Welcome back to SLW; my little place on the web where I share everything from fitness to food to disney and more!
My name is Sian, and in 2015 unknowingly to myself back then I started on a journey that completely changed my life. I completely overhauled my lifestyle, including my food and exercise and thus improving my outlook, mental health & life.
Every diet I tried always failed. I always felt like I would never lose 5lbs let alone losing the amount of weight I have now. It’s been a hard journey but it also has been incredible. I want to share with you some things I have learnt along the way.
Just a quick side note before I share all; this post is related to my own experience. Everybody has different journeys, body compositions ect and I cannot comment on anything other than my own.
You must always consult a doctor before you change your diet or exercise regime.
1. A lot of my own relationships changed, some grew stronger and some didn’t survive.
You kind of expect your life choices to change when embarking on such a drastic lifestyle overhaul but nothing really prepares you for change in relationships. I cut out a lot of social drinking and eating to meet my goals and to get healthier but I have got closer with people and even met new people who share interests now reflect on what I enjoy now (being active, the gym, dog walks etc!). The hardest thing for me is the friendship breakup I experienced when losing weight. All my life I was the token fat friend, and sometimes I think people kind of enjoyed me being around like that. Losing a best friend because of my weight-loss was hard, especially when you thought they would be your forever friend, but sadly not all relationships survive.
2. I’m not perfect and I shouldn’t beat myself up when I have a bad day or week.
When you first start a lifestyle change like this, you go every day ticking boxes, you see the results and it’s super easy to stay focused on track. With social media so big now its so easy to find ‘motivation’ online with everyone pushing themselves to do better too, but not everyday is perfect. Remembering you are human and are entitled to live life, eat great food and have fun is so important. Enjoying social outings, or just eating a donut because you fancy one is perfectly normal and doesn’t mean you deserve to beat yourself up.
3. Some days I worry I will spiral out of control and gain back everything that I lost & more
I know it sounds completely irrational, but when that ‘Holiday Mode’ or ‘Treat Yourself’ mode switches on, I lose control completely and binge on everything that the world tells us we shouldn’t eat. It’s the thoughts in the aftermath that are the worrying part, worrying that I will go back to being that person and undoing all the hard work I have put in over the last few years. I am very aware of this issue and I am trying to resolve it, but I think it’s very common with extreme weight loss.
4.Using Instagram to document my journey was scary af but super motivating.
I started my instagram @sianliftsweights in September 2015, completely anonymously because I was so ashamed of friends and family seeing it, but I also found an amazingly supportive community. It was a a great tool for keeping me accountable and finding the support I needed when I first started out. It’s scary putting yourself out there, but it can be extremely rewarding when you find amazing like minded individuals.
5. My weightloss journey is now a huge part of my identity, and I don’t know if that is a good thing.
Before my weight-loss, life felt like it had no direction or purpose. I was always the quirky big girl, the fat friend. Now I am the girl who lost a lot of weight, and I still don’t really know who that is. I definitely am not the same girl that I was before losing weight, but I don’t feel like I am any closer to finding out who that is.
6. My body became extremely public which I still get super uncomfortable about.
People will say I brought it upon myself due to using Instagram, posting my before and after photos etc, but nothing prepares you for being public property to a certain extent. You lose being a person, people will pick you apart and comment on your body, your training, your food with no second thoughts to the person they are talking about. I am sure many are compliments but having so many people comment on what I should change about my own body, or even the vast amount of negative comments I have had to endure, telling me I deserved being dumped due to being fat, or telling me how disgusting I am has been super hard.
7. Dating became terrifying and exciting at the same time.
I had never been on a date in my life before I started losing weight, shocking right?! When I started losing weight, I started gaining a little confidence and I sadly only started getting more attention when I was slimmer. The worst part for me was when my weight loss was brought up, or somehow the person had found my fitness instagram. The panic that overtook me then, it was indescribable. In the beginning I actually blocked people straight away anytime they mentioned my instagram or weight-loss; it made me sick to the stomach that they knew my ‘secret’ or had seen my body. A lot of it was my own personal issues but it made dating extremely hard. On the other hard, having more confidence in myself gave me the push to start putting myself out there, and in the end that’s how I met my amazing partner now.
8. Loose skin happens, and it doesn’t just disappear.
Unless you are super lucky; if you lose a lot of weight you will get loose skin. I myself have experienced loose skin, although it isn’t as much as you would expect and I fully put this down to weight training and building muscle. There is so many products out there that promise to get rid of loose skin or tighten up and its all gimmicks. Unless your prepared to go under the knife, its time to start loving all parts you, loose skin included.
9. Body issues don’t just go away
Sadly losing 10lbs or 50lbs or even 85lbs doesn’t fix whats going on deep down. There seems to be this belief that once you lose ‘the weight’ every thing will be fixed; and its bull shit. I had zero confidence at 261lbs and after losing 85lbs I still don’t. It is true what they say, you should love yourself at any size as it builds the mental foundations deep down. It’s something I am trying to work on but it is hard.
10. Being able to inspire and support others is one the most rewarding things so far.
Using Instagram & social media to share my journey, with all the ups and downs sometimes is crap, but 90% it is amazing. I get to reach out, support and encourage loads of people and share all aspects of my real journey. I use to think that weight-loss was impossible, that all the before & after’s i saw were just rubbish, but being able to see the real person and their journey is so encouraging and I hope to do the same.
What are your thoughts on the above? Let me know in the comments!
wow you are incredible! You must be so proud of how far you have come I really wish I had your determination within me. Thank you for sharing x