How has losing weight changed your life?
Replies
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My foot stopped hurting.
That was the first thing that got better. I think it was mostly extra weight causing strain. However, the more I read about inflammation caused by poor diet the more I credit swapping in fruits and veggies for the drastic improvement. Slowly my mental state shifted, my physical activity increased, pounds were shed, and my outlook has shifted.
To anybody that needs to hear this: talk to your doctor about mental health issues and take the first imperfect steps to better all aspects of your health. I see now I was in a vicious cycle of poor mental* and physical health, and now I am in a more virtuous cycle. It seems unfair the detriments of the vicious cycle are expedient and flow effortlessly together to gain inertia and the outcomes of virtuous actions merely make the next good choice modestly more attainable.
*it was depression and stress, medication has helped.18 -
This may seem like the shallowest reason but, I feel attractive again.
I was used to being at either a healthy BMI or very fit for most of my life and after I gained weight I just didn't look like "myself." I couldn't stand looking in the mirror without clothes on and seeing all the excess fat, especially the protruding belly. The bone structure of my face disappeared.
People around me began to take notice after I lost the first 20 lbs. I had people commenting, you look great! What are you doing? I've lost 40 lbs and I am 8 lbs away from goal weight. I continue to get comments on my weight loss and asked for advice. I love the smaller clothes I've been buying and how they fit tightly against my body.
I feel confident enough to start dating again (when life allows) When I had the weight on I didn't even think about meeting guys or pursuing relationships. Now I just want to wear form-fitting dresses, put on a full face of makeup and heels, and go dancing.24 -
I feel happy again.22
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elisa123gal wrote: »Gaining weight changes your life more than losing weight. When you lose your weight...you feel like yourself. The old young you that you thought was lost. Is found.
I love this one. That is what I feel. I feel like I found a part of myself that was lost for a long time. Yes my clothes feel better. Yes I have more energy, yes I have more confidence. The best part is finding something I thought was lost. I found me again.
I have started a new job. They are surprised and supportive by my transformation but for me, I feel like I am getting back to normal.17 -
The change that has the biggest impact isn't so much from the weight loss (which is at least 50 pounds) but the improved food choices which reduced the inflammation in my body. I'm 64 and for decades I have hated my fat ankles (that I had even when I weighed less than I do currently). With the inflammation under control, I now have ankles again. I have to be careful because I'll be sitting around with my friends, see my ankles, and admire them. LOL
As for the weigh loss changes, I have lost that blob of fat that was on the front of my shins. I've recycled clothes from my closet that I wore in the 90's (yes, I'm a bit of a packrat) that are back in style. I have so much more energy. I used to drive the 1/3 mile to my neighbors' house and now I walk. I had a TKR three years ago and the weight loss means my new knee has less pressure on it and will last longer. I still have a lot of weight to lose but my BMI has dropped from 42 to 34. I had gotten down to 29 (and was so excited to be overweight instead of obese!) but I had a setback. I've been getting back on track. Fortunately, the food choice changes stayed mostly intact so it was portion sizes because I didn't cut back when I couldn't/wasn't getting my exercising in.
I've been reading everyone's success stories to help keep me on course. My goal is to lose another 40-50 pounds. I won't have a BMI under 25 (more like 27) at that point but there is nothing to keep from changing the goal if I want to!21 -
This may seem like the shallowest reason but, I feel attractive again.
I was used to being at either a healthy BMI or very fit for most of my life and after I gained weight I just didn't look like "myself." I couldn't stand looking in the mirror without clothes on and seeing all the excess fat, especially the protruding belly. The bone structure of my face disappeared.
People around me began to take notice after I lost the first 20 lbs. I had people commenting, you look great! What are you doing? I've lost 40 lbs and I am 8 lbs away from goal weight. I continue to get comments on my weight loss and asked for advice. I love the smaller clothes I've been buying and how they fit tightly against my body.
I feel confident enough to start dating again (when life allows) When I had the weight on I didn't even think about meeting guys or pursuing relationships. Now I just want to wear form-fitting dresses, put on a full face of makeup and heels, and go dancing.
I just have to add to my previous post what I wanted to say but neglected to say.
I think it's awesome when people feel confident and sexy in their bodies at any size. I wish we could all be like that. It reflects my own insecurity and in some ways, programming, that I didn't feel "attractive" when I was 40 lbs heavier. Attractiveness is in the eye of the beholder and is also a state of mind and a characteristic that encompasses a lot more than looks. I do not think that people necessarily have to be thin to be attractive. I apologize if it sounded like that.
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So far (40 lbs) my mental health has done a 180 in improvement. Still have my down days (anxiety/depression) but I work on it with healthier coping skills. I feel like losing weight and just adopting healthier habits in general has helped. I also just feel like myself again, gaining my confidence back more & more since re-starting my journey in July 2020. Better breathing and I slowly fitting back into clothes I haven't worn in months or years.12
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My body don't hurt anymore.. Especially my knees,back,and chest. The weight was making it hard. For me to breathe or even stand for times.13
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I walk with my head held high. I don't hide away,. I'm me again - And I'm nowhere near done yet...!11
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I broke my ankle years ago .I had trouble with it for years.It would often get sore when I walked or stood for a long time.After losing a lot of weight it no longer gets sore.15
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Not very much really. I've lost weight mainly to avoid chronic illnesses that are extremely common in my family. So far so good. But who knows if bad genetics might pop up and smack me in the face some day anyway. Losing weight does seem to make exercise a little easier, and *that* has improved my mental health a lot. So there's that.11
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Losing 50+ pounds has changed my energy level, and self confidence. I look back at how sedentary I was, and the low energy foods that I was eating.....and I think I was depressed back then. I didnt have enough belief in myself to consistently try. I literally couldnt look at myself in the mirror. Now I can flex without it being a joke.... I'm very grateful for the changes in my life. Theres a lot more room for improvement though. I want to be strong, so its less about the scale now, and more about feeling strong.10
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I feel less floppy and uncomfortable when I sit. Everyday stuff like carrying shopping is easier. I'm more flexible. I can get up the stairs and hills easier. Slight ab definition showing through while lifting when I engage my core. I'm very excited with my results, small though they may seem to some 😊12
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Just feels awesome and inspiring how Im motivating other but finally being able to buy normal clothes from normal stores and not having to go buy clothes from destination xl10
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Losing almost 100 pounds has helped me in several ways. First thing was my energy. I no longer felt the need to take naps all the time. I was finding myself being more and more productive throughout the day. I also noticed that my knee stopped hurting. I no longer needed to take medication everyday to keep the pain away. Another thing that was noticeable was my mental health. I was happier, I did not feel stressed all the time, my anxiety was a lot lower as well. Starting this journey was the best decision I could have made for myself. I still have a long journey ahead of me and I know that it will take me a couple of years to get to my end results, but I am looking forward to it.14
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After losing over 80 pounds, 6 dress sizes and in year 8 of maintenance, my life is so different.
I feel so much better overall and it's wonderful being physically fit and slim. I'm able to do things like walk long distances and not get sweaty and winded or climb up multiple sets of stairs very easily without breaking a sweat.
I have so much natural energy!
Shopping for clothes is a much better and fun experience.
I have control over my eating, which is very empowering. For example in the past I would get tempted when food is offered to me. Now, if I want it I will eat it. If not I will say no thank you with no problems.
No more high blood pressure or high resting heart rate which went from the mid-90's when I started to the high -40's currently!
I get so many opportunities, free things and perks now.
I could seriously go on and on, but my journey has been an amazing, never-ending experience.17 -
I already posted but I just want to put this here because I think it needs to be talked about more openly:
Sex has become easier and better. People shouldn't be ashamed to talk about this stuff. It's an important part of life for most people.14
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