[rockinrobin]

Same here - EVERYTHING changed.

Of course I still have the same values, morals, beliefs, ideals and all that really important inner stuff - that has not changed.

The only strange thing that HAS changed for me, inner wise, is my sensitivity toward overweight people funny enough. I see somebody overweight now and my heart absolutely goes out to them, much more so then before. I want so badly to help them, though I know that I can not. I think I am overall more sensitive to people with handicaps now. I don't know why that is.

-My confidence level has definitely soared. It's just so much more enjoyable to socialize and even to shop in the grocery store. I smile so often now. I am so friendly and people are always approaching me now. I interact so well with others now. And the funny thing is I always thought I had compensated for my large weight by trying to be outgoing. No, now I see that that was not the case.

-My energy level and stamina has increased by leaps and bounds. Indescribably so. I can't even begin to tell you.

-My enjoyment of even the most mundane things has risen as well. Big time. Even doing the dishes and the laundry is more enjoyable now. I can't quite explain it.

-I finally feel just so normal, regular and ordinary - like I blend in. I always felt as if I was taking up more then my fair share of the universe. Probably because I was

-I worry a lot less now. I was always worried about seats and chairs. If I was going to fit in them and then if I was going to break them. I worried about going to parties. I worried about clothing (which is an absolute joy now) There was never enough choices for me. I always felt so dowdy and underdressed wherever I went. Nothing reflected me and my style.

-And then of course there's the health worries. I had such fears about putting myself at added risks for dreaded diseases. Those have ceased. Thankfully.

-Getting dressed is a pleasure, going to sleep is a pleasure. Just EVERYthing is so much BETTER.

-I feel as if the whole world has opened up to me. As if I can be an active participant in life now instead of just an observer.

Yeah, I could go on and on and on. There really isn't even one area that has not been affected by my weightloss. Not one.

[YP1]

I have much more confidence, I believe that if I can lose weight and run marathons then I can do pretty much anything if I want it badly enough and am prepared to work for it.

The biggest change in the way I see myself is that I no longer believe that I'm always destined to be fat and unfit. I see myself as an athlete, and increasingly other people see me as that too. I train, and I eat to fuel my training. I believe that the only limit on how fast I can run is how hard I train. (OK, there is a genetic limit too, but realistically I don't have the time to train hard enough to find out where that point is ). I don't believe that I'm destined to put the weight back on. I see myself as a thin person who temporarily got fat, rather than as a fat person who lost weight.

I've been white water rafting, and I'm booked on a climbing weekend. I'm also probably going to go sky diving this month. I'm more confident at work, and I'm happier to follow my own dreams rather than what I think I should be doing.

[imsexydamnit]

I'll have to echo what everyone else has said. There's been no great change in my basic personality with weight loss, I just feel more free to let it shine. I used to believe that I was destined to be fat, I was just a fat girl who was always gonna be fat, until I made a decision to change things.

I've accomplished other things in my life, earned two degrees, but nothing has meant more to me than losing weight. I always knew I could excell in school, but I never thought I could lose weight, so it meant more to me. Because I was able to do something I never thought I could, I now feel more confident in general. I carry myself differently and feel more capable. I jogged 5.25 miles yesterday and loved it. Before I lost the weight, I groaned when even looking at a short flight of steps.

I think more than anything, losing the weight was empowering. I'm the same person, I just believe in myself more.

[JohnKY]

What a great thread!

I think a major weight loss allows a person to have a fundamental shift in identity. It completely changed the way I look at myself and my future. Besides being very helpful in the reclamation of my health, it gave me enormous hope. When I was at my heaviest, I felt like I was at the bottom of a well I couldn't climb out of. I thought it would likely be the way I'd spend the rest of my life. It just seemed so insurmountable and so limiting. After the lifestyle change and weight loss I feel like a have a great deal more control over my life. I think it allows a person to reinvent certain aspects of their identity. I found it empowering that many people who knew me when I was heavy didn't immediately recognize me when they met me afterwards. In some ways it gave me a chance to start over. I feel more things in life are within my grasp now.

John

[rockinrobin]

John, I like that. Yes, it gave me hope. I always thought I was doomed and destined to sit on the sidelines and kinda look in on life. And the weightloss HAS given me hope. I feel now as if there's nothing that I can't try. A whole new world has opened up for me. So, yeah, that definitely changes your whole outlook on life and therefore it has to affect your entire personality.

Although I must say I find it very strange, in a good way for the most part, to have people not recognize me. I really do find this odd and even a bit sad at times.

What I do get a big kick out of is people who never knew me when I was 287 lbs. They simply don't have a clue that I was a totally different person.

[GR8 2B48]

You all came through with so many wonderful comments. I really appreciate all the support here at this forum.

John, you have such great insight. Your weight loss is impressive.

Thanks everyone.

Denise

[goddess819]

I have to pretty much agree with what everyone else has said. My confidence is better...although I do still have a lot of "I'm fat" days...I think it's because of the excess abdominal skin I have. People notice me more...and at first I didn't know how to handle that. For so many years I was the invisible fat girl...then when the weight was gone I was getting noticed and I have to be honest...it scared me. It took a little time but I got used to it and now I'm ok with it. I still have some self esteem issues...and still think I'm fat...but yet too scared to loose much more weight. I want to be skinnier...but don't want to be too skinny. Make sense? Anyway...Life is much better as a normal weighted person.

Good luck...

Kristy