Did losing the weight make you Happy?

You are looking great! Congrats on your weight loss so far! You will be so much happier when you are more healthy and fit. I am not at my goal weight yet and although I still have problems and a few self esteem issues, I am way more confident and happier.
-best of luck!

I was pretty happy before...I have much less stress about health issues these days and I have a lot more energy than I used to and I love being fit. I don't know that simply losing weight is going to make someone that much happier than they were before...usually there are deeper issues at hand and weight loss and fitness don't really get at the root of those issues. Just my $.02

Well, the exercise sure made my levels of stress decrease over time and I felt better once I noticed all my old pants no longer fit me. I'm at what's considered to be a healthy weight range now however I've lost satisfaction with my current self since I'm sure my body fat percentage is at a high, unhealthy percentage (guess you could say I'm skinny-fat). I no longer focus on losing pounds but losing fat and replacing it with muscle, since I've noticed many fit women of my stature are around my weight range. But yes, losing the weight did make me happier but I wouldn't place all your esteem into your looks. Elisa's mentions of studies might be true but it's about your confidence and representation that make you attractive, not how skinny or fit you are.

Before I joined mfp I lost around 40 pounds by cutting down on portion sizes on my own during the 2013 year. I am still considered obese but I can tell you my weight loss journey so far has made me happier simply based on mood. However, in terms of other "stresses" in life besides our image / health, weight loss won't solve those problems. I think though, when you go on a journey like that, it kinda shows you that you can do anything, and that can help you in other aspects of your life.

No, it didn't make me happy. It has definitely been worth it. I have less to worry about regarding health and there are other little things like not hating having my picture being taken, or just having a bit more fun clothes shopping. It doesn't "fix" everything though. A lot of people find that their confidence improves with the weight loss, but deep seated self esteem issues are never going to be solved just like that. If you don't like yourself bigger, then chances are you're not going to like yourself smaller either.

If you think about it, there are a lot of overweight people who are happy, and lots of overweight people who are attractive to other people - fun, confident, sexy, charismatic or whatever. There are also lots of slim people who are socially awkward, have low self esteem, lack confidence etc. Losing the weight helps, but it's never going to be a magical solution to everything.

Wow - what a thoughtful and insightful and mature question. First off, major congrats on reaching your half-way point. You should be SO proud of your journey thus far. You look great and what you've accomplished takes work. What many don't think about (I didn't back then) was how much work it takes to maintain and move forward once the weight is off. Maybe some people glide into their new lives, but I didn't. I reached my original, impossible, too-thin goal of 109 (I am 5'7) in my twenties and I thought that it would fix everything. I was wrong. I had panic attacks. I had no idea how to be truly heathy. I was focused on a number and not my health. That's MY story. And -- here I am again - older, hopefully a tad wiser. However, I also learned how much I loved exercise and sports and how much I loved clothes and being confident. As a side note, I'll say how shocked I was when some close friend dropped off because they were jealous and felt more comfortable with the fat me. THAT hit me like a sucker punch. Who would think that? But you learn.

Today - I am doing it with a few other things in mind. I've got 60 to lose now and I'm learning how to eat right and respect what that does for my body. I'm working to love the process and each day I work on my relationship with ME. It's not about the end-game anymore. I am doing this for ME. I want to be strong and healthy for ME. I wish that someone had told me back then that losing the weight is only half the battle. Get your brain in a good spot and give yourself whatever help you need. Build your confidence in whatever way works for you. Is there something you've always wanted to do but haven't because of your weight -- do it. Start from the inside out and think of all the things you want for yourself that WILL happen and ARE happening -- not because of your weight but because YOU are YOU.

Then enjoy the ride and enjoy being thinner and healthier -- because that's a great thing. And yes, it WILL impact a lot of things in your life.

I hope this helps. The fact you are even thinking this way shows how strong you are. Nothing can stop you from reaching your goals. Can't wait to hear more about this next part of your journey.

:flowerforyou:

well, that will be the question for me too! However I am starting off pretty happy; I have a satisfying life, but have not dated in 11 years.. because I have not been asked.. Spent a lot of time in the beginning trying to find ways to get exposed to date-able men, with zero success. I have accepted that singlehood is where I am and made a great life for myself. But when I get down 20lbs (my first goal) then I am going to try again. My long term goal is to have a family group (friends or hubby and his bio family - not kids of my own) that would mean I would have a group to celebrate with as each time a celebration come around (b-day, christmas, a business event) now I have to call around to see if anyone will let me join them or would like to come to my house - often I just celebrate with the dog. As 359 days a year I am really happy, friends, a few stray family members, the dog, my business - but there are about 6 days a year that are just lonely and I feel like a charity case. So bye bye weight, and with less weight maybe some less loneliness....

^Have you thought about spending your holidays/lonely days at a volunteer organization-like one that serves meals to homeless people or seniors, and fundraiser charity events? You are bound to meet people there who will invite you back! It gets you out of the house to spend time helping others, and meeting new people that can be potential friends.

I have lost 113 lb so far from my highest weight (in 2008) and I am roughly 20-30 lb from my yet-to-be-determined ultimate goal and I am happier with my body (even with loose skin issues) by far. I have a bit more confidence as well. I do not feel that the weight loss has changed my life though. My health was pretty good to begin with and of course it is better now. But my love life, professional life, etc, is all the same.

This is different for everyone.

I personally think it is a bad idea to expect things to change because your weight changes. I'm not saying that's what you are doing. But I have seen people make that mistake and it usually backfires on them. My best advice is to view it like this: I changed my body. I can change my life in other ways, too!!

As for dating...I strongly feel it is a good idea to start seeking a partner long before you feel that you're at the "ideal" weight or size.

No, but I have horrible self-esteem and severe depression.

First, you're pretty and you have a beautiful smile! So don't worry about that...
Second, no it hasn't made me happy. Ok I'm happier because I don't stay home all day watching tv or playing video games... I go out for a walk or something. And I don't have the worries (or the self pity/shame) associated with being obese anymore... so that's definitely an improvement... and obviously I'm more comfortable in my own skin.

But otherwise, I'm still me... the rest of my life hasn't changed.

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
""But we often come here to fix our lives, not just our weight"-Hylos Barrett"\
So, No weight loss will not make you happy.
You need to be happy as you are now.

Research shows that some people experience increased happiness after losing weight, but that this usually goes back to whatever the "baseline" happiness level was after a while.

When i am at my ideal weight, I am 'happier' because I am more confident and less worried about how I look, and whether my pants are too tight. I wear clothes that accurately reflect my personality.

I have a long term friend who lost 65kg and is as anxious, unsure and prone to depression as ever. I think she thought losing weight would 'fix' her life to what she wanted. Sure, she's moving in a better direction but still flaps her arms and panics just as much.

As one other poster said, it made me happier. And the complements are nice.

I got tired of looking in the mirror and seeing a fat old lady. I couldn't anything about the old part but I could do something about the fat part. Also, I figure my daughter will be getting married some day and I want to look good at the wedding!

I have lost 38# as of today and want to do 5 more--maybe even a few more than that. Trying on clothes is so much more fun! I'm down 2-3 sizes, depending on the brand.

I actually started my program with LoseIt rather than MFP--it was easier to use but didn't have as many foods. So if my post shows fewer pounds lost, that's why.

I have got almost down to my goal but never reached it. I sabotage myself every time and end up gaining the weight all back. This last time I didn't wait to gain it all back before i started losing again. It sometimes takes help to understand why you deserve it and i did see a therapist to help my self esteem .My motto is if i never give up I will never fail.Yes you can be happy ,I'm happier than i have ever been and have found someone terrific.