Summerskye
Gold Member
As a moderator of this forum I monitor it regularly, but rarely post on it or start new threads as I tend to post my daily ramblings on my diary thread - but I thought that seeing as I'm pretty much at the end of my weightloss journey that I'd express some of how I feel on here about my 'new' body and how it's changed in just over 9 months since I first began on a VLCD back in February.
For the record, I began CD weighing 18 st 9 lbs (BMI 42) and was a size 24, bordering on a size 26. Today I'm 10 st 7 lbs (BMI 23.7) and a size 12, bordering on a size 10 - which is actually quite a bit smaller than I expected to be at this weight as I always imagined myself being no less than a size 14 even at BMI 25.
So how do I feel about the way I look now I've achieved the 'holy grail' of becoming slim? What I'm about to say may surprise some people, but it's the honest truth just the same and I write it with complete candour and objectivity: The fact is that I love my shape now, but hate the way my body looks.
When I'm dressed, I'm more than happy with the way I look. I can wear (pretty much) anything and know that I look good in it - but undressed is another story.
I've lost 10" from my bust, 10" from my waist, a whopping 20" from my hips, 10" from each thigh and 6.5" from my upper arms - and unfortunately, with those sorts of losses, the skin doesn't just disappear as the weight does.
This morning I looked at my naked body as dispassionately as I could and saw the body of a much older woman staring back at me. My thighs are very wrinkled, as are my upper arms, my tummy has the obvious signs of having been stretched and reduced and my boobs (while still a reasonable shape) are definitely more droopy than they used to be.
In many ways, I felt sexier and more sexually desirable when I was heavy - my skin was smooth and wrinkle-free and I had womanly curves, albeit ones which curved out FAR too much for my liking and, it has to be said, my health too. Because of the way I feel about my body at the moment, I wouldn't want to go on holiday to anywhere I'd need to wear a swimming costume, bikini or shorts because I'd feel far too self-conscious to wear them as I know my bare legs, arms and tummy don't look at all attractive - much like those women who were on the 10 Years Younger, Bikini Special programmes.
I've even thought about whether I could apply to a makeover programme, but I've decided that I really wouldn't want that kind of exposure - if you'll pardon the pun! To me, this is a private matter which I really wouldn't want broadcast so publicly - even if it would be nice to have someone else pay for the procedures as they're so damned expensive.
After discussing this with DH this morning, we've agreed that I should enquire about surgery - first of all on my thighs which we both agree are the most needy part, then my arms, tummy and finally (if I think it's necessary) a boob uplift. We realise the costs involved are high, but thankfully we have the potential financial resources to cover it longer-term even if we do have to take out a loan in the short-term.
How do I feel about this? In a word: terrified! I hate the thought of having surgery of any kind, but I truly think that my weightloss journey is only half way complete at the moment and I won't have reached the 'finish line' until I have the body I always imagined I would have when I weighed 10 1/2 stone.
So .. was it all worth it? Absolutely YES! I wouldn't want to go back to being nearly 19 stone again for anything. I can sit anywhere I want (even though one of the unexpected side-effects of having a bonier bum is that you can't sit for too long without having to shift position as it gets rather uncomfortable
), I can shop anywhere I want, moving a 10 1/2 frame is far easier than shifting one weighing close to 19 stone, the compliments I now get are lovely to receive - oh, and a bottle of body moisturiser last an awful lot longer .
I certainly wouldn't want to put anyone off pursuing their own weightloss goals as the rewards really do outweigh the negatives. It's still a goal worth pursuing and is not only body changing but life-changing too.
Good luck to all on whatever diet you're following. I think I'll now go and acquaint myself with those on the Plastic Surgery after Weightloss forum
Lots of love
For the record, I began CD weighing 18 st 9 lbs (BMI 42) and was a size 24, bordering on a size 26. Today I'm 10 st 7 lbs (BMI 23.7) and a size 12, bordering on a size 10 - which is actually quite a bit smaller than I expected to be at this weight as I always imagined myself being no less than a size 14 even at BMI 25.
So how do I feel about the way I look now I've achieved the 'holy grail' of becoming slim? What I'm about to say may surprise some people, but it's the honest truth just the same and I write it with complete candour and objectivity: The fact is that I love my shape now, but hate the way my body looks.
When I'm dressed, I'm more than happy with the way I look. I can wear (pretty much) anything and know that I look good in it - but undressed is another story.
I've lost 10" from my bust, 10" from my waist, a whopping 20" from my hips, 10" from each thigh and 6.5" from my upper arms - and unfortunately, with those sorts of losses, the skin doesn't just disappear as the weight does.
This morning I looked at my naked body as dispassionately as I could and saw the body of a much older woman staring back at me. My thighs are very wrinkled, as are my upper arms, my tummy has the obvious signs of having been stretched and reduced and my boobs (while still a reasonable shape) are definitely more droopy than they used to be.
In many ways, I felt sexier and more sexually desirable when I was heavy - my skin was smooth and wrinkle-free and I had womanly curves, albeit ones which curved out FAR too much for my liking and, it has to be said, my health too. Because of the way I feel about my body at the moment, I wouldn't want to go on holiday to anywhere I'd need to wear a swimming costume, bikini or shorts because I'd feel far too self-conscious to wear them as I know my bare legs, arms and tummy don't look at all attractive - much like those women who were on the 10 Years Younger, Bikini Special programmes.
I've even thought about whether I could apply to a makeover programme, but I've decided that I really wouldn't want that kind of exposure - if you'll pardon the pun! To me, this is a private matter which I really wouldn't want broadcast so publicly - even if it would be nice to have someone else pay for the procedures as they're so damned expensive.
After discussing this with DH this morning, we've agreed that I should enquire about surgery - first of all on my thighs which we both agree are the most needy part, then my arms, tummy and finally (if I think it's necessary) a boob uplift. We realise the costs involved are high, but thankfully we have the potential financial resources to cover it longer-term even if we do have to take out a loan in the short-term.
How do I feel about this? In a word: terrified! I hate the thought of having surgery of any kind, but I truly think that my weightloss journey is only half way complete at the moment and I won't have reached the 'finish line' until I have the body I always imagined I would have when I weighed 10 1/2 stone.
So .. was it all worth it? Absolutely YES! I wouldn't want to go back to being nearly 19 stone again for anything. I can sit anywhere I want (even though one of the unexpected side-effects of having a bonier bum is that you can't sit for too long without having to shift position as it gets rather uncomfortable
), I can shop anywhere I want, moving a 10 1/2 frame is far easier than shifting one weighing close to 19 stone, the compliments I now get are lovely to receive - oh, and a bottle of body moisturiser last an awful lot longer .I certainly wouldn't want to put anyone off pursuing their own weightloss goals as the rewards really do outweigh the negatives. It's still a goal worth pursuing and is not only body changing but life-changing too.
Good luck to all on whatever diet you're following. I think I'll now go and acquaint myself with those on the Plastic Surgery after Weightloss forum
Lots of love
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