I had an interesting conversation with a friend the other day about weight loss and how it can change a person. A comment had been made that a lot of people change so much through the process that it is hard to know who they are anymore and some people struggle to identify with a person they have known their entire life. After our conversation I spent some time thinking about what we had talked about and wondered about my own weight loss and how it would affect those in my life when all is said and done.
I think for people who have been overweight their entire lives I can definitely see how people would struggle to relate to them after they lose a lot of weight. If your in your 30's and and have never known what it is like to be slim and healthy then there is a good chance no one ever got to see the real you because you spent your life hiding behind your weight and your insecurities. You had a lifetime of hurt and disappointment because lets face it people aren't always nice to fat people. I think it is important for the friends and family of the overweight person to support them through the whole process and even if they seem different after they have lost their weight get to know them all over again. Chances are that you will be seeing who they really are after all those years trapped in their own body. I think in the end it can only be a good thing.
For people like me who have not always been overweight I think it is different. Most of the people in my life have known the slimmer and more confident and outgoing person I used to be. Even now when I am in my comfort zone with friends or family that confident side shows a little bit. I have definitely become a little more guarded since I have been overweight and some might assume my shyness has a lot to do with my weight as well. But the reality is that I am terribly shy and have been my whole life. My hope is that WHEN ( not if) I get all this weight off people will see who I was before the weight and realize I am still that person. Hopefully it will just be with a lot more confidence and a lot more happiness.
I think the important thing is whether you know someone who has been overweight their entire life or just part of it you need to support them no matter what. Support and encouragement goes a long long way in this. Weight loss is a struggle on so many different levels and the more people
you have pushing you and encouraging you and holding you accountable the better.
As I was looking for a picture to post with this I came across this one below. HA HA! I guess I am overweight so I am allowed to laugh at this one. he he!
6 comments:
Oh no! (That sign.) I'm proud of you and I love you, no matter your size!
Good on you for sticking with it. The first few weeks are the hardest and then it is all about keeping the routine. And that sign...haha. It was just yesterday that I was commenting on the girl dancers in music videos who are not stick thin but have so much confidence. I wish I had an ounce of that confidence, just so I wouldn't feel like I am offending someone when I wear a bathing suit!
I think you are right. As someone who used to be a lot smaller and am now huge (in my eyes) it is difficult because I know the person I CAN be. I was that person. For me it is more frustrating because I used to be that and want to be that again but don't know how to get there. It just all feels so daunting.
I had to laugh at that sign too because no WAY would I be interested in going to that beach, fat chick or not.
Love the cartoon!!!!!
Charlene
Evey, it has been an honor to be on this journey with you. Weight comes and goes based on life stuff. Some people loos weight during stressful periods. Others, like me, gain weight during stressful periods. I also think the weight allowed me to hide a bit from others and the reality of all that was going on around me. I am excited that we are both working on being healthy, both physically and emotionally together. You are an awesome friend and I can't imagine doing it with anyone else!
G
Evey, you know Jordan Knight would totally be into you and so am I, you are a hottie no matter what!!! seriously good post though, love you friend!!
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