Content warning: This story mentions eating disorders and body image issues.
A woman has shared the “surprising” discovery she made about her body after losing an impressive 45kg, sparking a discussion online about the unexpected side of losing – and gaining – weight.
In a Reddit post, the user revealed that she is now in the final “maintenance phase” of her weight loss after being obese “her entire life” – and that she is particularly speechless about the change in her armpits.
“I’ve lost about 100 pounds after being obese my whole life and am now in maintenance mode, but there are still little things that surprise me,” she wrote.
“I didn’t know your armpits were real armpits! Shaving is so much harder now because they’re actually concave and not flat,” she admitted.
The user further expressed her amazement at how much easier “normal everyday tasks” are: “I never realized how much effort it takes to get through the day before 100 pounds,” she wrote.
She then passed the word on to other Reddit users, asking them to share their own experiences after undergoing a “significant physical change.”
So far, there have been nearly 350 comments on the post. Women who have lost or gained weight for a variety of reasons have shared a veritable mix of stories – sad, happy, frustrating and funny. Many could relate to the original author’s revelation about her armpits, while others contributed their own “surprises.”
Here is just a selection of the comments:
Help others
“I went from being dangerously underweight to a healthy weight and oh my gosh – the energy is AMAZING. I used to fall asleep several times during the day and couldn’t drive for long because I would start to nod off. I also really love being able to lift my bags in and out of the carry-on compartments myself. I used to have to ask for help but now I can help others :)”
In harmony
“I’ve lost about 36 pounds, so all I can tell you is that it’s a lot harder to shave my armpits now! I think the biggest thing for me is that I’m a lot more aware of certain feelings in my body. I’m more in tune with the fluctuations and random aches and pains because I’m not in pain everywhere now.”
Flexitime
“I’ve lost over 20 pounds, lost fat and built muscle and now I can’t stop flexing my muscles when I see my reflection in the mirror.”
Insane energy
“I feel the same way. I went from 48 kg at 6’3″ to 68 kg and the difference in my energy level is insane. I look at pictures of myself from that time and wonder how I could stand feeling cold and tired all the time.”
Feeling healthier
“I feel the same way! It’s nice to be able to stand and not be fainted all the time. I don’t get compliments on my looks anymore, which is annoying, but I feel healthier and that’s the main thing.”
Satisfied buyer
“I’ve probably lost 25 kg in a few years and am now a size 4. God, shopping for clothes is a pleasure now and everything fits me. I don’t have to avoid looking in the mirror in the shop because now I have damn Love what I look like.”
No reason to worry
“I had erectile dysfunction for years. I’m still trying to deal with the weight gain (fat and muscle), but my goodness, my butt looks good. It’s nice that it fits well in underwear.”
More self-confidence
“I was super skinny and now I’m pretty muscular. Overall, I just feel more confident and don’t have to worry about how clothes or swimsuits look on me anymore. I think what surprised me most is that I can actually change my body – for a long time I felt like I had no control over it, even though that wasn’t the case!”
Body and mind
“I was never technically overweight, but I fell from the top end of a healthy BMI to the bottom end. At 5’8″, that was 155 (150 lbs) and then 125 (125 lbs). I thought once I reached my goal weight, I would feel comfortable in my own skin. I just always thought, ‘Once I’m thin, I’ll feel better.’ It turns out my body wasn’t the problem at all. I’m certainly happier with my body and my overall health now, but I didn’t magically feel comfortable in my own skin just because I lost weight.”
Average
“I have been obese my whole life and have lost 270 pounds. What shocked me most was the fact that my frame is actually not that large. It still amazes me to look at myself and realize that I am an average-sized woman with a naturally athletic frame, not naturally tall and stocky.”
Positive gains
“How much better I felt after gaining weight. I was obsessed with losing weight for far too long and it destroyed my health and wellbeing. I gained it all back and then some just by listening to my body and nourishing it. My metabolism healed itself after years of working against it. I appreciate my body so much now, it’s so intelligent.”
For confidential support with eating disorders and body image issues, call free of charge at Butterfly Foundation National Hotline on 1800 33 4673.
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