The Impact of Weight Gain on Your Confidence

It is hard to be positive about weight gain, when you're so used to trying to stay slim. You generally know when you step on the scales whether you're going to be heavier than before, but it still comes as a shock to see the numbers. It is even worse when you've not been doing anything differently and have gained weight, because then you start to worry about potential health problems. Overall, then, whether your weight gain is expected or not, it tends to have a negative impact on your confidence, and the more weight you gain, the worse you feel about it.

When you start to get so heavy that none of your clothes fit you, it means you need to take a shopping trip, which can be a rather depressing experience. You find yourself having to try on clothes in a larger size and nothing you try on seems to look very good, because all you can focus on is all the extra fat you're carrying. You're also conscious of the fact that you've put on so much weight that other people must have noticed, which leaves you wondering what everyone else is saying about you. Clearly, this isn't going to do your confidence any favours.

It may be the case that those closest to you haven't even realised you've gained weight, especially if you haven't said anything. On the other hand, if all you have been doing is moaning about how much weight you've gained, it is something that won't have escaped their notice. You may be told to lose weight if you're unhappy about it, which isn't always what you want to hear, especially if this comes from your partner. You'd prefer to hear that you're just as lovely with curves and that he finds you attractive whatever your size, although in reality you know he's right.

If you're so unhappy with gaining weight that it is affecting other areas of your life, you obviously have to take action. When your confidence has taken such a hit that you start avoiding people and prefer to stay indoors all the time, instead of socialising when you used to be a social butterfly, you cannot simply ignore your weight. Gaining weight can affect your confidence without anyone even saying negative to you about it. In your head you're fat and everyone sees you as that, but the truth is that most people probably haven't noticed or don't really care.

For your own sake, though, if you can't lead the life you're used to because you've gained weight and this is making you miserable and undermining your confidence, it is well worth taking positive steps to alter the situation. There are more important things in life than weight, but, unfortunately, when it is an issue that dominates your own life, it is hard to see past the numbers on the scales, which, ultimately can have a detrimental impact on your confidence levels.