Was it worth it?

I think the key is to finding a happy balance. Finding a non-weight related goal is great for helping maintain a healthy and focused attitude about diet and exercize. As in - if you like running, set a goal to run a race, then determine how frequently you need to run to get there, and what types of foods best fuel your runs. Or, if you like to lift weights, do some research and set reasonable strength goals, then tweak your macros to fit. Then instead of telling yourself "I can't eat this because I want to be skinny" (which is an easy thing to talk yourself out of) you can say "I should eat ____ instead because it will help me run farther/lift heavier/feel more energetic."

So yes, I do feel happier now because I have more energy to do the things I enjoy, and for the first time in my life I feel confident about how I look because I know I'm at a healthy weight (I've been anywhere from 95 - 140 lbs - skinny doesn't always mean happy - but healthy does!)

As for what do you do instead of eating unhealthy foods and watching tv? We've found workarounds to involve the kids and make being healthy a lifestyle thing. We go outside to play tag, take a hike or climb a tree. I bought a couple of fresh-food cookbooks and gave one to each child - they are SO excited to plan their own meals from those cookbooks and help me cook them (my oldest is 7 so little kids can do that, too). See if you can get them involved and get them excited about being as healthy as they can be along with you

(edit because pushed enter too soon)

Yes I'm happier. Not because I'm wearing smaller clothes, but because I can do so much more now. I can keep up with my kids, I can chase my dogs, I can train for a half marathon, I love yardwork and hiking, swimming, running, just MOVING. I still sit down and drink a beer and watch TV sometimes, but more often than not I'm out DOING things with my family.

Good luck, honey.

i would say i am happier about certain things, I am much happier when I am clothes shopping. Planes still make me mental, but there's one less thing to make me nuts, being in crowds also are terrible, but its one less thing to be unhappy about. But oddly enough, I find myself chaffed by other things now, not being able to run when I am not feeling well or don't have time, not being able to work out, not having my healthier foods around because i didn't have time to shop. seems like a trade off. guess I will find something wrong with any situation.