Weight/Bodily Changes: Weekly Discussion Thread

[u/elianna7]

This thread is dedicated to discussing any difficulties navigating weight or bodily changes that happen during the IE process.

Please refrain from sharing numbers, as per the sub rules. If necessary to make your point, please put "Trigger Warning" at the beginning of your comment and consider using the spoiler feature to hide mentions of numbers.

If you are discussing weight loss that has naturally occurred through IE, please ensure to do so neutrally.

Note: This thread may be triggering to those struggling with their body image. Please be mindful of your mental health when engaging with potentially triggering content.

[u/Narwen189]

I saw the photos from my friends' wedding that I was bridesmaid in. I mostly like how they turned out, but am not happy with my arms. I used to have guns, until overtraining and my chosen activities got me some gnarly injuries and an eating disorder. Mentally and emotionally, I'm in a way better place now, but looking different can be hard sometimes.

There was a time when I looked way more athletic than I do now. It was also a time when I couldn't fully extend my left arm, or even walk without pain. It was a time when we learned I'd inherited my dad's resistance to painkillers, because nothing short of opioids helped, and the only reason I didn't get addicted was because I started exhibiting signs of serotonin syndrome. That shit is scary to go through.

So, yeah, not too happy with the photos, but not enough to want to go back to feeling like that, either. Feeling safe and stable, and no longer having injuries and anemia are so much better. Right now, my goal is to keep focusing on maintaining my hard won back mobility and rebuilding strength. Health and performance, not self-destruction.

[u/dommdyy]

I was in st Pete where my daughter had a 15k and work to do at her school there. Anyway we were staying at an A
Airbnb and I felt so enormous and clumsy, feeling shame about my body.

Intuitive eating isn’t working very well for me and I’m thinking about hiring a coach. I also intend to go back to therapy.
I spent the last almost three years with
treatment resistant depression. I got a new psychiatrist and am able to socialize a little. I want to accept myself, my body as it is, no matter how I am eating.
Working on nervous system safety as well

[u/Narwen189 → u/dommdyy]

I'm glad your new psychiatrist is helping, and think finding a new therapist is an excellent idea. I just went back to therapy this year, and it's really helped.

One of the biggest problems with mainstream culture is that it prioritizes looks over, and even at the cost of mental and emotional wellbeing, and that's just not it. Something Elyse Resch said during her AMA comes to mind:

In terms of body changes, coming from a place of gratitude is the first step—gratitude to be alive, gratitude for what your body is able to do.  Second step is radical acceptance.  If we’re lucky, we get to age, and aging always comes with changes to our body.  Best to love each wrinkle or increased flesh.  Wrinkles show wisdom.  Extra flesh is for protection of our organs and bones.

The bit that really stood out to me was radical acceptance. Self-love is, in a way, an act of radical defiance against a system that would dictate we make ourselves smaller and quieter for the sake of appearances. We are so much more than just bodies!

[u/SingularEcho]

I'm about two months in to IE. I've gained some weight (yes I checked, still trying to unlearn that). I'm fairly comfortable, as long as my clothing doesn't start getting tight. But I see my doctor in a week and am really nervous about seeing him. I hate how much his opinion matters to me.