Healthier diet - good side benefits you didn't expect

bazfitness

I'm into my 3rd week of mfp. Eating better quality food, hardly any processed food and hardly any alcohol. My fitness levels I think have improved a bit but a more marked and unexpected difference is that I don't feel anywhere near as tired in the afternoon as I used to. Before embarking on this fitness/improved diet thing I'd often have my lunch followed by a bar of chocolate or something else sweet. An hour or so later I start to feel really tired and as I 'work' from home I'd often take an afternoon nap. Not saying I'm full of energy by the time the afternoon comes now but I've no inclination to go to sleep.

What other side benefits have you noticed from eating and living a healthier lifestyle that you wouldn't have expected?

Lyra89

Better eyesight, deeper sleeps, better skin, amazing digestion, minimal bloating/body odour etc...increased energy levels, and generally I'm in a better mood all the time!

AngryDiet

Well, to start I should say that I'm not giving up the foods I love, but rather moderating their frequency and quantity. I'm taking care to maintain my caloric deficit appropriately.

So, what I've noticed is that the foods that I've always loved, I find taste much better than before the diet. I've come to realize that before when I ate I would only half taste the food... and why not? There's always more coming, right? Now I find myself savoring food in a way that I haven't done in years.

I've also found that I enjoy healthier foods where before I was quite willing to give them a miss.

I'm also looking for more calories to eat, so now I'm taking fast lunchtime walks. So now I'm strongly motivated to get exercise where before I'd just not.

Other benefits include better sleep, better concentration, and an improved self-image.

Finally, I've come to realize that I don't need to eat as much food as I did in order to be full and content.

Casey45

What I didn't expect was how much I've enjoyed learning about these topics and applying it to my life and my family.

I've been on this journey since August, and it has been a gradual process of learning and experimenting. Wish so much I'd learned more about food, nutrition and exercise growing up. The more I learn, the more I observe a lot of quackery and yearning for quick fixes (even here on MFP!). The more I learn about WHY quick fixes do not work, the more resistant I can be to be the proponent's next rube.

Example from this message board: Raspberry Ketone. Really? They might as well go on a water diet for all the science there. There was a great reply on that thread about the "science" behind it. If accurate, hysterical.

tatya317

Let see... I am walking faster. Not running yet but walking faster
Not so much out of breath. I have also quit smoking, so that's a plus.
Many people have said that my face is glowing, looks more refresh and awake... LOL...

I definitely feel better and the energy level has gone up.Thanks ... :flowerforyou:

jstout913

I have noticed I don't get the tired feeling at 2:30 in the afternoon every day. I love healty foods now. I have given up eating bread, which always seemed to drag me down. I walk faster, I am in a better mood and not willing to come home and scarf a bunch of high fat and calorie foods for no reason. I have a long way to go, so I am hopeful I can keep this up for a long time.

bazfitness

I have given up eating bread, which always seemed to drag me down.

Me too. I think bread was quite possibly the biggest culprit for making me tired.

msstuard

I'm with you, much more energy. less body aces, I also do more projects at home than I was doing before.

LorinaLynn

Clearer skin, a better "glow" to my skin (I'm still pale, but not pasty-sickly pale), hair and nails growing faster (which is kind of a pain!) and... less burping and farting. I'm not sure if that's a benefit or not, because burping and farting are fun.

taso42

Go through less toilet paper.... less wipes are required. :blushing:

Laura8603

Sex. Didn't think it could get any better but it definitely is now.

LilRedPitViper

-I have loads more energy (ok, I did expect this, but it's still exciting).
-My complexion is far more even and clear of breakouts, except during my TOM.
-My hair is glossier and more vibrant - weird!
-But most excitingly, for me, is the improvement in my Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis! It's not cleared completely, but I've not flared in over a month - even during a period of high stress.