How has your life changed since losing the wt--or has it?

NewLIFEstyle4ME

I love reading and seeing the success stories here so much. They are even more encouraging to me than you can imagine, your success stories and pics help me to really believe that if you guys can do it...I can too!

That got me to wondering how your life has changed since you've taken off the weight? Even for those who may not have reached their goals yet, but are working on it diligently day by day. Has your life changed, if so how? If not, why not (or why do think it/your life hasn't changed?

melliebelly77

I am so much more confident now! I didn't realize how much I didn't have until I started feeling better about myself!
My husband is pleased with the results and it is nice to get second looks from strangers now and again.
I am getting compliments I haven't gotten in so long, and it feels great and motivates me to keep going!
Im also being an example to my kids and that means so much to me!

NewLIFEstyle4ME

I am so much more confident now! I didn't realize how much I didn't have until I started feeling better about myself!
My husband is pleased with the results and it is nice to get second looks from strangers now and again.
I am getting compliments I haven't gotten in so long, and it feels great and motivates me to keep going!
Im also being an example to my kids and that means so much to me!

That is so tremendous. Also, I'm am soooo proud of you for losing 55 HUGE pounds--High Fives :glasses:

How long did it take you to lose the big ole 55 and were you doing any specific kinds of exercises. So encouraging, thanks for posting!

Pspetal

The biggest change is that I can now get ready in 5 mins! It used to take me an hour because I'd have to go through my whole wardrobe changing clothes each time I got dressed because it looked bad or didn't fit. Now everything fits and I can get ready in 5 mins or less! :drinker:

melliebelly77

I have been doing this since March. I bought a Fitbit and started with walking 10K steps at least 5 days a week. I just finished 30 Day Shred and will be starting Ripped in 30. At this point, it is a habit and I am so close to reaching my goal, I have no choice but to keep going:)

ryang99

I have noticed I am less tired... Have more energy... also feel better. I remember after eating fast food I would get the "McSlows"... and hated it. I have not had any fast food in the past two months.... Over all I have lost 80 lbs and over 40 here on MFP.

pwittek10

I am way happier!
I wish I had done this in my 30's not late 50's!

Colexlovely

The biggest change is that I can now get ready in 5 mins! It used to take me an hour because I'd have to go through my whole wardrobe changing clothes each time I got dressed because it looked bad or didn't fit. Now everything fits and I can get ready in 5 mins or less! :drinker:

Same here! I would pick everything and then take it off because it looked so bad. Sometimes I would go through everything and just cry because I couldn't find something that made me look good to myself. It is so nice to finally start feeling good about myself and be able to get ready faster.

Beckyloo80

I am happier and feel more confident. Which is HUGE for me!

thomassd1969

Never thought in a million years I would go to my closet and not want to wear anything because its to big instead of to small.

NewLIFEstyle4ME

The biggest change is that I can now get ready in 5 mins! It used to take me an hour because I'd have to go through my whole wardrobe changing clothes each time I got dressed because it looked bad or didn't fit. Now everything fits and I can get ready in 5 mins or less! :drinker:

oh Goooooooooood I so know that experience and for me, it's nothing less than horrible, a major league super BUMMER--I HATE that! Thanks so much for posting this, I never thought about that as a life changer and I am so looking forward to that. :drinker:

Melo1966

More energy.
More confidence.

WaterBunnie

I have the energy to do a lot more things now and find myself wanting to be active.

Putting on my socks is also so much easier!

ash8184

I think this is kind of a mixed bag... and I know I'm not alone when I say that a lot of my relationships have changed. When my boyfriend and I started dating, I weighed over 100lbs more than I do now, and though he's been extremely supportive, I think my new self confidence makes me seem like a different person. I'm not a pushover anymore and I don't let people walk all over me. I'm much more assertive & don't put up with drama or petty BS. A few months ago, I lost my best friend of 14+ years because she told me that I needed to reverse my lap band because I'd lost too much weight and we just didn't really ever talk again after that.

It's definitely been a great journey, but challenging in some respects as well. I think the most important thing is to have an awesome support system around you - including people who can keep you grounded!

wormstrup14

I have so much more energy to run around with my kids at the park...the thought of shopping does not petrify me...I no longer avoid the mirror on my dresser when I walk by...little things like this I never would have thought of!

deb3129

My life has changed a LOT. I had a lot of health issues that have completely been resolved. I have a TON more energy to do things with my kids. I have a lot more confidence. I know that I am a better, wife,mother and employee because I feel so much better, and I am not tired all the time. I worry less about dying at a young age of a heart attack, stroke etc. Because I still have a way to go before I am at a healthy weight, but I am definitely a lot better off than I was. I can walk into just about any clothing store and find something that fits. I no longer have to go to the plus size store and look for the biggest size. I could go on and on!!! Oh, I can also walk into a movie theatre, amusement park, etc and know that I will fit into whatever seat I am trying to fit into!

WendyTerry420

I am only four months in, so no huge changes of note. It's the little things that I notice though. For example, I used to get winded trying to walk up a flight of stairs. now I can run up two flights before starting to get winded. I've gone down a size in pants. It's easier to wear my seat belt. .... lots of little things....

rubix08

I feel more confident, there are so many smaller things I notice now that make me feel glad that I decided to change how I lived. Yesterday I noticed, while driving, that my stomach didn't come close to the steering wheel like it used too and that just brought my mood waaaay up. Clothes fit better than ever before and I just feel healthier and have more energy. It's a slow process but I have no regrets about doing it.

alpine1994

I can sleep! I've had insomnia my whole life and never thought that eating badly and never exercising could contribute to it. I got so sick of taking heavy drugs just to sleep and then feel like crap all day the next day and my doctor PROMISED me (I made her, haha) that regular exercise will help me get off the drugs. Well, it did and then I quickly learned that what I eat is fuel for my next workout, so I changed my eating habits too. I have slept like a giant baby with no drugs for 5 months and lost 20 lbs, and created some really great healthy habits.

ahviendha

I'm more friendly, more confident. Feel better about my clothes and myself. I'm more likely to go out, and be outgoing.

I think I just love myself more, and there's no more time for pity parties!

Love_flowers

CONFIDENCE. Lots and lots of it! :drinker:


That sums it up pretty well. :blushing:

bertabird

I haven't reached my goal yet, but I am working on it! Dropping this weight has made me more aware of how big I really was and how I never want to go there again. I started my journey in October of last year, but didn't come to MFP until March. Since Oct. of 2011, I have lost 77 pounds. Since last week of March I have lost 57. The big change in my life came when I started a low carb diet in March. I finally was able to find something that actually worked. No more yo-yo dieting for this chica!

My life is better, much better. I can actually go to the store and buy clothes that I know will fit. I don't have to order my clothes online because I can find some near home. Yay!

I also move better and feel it in my physical movement. I can stand up or sit down without feeling the weight in my knees. I also have more flexibility and stamina. My sexlife has improved too. My confidence is WAAAAAYYY up and I feel amazing!

I am jogging now. This from the woman who said, "I don't run unless I am getting chased or paid!" Yep. That WAS me, NOW I jog in quick bursts to get my heartrate up when out with the pooch for a walk. I feel amazing and get compliments all the time.

Funny, when I was at 298 pounds in Oct of 2011, I felt like a biological experiment gone bad. Now I remember that feeling and whenever I feel the urge to cheat or to think less of myself, I remember that time and I feel... inspired, revigorated and absolutely FABULOUS!

NewLIFEstyle4ME

I think this is kind of a mixed bag... and I know I'm not alone when I say that a lot of my relationships have changed. When my boyfriend and I started dating, I weighed over 100lbs more than I do now, and though he's been extremely supportive, I think my new self confidence makes me seem like a different person. I'm not a pushover anymore and I don't let people walk all over me. I'm much more assertive & don't put up with drama or petty BS. A few months ago, I lost my best friend of 14+ years because she told me that I needed to reverse my lap band because I'd lost too much weight and we just didn't really ever talk again after that.

It's definitely been a great journey, but challenging in some respects as well. I think the most important thing is to have an awesome support system around you - including people who can keep you grounded!

First of all you so ROCK and I'm proud as can be of you! I also so appreciate your posting this, because this is definitely going to be a change for some if not all of us too. It's a change and change doesn't always involve sunshine, Lollipops and roses. Thank you again so much for posting--it's very encouraging to me, because your post will help me prepare me for the reality of this life change too!!!! :flowerforyou:

Bail8gent1

This is a great topic !!


5 things have changed and impacted my life since losing weight....

1. No longer sweat as much as I did when I was 235lbs or more !
2. More Energy for sure.
3. Stopped Snoring which I would wake myself up ... Lol - I am sure you all have done this before also... haha
4. I get compliments from people which is def a Confidence booster.
5. I think the biggest for me would be that I know I am adding years to my life rather than taking away them - hope that made sense!

nre820

The biggest thing? It's a lot easier to run. I've lost a total of 27 lbs (20 since REALLY using MFP), which isn't a huge amount compared to some, but I notice that my body is thankful. My knees and back don't hurt, my feet don't ache and I don't get up in the morning feeling like I went through a war. This is a huge thing!

Another thing, I am back to the point where I don't think "oh, I should go out and run today," rather I say, "I'm GOING to run today." And then I do. I love that feeling, I love that it's part of my routine again and it helps me get through the rough days... And I love that I am so much healthier because of it.

I also love that I don't obsess about my body as much, the problem areas. I look at my legs and think, "how amazing that I have legs and muscles that can carry me for miles, even when my brain wants to give up!," It's definitely a major change in my point of view. And gives my confidence a boost.

tommygirl15

The biggest change is that I can now get ready in 5 mins! It used to take me an hour because I'd have to go through my whole wardrobe changing clothes each time I got dressed because it looked bad or didn't fit. Now everything fits and I can get ready in 5 mins or less! :drinker:

I'm exactly the same!

BarbellBlondieRuns

I'm confident! I can relax now! No more anxiety! I feel like ME! I'm ready to take on the world! I found success by eating a healthy well balanced diet and exercising regularly. I think the combination is key to being your best - inside and out!

trogalicious

Everything is better. No, seriously.

jsj024519

I can run a hell of a lot faster. I also quit smoking 64 days and I am LOSING (not gaining) weight!

KrazyAsianNic

I have only recently restarted my weight loss journey and made a rule to only weigh myself once a month, so I don't know weight wise my progress. However, since I have restarted the journey, I have have noticed I eat a lot less than I'm use to. I will grab a big portion that I can normally eat and not be able to finish it. It's weird yet comforting at the same time. Now if I could just get the portion sizes right.

From previous tries, things I hope to feel again:

-the feeling of putting on something that was originally tight but now fits.
-more energy
-not getting tired after just getting ready in the morning.
-joggin/runnin

dwh77tx

My clothes fit a lot better!