You’ve put in the work, logged hours at the gym, made the conscious effort to make healthier decisions and it’s all finally paying off. Many people mistakenly believe that the hard work is over when the scale shows a number that you have been looking for. That’s not the case at all. The journey to losing weight is more than just altering your appearance; it’s a complete lifestyle transformation. There are a number of things that you may be challenged with after losing weight that you want to look out for. Even if you haven’t started your journey, taking a look at this list ahead of time and it may help you prepare for or bypass a few of these common post-weight loss occurrences/issues.
Loose Skin
Having loose skin is a battle many people have to fight, whether they’ve lost a couple of pounds or over a hundred. The absence of that extra weight can leave behind unsightly loose skin that can be annoying or create health concerns (depending on how much loose skin you have). Weight loss surgeries result in rapid results, without slower results and methodological fitness training, but surgery usually results in significant loose skin due to the rapid nature of the weight loss.
You can have surgery, of course, but unfortunately, surgery isn’t a viable option for everyone. There are a variety of reasons you may opt against going under the knife but rest assured, there are other ways to deal with loose skin. The best way to limit the skin’s loss of elasticity is to lose weight slowly. We are talking 2-6 pounds per month depending on how much weight you have to lose. If you have more than 75 pounds to lose and you are very focused, you could lost 5-10 pounds per month and it still be slow weight loss. Everyone is different so, some people have a lot of loose skin or very little with fast weight loss. The skin is a living organ, if you allow it enough time to adjust, it will naturally form to your new shape. A good rule of thumb is about 1-2 pounds of fat loss each week. Be sure to incorporate weight lifting in your exercise routine to build muscle and keep your skin tight. Use the muscle to keep your body filled out and not deflated. If your weight loss is already done, most experts say it takes around 2 years for the skin to tighten on its own, and even then it may not snap back all the way (or the way you would like it to).
Your eating habits and hydration are also crucial to taking care of your skin during and after weight loss. Between food and water consumption, you should be taking in a minimum of 64 oz of water per day. Be sure to moisturize your skin with nutrients such as aloe vera, vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin A to help elasticity. Here is a whole article on the subject.
Life As A Thin Person
Life at your goal weight may not turn out how you’ve always pictured. Losing weight alters your appearance but you also have to work on your emotional and mental state to truly be whole. Insecurities, low self esteem, relationship issues and negative thoughts can carry on after your weight loss, affecting how much you enjoy your new physique. On the other hand, you may receive an overwhelming amount of love and positive attention. You may have better self esteem and release the past of your past while in your new body. Again, each person is different. What you don’t want to do is think that because you’ve lost weight that all of your problems will go away and that life will be exactly what you want it to be. Be it negative or favorable interactions, thoughts or situations, you have to be prepared to deal with life through new eyes.
When making the decision to lose weight, it should be for your own benefit. Your lifestyle change should make you healthier and happier, but you can’t be concerned with how it will affect others or situations. Never make a decision for anyone else’s approval or acceptance. The truth is, your physical appearance shouldn’t matter to those who really matter in your life. Love and friendships should not be based on superficial concerns, walking into your transformation with these expectations could result in a emotional let down.
More Haters
Unfortunately, everyone who’s smiling at you and encouraging you regarding your recent weight loss is not sincere in their well-wishes. Making the decision to be accountable for your actions and take your health into your own hands is seldom made and even less likely to be completed. When you join the ranks of those who have achieved a weight loss transformation, you may be faced with a few friends and family members who aren’t too supportive of your new look. Normally the “hate” stems from their own insecurities and shortcomings but it something you may or not be faced with.
Connecting to the last point on the list, you’ll have to mentally prepare yourself to make the transition for your own benefit. Support may be few and far between, but if you’re embarking on this journey with the right mindset, the haters will be irrelevant. Look at those you are hating on you with compassion and understand that their hating has very little to do with you. Show love, but don’t allow yourself to attacked or abused by those who don’t like the “new you”.
Gaining The Weight Back
Reaching a certain size or weight may be your initial goal but you’ll need to create a plan to keep the weight off. Once it’s loss, you may feel you have room to revert back to a few old habits and take a couple days off from the gym. While you may be able to ease up on your routine, you should definitely continue to make healthy decisions. Gaining back the weight can be more frustrating than losing it. If you aren’t careful, you can find yourself taking a few steps backward. Don’t beat yourself up for slipping up, be proactive and create a plan that makes you comfortable and stick with it. The longer you make decisions that will benefit your health and appearance, the more they’ll come naturally. You didn’t do all of that hard work for nothing, keep it up!
What To Wear
Shopping for clothes you may have never worn, in sizes you may have only dreamed of wearing, can be overwhelming. Weight loss can come about in a variety of stages and you should celebrate each one. However, restocking your wardrobe can be expensive if you buy new clothing for every 10 pounds lost. You don’t want to end up with a closet full of 4 different sizes. Shop smart and take advantage of sales and special offers. Find a good local tailor to downsize your favorite outfits so that you don’t have to buy new ones. If you’re still progressing through your weight loss it may be smart to take advantage of hidden gems found in thrift stores and consignment shops. You can find new or gently used outfits for the office or even just to work out in without breaking the bank at big name stores. Weight loss can be similar to pregnancy in the sense that you’ll have to find clothes to adjust as your body continues to change. There isn’t a point to buy brand new cloths that will soon be too big. Save as much shopping as possible for the big reveal once you’ve hit your target.
When you do reach your goal, go out and have fun. Shop around and try on different styles in the store. It takes some practice to get used to your new shape and your overall transformation should be full of great memories like the first time you see yourself in what has been your dream outfit. Try colors, styles and prints you wouldn’t have worn before, but losing weight doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself. It’s ok to keep your same sense of style, your same loving personality, but wrap it all up in a new and improved, healthy package.
Comment Via Facebook