To the people who got to their goal weight, is life better?
agooddaytodiesoft
Posts: 58
What are some of the major differences?
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Replies
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I'm not technically at my goal weight, but I have lost 80lbs and kept it off for three years. I was 245lbs (probably higher in all honesty) and am now 164lbs.
Life is pretty much the same. I have great friends/marriage/career etc. Clothes shopping is far more enjoyable, as I'm limited by what I can afford now rather than what I could fit into. That makes it a bit more liberating.
I can also be more active easily now. Among my friends, we don't really go exercise together, but I could go for a hike etc. and not be utterly exhausted by the end of it. That being said, I could keep up to people half my size at 245lbs, but I was young so was still healthy on the inside?
I travel to conferences for work a few times a year, and I will say it's nice to not try to squish myself into the window so my butt and thighs are not spilling out onto the next seat.
I think the bottom line is that whatever positives in your life now will still be there, and whatever stressors are with you will persist. I think it's misleading when you read or watch weight loss stories where people say how their lives have been transformed. My life rocked at 245, all the way down, and is still a full, happy, meaningful life now. There's just quite a bit less of me now, and my health will be better as I age due to not having extra stress on joints etc.0 -
I'm not at goal weight yet, but I went from obese to 5-10 pounds overweight in 2011 (came back to tracking calories in January of this year, and as of Friday I'm finally in the "normal" BMI range). A few differences:
1. Car seat belts fit better. Something about my shape when I was obese made passenger-side belts especially uncomfortable--not just across the lap, but they hit me in the neck instead of going across my chest correctly.
2. Plane seats! My hips fit comfortably in them now, and more often than not I have to tighten the seat belt from where the last passenger had it, instead of threading it out to a bigger size.
3. Less self-conscious. I was sitting with my husband before the start of a (running) race a month or so ago, watching people and checking out their shoes and running clothes. It suddenly occurred to me that a few years ago, I didn't look at shoes. I was too busy looking at shapes, trying to assess if I was the fattest person at the race.
4. It was a good moment when I finally didn't have to shop the plus-size section of stores anymore.
5. To my utter disbelief, I get checked out sometimes. I turn 50 this year. That's a confidence boost, even if I'm still a bit WTF? about it.
6. Most importantly, I feel like I know how to eat now! I maintained my initial weight loss within a few pounds for 18 months, keeping an eye on the scale and returning to tracking calories if I gained a certain amount. I didn't just diet it off and have it return when I stopped. That keeps me hopeful that I can keep doing this for the rest of my life. Yeah, that makes life better.
Before:
Two days ago (still in progress, so not "after" yet!):
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I'm not at goal weight yet, but I went from obese to 5-10 pounds overweight in 2011 (came back to tracking calories in January of this year, and as of Friday I'm finally in the "normal" BMI range). A few differences:
1. Car seat belts fit better. Something about my shape when I was obese made passenger-side belts especially uncomfortable--not just across the lap, but they hit me in the neck instead of going across my chest correctly.
2. Plane seats! My hips fit comfortably in them now, and more often than not I have to tighten the seat belt from where the last passenger had it, instead of threading it out to a bigger size.
3. Less self-conscious. I was sitting with my husband before the start of a (running) race a month or so ago, watching people and checking out their shoes and running clothes. It suddenly occurred to me that a few years ago, I didn't look at shoes. I was too busy looking at shapes, trying to assess if I was the fattest person at the race.
4. It was a good moment when I finally didn't have to shop the plus-size section of stores anymore.
5. To my utter disbelief, I get checked out sometimes. I turn 50 this year. That's a confidence boost, even if I'm still a bit WTF? about it.
6. Most importantly, I feel like I know how to eat now! I maintained my initial weight loss within a few pounds for 18 months, keeping an eye on the scale and returning to tracking calories if I gained a certain amount. I didn't just diet it off and have it return when I stopped. That keeps me hopeful that I can keep doing this for the rest of my life. Yeah, that makes life better.
Before:
Two days ago (still in progress, so not "after" yet!):
Wow you look great!0 -
Two days ago (still in progress, so not "after" yet!):
Wow, I hope I look this good at 50! Amazing change!0 -
Before:
Two days ago (still in progress, so not "after" yet!):
Awesome. Well done :flowerforyou:0 -
My quality of life is great. I feel fit, healthy, slim. However the only side effects I've noticed are social ones.
I lost a few friends due to jealousy, or I chose to back-off them because they attempted to undermine me. Also a male friend turned into some hormone-fueled douche who gave me a nervous breakdown, that was kind of a disturbing experience.
Also my bank account is like "ermahgerd stop buying new clothes", but really that's a love-hate relationship we have.
I think that the social side-effects are truly a blessing though, because it shows you who's your friend because they like you, and who's your friend because they don't want to be overweight by themselves.0 -
I got to my "goal" weight in July of 2012, and kept going. I went from 209 to 158 in about 7 months, and then continued to live the healthy lifestyle I had made a habit. Going from obese and strong (I had already been doing wright training,) to slimmer and more fit -- the muscle started to show through, since the fat was gone, meant I had more energy and could make more improvements.
Since July, I've continued to plan what I eat each day or at least consciously make healthy decisions, continue to drink wine on occasion instead of every night, and get "at least 60 minutes" of exercise every day. In my 10 months of maintenance, I've gotten down to 150ish, and hovered between 148-153. I weigh in each Sunday morning, to stay on track.
More energy!
Better appetite for healthy foods -- I seem to just crave the right stuff!
Desire to exercise - my body just wants to move!
The physical difference in my body means I had to buy all new clothes, which was expensive - but I shopped on ebay, and picked up used items that fit my style. I've donated a lot of my larger clothes.
About ten years ago, I lost 40 lbs, then put it all back on plus more over ten years. I want to stay motivated to not make that mistake again. Thanks to MFP, there's a great tool to stay on track by keeping tabs on the level of calories consumed and credited by exercise - it's a real help in the maintain-game, too.0 -
Confidence and energy.0
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I have 4 lbs. to get to my goal weight. It has taken me a long time to get there (started Aug. 2011) but I'm not giving up. I feel so much better, have a lot more energy and look so much better in my clothes and skin. I have some toning issues to take care of so still a work in progress. I intent to stay on MFP for my maintenance because if I don't, will fall back into my old eating habits I'm sure. MFP keeps me motivated and accountable for my new eating habits. I'm not worried about social issues because at my age I'm not looking for new connections.:happy: PS - I've picked up a lot of good looking clothes at the Goodwill Store. You just have to look.:happy:0
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Not at my goal weight yet, however since I started losing weight, I've felt more confident in myself. I look at myself in the mirror and don't see a fat girl anymore. I also don't mind looking at myself naked anymore (sorry if that's TMI).
I feel fitter, healthier and generally happier in my own skin now.
My whole attitude to food and exercise has also changed - where I used to avoid exercising at the gym like the plague, I look for any excuse to go to the gym or to a fitness class (thank goodness for my discounted student gym membership!
Overall, I've made a lifestyle change and feel so much better for it - once I reach my goal weight, I know I'll be able to maintain it because of this change
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I love walking into the closet, picking an outfit and knowing that it will fit!!! I used to hate to get dressed to go out. Now I wish I went out more just to dress up!!!0
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LOADS better.
I didn't realize that I was actually feeling like **** on a regular basis. I had no basis for what feeling good felt like, so I assumed that the way I felt was simply how things were supposed to be... nope. After eating right, exercising regularly, and losing some significant weight I found out what I was missing - I was no longer tired doing something as simple as walking up a flight of steps, I had so much more energy, the bags under my eyes disappeared, the headaches... all gone.
People actually notice me now. People I do not know have told me that I am "handsome" - what??! I've NEVER had a random stranger tell me that. Now, it happens. As in, this isn't an isolated incident. This happened more than once.
Confidence... definitely a confidence boost. I look better, feel better, get treated better... how can I not feel good about myself after that?0 -
Yes!
Fitter, stronger, more energy. Feel much better about myself.
The compliments from people that haven't seen me for a while are always nice and good for the ego.
Only downside is having to go shopping for new clothes - I hate shopping.0 -
Amazing change You look wonderful
I'm not at goal weight yet, but I went from obese to 5-10 pounds overweight in 2011 (came back to tracking calories in January of this year, and as of Friday I'm finally in the "normal" BMI range). A few differences:
1. Car seat belts fit better. Something about my shape when I was obese made passenger-side belts especially uncomfortable--not just across the lap, but they hit me in the neck instead of going across my chest correctly.
2. Plane seats! My hips fit comfortably in them now, and more often than not I have to tighten the seat belt from where the last passenger had it, instead of threading it out to a bigger size.
3. Less self-conscious. I was sitting with my husband before the start of a (running) race a month or so ago, watching people and checking out their shoes and running clothes. It suddenly occurred to me that a few years ago, I didn't look at shoes. I was too busy looking at shapes, trying to assess if I was the fattest person at the race.
4. It was a good moment when I finally didn't have to shop the plus-size section of stores anymore.
5. To my utter disbelief, I get checked out sometimes. I turn 50 this year. That's a confidence boost, even if I'm still a bit WTF? about it.
6. Most importantly, I feel like I know how to eat now! I maintained my initial weight loss within a few pounds for 18 months, keeping an eye on the scale and returning to tracking calories if I gained a certain amount. I didn't just diet it off and have it return when I stopped. That keeps me hopeful that I can keep doing this for the rest of my life. Yeah, that makes life better.
Before:
Two days ago (still in progress, so not "after" yet!):0 -
I didn't get to my goal, always skinny. and yes, life is better.0
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YES!!! It was totally worth it
I too lost friends, I never knew they like me around because then they were not the heaviest. I was
Now I LIKE myself,
It is very hard to stay down.0 -
I've lost 40 lbs since the last week of December. I was weighing 220 at 5'11. I'm now weighing 180 lbs.Alot of people say that I wasn't over weight. But I felt like a cow...:embarrassed: I'm at my goal weight and would like to tone up now.
Things that I've noticed so far...
There is people that get jealous of your success :grumble:
I am so much more aware of the foods I eat now.
The clothes fit and look so much better :bigsmile:
I look good in a bathing suit now. :happy:
MY husband smiles a lot more when he sees me dressed up
I found that I really enjoy the exercising.
I've got more energy and strength
I Don't plan on ever going back to the old me...:happy:0 -
I didn't get to my goal, always skinny. and yes, life is better.
I find this sad. You'll never get that sense of achievment that making a positive change to your life entails.
Not at my goal body yet OP, but I feel so much better. I don't get sick as much and when I do I recover quicker. I take up less space in the bed, clothes suit me and are no longer something I hide behind. There are loads of things. I still miss gorging myself on food, but I allow myself the odd day when I can do this so I know that it is not a 'never'.0 -
I'm not at goal weight yet, but I went from obese to 5-10 pounds overweight in 2011 (came back to tracking calories in January of this year, and as of Friday I'm finally in the "normal" BMI range). A few differences:
1. Car seat belts fit better. Something about my shape when I was obese made passenger-side belts especially uncomfortable--not just across the lap, but they hit me in the neck instead of going across my chest correctly.
2. Plane seats! My hips fit comfortably in them now, and more often than not I have to tighten the seat belt from where the last passenger had it, instead of threading it out to a bigger size.
3. Less self-conscious. I was sitting with my husband before the start of a (running) race a month or so ago, watching people and checking out their shoes and running clothes. It suddenly occurred to me that a few years ago, I didn't look at shoes. I was too busy looking at shapes, trying to assess if I was the fattest person at the race.
4. It was a good moment when I finally didn't have to shop the plus-size section of stores anymore.
5. To my utter disbelief, I get checked out sometimes. I turn 50 this year. That's a confidence boost, even if I'm still a bit WTF? about it.
6. Most importantly, I feel like I know how to eat now! I maintained my initial weight loss within a few pounds for 18 months, keeping an eye on the scale and returning to tracking calories if I gained a certain amount. I didn't just diet it off and have it return when I stopped. That keeps me hopeful that I can keep doing this for the rest of my life. Yeah, that makes life better.
Before:
Two days ago (still in progress, so not "after" yet!):
You look fantastic!0 -
Also my bank account is like "ermahgerd stop buying new clothes", but really that's a love-hate relationship we have.
Hahaha! Love it! That's a not-so-bad problem (in a way). With a new body, comes all the new clothes!0 -
I didn't get to my goal, always skinny. and yes, life is better.
This statement is.........something. Doesn't seem to belong in this thread. Plus how would you know if life is better without having the other part to compare it to? Better than what, exactly?0 -
I didn't get to my goal, always skinny. and yes, life is better.
You'd know how exactly? :noway:0 -
Tot the OP: I always say that "no matter where you go, there you are." Usually that applies to someone that thinks moving to a new place will make them happier. But the same principle applies to losing weight. If you were a happy person while overweight, you'll be a happy person at goal weight. If you were miserable while overweight, losing a ton of weight isn't going to make all your problems magically disappear. Thinking everything will be rosy on the other side is a recipe for disappointment.
If you are not happy with your life now, I suggest you do the things you need to do to lose the weight and get to your goal. But since that is a long, slow process, also use that time to work on the other things in your life that make you unhappy. Take a class that might improve your job prospects. Get a new hobby that might improve your social prospects. Get counseling that will help you learn to be happy with yourself, no matter what your current or future self may be.0 -
I didn't get to my goal, always skinny. and yes, life is better.
I really wish you would stop posting things like this, inappropriately, in the wrong threads and wrong context. It just creates a dichotomy between members that are here for different reasons, that does not need to exist. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes in the forums, but you are way past that.0 -
You know, back at my starting point, when I envisioned my life after losing weight I imagined a perfect life. Like many other people, I was convinced that losing 50 pounds would simultaneously take care of all of my problems in life. I basically zeroed in on weight loss as my savior.
50 pounds later, and I found that I still had problems, insecurities, and everyday issues- I just happened to be a different size. I realized weight loss was not a fix-it-all.
That being said, it has changed my life. I feel a sense of confidence and accomplishment that I never did before. I too lost friends in the process, but through that I've been able to narrow it down to my true friends-the ones that stuck by me. I do get treated much better in public and have had many more doors open career-wise. (A sobering revelation of how much looks affect success, but I've come to terms with the superficial nature of the world we live in) Would I have been able to work in the modeling world or landed my job at my prior weight? I'd like to think so, but probably not.
Also, I'm able to do on a daily basis what I never had the confidence to do..prance down to the beach only in my bikini, surfboard tucked under my arm :laugh:0 -
I didn't get to my goal, always skinny. and yes, life is better.
Is it really that much better if you feel the compulsion to post remarks like this? Are you trying to convince us or yourself?
OP, honestly, "life" isn't better because I lost weight. I think it is more the mindset. I had a huge epiphany I guess, a change in mindset, before I lost the weight. That change and whatever it was that triggered it that prompted me to get healthier is what I think might have made me happier and life better.
Although, I do have to say that now that I am fit and strong and healthy, daily living is so much easier and pleasant. I don't let much hold me back.0 -
Yes!
At 240 pounds (Size 20) through most of High School, this was the body I was used to, and I hated every moment of it:
Last year when I weighed 214 pounds (size 16) and joined MFP:
What I look like today at 150 pounds (SIze 6):
After High School, I eventually lost weight from being depressed. For the last decade, I averaged at 180, so when I ballooned up to 214 pounds my goal was to just get back down to 180 and do it the right way. So I joined a gym and hit the treadmill 3 times a week 30 minutes a day and watched what I ate. When I went under 180, I was feeling more energetic and I genuinely wanted to be active. So I started stepping things up and going on long walks all over the city. I set my goal to 160 which seemed like a stretch since I had never been that small. But then I passed that goal too. Just a few days ago, I hit my ultimate goal of 150 a few days ago and I have never been more proud of myself. I will continue to maintain things with diet and exercise and will probably lose more weight eventually. I'm not society's idea of skinny, but I am my idea of skinny. I can walk into any store and not have to worry about whether I can squeeze into the largest sizes or not. People don't make fat jokes about me anymore. I don't feel self conscious, actually I feel more confident. I suffer from social anxiety disorder and I am very afraid to approach people, but I'm more willing to take social risks now. I also feel sexy.
Even more important, I feel healthier. I was at very high risk for type 2 Diabetes and now all of those symptoms are gone!
For the first time, I am actually excited for swim suit season.
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I didn't get to my goal, always skinny. and yes, life is better.
You seem to be missing that filter that says "maybe I shouldn't say this out loud"0 -
My health is better and I have less pain from the medical conditions I have left. I'm happier while clothes shopping. Otherwise it is much the same. If anything I find that I'm less self-confident in terms of appearance than I was before, because I'm more aware of myself, if that makes sense.0
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Great story, and wonderful results! Congrats on getting your health back on track and increasing your self-confidence--and girl, ROCK that swimsuit this summer!Yes!
At 240 pounds (Size 20) through most of High School, this was the body I was used to, and I hated every moment of it:
Last year when I weighed 214 pounds (size 16) and joined MFP:
What I look like today at 150 pounds (SIze 6):
After High School, I eventually lost weight from being depressed. For the last decade, I averaged at 180, so when I ballooned up to 214 pounds my goal was to just get back down to 180 and do it the right way. So I joined a gym and hit the treadmill 3 times a week 30 minutes a day and watched what I ate. When I went under 180, I was feeling more energetic and I genuinely wanted to be active. So I started stepping things up and going on long walks all over the city. I set my goal to 160 which seemed like a stretch since I had never been that small. But then I passed that goal too. Just a few days ago, I hit my ultimate goal of 150 a few days ago and I have never been more proud of myself. I will continue to maintain things with diet and exercise and will probably lose more weight eventually. I'm not society's idea of skinny, but I am my idea of skinny. I can walk into any store and not have to worry about whether I can squeeze into the largest sizes or not. People don't make fat jokes about me anymore. I don't feel self conscious, actually I feel more confident. I suffer from social anxiety disorder and I am very afraid to approach people, but I'm more willing to take social risks now. I also feel sexy.
Even more important, I feel healthier. I was at very high risk for type 2 Diabetes and now all of those symptoms are gone!
For the first time, I am actually excited for swim suit season.0
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