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I've been wondering this question recently and was curious when the realisation hit for those who have gained weight previously.

For context, I'm a guy who's around 6ft 1 and over the past 3 years I've gained c.80lbs from 170 to 250 and it's really only now in the past couple of months that the impact is actually being felt.

There have been small things previously like a bit more difficulty bending over to tie laces, feeling larger clothes get tighter/sizing up jeans but I never really felt 'fat' even at 220/230. Movement didn't feel much different, like most guys who gain I had a bigger belly but it was just that.

Since reaching 240+ though it's felt like every other week there's another instance which reminds me that I'm bigger: belly being evident through 2xl tops, jeans generally being uncomfortable, any kind of underwear catching on both sides, feeling like I need to consider my size when moving into spaces/past people, being taken aback by my face/body in photos where I'm not posing, getting tired more easily when doing basic activity.

So question is to everyone else out there who's gained weight after originally being slim, when did the realisation hit yourselves?

Sorry if this is better on a different forum section.

I’ve been at different stages of fat over the years. Similarly to you it was bending over to tie laces which became bending by over to pick something up the bigger I got. The stretch marks for me were a hard one to ignore, and having to waddle, especially when full to accommodate the weight in my belly. Nothing says “you’re fat” like your belly slapping our thigh walking up the stairs too 🤭

The waddling is something that I've picked up on recently, like I subconsciously found myself walking wider and realised I was just compensating for my belly now.

You're so right about the stairs too. I've actually found going downstairs were when I couldn't stop noticing I'd started growing moobs with how my chest bounced 😅

I got fat as a kid, but I realized I was much bigger than the average child my age after I gained so much weight one summer (sneaking and stealing food from the cabinets, eating dinner at a friend's house and eating again at home) that I couldn't fit in a normal fourth grade desk. My teacher had to set up an arts and crafts table as my desk and assigned another student -- a thin girl -- to sit there too so I wouldn't feel ostracized.

As an adult, I once lost a significant amount of weight because of pressure from my then-primary care doctor. I never got below 190, which was still considered obese, but I felt way too thin (not to mention I was hungry all the time). I started to regain unintentionally, but I didn't feel truly super-sized again until I surpassed my previous size. I remember wearing a dress that fit me before I lost weight to go out to dinner. It was very tight under the arms and around my belly, but I could still get into it. I ate two entrees and then stopped on the way home and ordered three Big Macs. When I got home and started undressing, I realized the side seam was completely blown out. I have no idea whether that happened before I left the house, at the restaurant, or while I was stuffing my face with burgers, but it was my realization that I was getting BIG. I think I celebrated by ordering Doordash.

Actually, now you come to mention it you’re right about the downstairs rather than the going up them!

Having to sort of rock yourself forward to get up is another one! And every pair of knickers rolling down to under the belly - girls you know what I’m talking about lol

Definitely feel you on the pants rolling down. I recently ordered some shorts and leggings big enough for me, but the waistband keeps rolling down and ends up under my gut.

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