Does anyone else struggle with a fear of being more vulnerable if you lose weight?
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I've struggled with my weight for years. For some reason, in the 170's weight range, I always struggle with fear. It's like I associate being smaller with being more vulnerable or weak.
I know where this comes from (my childhood and early 20's), but I have yet to find a way to overcome this issue.
Has anyone found a way to deal with this fear? By the way, I've been weight training for several months now and I AM really strong. Unfortunately, I still have this mental association of thin=weak and I'd like to change it. I need to change it for the sake of my health.
Yes, I do worry about my vulnerability when I lose weight. I have not overcome this fear yet but I can't let it hold me back anymore.
Yes. I've struggled with this. In fact that was one of the *reasons* I "became" fat. To distance people from myself. And it worked! BUT the price was just too hard and too expensive. It was no longer working for me. I was lonely, depressed, sad, anxiety ridden, underproductive, and fearful for my very life.
For me, it got to the point that I was MORE afraid to stay fat then to lose the weight. I was no longer a child or even a young adult. I was a mature woman (42) when I started my journey. So that helped me too. AFter suffering SO much for over 20+ years, I figured it HAD to be easier to deal with people, situations, vulnerability and just about anything else life threw my way - being happier, more self confident, slimmer and healthy. And yes stronger. I really felt much weaker when I was heavy, in hindsight of course. I've gained SO much self respect, self control, self discipline, and use of my body. And it has trickled down to every area of my life. EVERY AREA.
Having conquered my weight, I feel as if there's nothing that I can't conquer.
I bought a shotgun. LOL
I'm struggling with it too. I was only overweight for 8 yrs but I started feeling this when I got into the 140's. I thought I was the only one.
When I gain weight I have less "man problems" & I think that is one of the reasons I have gained in the past. Recently, I have lost 30# and back out dating, hopefully this time it will be a good experience.
I bought a shotgun.
LOL - you gotta love the Texas attitude. (We have several).
Seriously though, I never really realized it, until I lost some weight this time - and my husband actually weighs more than I do! I am more vulnerable - even though I'm stronger.
When my 70 pound lab jumped up at me (she's finally grown out of that), my abs were stronger, so she wouldn't knock the breath out of me, but I had less mass and she was more like to knock me backwards.
And family wrestling matches are much more equitable now - I can't just sit on him! He can toss me around. But, I have more arm strength to fight back.
I guess the most important thing is to focus on the ways in which you have actually decreased your vulnerability. If nothing else, you should be able to run faster! Also, maybe some self defense classes if it really bothers you.
Absolutely. I worry that I'll lose all this weight, have nothing to blame all of my problems on and then where will I be?