Expectations

CLDeyette · May 2014

My question would be for those who have had success losing significant weight. I am a 52 yr old woman, post menopause. I joined last month weighing 208lbs at 5’4” and my goal is to reach 140 to 150lb range. I am hoping for these things to happen:
Less acid reflux
Less snoring (better sleep)
Less aching in my feet and knees
Improvement in my sex drive (suffers mainly due to self image)
I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment, so I ask, what has been your experience?

CLDeyette · May 2014

I do apologize if I've posted my question in the wrong area. I was hoping to target those with huge success with my question regarding their experience after the loss. And please note, I am not asking for specifics regarding your sex drive, just a simple yes or no. Thank you in advance for any comments.

prgirl39mfp · May 2014

Hello. I am 42 and have only lost 27 pounds of the 55 I need to loose and I feel great. I no longer have: Pre menopause symptoms, depression, knee and hip pain, my sex drive has improved tremendously since loosing weight. I have noticed that exercising alone boost my energy and self confidence. I know we have 10 years age difference you and I so changes may vary but I am sure not that much.

I spend a lot of time researching for information on foods that improves my way of life and body. Same way bad foods contribute to sickness and ailments good food helps heal and renew. Unless you have a condition, an illness, you will see changes once you start losing weight, eating right for life and exercising daily. Hope this helps. We are friends here so ask me if you need anything. I am no expert but I am seeing changes and I love it!!

MinnieInMaine · May 2014

I definitely saw improvement with acid reflux. Mostly I think that was a matter of me not eating as much as I used to but obviously the choice of healthier foods helped as well.

And I had less foot pain as well - when I was at my heaviest I had plantar fascitis and losing the weight helped relieve that.

As far as your sex drive - that depends on you. Some poeple think just losing weight will make them happier but that's not necessarily true. If you think losing the weight will help, go for it, because there's a good chance you'll feel better about yourself once you've dropped the extra ponds. But if your self image problems are bad enough, you may actually need to seek counseling to get past them.

Good luck!

CLDeyette · May 2014

Thank you both for your input. I've read a lot about the benefits of weight loss, but wanted to hear from folks with actual experience. Again, so that I'm not setting myself up. I realize we are all different and mine may not end up being the same as yours but one can always hope, right?
The bad self image? Mostly comes from disgust over what I've done to myself, however even as a young woman I wasn't comfortable in my own skin. Looking back now I realize what a silly young thing I was, I would give anything to have that body again. Counseling? We'll see. If it comes to that, I'm certainly open to it. Hopefully I've come far enough in life to overcome it on my own though.

brookielaw · May 2014

I am the same height as you and am now in your weight range but started out north of 350. Here's what I can say after losing 175 lbs (and no, I'm not done):
- Blood pressure decreased. BP meds halved. Trying to talk doc into removing them altogether.
- I'm half the size I used to be. Self-esteem is through the roof
- My blood work is now perfect. Blood sugar, triglycerides, choloesterol, you name it.
- I have energy.
- Sex drive? Yeah, it's like I went into heat.
- Snoring is not nearly as bad.
- My severe osteoarthritis is more manageable. It hasn't gone away (and won't), however, I have majorly improved the range of motion in both legs. Before I started I couldn't bend my left knee. I now have the stamina to swim, bike, and run (well, walk fast. Doc won't clear me to run). The constant knee and foot pain is no longer constant but flares up when I have pushed myself a bit too hard.

There is nothing but positives that have come out of this for me, unless you want to say that having to buy all new clothes (& not in the fat lady stores!) is a bad thing.

The change in body image and ability to see myself as I really am and not how I was did require some therapy, as did re-framing my thought patterns and food/emotional instincts. Totally worth it though. Best of luck to you.

CLDeyette · May 2014

I am the same height as you and am now in your weight range but started out north of 350. Here's what I can say after losing 175 lbs (and no, I'm not done):
- Blood pressure decreased. BP meds halved. Trying to talk doc into removing them altogether.
- I'm half the size I used to be. Self-esteem is through the roof
- My blood work is now perfect. Blood sugar, triglycerides, choloesterol, you name it.
- I have energy.
- Sex drive? Yeah, it's like I went into heat.
- Snoring is not nearly as bad.
- My severe osteoarthritis is more manageable. It hasn't gone away (and won't), however, I have majorly improved the range of motion in both legs. Before I started I couldn't bend my left knee. I now have the stamina to swim, bike, and run (well, walk fast. Doc won't clear me to run). The constant knee and foot pain is no longer constant but flares up when I have pushed myself a bit too hard.

There is nothing but positives that have come out of this for me, unless you want to say that having to buy all new clothes (& not in the fat lady stores!) is a bad thing.

The change in body image and ability to see myself as I really am and not how I was did require some therapy, as did re-framing my thought patterns and food/emotional instincts. Totally worth it though. Best of luck to you.

CLDeyette · May 2014

Thank you so much for sharing. That was very inspiring and makes me feel like walking when I don't want to and skipping that bag of potato chips (my weakness) will truly be worth it!

JustSomeEm · May 2014

I'm 35, but also 5'4" and started out just over 200 lbs. I had major issues with aching feet, but since losing most of the weight, my feet only ache after a long run - and nowhere near as bad as they used to. My sex drive never really took a hit, but my body issues caused me to be shy about acting on it. Not a problem now.

I don't get heartburn any more, and feel absolutely amazing. You can do it!

CLDeyette · May 2014

Thank you, I cant wait for the day when my feet no longer ache.

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