Friends and neighbors noticing....
Maybe I am just being self conscious or something stupid like that. Having struggled with my weight my entire life I guess it is just new to me that I am actually succeeding this time and wondering if everyone feels this way. Very few know that I have had surgery as I was on a journey to loose weight for quite a while before I made the decision to have the surgery this past fall.
Just trying to figure all these feelings out.Cynthia
I know actually what your saying, I am kinda in the same boat. Very few people know of my surgery and after losing 66 lbs people are finally noticing. I just tell them I am under Dr's care to lose weight because of my diabetes.
At times I feel like I am on this journey alone :( But I'm doing it and I thank God everyday for the love and support I get from my friends on OH.
I'm here if you need to talk,
Lisa
Hello my beautiful friend Cynthia!!!
I know exactly what you're saying! It's so hard to accept compliments when we are, generally, used to the silence when we see our family, friends and neighbors.
There are so many changes our body goes through during this journey. When we start out we think "I can't wait to lose the weight and feel more comfortable, more alive and be healthier"; "I'll be so much happier, once I lose the weight"; "I am looking forward to fitting into a size...." And so on.
But we don't realize that along with that is the emotional change that accompanies it all! The self-image adjustment! The positive 'talk' that comes from outsiders can and WILL be intimidating at times!
We've become so used to hiding in our fat shells that we are shedding that we begin to, literally, feel exposed. It's an uncomfortable feeling. We are completely out of our element! It causes us to question who we are and where we are going.
It's all normal! It's all a part of this wonderful, yet sometimes scary, journey we are on! You're in the right place!
We have a distinct opportunity of rediscovery that other 'normal' people don't have. Imagine that! While others are wishing they could define themselves and don't know how to, we are in the position of redefining ourselves daily. That can be really hard sometimes, well...most times. But we can do this!
Yes, we can do this!!!!
A book that I HIGHLY recommend and HIGHLY encourage my friends to BUY (I've read it seven times now) is...
"Joining the Thin Club" by Judith Lederman and Larina Kase, Psy.D.
It's a tremendous book about body image during and after weight loss.
Another book I have just begun reading is...
"Winning after Losing" by Stacey Halprin
Stacey had gastric bypass and has lost 350 pounds. She talks about how to lose the weight and keep it off...forever.
Also, go to as many support groups as you can muster up! There are so many wonderful men and women who are right beside us going through the same identity issues as we are. What a relief!
Let me know if you need to talk, any time you need to talk!
Love ya!
Jules
For Info about Rhode Island Support Groups, please email me! [email protected]
Jules-
You hit the nail right on the head, I do feel exposed. I am so used to keeping my private life private and this is not something I can keep people from noticing. Each doy is confronting me with a new challenge. Today I was asked how I am finding the strength and enery to do all that I am doing when I was working out in the gym. This person confided that I was inspiring her to get busy and work out as well.
I am trying to embrase the changes I am feeling and work to understand them ratehr than turning to my old habits so thank you for your support and suggestions! You are an angel....I guess it is true that we can just keep paying this forward.
I have the book winning after losing--need to read it. Thanks for the other reccemendation! I will pick that up as well. I find my self so fortunate to have found you all to share this journey into re-defining myslf with! Thank you!
Cynthia
