If I reached my ideal weight I would...

get into kite surfing!

I've flown stunt kites before in my life and always thought it would be so fun to do kite surfing (google it if you don't know what it is).  But I'd have to be in totally good shape which I'm far from these days!  Long long term goal!

What would you do if you reached your ideal?

have more confidence in every single thing I do!

Well, I'm going to change that to "When I reach my ideal weight" cuz I'm a positive thinker and all that bs. 

When I reach my ideal weight, I will:

• never again hide when someone pulls out a camera
• have "fun" with my hubby way more often lol
• have a ritual night of going through my old 'fat' clothes and donating them to a shelter or charity
• get all dressed up in my fancy evening wear that doesn't fit anymore and go out for a night on the town
• never again turn down an opportunity because of shyness or stage-fright
• go swimming in public without the fear of God in me that someone is going to see me in a bathing suit
• not be afraid to wear shorts or tank tops in public

• do everything I can to help others that are trying to lose weight using my experiences and learning from the mistakes that I made along the way

Just to name a few :-)

Id go on a date

Original Post by ifeelnothingatall:

Id go on a date

 Why can't you go on a date now?

When I hit my target weight I'm going to start tucking in my shirts again.  I've gotten used to wearing everything untucked to help hide my gut.

Hell, if my stomach gets flat enough I may even iron the shirts on it!

Original Post by hotrebeccainmesa:

Original Post by ifeelnothingatall:

Id go on a date

 Why can't you go on a date now?

 Im just that insecure right now.

Eh, I don't think anyone should put off living because of their weight. Being skinny doesn't magically mean you have confidence, being overweight doesn't mean you can't have a life.

Original Post by merylwhite1:

Eh, I don't think anyone should put off living because of their weight. Being skinny doesn't magically mean you have confidence, being overweight doesn't mean you can't have a life.

+1000

UD

When i reach my ideal weight i'll need a new wardrobe and will invest in as much eco-friendly clothing as i can made out of sustainable materials and in tune with light airy faerie fashion.  That way i look amazing (and will actually have a figure suited to the style i adore) and will also be helping mother earth!  I'll enjoy feeling good about my much needed new wardrobe on more then one level.

Heather i love your goals there!!!!!!!

Mine are pretty similar:

• Buy sexy new lingere - especially underwear hehe
• Wear a bathing suit and actually HAVE FUN at the beach or pool parties instead of trying to hide or making an excuse not to come.....
• Continue to exercise and feel energetic and healthy
• Stop paying so much attention to "weight" - just have fun and live to the fullest

Pretty much all my goals have been mentioned already...but one I'm very much looking forward to is:

Having my driver's license tell the TRUTH! (It says 160 currently, lol)

Original Post by merylwhite1:

Eh, I don't think anyone should put off living because of their weight. Being skinny doesn't magically mean you have confidence, being overweight doesn't mean you can't have a life.

 Agreed.  When I saw the topic, I couldn't think of a single thing I'd do "skinny" that I can't do now... 

I can see that there are things you must be in physical shape to do but skinny folks have to work on them to be able to do them also.  You can't run a marathon overnight no matter what you weigh.

I wouldn't let my body dictate my mood. Of course, there are other factors in life that create sadness/happiness...but depression from weight will never be an issue again! That's awesome!

And the fact that I wont hate shopping anymore means a lot!
Playing sports with my bf and his friends, without being embarrassed of being winded right away will be sweet, too!

" elfkittie22

Having my driver's license tell the TRUTH! (It says 160 currently, lol)"

I have the best of both world's right now! My State ID is 15pounds heavier than I am, and my License is my actual weight now! I was totally pumped about that lol!

I agree that your life shouldn't be put on hold because you're not your ideal weight, but I do think my extra weight "holds me back" in some respects. Two things I will be able to do when I reach my ideal weight are:

• smile at a camera and just let my picture get taken, instead of worrying if i have a double chin, my gut is hangin out, God forbid a profile picture be taken!!
• not be scared that my hubby will walk in the bathroom right before I get in the shower and see "everything" in the harsh bathroom light! (there's something to be said for mood lighting LOL)

Original Post by merylwhite1:

Eh, I don't think anyone should put off living because of their weight. Being skinny doesn't magically mean you have confidence, being overweight doesn't mean you can't have a life.

^this

However, I am looking forward to buying a sharp new wardrobe. Right now, I feel guilty about spending money on good clothes because I know they won't fit in a few months, so I'm just wearing whatever was on sale.

get the tattoo I have wanted forever! I want it on my rib cage but right now I would never dare show that much of my body to people  (besides my boyfriend) soo.. as soon as I feel comfortable showing my abdomen and above.. ink here I come !! 

(also.. I have to laugh at the drivers license one.. mine says I am 160 too!!! and that was a lie even back then lol)

Good replies!

In regards to not feeling confident which some have said it's understandable given the hypocritical marketing that is out there.  We are given a body image which is unrealistic to obtain (magazines, TV, movies, advertising) but then the availability and marketing of unhealthy foods makes it hard to make healthy choices at the same time.  It's so much easier to find a quick meal at a fast food place which is really bad for you than to find something healthy.  Plus the advertising for the bad foods is so great that it is second nature to buy and eat what is pushed on us.  So... it's understandable that people who are not the "ideal" according to society would feel bad about not fitting the ideal.

I try to maintain confidence about my body image and don't really care too much if I'm at the pool and such but then again I'm a guy so it's easier from a societal perspective.

That being said forget what you are supposed to feel, the important thing is to be happy with yourself.  Even if our body images are not "ideal" that doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with anyone.  Everyone can be beautiful and attractive regardless of their weight.  It's more about how you see yourself and present yourself I think than anything.  I know lots of people who are not too skinny who are the most beautiful people I've met, including myself!!!!!

Original Post by merylwhite1:

Eh, I don't think anyone should put off living because of their weight. Being skinny doesn't magically mean you have confidence, being overweight doesn't mean you can't have a life.

 Oh I was skinny before and I had a ton of confidence. Knowing how you feel when are thin makes being overweight so much harder...atleast for me.

"Oh I was skinny before and I had a ton of confidence. Knowing how you feel when are thin makes being overweight so much harder...at least for me."

I think there's a lot of truth to that statement.  The most difficult parts for me are

1. having a ton of reminders around me (photos, clothes, etc) how skinny I used to be
2. getting winded just walking up the stairs when I used to be an athlete
3. in my head, I still see myself as a skinny girl...when I see current photos of myself its like a jarring reminder that I'm not that person anymore.  Talk about an identity crisis.

So maybe being skinny isn't an instant way to have self-confidence, but its an awfully big step in the right direction.  And unfortunately, gaining a great deal of weight in a short amount of time (for whatever reason) is a pretty good way to instantly kill any self confidence.  But most importantly, taking the initiative to do the right thing for your body and lose weight is BIG a step in the right direction. 

Probably not much. Just passively enjoy looking better.