It's as instinctive as dressing like you're looking for a husband who is gonna croak soon.

Hell to the yes on that sweating thing. I can sit out all day at a baseball tournament in the summer or will run in jeans during lunch on a 95 degree day, and while I will sweat, I am also not dying from heat exhaustion!

Yeah, I have the opposite problem. Put me in the Grand Canyon, and it will turn into a riverbank. I mean, there's hyperhidrosis, and there's the next stage- me.

People are catty and while I have no problem handling that in a less than polite manner, it's still obnoxious

You deal with catties, you get a laser. Drives them nuts, every single time. Yeah politeness is overrated AF. Only the mission matters: No quarter given. Let those futhercuckers go to North Korea.

have random strangers asking when I am due or touching my stomach thinking a kid will kick ( something will kick them, that's for sure.)

That's right. "Hands open doorknobs, legs break down doors"- Thunderlegs. Kick away.

I also think it's weird that despite looking ripped, people think I am some frail little weakling.

Yeah, you see, it's innate in us. You may deadlift more than us, but our Y chromosome doesn't have eyes.

Heat doesn't absolutely kill me anymore.

I want this. Right now. Give.

-}-Oh yes, and for me, I have no idea yet why, but the sudden weight loss of around 80lbs led to areas of "chicken skin" on my body.

-}-Additionally, my skin dries up quickly, almost as fast as something else does when The View appears on TV.

-}-The aforementioned appendage, allergic to the View, now suffers from a delusion usually seen in those bereft of a Y chromosome. It thinks it's Forever 21.

 

[domin8brix]

Huh, never knew this could be a problem. I have

my suspicions on the why. Hmmmm.... I am not usually a glass half full kinda guy, but in this case, I suppose I'd put it in a list of good problems to have.

Damn! Nope, you can have that problem.

I've heard people say that Brazil, Turkey, India, South Korea, are great places to visit... Benjamin Franklin goes a long way there, but even George Washington has value there.

Yeah that tracks. Women and their hypergamy also include their innate pre-vetting and social confirmation. It's due to the extra X chromosome. It comes naturally. It's instinctive. Why fight evolutionary psychology? It's as instinctive as dressing like you're looking for a husband who is gonna croak soon.

Yeah, I have the opposite problem. Put me in the Grand Canyon, and it will turn into a riverbank. I mean, there's hyperhidrosis, and there's the next stage- me.

You deal with catties, you get a laser. Drives them nuts, every single time. Yeah politeness is overrated AF. Only the mission matters: No quarter given. Let those futhercuckers go to North Korea.

That's right. "Hands open doorknobs, legs break down doors"- Thunderlegs. Kick away.

Yeah, you see, it's innate in us. You may deadlift more than us, but our Y chromosome doesn't have eyes.

I want this. Right now. Give.

I thought recently I was developing hyper-hydrosis but it turns out it was hot flashes. That one you can definitely keep.

So, I have started digging into traveling for plastics, but it's still a little daunting. South Korea is particularly good for facial surgeries, and I've heard Mexico, Brazil and especially Turkey for the body, but I cannot convince myself to do that abroad because I have a few friends who have done tummy tucks locally to varying degrees (from simple panniculectomies to full on fleur de lis 360s), and their recoveries were rough especially for the latter since they are basically repairing your abs. The idea of getting on a plane a few days later for that many hours and layovers is not sounding favorable. But I do need to dress for the dying husband I want, so that might be worth it OR maybe I need to marry him and then let him pay for it.

 

[Smiter]

as a female men are way nicer to me and willing to help (sadly true, men literally flock to help me vs when i was fat i was invisible. not trying to brag but ive always been decently pretty as well the whole time!)

See! There's the evidence. And they say we only care about looks. This proves that we care about what's inside, too. Absolutely. We care if it's a C or D instead of an H or I.

 

[Smiter]

But I do need to dress for the dying husband I want, so that might be worth it OR maybe I need to marry him and then let him pay for it.

See, that's the kinda strategic thinking I'm talkin' about. I can do logic quite well. Why not do both? Snag the geriatric whose eyes are not quite up to the mark, make him pay, or add your name to the will.

I've heard Mexico, Brazil and especially Turkey for the body, but I cannot convince myself to do that abroad because I have a few friends who have done tummy tucks locally to varying degrees (from simple panniculectomies to full on fleur de lis 360s), and their recoveries were rough especially for the latter since they are basically repairing your abs. The idea of getting on a plane a few days later for that many hours and layovers is not sounding favorable

Yeah, the layover and multiple flights is a pain in the glutes. You could look into options in India. I can personally attest to the quality of medical care, but I also know about Brazil through the experience of a friend. She is doing exceptionally well. She went from a 4 to a 7 and turned unrecognizable.

 

[Smiter]

but it turns out it was hot flashes. That one you can definitely keep.

You know, I don't do polite or charity, but I also don't usually reject a gift. Though, in this case, please understand, I lack the genes to truly appreciate the value of a pristine hot flash.