What has surprised you most about losing weight?

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Just how simple it really is. People make this so much more complicated and dramatic than it needs to be.

Been surprised by a few things after losing around 30 lbs so far, some good and some bad...
The good:
- It's easier than I thought to stick to an exercise routine. When I started, I noticed almost immediately how much better I felt after working out (good incentive to do it again) and how it helped control my appetite
- Staying within my calorie limit isn't as hard as I expected, as long as I prepare my own food. I always thought low calorie meals just inherently didn't taste good, but that's not exactly true. I found a lot of really yummy stuff I can make for myself I actually enjoy eating
- I don't get as many aches and pains or as much numbness as I used to. Particularly when sleeping, my arm always used to go numb from the weight of side sleeping. Now I'm just generally more comfortable than before.
- Even though I'm still pretty far away from my goal weight, I've learned to be more content in my skin. Right now I'm about at the weight I was a year ago, when I started thinking "Yikes, I'm getting pretty chubby, I look bad." Now, I'm happy with the way I look at this weight. It's not perfect, but I'm reasonably happy when I look in the mirror :-)

The bad:
- Despite what everyone says about exercise and sleep, I have not been sleeping better. In fact, it's worse. I used to fall asleep within 20 minutes of laying down pretty consistently, but now I'll often lay awake for up to an hour before I can doze off. Unfortunately, the extra energy I get from working out seems to stay with me later than I'd like.
- This is kind of a silly one, but no one has really said anything about how much progress I've made! Granted, I haven't really mentioned that I'm trying to lose weight to anyone besides my parents. But still, I feel like it's noticeable enough at this point where someone might just ask. I'm doing this for myself, but it's still nice validation when a friend says "Hey, you look great!"

Overall things are going well, despite the few negatives I mentioned. Good luck with your journey!

fitoverfortymom wrote: »

zyxst wrote: »

tcunbeliever wrote: »

Boosted sex drive...not that I really needed one...

I'm jealous.

Same. I keep waiting.

I told Mrs that I had noticed she wasn't vomiting as much as she had in the past year and expressed curiosity that we might do such a deed again some time. She was noncommittal at that time.

Someone else mentioned this and I agree. The steadily increasing catcalls as my weight has steadily decreased. it still happened when I was obese but not as much. Now I can barely step outside my front door without it, it's tiresome and degrading.

We waste less food and spend less on it, as I am much more mindful of what I am buying and know what's in the fridge and cupboards at all times because I've planned meals better. Eating fresher makes me feel better psychologically, like it's a nice thing I'm doing for myself. Being pleased to look in the mirror is very nice, and like someone said it doesn't solve other problems but it is one less stressor to carry around and I find myself conscious of that often.

So many of the above! The main ones for me are:

1) How easy it is when you stick to it. Why have I never considered calorie counting before?!! All these fad diets were a waste of time.

2) How much it becomes a habit. Even on my 'bad days' I'm still conscious of what I'm eating, and I like to log the calories even though I go over. I like knowing how much it will effect me.

3) The being cold all the time thing... THIS IS TRUE!

4) I'm now very judgemental of overweight people... seeing someone who is overweight not doing anything about it makes me sad. I just want to try and help them become healthy and show them how easy it can be.

5) How I still see the fat girl every time I look in the mirror. 43lbs down and just 20 to go and I still feel like I look exactly the same. Losing weight doesn't magically solve everything.

That it is very much a mental game as well. About 3 months in I realized I needed to get back into counseling and deal with the stuff I'd been avoiding. I've been going every 2 weeks since the last week of 2016.

Tacklewasher wrote: »

zyxst wrote: »

My life didn't magically improve. I still have all the same problems.

^^This. Yeah some health benefits, and my clothes don't fit, but I'm still the same person with the same issues.

Interesting and I can certainly empathize.

But, I feel so lucky because my life COMPLETELY, 100% transformed in amazing ways. The more I lost, the more powerful I felt. So much is possible for me now that absolutely was not before. I feel free, like my old self, my real self. What a gift!

At the same time, the more I lost the more I realized the weight was disguising something that needed to be addressed. Some old hurt / trauma that I didn't realize was running the show until it surfaced as I lost more and more of my "protection." I guess I have more issues! But life is a lot better and more fun now. Even in my miserable moments. Haha.

I was surprised that only after a few weeks I went from walking 15 min totally out of breath to walking my first 5k.

I'm still surprised as is my family that I like hiking:).

That i could still eat pizza and French fries and drink alcohol and still lose weight.

What surprised me most was discovering that the feeling of hunger is an enjoyable sensation.

Quality of sleep got better. I stopped snoring. Acording to my boyfriend anyways. Lol. I'm gaining more and more confidence in myself everyday. I can now look in the mirror and see someone who's proud of who they are and the person they've become. I now have an undying love for myself like never before. It's something amazing to know that you've accomplished the "impossible". Or at least what you thought was impossible doesn't seem so impossible. It becomes easier and enjoyable. And yes people treat me differently. Especially people from my work. People who didn't utter a word to me before, now do. And I'm getting more attention, not warranted I might add, from guys. It's nice though. Losing weight can be difficult, but it's not impossible. Once you start and see results, you won't want to stop.