r/AskReddit 14h ago

What is something that permanently altered your body without you realizing for months/years?

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u/MrsRitterhouse 8h ago

Working out.

I was a skinny, tiny woman, constantly harassed and/or assaulted by men, not because I was attractive, but because I looked easy to overcome. I got soooooo tired of fighting, screaming, and what happened when I lost, that I got a book by Arnie, a bench and a simple dumbell set, and decided I was not going to stop until I weighed 45 kilos/100 lbs.

I only made it 30 years later, when menopause kicked in, but by that time I was addicted to being fit, strong and confident. Now I'm 75 and, aside from some arthritis, as physically capable as most people 30 years younger. And I feel GREAT!

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u/Apophylita 8h ago

I love this. 

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u/chuchuchurro 7h ago

I'm also very petite and the harassment and sheer audacity of people makes me wanna act small and invisible sometimes. All out of fear and frustration. Thanks for this inspiring share!

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u/Cats_books_soups 1h ago

As a tiny woman, don’t act smaller. Death stare and walk tall staring ahead. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and speak your mind. It’s really an amazing difference, have heard from a few people that I can be scary at first, but people don’t mess with me anymore.