What were unexpected upsides of losing weight?? Share!

Adah_m
Adah_m Posts: 216 Member
edited October 27 in Motivation and Support
Let’s talk about some of those unexpected benefits that came along with losing weight. Whether you have had big or small successes, share with us some of the perks that showed up that you didn’t know were coming! It’s a great way to realize that you have more to look forward to than the standard “Look better, feel better, live longer” that you hear everywhere.
Here are mine (and I am going to be so honest)

I can sit with my legs crossed again! My thighs were too big to do this for years!
My arms don’t get tired just from straightening or curling my hair!
Hygiene! I don’t sweat unless I want to- in the gym. I used to struggle to shower often enough to smell nice and fresh, sometimes needing to “freshen up” two or three times a day. No more!
I can shave without looking in the mirror.
I can paint my own toenails.
I can go up a flight of stairs.
I can ALWAYS button my pants. No more nasty surprises when I haven’t worn a pair in a week and they suddenly look like sausage casing.
I don’t have to always shop plus sizes, I can find plenty of clothes in the same places other girls my age shop.
My feet got smaller! Size 11 at my heaviest, to a 9.5 again!
Speaking of feet, for some reason 100 lbs less, I don't get cracked painful, dry heels anymore. My circulation is definately up!
My ring size went from a 10 to a 7 :smile:
More hanky panky, better hanky panky :blushing: (wait… what?)
I like to wear shorts, and they don’t ride up from my thighs rubbing together!
I leave the house without spanx.
I don’t have to custom order my bras anymore.
My skin cleared up from cutting a lot of the fat/toxins/sugar out of my diet, and drinking more water.
I have fewer tension headaches.
I have tons more energy! I wouldn’t have imagined conquering in a week what I conquer in a single day now!
I’m not too shy to get in the gym, or better yet, to go out to the club! I’m not afraid of a swimsuit or to sunbathe.
I married a hottie! :love:
I can sit in the airplane seat comfortably.
I don’t have constant heartburn.
I’m not super self conscious of people catching a glimpse of my giant panties at the Laundromat.
My hair and nails are both healthier. Maybe a side effect of a better diet?
If you were ever really big, you know what happens when your pelvic floor muscles get weak and then you sneeze! :embarassed: Happily, I do NOT pee my pants from sudden movements anymore.
I stopped snoring like a motor boat!
It doesn’t take me 20 minutes of careful face positioning, makeup in the right places, and careful lighting to take a good picture that doesn’t make my head look like a 4 chinned pumpkin.
Once you’re not the fat friend, people don’t always assume you were the one who farted when a sudden “aroma” occurs. :laugh:
Sitting Indian Style (or criss-cross apple sauce) is no longer impossible.
I don’t look at the weight limits on things anymore. I’m not worried about a 250 lb limit on chairs, fitness equipment, air mattresses, playground equipment, et cetera….
I don’t have to wear clothes designed for women double my age. I don’t look ten years older than I am.
Getting out of bed doesn’t make me feel like a turtle flipped over on its shell.

Anything else guys? Things that you never realized would get better or improve your quality of life after you lost weight?
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Replies

  • Seaglass1123
    Seaglass1123 Posts: 500 Member
    OK you are just awesome and I share in most of these with you!

    Crossing legs much more comfortable
    Lost 1.5 shoe size
    Ring size went from 8.75 to 6!!!!!
    Wearing shorts is a good thing now
    Clearer skin for sure!!
    Much more flexible.
    I can do 300 +jumping jacks now whereas before 1 made me feel like I could die
    Lost my extra chin (this is one of my favs)

    Sure I will think of more :)
  • woodsy0912
    woodsy0912 Posts: 323
    Love your list! I have had many of those that I love!

    Finally able to cross my legs.
    I beat my running mile time from back in high school.
    I also am not afraid of weight limits anymore. (kayaks, water tubes, etc...)
    I don't sweat constantly anymore!
    I no longer have to wear camis under all of my cloths for fear of my belly popping out.
    I shop in the regular size part of the store now! (Such a confusing land)
    I no longer have asthma symptoms.
    I am not a picky eater anymore. I loves ALL the veggies/ fruits I used to pick around!
    I learned I love to cook healthy food and I crave it even more than the crap I used to eat!
    I learned how to drink in moderation and be much happier for it.
    I don't feel bad for my horses having to carry around all that extra weight!
    I don't have to use a plane seat belt extender.
    I found a new passion: RUNNING!
    My new healthy eating/ fat loss led me to be able to quit smoking.
    I can now fit into those tiny university desks.

    So many more I just can't think of them all at once...
  • JeneticTraining
    JeneticTraining Posts: 663 Member
    Clear skin
    More confidence
    Being carefree
    Feeling and being healthy
    Learning
    Being able to push myself
    Discovering a cooking passion
  • This is so funny. I've reached most of these milestones, and the ones I haven't reached, such as crossing my legs, and being careful when I sneeze (I've birthed 5 children, so I'll probably always have that problem) etc., I'm well on my way to reaching. Did you mention better sleep? I definately sleep better these days now that I don't wake up 6 times a night to pee.
  • nicolej1016
    nicolej1016 Posts: 89 Member
    Amen, Amen, Amen... thanks for posting this!
  • aikasm
    aikasm Posts: 63
    because i've been eating healthier foods, my hair is glossier and my skin is clearer too!
  • ruwise
    ruwise Posts: 265 Member
    Not lost too much yet but already I've noticed I sleep better, have more energy and my skin is clearer.
  • I can play "airplane" with my son without my arms killing me.
    My Fiance says I'm a better cook.
    I can touch my toes no problem!
  • fitnessgoddess17
    fitnessgoddess17 Posts: 125 Member
    Not even thinking twice when my kids ask me to play tag with them. :happy:
  • ctpeace
    ctpeace Posts: 327 Member
    Agree with all!
    clothes available are cuter and cuter on me!
    "comfy" pants don't need to be stretchy!
  • DangerousDoug42
    DangerousDoug42 Posts: 12 Member
    I can now see my happy stick.
  • khall86790
    khall86790 Posts: 1,100 Member
    I am more confident and feel sexier.
    No longer have to wear tight clothes under loose ones to create a shape.
    No longer fear that loose clothes make me look like I'm wearing a tent.
    LOVE playing games with kids now whereas before I worried I wouldn't be able to keep up.
    I can touch my toes :)
    I can comfortably sit with my legs crossed or tucked up in a chair.
    I LOVE trying on clothes now.
  • khall86790
    khall86790 Posts: 1,100 Member
    I can now see my happy stick.

    ^ lol. Love this one.
  • runner1609
    runner1609 Posts: 9 Member
    FANTASTIC!! Congratulations to you all!
  • Still_Fluffy
    Still_Fluffy Posts: 341 Member
    I look better
    I'm now a marathoner (4 down)
    Sex is SO much better
    I sleep better
    I've already had my wedding ring reasize down three sizes once and am close to bringing it in again
    My **unit** is bigger (yes men, for ever 45 pounds lost ~ 1/4 inch of manhood back) - may relate to item #3
    I feel better over all
    I lost 10 inches on my weist and went from 3XL to XL

    I'm still a big guy, I still have 40 pounds to loose, but I've lost 135 pounds and still loosing


    (How many are doing the pounds to inch math in your head right now?!)
  • woodsy0912
    woodsy0912 Posts: 323
    Oh ya! I can also now wrap my arms around my knees! I used to be so jealous of my thin friends/ family being able to do this :laugh:
  • ellepribro
    ellepribro Posts: 226 Member
    Your lists are fantastic, and I am eagerly anticipating some of these!
    Some upsides for me include:
    Getting down on the floor (and back up) with my students is much easier
    Being able to spend a work day in heels
    Being able to spend a day playing and keeping up with my 5 year-old niece
    Crossing my legs is an easier task
    No longer getting winded climbing a flight of stairs
    Increased confidence
    Resizing my wedding rings
    I haven't lost a whole lot yet, so I assume there will be more to come soon.
  • jheads
    jheads Posts: 145 Member
    and being careful when I sneeze (I've birthed 5 children, so I'll probably always have that problem)

    I've also birthed 5 kiddos and have to take breaks during 30ds to pee!!! I'm hoping that weight loss helps some.
  • bregalad5
    bregalad5 Posts: 3,965 Member
    A lot to look forward to :)

    Right now I just like being able to tie my shoes without having to hold my breath/getting out of breath :P
  • Ironhead3td
    Ironhead3td Posts: 40 Member
    My feet don't hurt as much
    Better love life (with my wife)
    I'm much better at my job( patients seem to take me more seriously)
    I get more stuff done around the house
    I've saved money by eating less crap
    Compliments from professors
    More confidence
    I don't feel like such a bother in crowded situations when I need to get up.
    People seem to respect/talk to me more
    22902845.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter
  • NaCL_H20
    NaCL_H20 Posts: 24
    The back of my neck doesn't look like a package of hotdogs anymore.
    My junk got bigger.
    I can manscape more effectively
    My shirts are tighter in the top half not the lower
    I dont tilt the steering wheel up on in my truck when getting in and out of it
    I can run 6.5 miles and still chase my kids around afterward
  • ktliu
    ktliu Posts: 334 Member
    I can fit in my non fat shirts.,I have more things to wear in general.
    Run down a flight of stairs for the first time in years.
    Better muscle tone.
    better performance in the bedroom.:blushing:
    Go back to practice martial arts.
    Refinished my sun bleached door. (a one week project)
    Done more around the house.
    Wanting to buy more form fitting shirts, instead of buying stuff from costco...one size fit all type.
    Turning the AC up, saving more energy.
    Play video game less. feel restless lots of times.
    Better skin.
  • DrWilyMD
    DrWilyMD Posts: 14
    Generally, life just got a little easier.
    I feel like everyone's flirting with me now.
    Salespeople and servers are more helpful.
    I get more respect at work.
    Sex is better.
    My manhood has increased in visible length by a full inch.
    My guy friends don't screw with me as much anymore.
    Women smile and touch me more in conversation.
    Just a lot of little things that add up to priceless. :P
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    Not being instantly friend zoned.
  • DrWilyMD
    DrWilyMD Posts: 14
    Not being instantly friend zoned.

    HELL. YES.

    You get me.
  • metacognition
    metacognition Posts: 626 Member
    I had to throw out all of my old pants because not even safety pins could hold them up anymore.

    I need less makeup because simply being thin gives me more defined cheekbones, a slender neck, and rounder lips (the neck fat is no longer distracting from my face!)
  • Adah_m
    Adah_m Posts: 216 Member
    I look better
    I'm now a marathoner (4 down)
    Sex is SO much better
    I sleep better
    I've already had my wedding ring reasize down three sizes once and am close to bringing it in again
    My **unit** is bigger (yes men, for ever 45 pounds lost ~ 1/4 inch of manhood back) - may relate to item #3
    I feel better over all
    I lost 10 inches on my weist and went from 3XL to XL

    I'm still a big guy, I still have 40 pounds to loose, but I've lost 135 pounds and still loosing


    (How many are doing the pounds to inch math in your head right now?!)

    I love this! This thread was definately about the unexpected and HONEST benefits, there is one for sure :)
  • Adah_m
    Adah_m Posts: 216 Member
    Having a healthy pregnancy turned out to be the best benefit of all the weight I lost before I had my beautiful son. :)
  • nomoyoyoing
    nomoyoyoing Posts: 159 Member
    I've been an active participant on this site for a while, but this is the first thread I've 'starred'. These posts are awesome!!! I will hopefully post my own upsides to weight loss in a couple months. Stay tuned..
  • nomoyoyoing
    nomoyoyoing Posts: 159 Member
    Adah_m wrote: »
    Having a healthy pregnancy turned out to be the best benefit of all the weight I lost before I had my beautiful son. :)

    Congratulations!!
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