How has this journey made you a better version of yourself? 🌟

SuperMotivated56
SuperMotivated56 Posts: 119 Member
edited September 2021 in Success Stories
In addition to celebrating our weight loss, health successes and NSVs, I find it encouraging to celebrate personal successes, in terms of what you have noticed about yourself during this journey – perhaps improvements in character that came about quite unintentionally. Some may be deep and require some introspection, while others may be quite humorous.
I know that I have become a much more patient person.

My somewhat humorous one is that I am now one of the most unlazy people that you could know, in terms of never having to be asked twice to do any chores where I can incorporate walking and reach my personal step count goal – no trouble to take the rubbish out, no matter how many times a day, don’t mention packing away the washing – I’ll do everyone’s in the house, sometimes an item at a time, and the list goes on. 😊

What are your character improvements?

Replies

  • WailingDusk
    WailingDusk Posts: 58 Member
    It's a double-edged sword. While I'm more confident, get looks and hit on when I didn't before, it's made me hyperaware of everything, to the point of body dysmorphia. I'll see where I am after I lose the rest of the weight, or if that gets worse.
  • SuperMotivated56
    SuperMotivated56 Posts: 119 Member
    Thank you all for your posts - so inspirational!
    I love the improved mood - I can relate, I think that I'm also generally more pleasant to be around. Empathy too - for sure, I have a greater compassion for others in general.
    &
    - glad that it's not just me who gets a kick out of chores :smiley:
    - so pleased for your improved confidence - I hear what you're saying about your hyper-awareness and am optimistic that your insights and self-awareness will stand you in good stead to manage this - all power to you as you continue with this journey.
  • SuperMotivated56
    SuperMotivated56 Posts: 119 Member
    I'd be grateful for any technical assistance in more adequately responding to posts...
  • SuperMotivated56
    SuperMotivated56 Posts: 119 Member
    I'd be grateful for any technical assistance in more adequately responding to posts...

    Technical assistance? I think probably the most useful thing is the "quote" link, as you used before. The main thing is, you want to put your response after the end tag that looks like [ / quote ].

    Thank you Sand_Tiger for your technical assistance - I'll see how I go.
  • SuperMotivated56
    SuperMotivated56 Posts: 119 Member
    I

    A thought i had about the original topic. Thinking about it, the weight loss itself has improved me because being less tired and feeling better about myself has made me generally happier and healthier. The other improvements only came about because of the long process of figuring out how to lose weight, and keep it off, and not backslide. I've done a lot of work on the root causes of my eating problems, worked out various strategies to overcome that, and along the way learned a lot.

    This is one of the reasons why slow weight loss is good, and it's actually a great thing that there's no "magic pill," because by going through this process you gain the skills to stay healthy after the diet is over.

    Very thought-provoking - thanks Sand_Tiger - I agree, that although the journey is certainly a test of patience, these skills gained wouldn't have come about if the process was a quick-fix. I hear you too about being a generally happier person!
  • SuperMotivated56
    SuperMotivated56 Posts: 119 Member
    Thank you for this inspirational post.....I am more aware of what I will eat when eating out and sometimes find if there is nothing on the menu that is healthy for me, better not to go with friends.......some people do not understand the importance of not eating the junk or fattening foods, which many festivals and places have especially in the Summer.....Glad I am having a BETTER MINDSET....lately. hoping I keep it up....I just need to do it and not tell those around me that really do not understand if they are not doing MFP or another program.....thanks for sharing and listening to me too......

    Great about your better mindset, Eileen! It really takes a lot of courage and self-determination when others don't understand as you've said.
  • SuperMotivated56
    SuperMotivated56 Posts: 119 Member
    The more that I think about this, the more character improvements I become aware of - I hope that you do too!

    I have become a more tolerant and kinder person - I became kinder to myself and knowing how much better this makes me feel has helped me to practice greater tolerance and kindness to others too.
  • Bluetail6
    Bluetail6 Posts: 2,990 Member
    I'm not afraid of.... anything, anymore.

    It's weird, because I would have laughed if you said I would gain confidence through weightloss, because my confidence issues weren't about how I looked.

    Turns out deciding to prioritize myself and seeing tangible results of that left me feeling pretty danged good about ME.

    Nothing scares me, nothing intimidates me, and I'm pretty sure I can do just about anything.

    Wow... I absolutely, unequivocally, and wholeheartedly agree with this. Honestly, I woke up months ago thinking "I'm not afraid." I have never looked back... I never intend to look back!!😊
  • JustRamona
    JustRamona Posts: 398 Member
    I look forward to a walk or bike ride and get disappointed if something comes up and I can't make my planned work out. And I also tend to put the folded clothes away one item at a time instead of loading the laundry basket full and carrying all at one time.

    Relatable: I get annoyed with the weather and I can't ride my bike! I never thought that version of me existed!
  • SuperMotivated56
    SuperMotivated56 Posts: 119 Member
    mark8728 wrote: »

    Not vain at all - you deserve to celebrate your success! Well done, that's brilliant! I hear you about those articles that promise the world in a short space of time and couldn't agree with you more about patience!

  • SuperMotivated56
    SuperMotivated56 Posts: 119 Member
    I'm still at the very beginning of my journey, but I already notice how I feel energetic waking up in the morning, looking forward to get out of bed and get my day started. I feel hopeful again and my self-confidence is improving day by day!

    Welcome to the journey - it's one hang of a ride and worth everything that you put in! So wonderful that you are already feeling the increased energy and self-confidence!
  • yayamom3
    yayamom3 Posts: 939 Member
    mark8728 wrote: »
    It's been an interesting journey, I'm 55 and probably in the best shape of my life. This has meant custom shirts and all new clothing, which made me rethink my entire fashion style. I dropped from 210 to 165lbs over a period of 3-4 years with healthier eating habits and exercise. Being lighter I've taken up surfing, did my first Spartan race and signed up for another and I'm now always up for an adventure.

    I think what I've learned is that you can't exercise your way to thin, it's diet! My second big lesson has been patience. All those articles about getting ripped in 6 weeks or whatever, forget about it, I needed to develop a healthy lifestyle and hoped that the results would follow. If I can do it, you can too. Sounds very vain, but I can't believe I got abs at 55??? Never had them before in my life!!!
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    This is the safe place for you to celebrate your success! Way to go! Your abs look amazing!!!
  • JenKindo
    JenKindo Posts: 418 Member
    edited September 2021
    mark8728 wrote: »
    It's been an interesting journey, I'm 55 and probably in the best shape of my life. This has meant custom shirts and all new clothing, which made me rethink my entire fashion style. I dropped from 210 to 165lbs over a period of 3-4 years with healthier eating habits and exercise. Being lighter I've taken up surfing, did my first Spartan race and signed up for another and I'm now always up for an adventure.

    I want to be link you! Honestly, I've dropped about 45 pounds and find myself wanting to do more activities - got the bike out, looking at roller skates and a kayak. I've always wanted to learn how to surf too.
  • SuperMotivated56
    SuperMotivated56 Posts: 119 Member
    I’ve discovered I’m intolerant to others that put me down.

    Last one made me a bit moppy as I’m being investigated for that but mine doesn’t cause weight loss as far as I know. Doc said everything looks fine but I’ve to wait on results so I’ve fingers and toes crossed.

    I’m looking for other goals as I’ve done the weight one
    So I’m looking at weights. Never thought I’d say that ever.
    I see that in a more positive light - you're more protective of yourself, as you so rightly deserve to be!
    All strength to you as you await your results.
    I'm sure that you'll love the weights and love the results too - it can be quite exhilarating and even more empowering!
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    edited September 2021
    mark8728 wrote: »
    My second big lesson has been patience. All those articles about getting ripped in 6 weeks or whatever, forget about it, I needed to develop a healthy lifestyle and hoped that the results would follow. If I can do it, you can too.

    Kudos and I agree totally

    47 here, visible abs, but that is not the final destination for me....still progressing....

    This healthy mind and body thing has taught me patience (injuries and time, take it slowly, listen to your body and above all be flexible, if you don't enjoy what you are doing, it will never last!), resilience (bouncing back from challenges, things change, your body, your mental state, life and your environment, things are forever in flux....work with mutability), self love/care....listening to my body....if it needs more rest, more food, do it....if it is tired, rest more, take it easy, take some time out to do absolutely sweet eff all, if you want to...the world will not come to an end and you will find that at the end of that day or even week you may have accomplished more than when you pile pressure upon yourself....
  • cherie8525
    cherie8525 Posts: 109 Member
    Priot to Keto, I would pick one thing in the day to do.. being highly aware of how it was going to affect my body pain levels.. I am N.E.D from anal cancer. the cure sure does a number on our bodies. I started Keto end of Jan, which at first when I looked into it was to shake my body patters up, yet once I started researching all the health benefits, I went 100% in strict keto. when the body is running on ketones for energy.. It is amazing

    What are your character improvements?
    @SuperMotivated56 I LOVE YOUR Wording of " I am now one of the most unlazy people that you could know"

    I love having the ability to move around so much more, not lugging around all the fat, inflammation. Last year my fit bit goal was 3500 steps.. that often brought intense nightly pain.. This summer I have hit up to 18,000 steps weekly, with out the pain. daily goal is 7500.
    I use to plan out each step, getting the most done with the least movement, due to pain.
    . LOL now I relish take a lot of trips for each task. I need to grow muscle mass.. so on each trip I flex and use repetitive movement..

    My husband is always saying you need to rest, stop moving.. NOPE not moving had been my life for way to long! !
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    edited September 2021
    I need to grow muscle mass.. so on each trip I flex and use repetitive movement..

    I am pretty sure gaining lean mass and ketosis or the keto diet do not go hand in hand...unless you are using some form of resistance training and/or performance enhancing drugs...keto is usually for cutting or fat/weight loss....someone correct me if I am wrong....

    I am also fairly sure keto is not for life...unless you have an underlying medical condition that requires it (epilepsy, etc), even diabetics if they reverse the symptoms, can come off the keto diet once they learn to regulate their dietary intake....

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