A lot changes when you lose weight.

Taking charge of your health is both invigorating and empowering. You’ll be renewed with energy and the feeling that you can do just about anything.

Plus your clothes will fit better, you’ll gain a ton of confidence, and you’ll likely experience fewer health problems. 

These are all things to be expected, at least those were the things I expected to happen. After I lost 100 pounds in one year at 14 years old, my life changed for the better. 

However, there were some things that happened after I lost weight that I didn’t expect. If you’re currently going through your own weight loss transformation, they may be things you’ll experience as well. 

Read below for 4 unexpected things that happened after I lost 100 pounds. 

1. People Trying To Discredit Me

The most surprising thing that happened to me after I lost weight was people discrediting my hard work. 

I lost 100 pounds over the course of a year, all on my own. I did it through changing my eating habits and exercise. There were no weight loss drugs involved, no weight loss surgery, and no eating disorder. 

I lost 100 pounds the natural and healthy way but for some reason, a lot of people had a hard time accepting this fact. Many people I knew or met after I lost the weight, were convinced I couldn’t have done it by myself. 

They Thought I Was Lying

I had people tell me that I was lying about losing 100 pounds. They believed the only way I could have lost that much weight was if I had developed an eating disorder. 

Someone once told me that it was impossible for me to have lost so much weight so quickly unless I had stopped eating altogether. I’d even been accused of photoshopping my fat pictures–they didn’t believe my before and after pictures were both me. 

Imagine spending an entire year educating yourself about health and fitness, eating healthy when everyone around you is eating fast food, and going to the gym almost everyday after school. Then imagine people telling you, you faked it. 

People Discredit You When They Are Intimidated

Many people thought (and still believe to this day) that what I did is impossible, therefore they think I’m lying. What they really mean is, it’s impossible for them to lose 100 pounds in one year. 

Many people will try to tell you, you can’t do something simply because they can’t do it themselves. Oftentimes it’s because these same people don’t even try to do it themselves. 

They project their insecurities or jealousy onto others who are doing what they wish they could do.

Once people start noticing your hard work paying off during your weight loss journey, be cautious of people who put down your hard work. 

2. Being Bullied for Being Skinny

I’d understood why I was bullied for being fat. Being fat as a kid meant I was different from the other kids. 

There are many negative stereotypes associated with being fat and people loved to remind me of them. My whole life I wanted to be skinny so that I would fit in more. I figured if I was skinny, people wouldn’t bully me anymore. 

Imagine my surprise when I found out that you can be bullied for being thin and pretty. 

It turns out, if you’re skinny and pretty, some people will dislike you even more. 

What’s more surprising is that sometimes these people may be those who you once considered friends or allies. My weight loss journey taught me that no matter what your weight is, some people will dislike you. 

People will judge you no matter what you look like. So, don’t be surprised to find that not everyone will be accepting of your weight loss. 

For some people, it may even be an excuse for them to dislike you. 

3. Loving Exercise

Before I began my weight loss journey, I didn’t love exercise. I hated it. 

PE class at school was my worst nightmare, mostly because it was my biggest source of embarrassment. Kids my age could run circles around me, literally. 

Basic exercises that were a breeze to them left me huffing, puffing, and gasping for air. I hated exercise because I was out of shape, but I was out of shape because I didn’t exercise. 

When I decided I was going to lose weight, I knew exercise would be part of the equation. I began exercising because I knew I needed to do it, not because I liked it. It was a means to an end. 

Exercise Became More Enjoyable the More I did It

The more I continued to progress in my fitness, however, the more I enjoyed it. I realized that exercise actually felt pretty great, especially when I reached my number one fitness goal: running one mile without stopping. 

Exercise has since become a major part of my life. It’s more than just a means to lose weight or fit into a certain size. 

Exercise is a physical and spiritual experience that has amazing health benefits. It’s also what keeps me sane during my most difficult times in life. 

Trust me, even if you think you hate exercise at the beginning of your weight loss journey, it will become easier and more enjoyable.

4. That Other People Would Find My Weight Loss Inspiring or Interesting

Finally, something I never, ever expected to happen after my 100 pound weight loss, was that anyone would care. 

It never occurred to me that my weight loss would be interesting or inspiring to other people. I didn’t think what I had done was that exceptional, at least not at first. 

In my mind, all I did was hop on a treadmill and eat less. I was proud about what I had done, but I didn’t think anyone else would care about it. 

I Realized Others Could Learn From Me

It turns out, a lot of people cared. I realized my story was interesting and inspiring to other people who had a similar background to me. There were a lot of girls (and boys) my age or older who struggled with their weight. 

They wanted to be healthier to look and feel better. They wanted to lose weight, but they didn’t know how or didn’t believe it was possible. 

Suddenly, my success showed them that it was indeed possible. Because if I could do it, so could they. 

Overcoming Struggles Is Universal

But it wasn’t just other overweight girls who found my story inspiring, people of all ages and genders could relate to it. My story wasn’t just about losing weight, it was about overcoming a struggle that had encompassed my life. 

It was about transforming myself, achieving goals, and making my dreams come true. 

Many people found my story inspiring because they too wanted the same things, whether that meant weight loss or something else. However, I never would have expected that I would be the person to inspire them to pursue those things. 

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Thanks for reading! If you’d like to hear more about my weight loss story, check out my book 1 Year 100 Pounds. 

Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube for weight loss tips and motivation!

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