Did your weight loss impact most of your problem areas in your life?

For me it was the lethargy I felt when I was overweight. When I lost the weight and gained some muscle I started noticing that I had more energy to do the things I needed to do. I had more vitality, and I was happier for it. When you feel bad physically it can manifest itself emotionally as well (at least for me). I'm not saying losing weight solves all problems, it's mostly the idea behind it that means the most. I had to ask myself why I was really doing it. weight loss can be the beginning, but certain things like anxiety, urges to binge eat, stress, things like that tend persist despite weight loss and may need additional treatment (my experience). I hope this helps. Feel free to add me if you like.

I used to get terrible head aches and I had some pretty virulent mood swings. They are now gone. I don't attribute it directly to weight loss, though. I think it was more of a side benefit from trying to lose weigh by changing my eating habits and becoming more active. I cut out a lot of sugar and soda, ate a lot less carbs, fat and fried foods, ate more vegetables and started walking and running. I think those and some other problems that went away were more related to diet and exercise than directly to being overweight. But, if I wasn't trying to get my weight under control, I never would have change the other things so it is all related. Good luck in your journey.

being overweight... or a step up the ladder.. being Obese... is indicative of a person's life being out of balance...too much of one thing and not enough of another... and the ONE way to restore that balance is to Balance the diet... give the body what it needs.. and slowly but surely YOU will begin to find balance in your life... YES, easier said than done.. BUT that is what makes MFP such a valuable resource... it offers you tools to begin finding that balance.. and it provides a community of people who, for the most part, are ALL on the same path... "Great minds think alike..."

Getting fat...for me, was simply a case of not caring enough about myself... I would get out and exercise in the summer... BUT for the most part... I was happy just filling my face with whatever edible substance was most convenient... I was never really into sugary things... except for soda... BUT year over year... I slowly packed on the lbs... probably about 2-3 lbs a year... then one day... I read an article that suggested a man in my age group... okay not just ONE man.. BUT men in general... lost about 10% of their muscle mass every year... THAT explained, I thought, why I was so gassed going up to stairs to bed every night... my legs had simply gotten weak... THEN I looked in the mirror... and realized... even as my legs were getting weaker and weaker... I was asking them to carry more and more weight... well too much of a good thing... I began going to the gym... to try and stave off some of the disaster I was becoming... I began looking for the balance... BUT last September I found out my effort was NOT quite enough.. OR I didn't start soon enough.. I was diagnosed with type II diabetes... SO... finding that balance is no longer an option for me at least... My quality and quantity of life is at stake...Thank goodness for MFP...

SO.. being obese... or just plain fat... at one time I had poo-pooed on the idea that some folks based their life on... that they fed their bodies like they were machines... that because of this philosophy.. that they were NOT enjoying their life to the fullest... after all what is life lived by rigid regime... how wonderful is it to be tied to a schedule that forces you to a gym... for some self loathing in front of a mirror several times a a week, while you try to fill yourself with "rabbit food" How boring to need to walk on a treadmill in order to burn off calories.. isn't life better IF all you do is drop your *ss onto the couch at the end of the day, an dfill your gaping maw with chips, and chocolate, and all manner of pastry and baked goods... and HOW wonderful to wash it down a the end of the day with a gian tbowl of cereal.. How great is it to go to bed.. FULL... that is most certainly better than what those "health nuts" put themselves through isn't it???

Well being diagnosed with diabetes has changed my mind... MFP has set me straight... and balancing my diet, and understanding that MY body is an organic bio-machine has helped me realize... that I was only fooling myself with all that BS... the granola eating health nuts .. are NOT so nuts... by fueling the Machine correctly.. amazing things happen... you develop clearer thoughts... you begin to feel ambitious...hanging on the couch.. NO longer feels like the right thing to do... you begin to simplify your diet... and you begin to embrace the physicality your body has blessed you with...

Has weight loss impacted the problem areas of my life??? I don't know.. I don't think I have lost any weight yet... BUT since I joined MFP...My life has changed for the better... and I cannot wait to see what my future has in store for me... best of luck to everyone in their quests

I have noticed better skin w/ fewer breakouts, especially fewer bodily breakouts - I used to be unfazed by breakouts on my thighs, bikini line, bra line, pretty regularly, and now it's a very rare occurrence to have ANY of that at all.

I also have somewhat less menstrual cramping & lighter periods (though my cycle is now considerably shorter after being like clockwork for years).

What a great question to ask!!! I see so many articles where people who lost a lot of weight said it did not bring them the happiness they thought it would.
For me, it has completely transformed my life! I lost 123 pounds and have maintained for over a year.
Physically, I feel 20 years younger. (I'm 53 and before I probably looked and felt like I was older). I no longer have trouble rolling over or getting out of bed. I sleep better. I no longer take high blood pressure meds. My acid reflux is much better. I no longer feel depressed, and I am not tired all the time.
Like someone else said, my self confidence is so much higher. I hope this doesn't sound conceited lol, but being obese, I felt ugly. I truly did not expect to feel attractive again, but I do. Losing weight, after almost twenty years of obesity was one of the best things I have ever done.