From Insecurity to Confidence – The “Truths” and “Lies” About Weight Loss
On the cellphone screen, a girl clumsily moved, resembling a bulky penguin. She lowered her head, her eyes dim, letting the fat press on a face that should have been full of youth. A few seconds later, the scene changed, the former “penguin” disappeared, replaced by a slender, confident goddess.
This short video went viral online, quickly garnering over a million likes. In the comments section, in addition to the overwhelming “goddess” and “seeking tips,” there were also some discordant voices: “This girl must have secretly done something, stop pretending,” “Another one creating anxiety for traffic,” “In this day and age, does anyone still believe that losing weight can change one’s life?”…
Weight loss, a topic often discussed, always easily stirs people’s sensitive nerves. On one hand, there are numerous “inspirational” cases, and on the other, there is the despair and hopelessness after countless self-abandonment. How should we view weight loss? What hidden truths and lies lie behind the seemingly glamorous transformation?
Obesity: a dual imprisonment of body and mind
In the comments section of many weight loss bloggers, you can always see comments like: “I know this feeling too well, feeling like a freak when walking on the street,” “Every time I look in the mirror, I want to smash it, how can I be this fat,” “I’m most afraid of others asking my weight, feeling like I’ve done something wrong”…
These seemingly exaggerated expressions reflect the voices of many overweight girls. Obesity is no longer just a simple distortion of the body; it is more like a dual imprisonment of body and mind.
“Every time before going out, I spend a long time choosing clothes because many clothes I can’t wear, or if I wear them, they don’t look good.” A netizen shared her experience, “Even if I manage to find something to wear, I would be anxious about my body shape and be hesitant, not daring to hold my head up high.”
“I was once rejected for a job because I was too fat, the reason was ‘poor image’.” Another netizen’s experience was even more heart-wrenching, “In that moment, I felt like I was handed a ‘death sentence,’ all my efforts and abilities were completely negated by this one label of obesity.”
In addition to the physical challenges, obesity also brings enormous psychological stress. Many overweight girls have experienced the pain of being mocked and discriminated against, making them feel insecure, sensitive, and even develop social anxiety.
“Since childhood, I’ve been called names by classmates, ‘fatty,’ ‘fat pig,’ those words pierced my heart like knives.” A netizen recalled her childhood experiences, still unable to let go, “Even as an adult, I often feel inferior because of my body shape, not daring to make friends actively, nor pursuing the ones I like.”
Obesity, in this way, traps countless girls in a cage of insecurity, making it hard for them to breathe, let alone escape.
The Determination to Lose Weight: A Long Battle with Oneself
Facing the various troubles brought by obesity, almost every overweight girl has at some point had the idea of losing weight. The sharing of weight loss recipes and fitness check-ins on social media circles all reveal people’s desire to “get slim.”
“I must lose weight and become the way I like!” This is the vow many girls make when embarking on a weight loss journey. However, the road to weight loss is never smooth, it is more a prolonged battle with oneself.
“I’ve tried various weight loss methods, dieting, taking weight loss pills, acupuncture… but I never stuck with them.” A netizen confessed, “Each time I started full of confidence, only to end in failure. Back and forth, my weight not decreasing but increasing, it really makes one collapse.”
The weight loss process is full of temptations and tests, requiring not only overcoming physical inertia but also psychological dependence. The temptation of delicious food, social pressure, emotional fluctuations, all these could be the final straw that breaks the weight-loss determination.
“The most painful thing for me is giving up the foods I love, bubble tea, fried chicken, cakes… watching others enjoy their food, while I can only nibble on bland boiled vegetables, it’s truly tough.” a netizen lamented.
“Every time at a friend gathering, I can only watch others eat and drink freely, while I have to control my portions, feeling like a freak.” Another netizen also shared similar distress, “Over time, my friends no longer invite me, feeling isolated.”
Even if one overcomes numerous difficulties and successfully loses weight, it does not mean the battle is over. Many successful weight loss individuals fall into the fear of “regaining lost weight,” requiring long-term high self-discipline to maintain hard-earned results.
“I used to successfully lose weight before, but due to work stress, I started overeating again quickly regaining the weight.” a netizen shared her experience, “Now I have to exercise and control my diet every day, truly unable to slack off at all.”
Weight loss is never an easy task. It requires great effort and perseverance, as well as finding the right method suitable for oneself and sticking with it persistently.
The “Lies” of Weight Loss: Beware of the Pitfalls That Lead You Astray
In this age of information explosion, various weight loss “secrets” emerge one after another, making people dazzled. However, not all “secrets” are scientifically effective, some may even lead you astray, making your weight loss journey more difficult.
“I used to believe in the online viral ’21-day weight loss method,’ but not only did I not lose weight, but I also ruined my body.” A netizen shared her painful experience, “Later, after a medical check-up, the doctor said that due to excessive dieting, it led to malnutrition and hormonal imbalance.”
“I also bought some so-called ‘super-effective weight-loss pills,’ but after taking them, I experienced side effects like palpitations, insomnia, it was really terrifying.” Another netizen was also a victim of “weight loss pills,” “Later, I found out that many of these weight loss pills contain banned substances, which can cause significant harm to the body.”
Apart from those unconventional weight loss methods, there are also some seemingly “scientific” theories that do not withstand scrutiny.
“I used to believe in the saying ‘constitution determines everything,’ thinking I have the ‘easily fat constitution,’ no matter how I try, I can’t lose weight.” A netizen shared her misunderstanding, “Later, I came into contact with some professional fitness trainers and nutritionists, only then did I realize there is no ‘easily fat constitution,’ as long as one masters scientific methods, everyone can lose weight through effort.”
“I heard a saying that ‘weight loss is all about controlling your mouth and getting your legs moving,’ as long as you eat less and move more, you can lose weight.” Another netizen raised her skepticism, “But in reality, weight loss is not that simple, it requires us to develop a reasonable diet and exercise plan based on our own body condition and goals, rather than blindly dieting and exercising.”
Weight loss is a “lesson” that we need to study seriously. Do not easily believe in so-called “shortcuts” and “secret recipes,” and do not be misled by seemingly “scientific” theories. Only by mastering scientific methods, and combining them with one’s own situation to develop a reasonable plan, can one walk more steadily and farther on the path of weight loss.
