On Monday I whined a little bit about how hard it was to find flattering clothes at 300 pounds. On a more positive note, I thought it would be fun to share just a few of the many positive physical changes I noticed as I dropped 150 pounds. Losing weight brought about many changes in my life, both physically and emotionally. As I lost weight I found that my self-esteem increased, as did my confidence. I also found there were many positive physical side effects to weight loss. Here are some of my favorites:
- I didn’t have to wear my grandfather’s old gigantic wedding ring anymore.
- I could wear my own wedding set.
- The size 8″ bracelet I got from QVC got so big it fell off my wrist one day.
- When I washed my face I could feel my cheekbones
- I didn’t hang off both sides of chairs anymore
- My kids and I could easily share one side of the restaurant booth
- I can snuggle with my husband in his recliner
- My feet shrank in width (but unfortunately not in length!)
- Smaller sized clothing (of course)
- My blood pressure dropped to 104/60 from 130/80
- Cholesterol levels were great
- I didn’t break anymore furniture
- My kids could hug me all the way around (one of them actually commented on this one time!)
- Although I thought I had lost them, I still had collarbones
- I could cross my legs again without hitting the person next to me
- Sitting on the floor once again became possible because now I could actually get up without help
- My kids have to keep up with me in a store instead of the other way around
- and more and more and more
I could fill this whole post up with the positive changes I saw as I lost weight. It’s human nature to focus on the negative, but I’d encourage you to focus instead on the positive changes weight loss offers. It’s easy to get discouraged and think, “I just can’t do it.” Or, “I’ve got too much weight to lose, it’s just impossible.” That kind of negative thinking can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I thought that way during the last few years of my obesity and it was self-defeating. I couldn’t imagine myself as a thin, healthy young Mom. All I could see stretched before me was a life filled with snide comments about my weight, poor self-esteem and increasing health problems.
I’d encourage you to take today and write down all the good things that will occur when you lose your weight. Now – you probably won’t win the lottery, or be an instant millionaire by losing weight, but there will be great things that happen. In making your list think about the following things: physical changes, emotional changes, relationship changes, spiritual changes, etc. By looking at every area of your life you will be able to see the far-reaching ramifications weight loss holds. It’s not just about clothing size or the number on the scale; it’s about you as a whole, healthy person.
Don’t let worry and fear hold you back from achieving your goals. Start today by focusing on the positive and take some steps to reach your goals.
What exciting changes have you experienced or are looking forward to? Diane
For me it was all about the walk.
more purposeful and CONFIDENT.
Taller straighter shoulders more thrown backer
The best changes were the ones I couldn’t see on the scale or with smaller clothes. I felt more confident and stronger physically and not ashamed of myself anymore.
For me it will be to fit properly in the bath. It seems that they make the baths more and more smaller these days and this is just so uncomfortable for overweight people like me. I can’t wait to fit into the bath properly. I know I will and I know I can!
blackhuff´s last fabulous musings ..A stage in my life
There have been so many changes that I can hardly pick just one or two. But I’d have to say that being able to run, to go outside and actually run for as long as an hour or more has been amazing.
Desert Agave´s last fabulous musings ..100 Pound Weigh In
Like you say, there are so many positive things, but one stands above all for me and that is the ability to hike long distances. I’ve always loved to hike, but more than 4 or 5 miles seemed like just a dream. With almost 1,000 miles of trails in the national park on my doorstep, I longed to be able to see the sights those trails afforded. A hike of 8 miles was my first goal and I achieved that after 20 pounds. I’ve now achieved the goal of 13.5 and hope to reach 15 by the end of this year.
Sharon´s last fabulous musings ..Bend Me- Shape Me
Being able to get up and down from the floor during a scout meeting is no big deal. I feel strong enough to take my scout troop camping this weekend. Being able to hike a portion of the Dipsea Trail this summer, and while it was hard, it was not too hard. Sitting in an airplane and being able to fit my elbows inside the armrests. Because I run, I was able to run and catch a train and barely be out of breath.
This is such an important thing to remember! For me, it’s been about feeling like I am finally succeeding at something that had eluded me for years. That gives me confidence that this time – I can do it!
I went clothes shopping yesterday and bought mostly 14/16 tops and mostly 16 pants. I can’t remember the last time I was in a 16. I thought I had grabbed a pair of 18 pants but they happened to be labeled wrong. When I realized they were 16′s, I about fell over!
Already feeling attractive instead of always trying to rise to the occasion. Being able to participate in, and anticipate life.
JourneyBeyondSurvival´s last fabulous musings ..Sugar Free
I like myself better:)
Karen´s last fabulous musings ..Life’s Little Awards the long-winded version
None of this: you probably won’t win the lottery, or be an instant millionaire by losing weight.. well, than just forget it Diane!!!
I just loved how I was getting stronger & could see my muscles & hard work showing up as I lost weight & got leaner!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last fabulous musings ..Ab Rollers-Exercise Bands Product Reviews & GIVEAWAY!!!
I love walking into a shop and knowing I can fit into the clothing on the rails and not go to the bigger lady stores… I still think of myself as a bigger girl from time to time ~ I forget that I am now normal…I look at others and think how slim they are as I feel overweight…weird.
Along with the other resason list above, I have more self-confidence and can shop anywhere (not just the plus sections).
Something that I did not anticipate is getting along better with my husband – I am assuming that now that we have both lost close to 1/2 of what we need to that we are feeling better and able to not bicker so much. Its a great side effect!
Pam´s last fabulous musings ..Tuesdays Turmoil
Uhm, and oh, you get a whole bunch more extra days on this earth
Thanks for the flip side of the coin. I share similar accomplishments: rediscovered bones and reduction in foot width and, in general, I’m just in a much better mental place.
‘Drea´s last fabulous musings ..The Gospel According to Mike
This is the kind of stuff that keeps me going every day, watching my food and following my workout plans – the so many positive effects of weight loss! I wouldn’t ever want to go back. The best one for me has been fitting into smaller size clothes – always a happy surprise in a store. And noticing muscles that were covered up before!
Amy´s last fabulous musings ..Meet the new bike!
A feeling of being in control of my life, my eating and my body. When I was over weight I felt out of control in many areas.
Now I love how I look and feel!
I feel so much better physically than I did before losing the weight. No more pounding heart, numb hands and feet. I have enough energy to do all the things I need to do.
You are right about the weight loss effecting every part of a persons life. Mentally and emotionally it makes a huge difference. I’ve come to love getting outside for exercise, it really clears my mind.
Sandi´s last fabulous musings ..I wont back down
What a fun list, Diane!
You have an impressive range of benefits of losing 150 pounds. I wanted to give a similar list of losing 30 pounds when petite–maybe not as dramatic, but a major difference in my quality of life:
My blood pressure went from 160/100 to 120/80
I can walk a couple of miles in half an hour without being winded
My ballroom dancing improved and I bought a new gown (see my picture!)
My face isn’t round anymore and I can see cheekbones
People stopped calling me “ma’am” at the stores and started calling me “miss” again and I’m in my mid-40s
I too rediscovered clavicle bones and can see my sternum for the first time in years!
The “age related” weight gain in my 30s and 40s wasn’t. It was overeating and underexercise.
I don’t have to buy “curvy fit” anything anymore–those awful curves are history!
I don’t go to the chiropractor as often
Increased fruit and vegetable intake has made my skin texture improve
It’s easier to find cute clothes…
I FEEL better!
I like to think about these advantages whenever I feel like I might get tired of tracking what I eat and how many calories, etc. for the rest of my life… it IS worth it to be fit and normal weight.
I actually have the main ones listed on my blog. My primary one is to fit comfortably in a coach airline seat since I travel so much. Doesn’t help that they keep adding seats to the coach section and make the seats smaller.
I’ve only gained about 10 pounds (in the past six-ish months), but I’ve still noticed that my collarbone is significantly less noticeable. I really miss it! That, and a defined waist. Being only 5 feet tall, it’s really noticeable when I gain or lose 10 pounds. I can’t wait to see my collarbone and more defined waist again.
Sagan´s last fabulous musings ..Looking for the Ultimate Workout
Great post, Diane. I can’t wait to be able to cross my legs. I also am looking forward to being more physically active with my kids and grandkids. We’re on vacation in the Washington DC/Virginia area, and I have been getting so tired of the knee and heel pain that occurs during and after I have been walking for a while. I try very hard to not let anyone else know–stiff upper lip and all that–but, I feel like I am doing damage to myself every time I have to push to stay on my feet for several hours. The freedom of movement and having more endurance will be wonderful!
Just recently I noticed I can get through some situations without perspiring that I used to not be able to do. Not something I usually talk about, but that’s encouraging for me.
Alan (Pounds Off Playoff)´s last fabulous musings ..Avoiding Stress and Stress Eating
Great post! Sometimes it really is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you’re first starting out. This will definitely be an encouragement to those starting out; it even was for me, as sometimes I still have “fat” days.
I am looking forward to more confidence and feeling beautiful!
Shawnee´s last fabulous musings ..Fitting the mold
Exciting changes, eh?
One change is a loss which was actually a gain. I’ve lost my very own, personal ‘plate stand’.
I’m talking about the bulging lump of belly which, when I sat down, used to neatly support whatever plate of c**p I was currently stuffing into my face.
Am I broken hearted? Nope! Don’t miss it at all. It was not a pretty sight.
Deniz´s last fabulous musings ..Just a quickie
after all this time (6th year of process, so on the way down or in maintenance the whole time, NO yoyo) I still find non-scale victories, in my life, on a very regular basis. And as time goes by, the negatives of the past, stay in the past. I am able to look forward and do not dwell. It took a long time for the woulda-coulda-shouldas to fade. Now it is very much acknowledging reality (things like excess skin) and accepting it. Like appreciating how good I look in clothes and not dwelling on how I look out of them. . . I think this adjustment of attitude is a key part of a successful maintenance. It is sort of like the steps of grief. One has to move through all of them and move on. If one gets ‘stuck’ on a stage for a really long time, it doesn’t bode well.
vickie´s last fabulous musings ..bump on neck-arm pit mole- it might be oddest story I have told yet
Miz’s comment made me sit up straight immediately
I enjoyed reading your list, Diane! It put a smile on my face
I felt good in my own skin again! For a while there, I was never really comfortable; I didn’t feel like myself. Once I got back to a healthy weight, I felt like “me” again.
Andrea@WellnessNotes´s last fabulous musings ..Busy Schedule- Easy Meal- Lots of Veggies- and First Video Post Coming Soon
Today I sat down and rested my chin in my hand and was shocked to feel only one chin! I used to have three. I kept stroking my neck in disbelief….I mean, I know I noticed the loss when it was happening, but it just took me by surprise today.
I’m also thrilled to be in regular size clothing, and am looking forward to a new wardrobe next summer.
And folks, I know we are all so polite and gentile here, but admit it….isn’t sex better without the extra pounds? hahaha
marsial2010´s last fabulous musings ..RECALLED TO LIFEsort of apologies to C Dickens
Your list is great, Diane! My top one at this point would be the ability to run after my kids without feeling like I am a) dying, b) jiggling apart, or c) doing both!
I am so excited to see my list of benefits growing as my weight starts dropping again, it really makes it worth it to have so many fun, positive changes as I shrink.
Taryl´s last fabulous musings ..38 week belly picture and random tidbits
The biggest thing was being able to wear a skirt without shorts underneath. I always had to wear bike shorts before because my thighs rubbed so bad. Now I can just throw on a skirt and go.
I will like it that I can buy everything in a few months and that it will fit.