What is the biggest unexpected surprise after losing weight?

Bump. Great thread!!!

I just started using this MFP app again. It's been more than a year now and I'm gaining some weight back. I had lost over 20# and now I'm back up by 9#. I noticed my clothes are getting too tight despite working out most days of the week. Eating out at restaurants this summer has packed on some pounds and it has got to stop. I will use this app to keep track before I end up over 200# again!

I am most suprised at the fact that none of my shoes fit anymore, all way too big. Crossing my legs has become something I love to do as it is now SO much easier. I am most suprised at the reaction my husband has had, he still makes comments about bones that he didn't remember me having when we met 20 years ago......I tell him thats because I didn't!

There are a lot of negatives for me, almost more than there are positives BUT I am in a much better place health wise than I was 60 lbs ago and for that I am glad. I was always a confident person so that hasn't changed though I do find I'm getting a little more vain than I like sometimes..

I find that the extra 'attention' and 'solicitous' behavior from others is affecting my ability to do my job in that clients (especially males) are even more unwilling to accept technical experience when the woman is better looking / thinner etc.. When I was bigger I didn't have guys falling over themselves to help me which suited me fine and allowed me to do what I needed and gtfo..now they just get in my way and its annoying as *uck.

The extra 'bones' that have been uncovered by my shrinking skin now make it even more impossible to find a comfortable position for sleeping - I have never slept well and these days it's just gotten worse.

I was always ample in the top but I was always able to find clothing that would fit reasonably well at the plus size stores. Now my boobs have gone from a reasonably difficult to find but still fairly available 40DDD to an IMPOSSIBLE and forget it unless you want to pay $$$ in a special store 36DDD.. The plus stores don't start until 38 and the normal stores stop at DD. Making it also impossible to find a one piece dress to fit properly in the top and not hang like a circus tent off my STILL non-existent butt, also making it practically impossible to find any top which fits right for the same reason.. I have more pain in my back, hips and knees than ever..probably cause my boobs hardly shrank I hope the next 30 lbs takes some boob - WTB DD plx!

On a positive note: I no longer feel squished when someone sits next to me on the bus

How much better I felt in general, not just being more fit, but so many other things - my knees don't hurt anymore, my back doesn't hurt, it's so much easier to do so many little things (mowing the lawn) that I never thought would be affected.

I also haven't gotten sick lately, prob thanks to better nutrition and exercise. I feel better about myself, so I carry myself with more confidence.

My favorite surprise is probably that I'm never worried about fitting into any clothes anymore. If I bought it, at any time, I will fit into it, because I'm no longer gaining weight.

The bad surprise? Probably negative people, though there haven't been many. Also, the cost of buying new clothes, but if you wait for sales you can get really nice stuff at normal prices.

I've been married 20 years so I'll be blunt. I've lost almost half my goal weight and my husband has shed all 25lbs he needed to lose. There is so much less belly between us that we noticed how much better we "fit together" when we are in the heat of passion. Reason enough to stay motivated.

MORE stamina and enjoyment

being able to RUN

not having to buy clothes in the Plus size section

not taking forever to shave

even though i'm curvy, having hip bones and collarbones that i can feel/see

actually being noticed instead of just blending in.

I've lost 32lbs so far and the thing that surprises me the most is that MY CLOTHES STILL FIT!!! I only have a couple articles that I can't wear anymore and by now I thought I would have a whole new wardrobe

On the good side, I'm shocked at how I'm living without the white foods that I used to eat! I never thought I could live without bread at every meal. I would literally put mashed potatoes on my garlic bread at least three times per week before... I probably eat 1200-2000 calories less per week just by cutting down on potatoes, bread, pasta and rice.

I'm also shocked at how proud of myself I am

I love this question and the responses. I am almost to my FIRST Goal, have 14lbs to go. But, there have been a few negative and some positive.

On the negative side:
-The cellulite on my legs has become more prominent, and I am not liking that (so, weight training is in order)
while my breast have shrunk, because I had a biopsy, I now have extra loose skin on the biopsied breast. (sorry TMI)
-I am having issues with seeing the new me. There are days where I am so excited about it, but then there are days where I still feel as if I haven't lost any weight. I have these unrealistic feelings, especially if I happen to overeat on a particular day! :-(
-my knees (athritis) has become a major issue due to all of my ZUMBA (but I will find a way to manage it, not giving it up)

The plus side:


-I am managing my anxiety and depression better though exercise. I still have my moments, but they are manageable and I don't get overwhelmed and linger in that, quite like I used to.
-my shoe size has gotten smaller
-My waist is showing now
-I am excited about getting on an airplane, because I now don't have to wonder if I am going to be able to fit. I Know that I will.
-I fit in ALL seats now
-I NOW realize that this has to be a way of life, not just a temporary weight loss (DIET!)
I have finally found an execise that I ABSOLUTELY love. ZUMBA.. have become a ZUMBAHOLIC
-looking foward to being the smallest that I have ever been, as an adult (actually, I am close to that now)
-I too realize how short I really am (being all of 5' 3 1/2") - even my son said.. oh wow mom.. u are really short! (being heavier makes you appear taller, I guess)
-having my children become involved and having their tremendous support in my getting healthy
-just overall feeling better about my health and who I am as person
-being an inspiration to other people.. now that was a shocker to me!!!! WOW...

And knowing that there will be more surprises.. to come...

Since 2009, I've lost 80 lbs, but I've just recently started to notice certain changes, since I'm pretty much the smallest I've ever been. One that I noticed over the last couple of days (and I was actually thinking about it this morning) is that I actually feel my height now. I'm fairly short at 5'4", but I've never felt short. I guess my extra girth made me feel like I had increased stature, but I work with a bunch of guys who are 6'+ and we do a lot of heavy lifting. It's really put in perspective for me just how small I am. And the more weight I lose, the smaller I feel. I feel like Alice drinking the shrinking potion sometimes. Lol

I find this interesting because I'm having the opposite feeling, as I'm losing weight I'm feeling taller I'm only 5'4, but I think with that extra weight I was slouching more and just looked depressed. Now I walk with my shoulders back and my head high.

The fact that I went from being hot and sweating all the time, to freezing all the time! I used to think that I was "hot natured". Nope, just to much fat lol. Also, how my taste buds changed. Stuff I couldn't stand is now some of my favorites!

I have noticed I can rich my bum lol
toilet sit doesnt get lose.
gym walking is not 30 min but 15 min
going up the hill is no problem
I actually have a waist!
Guys look at me on the street
Belly is hanging a bit but I do exercise hoping to get rid of it soon
Thats my story

I'm sexy and I know it

Seriously, though; the whole world treats you better.

Also, the cold affects me much more, my libido has increased, and I have more energy for everyday things.

I think it also evolved my outlook. I can do IT - whatever it is. Try and stop me. If I can fight my own demons and win, then I have less fear facing outside 'demons.'

Since 2009, I've lost 80 lbs, but I've just recently started to notice certain changes, since I'm pretty much the smallest I've ever been. One that I noticed over the last couple of days (and I was actually thinking about it this morning) is that I actually feel my height now. I'm fairly short at 5'4", but I've never felt short. I guess my extra girth made me feel like I had increased stature, but I work with a bunch of guys who are 6'+ and we do a lot of heavy lifting. It's really put in perspective for me just how small I am. And the more weight I lose, the smaller I feel. I feel like Alice drinking the shrinking potion sometimes. Lol

I am sorta the opposite, I feel taller the more weight I lose. Maybe it is standing up straighter or something. I always felt bigger than most of the women around me (I'm 5'8" and most of my girlfriends are around 5'3-5'5) but as I get smaller width wise I start to see, oh i do have longer arms and legs and simply take up more space not JUST because of big breasts or belly and so on.

I have stopped biting my nails! I have nails for the first time in my life. I am 63:laugh:
I think it is a combination of feeling more confident and less stressed, better nutrition, so they don't break, wanting to look my best, and not wanting (TMI) to fill my mouth with saliva and sparking my appetite, which is what happens when you bite them. My mum was a biter and my granddad and they say it runs in families. I have been about 9months now not biting, with the odd slip up, but it is great and totally unexpected ! :flowerforyou: