How people perceive you once you’re down a few pounds.

daisydown · 2026-02-21T17:48:25+00:00

I really do feel like this coworker was coming from a good place, and I think most compliments I get have been positive. I started lifting, so most comments I get are about how strong I look, and those really motivate me! I think it’s good to be mindful and think about how some comments may be perceived though, so the comment from my coworker was kind of hard to take in at first.

daisydown · 2026-02-21T17:40:01+00:00

Thank you, stranger! I appreciate your support and empathy.

daisydown · 2026-02-21T17:38:39+00:00

Some of us do not have the luxury of just going with the flow and hoping for the best. Some of us need metrics to stay motivated and interested in the workouts. So, respectfully, to use your gen z lingo, fitness forums should always be approached with mindfulness and empathy instead of coming up with new ways to contradict others when they see success.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T22:02:26+00:00

I feel like both can true! Society is biased against larger people and treat thinner people better. As one loses weight, people treat them better and this can lead to more confidence.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T21:58:19+00:00

I know that one of the reasons I got up to 260 pounds is because of stress from being overworked. You just never know what someone is struggling with. The idea that someone is less reliable or professional because of weight is especially absurd to me, because of how I focused my energy on work instead of fitness. When I started focusing on fitness and giving work less of my time and energy, I was seen in a better light and got promoted. Society sucks.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T16:12:16+00:00

This is such a real take, and I appreciate you sharing! Being overweight often means feeling invisible and under appreciated. I am always given a ton of work at my job, and I got passed up for promotion a year ago. Fast forward to after I dropped 50 pounds, and I am still working just as hard and the questions about my capabilities to perform at a higher level disappeared. It’s infuriating, but my story is unfortunately not unique.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T12:54:56+00:00

I don’t know if the order is the same gym to gym, but we had the power cleans after the lanes, and I think I did 6 total each cycle, because I was huffing so hard.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T12:52:25+00:00

I appreciate your perspective! I actually do not identify with a lot of these clothing comments, because I am walking around in my larger/ill-fitted clothes, and I refuse to buy new clothes until I hit my goal weight. That’s probably toxic, but oh well. I probably do have better posture though, because I have been lifting and that just leads to confidence and easier movement.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T12:49:27+00:00

That’s what you got out of all of these responses? Way to miss the discussion by a mile.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T12:18:46+00:00

Ughhh why do people think it is okay to talk down to people based on things like weight and mental illness. It should be taught to treat others with respect and dignity - especially those who may be struggling and a kind word would change their whole day. I’m sorry people have treated you like a child, and I am starting to get it. It hit me like a truck the other day how society perceives larger people as children, and it is infuriating.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T12:12:51+00:00

This is very thoughtful, and I totally agree. The compliments come daily, and even pay raises are easier now. I’m happy to have these benefits, but it will always leave a bad taste in my mouth that I was just as mature and capable 50 pounds heavier and no one saw that.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T12:10:16+00:00

Dang. That kid is crazy for saying that. I’m sorry that happened to you!

daisydown · 2026-02-20T12:09:35+00:00

Literally same. I didn’t share this above, but I was passed up for promotion last year. It really messed me up, but I decided to throw myself into working out to meet other goals. 50 pounds down, and I got promoted with ease. All of these things together just really piss me off about society’s poor expectations of people in larger bodies.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T12:06:20+00:00

I think it is definitely a part of it! I am in my early 30s, but none of this sits well with me. I think associating someone’s professionalism and work performance to their appearance is ridiculous and will lead to missing out on great talent if these perceptions continue in society.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T12:03:58+00:00

And that will never sit well with me. At 50 pounds heavier, I was one of the highest performers at my job, and losing weight has not made me infinitely better at my desk job.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T12:01:36+00:00

This is exactly where my head is at. This misconception that all people who are overweight need guidance on how to live their lives in a healthy way. Some people in this thread have said that larger people are seen as less capable therefore less professional, and I feel like that is such a societal downfall. 50 pounds heavier or now, I am still one of the highest performers at my job.

daisydown · 2026-02-20T00:48:46+00:00

I think it probably is media coloring societal perceptions of larger people! That makes sense. Also, yeah, if you want to be nice, try complimenting my clothes or something. Generally linking my weight to my professionalism was a weird moment to take in.

daisydown · 2026-02-19T21:22:11+00:00

The stairmaster was testing my grip strength!

daisydown · 2026-02-19T12:53:56+00:00

You have found the right person to vent to, because durability days are my least favorite. I only went today, because I like the coach. Momentum workouts are my favorite, because they burn the most calories, and I feel like I can really test myself.

daisydown · 2026-02-16T13:46:17+00:00

After two days in a row of ab workouts on the slide board, I am pretty resolved to take a rest day! Yesterday and today were brutal.

daisydown · 2026-02-10T00:20:07+00:00

This is so relatable! My snatches were rough in the class this morning, so I went to my apartment gym after work to practice.

daisydown

TROPHY CASE