I had twenty-four hours of travel today... and a lot of time to think... and so... I thought of a cool thread to do... just an interesting idea...

Y'know how you see these ads on the TV for this drug or that... and there's always a huge list of side effects? I thought... Hey... aren't there side effects to weight loss/getting healthy?

So... I thought this could be a cool motivator or just... well... overall interest thread. Could be anything from getting healthy to bat wings to finally getting noticed by the guy you've been crushing on since third grade (Ok... maybe not... ). Just... well... ANYTHING.

As you're losing/have lost the weight, or want to lose the weight... what are some "side effects" of it? Good or bad.

I'll share mine later... I have another thread to start...

This kind of goes well with the post I just made about what motivates you.. why are you losing it As I said there, losing weight will bring so many wonderful things "side effects". The #1 positive side effect of y weight loss will be the ability to try to conceive and carry a child. Others are looking better, feeling better, getting rid of my high blood pressure and sleep apnea, shopping in non plus sized stores, being able to travel more, getting rid of my snoring, feeling beautiful again, being able to be proud in a swimsuit again, and the list goes on and on... I'll probably come back and add more later

Great thread idea!

Well, on the downside...

There's having to buy clothes every time I undergrow them (financially a downer)... but it's fun to do, and feels good, so it's kind of an upside too!

I'm dreading the loose skin (which is already starting).

Being so heavy usually gets me out of being asked to do unpleasant physical labor by friends... such as moving, remodeling, etc... (I despise packing!) so as I lose I'm sure the requests will start coming in...

I find I'm very fixated on my new lifestyle.

I'm sure McDonald's' profit margin has dropped since I stopped going...

Too many positives to list!

Love this thread! For me the side effects so far have been:
that I no longer have to take Blood pressure medication.
That I have been able to reduce the amount of medication that I take for my Multiple Sclerosis.
That the MS is no longer causing painful symptoms.
That I am feeling better, no longer getting sick.
That I have more energy.
My skin is softer
Not crazy about the loose skin.
Am looking forward to reaching goal in 22 weeks.
I am sure I will be back as I think of more....giggles

Lets see..

Positive side effects:

Being able to see the numbers on the scale without pushing my belly in.
Being able to shop in the "regular" section of the clothing store.
Finding clothes in my closet that I had totally forgotten I had, and being able to put them on.
A decided increase in the number of options for..umm..hanky panky with the husband.
Having my son's teenage friends say "You are looking really good, mom"

Negative side effects:

Oh yes, the loose skin is a downer.
Having to constantly get new clothes can be a strain, but the thrift store down the road has become my best friend.
Having to tell people that No, I have not had my stomach stapled.
Getting caught looking at my reflection in windows is a bit embarrassing (but honestly, its not that I am admiring my new and improved body, its more an inability to accept that that lady who actually has the start of a waist is really me)

Honestly..I can think of very few negative side effects..but gimme time, I am sure I can come up with more.

You'll get alot more attention, it can be bad or good depending on how you feel that day.

All of my senses seem to be coming alive again. My thought process seems clearer. My mood is undoubtedly better. My self-confidence is through the roof.

This is a great idea. Let's see how many I can come up with in just a couple of minutes.

*Energy
*Ability to walk fast
*Can cross my legs
*Can play on the floor with the babies
*Can chase my grandson around the yard
*Mirror addiction
* Ability to buy clothes
*Less self conscious
*sleep better
*Much less pain in joints
*Don't have to worry about breaking chairs

There are more but this is my fast list.

- Food tastes better. Food actually tastes better when I am ACTUALLY hungry.

- Less money spent on Junk Food. Although, I am buying healthy fruits and veggies, it still seems way cheaper than crap.

- Bat wings

- Saggy leg fat (just on right leg)

- Fitting into cuter clothes

- Seeing muscles

- Nails are growing nicer from all the vitamins in the veggies!

If you lose weight, you may have feelings of euphoria, triumph, peace of mind, and a general sense of well-being.
Glancing in reflective surfaces in public is a common side effect.
You may start to feel physically lighter.
You may not get out of breath so easily.
You may experience drowsiness when you're lying in bed and fall sleep almost instantly because of all the healthy exertion you've had during the day and because your sleep apnea has been cured.
Tell your doctor if you think you're fed up with taking the five medications he put you on when you were fat.
If you experience a feeling of self-satisfaction lasting more than four hours, seek medical attention or read a newspaper to depress yourself again.
Losing weight is not for women who are eating at fast food outlets twice a day, consuming 12-packs of soda over an eight-hour period, or regularly using a deep-fryer for their family's nightly meal.
Ask your doctor about losing weight.

Having to buy seat cushions for all your chairs because you're not carrying around as much padding on your own butt anymore!

Discovering new and odd bones, muscles, and dips in your body in general. (See the "how to shave your new armpits" thread. Where did that go?)

Wearing out expensive running shoes from the fancy running store (no more getting the cheapos from the Sporting Goods Clearance section, because you're a runner now).

Ditto with bras, because the laws of bra engineering apparently make it much more expensive to construct a 34DDD than a 40D. (Yes, you may be the one whose boobs didn't shrink with the rest of you.)

Being at the head of the pack when you're with the hiking group instead of the end, and having people think you know where you're going.

Your hairdresser (who is very opinionated) finally agrees to give you the cut you've been wanting, because your face is a different shape now.

Having the security guard at the field research station, who's seen you every summer for the last 15 years and cheerfully waved you through, not recognize you, and try to make you sign in under the "non-members".

Oh, and I almost forgot: much lower intimidation factor when staring down tank-like Mediterranean grandmas for the last seat/grocery item/flea market deal. I bet you know the ones I mean, Serbrider!

I'm only gonna focus on the positive:

- Feeling loads more confident
- Having energy to exercise
- Being able to wear clothes you like and feel good in
- Feeling happier
- Having better self-esteem
- And being able to cross your legs was a big positive for me lol