Interesting double standards I’ve noticed when you lose rather than gain weight. (27F, 5”7, SW:143, CW:121, GW:120)

Over the course of this surreal year, I experienced both significant weight gain and weight loss. Just couldn’t help but notice the different reactions I’ve had from friends, family and colleagues to weight gain vs. loss.

When the lockdowns first happened earlier this year, all the gyms closed and I started working from home 100%. Before that I was maintaining at 132lb for years which I was very happy with.

But with COVID, I stopped exercising and all other physical activity also plummeted. I started binging out of sheer boredom. In 4 weeks I put on 11 lbs (!!!)

My clothes stopped fitting and that was my wake up call to start my weight loss journey.

But during the time I was gaining that alarming amount of weight, I was actually being ENCOURAGED by my friends and family (with whom I live, that’s a norm where I’m from).

They bought and cooked me more food, egged me on when I ordered double portions. The general sentiment was that it was a good thing - my gaining weight and binge-eating were signs I was enjoying myself despite the pandemic.

People cheered me on saying curves looked better in clothes anyway, and that I should be excused for gaining weight this quickly because global pandemic, etc.

I started my weight loss journey in late-May, losing about 3-4 pounds a month. A very healthy pace, compared to the rate at which I gained the weight.

And can I just say - the reactions are completely different.

Everyone was suddenly “alarmed” at my weight loss. People sent me concerned DMs about every picture I posted.

All around me people were saying, “you’re not eating enough”, “you should stop now”, “this isn’t healthy”. Basically acting like losing the weight is a bad thing all round.

Just imagine the reverse - “you’re eating too much”, “you should stop gaining weight”. It would never be accepted.

Someone even diagnosed me with an eating disorder.

I’m just so amused because this is the healthiest I’ve ever been, even pre-COVID. My energy, stamina and athletic performance are at their peaks. In fact, when I gained the weight I was so lethargic and clearly in terrible shape.

I know it all comes from a place of love. Hence I’m not annoyed or upset, just amused at this double standard.

Anyone else have similar experiences? Could use some tips on how to respond to concerned loved ones.

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How Ring Fit Adventure made me like exercising

I first started last month at 210 lbs, and now I'm at 202 lbs (I am 5'2)! Before I started my new journey, I have been constantly going through fad diets (even got myself sucked up in herbalife darkness lol) and yeah I lost weight and all but I just gained back more after I got tired of doing the unsustainable diets. I exercised along with the fad diets but I just pushed myself too hard cuz I thought that more exercise would make weight loss more faster. I felt like I would just exercise now to lose weight and when I'll reach my goal I would stop. That was not a good idea at all. This mindset made my relationship with exercise very toxic. I didn't like it, that was the problem. My willpower was limited so I never sustained any habits.

Well for some reason some time last month, I just bought a switch and bought ring fit adventure since it was all the hype during quarantine. I swear, one of the best purchases I have made. The game is very immersing and actually made exercising fun. It also tells you to just do things at your own pace, rather than the 'no pain no gain mindset'. With that I started to enjoy playing regularly, the tips they give in game also made me conscious about the type of food i was eating. I started to research about eating properly and doing more types of exercise. I also started doing strength training along with playing ring fit adventure. Feels good to go out of the cycle with fad diets and also dealing with food addiction. Willpower isn't enough to push you to change your life, sometimes it's the small things that you do every day which will lead to bigger change.

Anyways this has been too long. One final thing, to those who are having a hard time on how to start exercising I suggest trying out this game. Might work out for you also. That's all, I just wanted to share

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On a week of vacation and eating

(22F, 127lbs) I am approaching the end of my weight loss journey, maybe another 5 pounds to go. Ive been called fat all my life and came down to 127 from 160 in the last few months. I’m really proud of the dedication I’ve put into achieving something and I can say fuck you to the people who would bully me about my weight haha.

During my journey, I’ve been exercising and eating the same every day for a month now but I am on a week long vacation as I am visiting family. I’m also eating a lot more than I usually do. I am usually sitting at 1200 calories per day plus exercise. Now I’d say I’m eating close to 1800-2000 calories per day. Possibly more. I’m not eating anything super sweet or sugary either, just eating larger volume of things and a lot more meat. I am also not going to be exercising at all this week lol.

I want to enjoy the good food and eat a lot with my family but it’s so hard to shake off the guilt and anxiety. It would be super nice to hear anyone’s thoughts and experience on this

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Regained a lot of weight, hoping to start an accountability group to help get back on track.

Hey folks, this is my first time posting on Reddit! I’m M29 ~239lbs and this year has been rough for my weight and mental health in general. After struggling with my weight my whole life, I finally managed to lose close to 90lbs in 2017 and managed to keep most of it off until this year. 2020 completely derailed my progress and I’ve regained almost 70lbs. I’ve been trying to get back on track the last few months but can’t seem to stay motivated, so I’m hoping to find a few like minded people who would like to be accountabilibuddies with me.

I was thinking of starting a small discord group where 5-10 of us (at least to start with) could help keep each other accountable through frequent check-ins and possibly weigh-ins. We could discuss specifics later if anyone is actually interested in joining.

Since this will be my second go around losing a bunch of weight, I also feel somewhat qualified to offer advice to anyone struggling with their weight loss journey or just starting out.

If interested please comment with a little about yourself and I’ll pm you a link to the discord. All ages and sexes welcome!

Tl;dr - Starting a small weight loss accountability discord. Comment to join :)

Edit: Feel free to pm me if you’d rather not comment publicly :)

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The weight loss mental health link

I know others have observed this before, but I’ve decided to share some of my experiences with mental health and weight management. I’ve been diagnosed Bipolar II and have a history of wildly fluctuating weights from 150 lbs at my lightest to 270 lbs at my heaviest current weight as a 6’1 female.

Anyway, over the past five years I really started packing on the pounds, going from 180 lbs to where I’m at currently. During this time, I’ve been horribly depressed finding comfort in food, drink, and not much else. It’s worth noting that over those 5 years I mostly decided to try to self manage my symptoms (having bad experiences with meds in the past).

Recently decided that enough was enough and saw a psychiatrist who put me on a combo of 150 mg Wellbutrin with 75 mg of Lamotrigine.

You guys, it’s been nearly four weeks and my mood has never been better. Energy has returned and I finally have a bit of a “zest” for life again. Another notable change is the massive reduction in appetite. Went from eating 3000+ calories a day easily to around 2000 (trying to work my way down to 1750 or so to start losing). Cravings are gone, too.

I’m posting this as a reminder about the significant connection between mental health and weight loss. If you suspect you may have a mental illness like depression, bipolar, anxiety, etc... it’s so worth getting checked out. Once you’re receiving the proper treatment, the weight loss becomes that much easier!

Anyway just had to share because I’m super stoked on life right now and can’t wait to start my renewed weight loss journey on the right foot!

TL;DR make sure you take care of your mental health first before you try losing weight! The link between these two things is strong. I couldn’t lose weight if my life depended on it previously. Currently getting treatment for my mood disorder and my hope has been restored.

EDIT: wanted to add that it’s important you work with your Dr to find the right treatment for you as some psych meds cause weight gain. I was on seroquel preciously and that was a total nightmare. It was the drug that caused me to go off medication in the first place due to the severe side effects, including significant weight gain. Finding the right regimen takes time and patience.

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One year of progress, started after separation and bipolar diagnosis.

First pic was in November of 2019, wife separated from me a couple weeks later and eventually told me one of the many reasons was she was no longer attracted to me. I gained 100lbs from when we met to a couple years after marriage (about 5 years). I never paid attention honestly and she never said anything.

I lost about 20 lbs pretty quickly in the first couple months but began taking medication that one of the side effects included weight gain, then covid hit. My first step was to completely change how I ate and went down to about 1200 calories a day.

Wasn't exercising much other than walking a mile once or twice a week. Around May my wife started distancing herself even more and I was beginning to suspect she was thinking about divorce. So I kicked things up a notch and started a weight loss program with weekly meetings with a medical doctor. I was fortunate my job paid 80% of it. Thats when I started losing weight more consistently and rapidly. They also recommended about 1150 protein calories a day.

A month later I was hospitalized for contemplating suicide and thats the day my wife decided she wanted to file for divorce. My depression grew but instead of plateuing (sp?) it motivated me even more and my weight loss sped up a bit. Continuing my diet and I was able to do a lot more exercise by walking more frequently, using my elliptical and resistance bands.

Today is about year from when the first pic was taken and the second pic was taken today. I still have about 50 lbs to go to my final goal and once the divorce is finalized next month I'll be even more motivated.

317lbs to 237 lbs

one year progress

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My parents are overweight. I want to help but don't know how.

For context I am 13 y/o and 5'5 and about 148 lbs, My parents are 5'7 and 5'9 respectively and are both 200+ lbs. though my dad is on more of a weight loss kick than my mom and therefore weighs a bit less. DISCLAIMER though, Both are amazing people that I can not than enough for existing and their weight are not anything I have any whiff of a big problem for. I should also mention mom is 40 and dad is 59.

All throughout my childhood, health and exercise were never really priorities. we traveled and ate out quite a lot. my dad had a severe bike accident when I was 6/7/8 years old. he still tries to work out through lots of walking but struggles with healthy eating. My mom however doesn't appear to make much of an effort. I can't be sure but I am not sure.

My dad talks down about himself alot, especially about weight loss, always 'I've gotta do this, I've gotta stop doing that''

That was some expose into how my family sees health. walking (treadmill, outside walks, etc) are how my family gets our exercise. exercise is not the problem, its how we eat.

tl;dr; my family is overweight and eats like shit and exercises more not than often and I want to help.

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