The little things that make a difference
 

So a lot of discouraged people posting this evening. I thought maybe a post of the *little* things - things that other people might consider silly - that have made a difference as you've lost weight, might help.

Everyone knows the big things. Feel better. Have more energy. Be able to wear cute clothes, etc. But what little bitty things make you realize you love the changes you've made?

For me:
Being able to cross my legs comfortably
Being able to see my collarbones
Being able to bend/squat down to pick something up w/out my knees popping
Buckling the seatbelt on the airplane and having a "tail" of belt left over

What are some other things that make you smile along this journey.

Being able to wear the "S" size flotation belt in water aerobics.
Thinking my hipbones were some kind of growth.
Having my ring resized--twice.
Seeing an actual muscle in my arm.
Sitting in a chair and not have part of me hanging over the sides.
Becoming the thinnest person in my family rather than the fattest.
Not being afraid of getting my photo taken.
Walking past a big window/mirror and looking at myself instead of turning away.

Effortlessly cutting my toenails. It used to be SUCH a hassle.

have room in an airplane seat
fitting into old clothes
being able to tuck jeans in comfortably into boots
stretch marks fading away
down 1/2 shoe size
fast food now makes me sick

Yeah for me!

Buying clothes on regular stores
Not being afraid anymore of what people might say to me in front of the ones I love
Not worrying about high blood preassure in my 20´s and wondering if I´ll be around for my 30´s

Putting my wedding rings on again after 1 1/2 years of them being too small.

Resizing my rings
Crossing my legs comfortably
Realizing I'm not the biggest woman in the room anymore
Getting irritated at the bones digging into each other when I sleep

The two most unexpected results of losing weight:

Not being able to shave my underarms because they've turned into caves and I can't get the razor in there.

Having to move the seat in my car forward at least 3 inches to be able to reach the steering wheel.

:lol:

Not being afraid my tag is sticking out the back of my shirt. (No more X's on those puppies!)

Keeping up - whether it's walking in the mall or hurrying to the car in the cold or rushing to class. I'm not the last one there and I'm not huffing and puffing.

Buying clothes because I like them instead of just because I found something that fits.

Being vain & checking myself out in full length mirrors.... or windows... or slighty shiny things...

Being able to comfortably cut my toenails.
Being able to shave...hum, you know what, without needing to lift the belly with one hand in order to see the razor.
Being able to close the zipper or the buttons of my winter jackets.
Being able to lay down on the bed without being sufocated by the rings of fat around my neck.
Being able to put a bit more water in my bathtub (you know Archimede's law...).
Being able to see my breasts and not my belly when I'm wearing a large t-shirt and I'm checking my profile in a mirror.
Being able to cut my hair short and looking more like Sinead O'Connors and not like Budha.
Being able to sleep again with my husband on the same bed without being afraid all night long that the bed can not hold a half of a tone...
Being able to swim in my pool even if my friends are visiting.

* Not worrying about hearing comments when a bus full of school kids goes by.

* Walking through narrow openings without worrying about whether or not I am going to fit.

* Playing with my collar bones while seated at my desk.

* Knowing I am not going to be the biggest person in the room when I go somewhere (why does that matter so much???)

* Going out to eat with friends and actually going for the company and not the food!

I actually just realized the other day that I can easily put on my shoes and tie them without any stress/strain/choking/heavy breathing etc. In fact, when I took off my boots at the gym and changed into my shoes, I thought, "I am doing this just like all the thin people I always see changing their shoes."

A couple of weeks ago, I needed to go to the ER (nothing serious) and when I was on the gurney, I realized that I fully fit on it. I don't need to put my arms up behind my head like I have before. They could even raise the side rails.

Thank you everyone! That was really inspiring! I'm so happy for everyone who posted (and those who didn't) that have been able to celebrate those moments that those who have never been overweight just wouldn't get!:D