How did weight loss change your life?

Equal parts for me of weight loss and vastly improved fitness/strength....
Six years past predicted date for total knee replacement - knee now tolerates 100 mile cycle rides with minimal complaint.
Been living under final warning of spinal surgery for ten years and it seems further away than ever - far higher levels of function and also pain reduction. Quality of life is so much higher when your back doesn't hurt all the time. Used to virtually live on anti-inflammatory meds and now they are a rarity.

Feeling of achievement in finally beating something that defeated me for twenty years of being fat and making excuses.
Far more confident - would never have used nudist beaches before getting in shape (I know - TMI !!).
Just plain happier in my own skin.
I'm very self-competitive and hitting new goals is fantastically satisfying at a time of life when I'm "supposed" to be slowing down.

I can fit into XL shirts again. My pants don't feel like they're strangling me when I sit down. I'll soon be able to fit a pair of pants I got for christmas a few years ago. I've kept them for when/if I'd ever get down to that size again because they're nice pants.

14kg down, 15-20 left to go for ideal weight.

I was slender most of my life ... it's only been in recent years that I gained some weight and slipped into the overweight category on the BMI scale. And when I looked in the mirror, I didn't see the overweight me, I saw the usual slender me. The scale, however, told a different story ... and now when I look back at photos I can see the weight gain process.

So I think my personality has remained the same. It wasn't that long ago that I was in my normal BMI category.

I did exercise a bit less during the heavier years because I found exercise more difficult. I'm exercising more again now.

About the time I hit my peak weight, I saw the Dr and she told me that my cholesterol was a bit high and that *something* had come up on a liver test that concerned her a little. I was also suffering from some digestive issues (acid reflux etc.) and exercise induced asthma.

Four months later I returned to the Dr and had my cholesterol checked again, and it was normal. My Dr rang me at work to let me know, she was so excited! I had more blood work done just the other day, and whatever that *something* was in my liver is gone, it had fixed itself. I also rarely have acid reflux or other digestive issues, and haven't had to use my inhaler on a bicycle ride in months.

I didn't have much to lose and it may be more related to growing up (I was 19 when I decided to lose weight and 22-23 when I found my happy place to maintain) but I feel comfortable in my skin now. I used to feel awkward and almost apologetic about my appearance (not solely weight related). I don't think I'm beautiful, and I still don't like being touched by those I don't know well (not a casual hugger at all), but I feel happy and content with what I look like and grateful for having a healthy body.