So, since last spring I changed my diet and tried to cut out lots of sugar if I can...I noticed that in addition to losing those unsightly love handles around my mid-section , my energy level has become more consistent during the workday.

Well, I wasn't overweight before the diet change (6'2", 185lbs) but now I'm down to about 160lbs, which is what I weighed back in early high school days. I think I look great now and have much more self-confidence about my body. I thought I had let myself go a tad and feel I'm back to a good body now.

The issue is my family comments each time I'm around them that I need to eat. They feel like I'm wasting away and that I'm starving myself. Um, no...all I'm doing is not eating late and cutting out empty calories if I can. I don't wanna have fat asses like some of the rest of them.

It just seems like we've all grown accustomed to people being bigger now that there has to be a problem with somebody who loses some extra fat and gets back to a better look.

Well, if they all have fat asses like you said - they are probably just jealous

Dfw, what have you done to change your eating habits? Was it a drastic change? Give us an idea of what you eat and drink. How much do you workout and what do you do? Thanks.

my family says the same to me. i just finished my 4th year of competing at a D1 college for swimming. i was swimmer my entire life and now i have lost a lot of that muscle up on my back arms shoulders and chest . so it looks like im very thin...well normal to others but my family says i look too thin. they just arent use to me like this. and i dont want to eat bad food to gain weight. i actually just strated taking a soy protein shake thing, we'll see how that goes.

Better watch out, folks might think you are wasting away while on Meth.

What you need to do is work out REALLY hard and get a really hard body (more muscle). Then you will be popular, have REALLY great friends, and your family will really love you.

gadbearr, I attribute most of the weight loss to not eating before bedtime (usually not after about 7:30pm or so) and eating something for breakfast each morning...and I tend to bring my lunch to work most days, so it's easier to regulate my food intake. At first, I did the whole low-carb thing but have gradually added things back into my diet. I try to stay away from sugar-laden things such as cookies, cakes, candies, etc...and eat sugar-free things when given the option (Russell Stover sugar-free candies are good). Also, I've found a great low carb brand of tortilla (La Tortilla, I think) that is high in fiber too, and Dreamland makes an excellent pasta (doesn't taste any different). When it comes to drinks, I opt for anything diet and try to drink water.

This is what's working for me...I've been able to find a nice balance between consuming most of the foods I like and keeping the weight off. Of course, this time of year is awful...it's like constant eating from Halloween to New Year's eek!

Oh, and I don't really workout much...

Oh, and I don't really workout much...

Cutting back on eating and not working out much works when you're 28 years old. My advice is to start lifting weights to build muscle so when you're not 28 you will have a body that will burn off calories. I wish I had started much sooner. When I was 28 I weighed 147. I'm 5'11". As I got older I started to run long distance to keep the weight off. After having serious knee problems, I couldn't run for an hour+ 5 days a week. The weight packed on because I had no muscle from all the running. In the long run, weight training is a very good idea. My 2 cents.

Yeah, tnmanfan. I know I should workout more...but I went the easy way out for me and adjusted my food intake, rather than getting on a steady workout schedule. It's part excuse and part reality, but getting up at 5am each morning and returning home around 5:30pm-6:00pm each day doesn't leave much energy for going to the gym. frown

dfw, if it's any consolation, I had pretty much the opposite thing happen.

I've always been a bit on the chunky side - not grossly overweight, but kinda heavy. In 1994, I became clinically depressed. During these months, I completely lost my appetite. I wouldn't eat for a day or more. I dropped about 30 pounds, but felt miserable. My aunt came to town for Christmas that year, took one look at me, and said, "I don't know what you're doing to lose that weight, but whatever it is, keep it up!"

LXN

I found this for you.

You can use it or not. It's up to you.

Thanks, Allen...appreciate the info.

Edited to add: Just got back from spending the Xmas holiday at my hometown with my family. Had to endure more "oh my god, you're so thin" comments...and tried to ensure everyone that I'm not starving myself. Yes, I understand that I haven't seen some of those family members since last Xmas and that was 25 lbs. ago, but it gets old calming everyone down. I swear, it's like they want me to eat one of those Hungry Man dinners, so these DFW winds don't blow me away.

It's just odd to me that being thin is seen as some strange thing, when nobody ever comes up to somebody and says "oh my god, have you gained weight...you're so FAT!!!"

[ December 28, 2005, 09:45 AM: Message edited by: dfwAggie99 ]

The same thing happens to me when I go home. My mom doesnt understand the difference between straight skinny and gay skinny!

My beloved Great Grandmother, before she died, was so concerned when I lost a bit of weight in college. She thought I looked sick & I needed to eat more.

EXACTLY!! I lost 15-20 lbs since last Christmas (just by watching calories and doing more cardio) and my blunt and politically incorrect sister asked if I had AIDS. I keep telling her there's a difference between gay skinny and straight skinny. In the straight world, I am thin (5'11, 160-ish). In the gay world, I'm a heifer.

[/QUOTE]EXACTLY!! I lost 15-20 lbs since last Christmas (just by watching calories and doing more cardio) and my blunt and politically incorrect sister asked if I had AIDS. I keep telling her there's a difference between gay skinny and straight skinny. In the straight world, I am thin (5'11, 160-ish). In the gay world, I'm a heifer. [/QB][/QUOTE]

Oh My God! I hope you are wrong!!!

[ December 29, 2005, 09:48 AM: Message edited by: eddiecat ]

I'm sorry but you are very wrong about people not telling someone they are too fat!

I agree with Eddiecat, there are people that are insensitive enough to tell someone that they are fat or too fat! When I was heavier (155 as opposed to 124 now), two very fat women (300 pounds or more!!) both had the nerve to tell me that I was fat. Well, the first one (a neighbor) said "you got a fat ass" one time when I was riding the bike past her house, and the second one (my partner's mother!) commented to the effect that usually after a woman has a baby, she loses her shape, and looked at me and said "what happened to you"?

MAN, it still pisses me off to this day that these very heavy women had the nerve to comment about my weight when their weight was doubled mine! :mad:

Of course now when I see them after having lost 30 pounds, I strut past them...NAH, just kidding!

When I used to weigh 340 lbs. so many people were insensitive and down right cruel.A correspondent for Entertainment Tonight recently donned a fat suit which made her look very heavy and it was amazing what she encountered.There was smirking,obnoxious remarks,people avoiding her at all costs.They wouldn't even sit next to her on the bus even though there was plenty of room.It was obvious that this had quite an emotional effect on the reporter.People can be very cruel,especially in the gay community. Di,I can't believe the audacity of those 2 heavy women making a remark about your weight! You showed a lot of restraint by not telling them off.

[ December 29, 2005, 12:50 PM: Message edited by: eddiecat ]

I imagine it's a lot tougher for gay men, who are carrying extra pounds, than for gay women who are overweight, in the gay/lesbian community. I'm not saying it's true everywhere but when I go out on the town (much less these days!), the majority of the gay men I encounter are clean cut, in good shape and dressed to a T as compared to the women, who tend to dress more casual or not be so concerned about their looks. (there are exceptions, of course..HA). For me, well, you would never consider me overdressed..when I go out, I make sure to shower and find the most comfortable clothing in my closet! That's about the extent of my getting ready to 'hit the town'

But Eddiecat - I will say that losing weight has added much more confidence about my appearance, and I'm more 'up' for getting dressed and going out. When the clothes were really tight - it was easier to find a reason to stay in. Soooo keep up the good work - losing the rest of the weight that you want to lose will add so many benefits to your life, but don't take it to the extreme - in the end, all that matters is how we feel about ourselves, and if we are at a healthy weight and not what others think about us!

It has helped my confidence,more so than all the other times that I had lost weight(only to gain it back ).I did primarily start the weight loss program because the arthritis in my hips had become unbearable.As far as relationships, I think I was sabotaging myself.In other words when you weigh 340 lbs. very few people are attracted to you,but that was okay with me because it meant I didn't have to allow myself to be "vulnerable" again.I know that the next time I'm in a relationship no one is going to make me feel insignificant!Losing 110 lbs. has been the ultimate accomplishment and when I lose the last 30-35 lbs. I'm gonna scream so loud,Di,that you'll be able to hear me! wink

That's the spirit! But scream really, really loud because I am deaf in one ear, ok?

Don't worry I will.Kind of a coincidence,I have extensive cell damage in my right ear,which strongly affects the hearing.

And now I know why a woman at Sisters once told me I was hot: I'm actually a lesbian! Who knew?

[quote]Joe in Philly:
[/quote]And now I know why a woman at Sisters once told me I was hot: I'm actually a lesbian! Who knew? [/QUOTE]

An ex used to tease me about having worse haircuts than some butch lesbians. JIP, you and I belong together.

So saying people are too fat is wrong but....

posted by the edster in another thread:

Double standard much? And please don't tell us you were only joking cuz. Because if someone made a fatass joke, you'd be all over them like Oprah on a baked ham.

[ December 31, 2005, 02:45 AM: Message edited by: FireMikeTiceNow ]

First of all and most importantly,I'm not your cuz.Second of all,you are right about the skinny remarks,I apologize if I offended anyone.As far as the comments I made under this thread,I was going by my own experience.By the way that Oprah joke is about as stale as your personality. You must be working extra hard to find any contradictory remarks by other posters on this board.Given your pleasant demeanor I can see why it's so important to point out my less than stellar comments.Congrats on approaching your 7200th post.

[ December 31, 2005, 12:25 PM: Message edited by: eddiecat ]

Erik,
:confused: I'm not nearly as miserable as the poster that I was addressing.As for whether or not I'll be happy or unhappy due to my weight loss remains to be seen.If you've ever had severe degenerative arthritis in both of your hips you would know that going from 340 lbs. to 230 lbs. can greatly enhance your mood.Having lost weight on several occassions(at least 5 times) only to gain it back has taught me some valuable lessons about happiness.This time I'm getting it right and don't assume that I'm unhappy just because I won't put up with any bullshit from an extremely obnoxious poster. :mad: As for you, perhaps you need to explain such blatant animosity towards Allen, once and for all.

[ January 01, 2006, 06:47 AM: Message edited by: eddiecat ]

Well,since I am 44 years old,I haven't been hanging with a lot of circuit boys.I'm pretty sure they are not the only ones on meth nor is meth the only questionable substance being abused these days.I would hope that "looking" at someone would never cause anyone physical pain but there are plenty of people who derive pleasure from doing the same thing, so go figure.
Either way,don't worry about me,I'll be just fine but don't expect me to just sit here and be someone's target.It ain't gonna happen.Smooches.

I'm sure I'll smack myself for asking this....And just how would "you" eating broccoli help "us"?? Pray tell.

The lisping thing is just not funny.I'm not even going to comment on that other news it is just too easy.I think we need to put this thread to bed.dfwAggie99 is probably sorry about starting it in the first place.I'm sorry That I let it get this far. frown

[ January 01, 2006, 07:03 PM: Message edited by: eddiecat ]

Nah, not really sorry I started the thread...but kinda amused how in only a few dozen posts a topic can morph...

And now I know why a woman at Sisters once told me I was hot: I'm actually a lesbian! Who knew?

Sheeesh, I just saw this post...very funny! Now we have something else in common besides just loving the Flyers!

just follow your heart! wink

I recently had lunch with a friend whom I hadn't seen for a while and the first thing he said to me was "you've gained weight"

I could have bitch slapped him!

I had put on about 20 pounds since I saw him last so it was just a bit more incentive to lose weight

I'm sure your friend's comment kind of ruined the mood initially! I know some people just say what comes to their minds without thinking about it but for me personally, I would never comment on someone's weight, especially when they have obviously gained weight since the last time I saw them. I would defintely comment if they had lost weight but in a positive way. Most people are sensitive to the fact that they have gained weight and don't really need to be reminded of it!

But good for you - you are turning the negative experience into a positive one and using it as an incentive to lose weight!! Sometimes that's what we need to get motivated and get our butts in gear! Good Luck!!!

The only down side to losing weight is that I feel the cold sooo much more!! Damn Winter!!! wink