How has losing weight affected you emotionally?

This is the third, and I'm hoping final time, I'm losing weight as I've suffered bullimia (2012) and binge eating disorder (earlier this year) and gained some of the weight back each time. Because I've had body dysmorphia since I was about 11 years old, losing weight has given me a different feeling each time because each time I used different methods but all in all, it has made me happyish.

What I've come to understand is that because we're such a superficial, materialistic race who are also so overly concerned with aestheticism we relate our aesthetic selves to our emotional selves whereas the two shouldn't be synonymous.I say I'm hoping this is the third and final time I'm losing weight because I'm taking a completely different approach than I have ever done and focussing on the aspects such as my mental and emotional states on top of the weight. I've been doing yoga and also I'm not seeing results as fast as I used to, I've noticed that I'm so much calmer and I have a more serene state of mind as opposed to all those times in my past. I'm even feeling a feeling similar to happiness which I thought I'd never be able to feel as I've been suffering pretty severe depression for some years and only got diagnosed earlier this year.

tl;dr what I'm not allowing is my weight to be the cause of my happiness. I've suffered too much and felt too much to let this happen once again. this time round i'm getting into the state of mind where losing weight will be secondary to a permanently healthy lifestyle.

I think MrM sums it up for me as well. The better I look, the better I think I get treating. It may not be true, but it seems that way. I don't think I can be arrogant as I will always be a fat guy on the inside, but I can look good doing it

I still have a long way to go, but just with what I've lost I feel more confident. I do think fat people tend to be invisible. I've felt that way for 10 years now! It sucks, but people do treat you differently.

There is light at the end of the tunnel - even if the real hard work is just starting. I am more confident but I know from past experience that I will need to stay completely focused to keep the weight from sneaking back on.

It helps that I have a very supportive spouse and two nearly grown sons who tell me that they see how much happier I am now and that makes them happier. It also helps that a recent move has put us in a neighborhood where no one knew the fat me - our new neighbors think I was always fit and slender. What is a bit harder to deal with are the people that have known me for years and are shocked at the changes - some of that attention has a bit of a bite to it.

I will be seeing the doctor who motivated me to stick with this and get healthy soon and then I will see my PCP who told me to pick a goal weight 25 pounds higher than my current weight because she didn't think I could keep losing.

I too wish I had allowed my photo to be taken more, but being in photos now does reinforce my new mindset about myself.

Oh and my house is spotless, chores are always done, there's always groceries - I am much, much less lazy these days.

Agreed - I feel like I can handle the busy with a lot of energy to spare and our household is so much less stressed.

I don't take as much crap off people.

I was on Bi-polar meds since 2005 (I was misdiagnosed, I should have been diagnosed as 'fat & unhappy' because I have since lost 90 lbs and I am no longer on the anti-psych meds. I have a wonderful outlook on life and look forward instead of backwards. My resting pulse has dropped from the 90's to the 50's, so yeah, I'd say it has effected me in many different ways...all positive!

A fit person gets treated so different as opposed to the guy who needs to lose 70 lbs.

Quoted for truth. This has been one of the most amusing/disturbing things I've found about losing weight. Sure, your close family and friends don't generally judge you based on your weight, but I feel like every interaction with strangers or casual acquaintances is so much different now.

At 56 years old whenever I walk in a room with people even close to my age, I know I am the fittest person in the room.

For me, I was always a "big girl" and was okay emotionally with that. When I lost the weight, I thought I would be happier and in some ways I am. On the other front, it brought a lot more opposite sex attention I wasn't really prepared for which would have been fine but I am married so not so great Plus, you realize that they just want you for sex and not becuase you are (and have always been) funny, awesome and overall a cool-*kitten* person. That brought me down too. Plus the negative attention from my female friends who acted as though my losing weight was to purposely spite them.

Focusing on positive though, keeping up with my kids, hearing my husband brag about me (even more!), having family support me is wonderful. Challenging myself to be creative with recipes, eating healthier food and exercising bring me joy as well. Plus, I look better in clothes for sure.


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I feel more confident which has helped reduce the depression/anxiety I have. I notice men looking at me more, which also helps my confidence. I'm proud of myself and I like to share my accomplishments. I can't say its cured my depression/anxiety, but I feel much better. I'm sure its a combination of the weight loss and the exercise endorphins. Its all been positive.

I haven't lost all my weight yet, or even half for that matter, but I'm already noticing emotional changes. I've also got more muscle than I did when I was at my goal weight, so really I think I'm better off.

I feel so much more like my old self. I feel in control and happy. I sleep more and smile more.
Food doesn't scare me anymore because the mystery is gone. I know how many calories are in that cookie and I know that if I eat it, I won't gain 15 pounds overnight.

Just some of the changes, and I'm only 7 lbs in!

A lot like you, I have been ashamed that I have let myself get so out of shape. I didn't want to be in pictures. To have to get dressed for any occasion was super stressful, and usually resulted in stopping on the way to what ever venue to buy a new blouse, or outfit that I would feel better in.
I am so self conscious about my weight that a lot of times when we get to where we are going, I stand at the back, in a corner, or sit out of the way. I try so hard not to be noticed. My husband and kids often try getting me to go talk to people and socialize. I tell them, "If people want to talk to me, they know where I am. TRUST ME!! There is no way they can miss the big girl in the corner!"

When I was thinner, I was a social butterfly, and was always doing things. I was often told that my looks and personality made me a beautiful person that everyone wanted to be around. I played with my kids. I roller skated, roller bladed, rode bikes, and ran while carrying them. We would go on hikes, and swim.

Now, I can't wait to be thin again so I can start living my life again! I am learning to be and do all the things I used to do all over again. Losing this weight really is a journey for me, but it is a journey with no end. I intend to continue living all the changes I am making for a very long time! (-:

I feel sooo much better since I've started taking care of myself. Even my husband commented that I have become a much more cheerful person. I am more outgoing and have a much more positive outlook on life. As far as others acknowledging me more, I havent noticed a difference. It will be interesting to see, once I've reached my goals if this remains the same.

I am more confident and women talk to me like I am not invisible anymore :-)

Women will swear up and down weight doesn't matter but even from 290 to 240 the difference was night and day for me.

I've always had good luck with some really amazing and beautiful women, even when I was 297lbs. Yes, some are shallow, but the good ones are more interested in who you are. Generalization is not a good habit.