[hottie]

Hi everyone
A looong time ago, I signed up for this forum...this forum ROCKS! After many years of beating myself up over and over again, I have finally realized **I** have GOT to take care of MYSELF!! because nobody else is GOING to! HA! Reading everyone's posts are SOOOOO motivating and encouraging! You ladies and gentlemen are EXTREMELY wonderful people!!

I thought it may be helpful to have a thread that summarizes some of the POSITIVES about weight loss! It's kind of easy to get "caught up" in the negatives (changes in family or friend acceptance, stretch marks, loose skin, eating out socially becomes awkward, smart remarks of how big you USED to be) that kind of thing.
Let's start a POSITIVE list, okay? I think we all could use some encouraging

To get the list going, I'll say that the ENERGY gain is AWESOME!!!!!

any others?

[ThinGirl in FatBody]

Well, I've only lost a little bit of weight so far but I notice crossing my legs is so much easier, also walking doesn't seem to be as hard on my feet.

I am being encouraged by the small positives.

[trekkiegirl]

I can fit into some of my pants again.

I can have fun exercising.

I feel better walking with less of a "load."

I've "discovered" Lean Pockets, Laughing Cow Cheese and Special K With Berries (none of which I ever had before) and I love 'em!

[jennylou]

My energy level is way higher.

I look nicer.

I can walk with out getting over tired quickly.

[bekko]

I dont hurt all over anymore~!

[pinupdreams]

you finally stop worrying about flying and the possibility of you having to pay for two tickets or not fitting in theme park rides... i will admit, i did worry everytime.

[maalisse]

The inside of my thighs don't chafe so much.

I don't snore as loudly, and am sleeping better.

My belly doesn't vibrate in that tickling way when I'm sitting on the jiggly city bus!

I no longer feel the need to cross my arms over my stomach when I sit down.

I can dress all sexy for the beach/club! (Even though I'm still technically overweight, hahaha.)

Best of all, I feel healthier and happier, and so much more energetic.

[Natalia]

Hmmm. some positives for me are:

Feeling (a bit) more feminine instead of an androgenous fat lump

Not getting that rash anymore I sometimes got under my belly chub bc it never saw the light of day, ever..

That my bras fit way better, and I can wear my favorite jeans again.

Not having to worry if my "back fat" is showing (as much)

And finally, (and I cringe to even write this- bc I NEVER compliment myself and am a very humble person ) but I'm just going to own it! lol
When I am overweight or average weight, I have gorgeous legs..you know how some people have really nice legs and others don't? No matter how thin or toned they get? I have been wearing shorts the past few days and I am liking my legs again Used to be the only part of my body I thought was hot..and then when I gained the weight they were too chubby..now they still have lots of meat on them (lol) but you can really start to see the nice shape come back- and just in time for summer!

[ThinGirl in FatBody]

Originally Posted by trekkiegirl

I can have fun exercising.

LOL, I haven't discovered that positive yet!

[ThinGirl in FatBody]

Originally Posted by maalisse

I can dress all sexy for the beach/club! (Even though I'm still technically overweight, hahaha.)

Best of all, I feel healthier and happier, and so much more energetic.

Hi maalisse What size are you wearing at 160? I'm trying to figure out what size I'll be wearing at that point in my diet. Thanks

[seranab]

Hmm,
the positives are truly over-whelming...

1. my intimate life with my husband is so much better for the both of us because I'm not banning him from, seeing me, touching me in certain areas, or having to keep the lights totally off. I know he likes what he sees whether I'm big or not but either way I only want him to see me at my best.
2. CONFIDENCE HAS RISEN to no end. If I see my husband coming i'll be cheeky and bend over to pick something up (sorry lol). You know... things that I would never have done before. I'm still over weight but just so darn confident.
3. Running up the stairs and not puffing and panting!
4. People who I haven't seen for a while (close family and friends) saying "wow you have lost so much weight!" or "omg... you are looking great... how much weight have you lost? Actually how did you do it?!"
5. One of the best positives is not feel tired anymore. With all the junking I did last semester I was always exhausted, but now I'm feeling great and lively!! Woop.

[JayEll]

Gosh, there are so many!

- Now that I am used to eating differently, I fill up really fast at a restaurant and don't have so much chance to overeat--which I rarely do anyway because I now know how to plan.

- I can WALK! I can even RUN for a few minutes!

- My feet don't hurt. I always wear really good running shoes, but I would have to get new ones often to get enough support. Now they last longer.

- I can wear the 'L' T-shirt my sister bought me a year ago, not knowing I could only wear 'XL.'

- I don't have heartburn! I used to have it all the time.

- I sleep great! I don't snore anymore!

- I am strong and fit from exercising! Resting pulse 65, bp 99/63! (I have always been on the low side with bp.)

Jay

[BabyBrownEyes]

1. Feeling my collarbone (can't quite see it yet)
2. Getting fuller quicker when going out.
3. Having energy to exercise all throughout the day
4. Feeling sexy even though I'm not at goal weight.
5. Having my ex start to look at me again.

there are a lot more but there is a few!

[srmb60]

Yup, just about all those ... and ... I'm really enjoying healthy foods. It's an adventure each shopping day. So many nice things ... so many combinations!

[ThinGirl in FatBody]

Hi SusanB, what does 'eat clean' mean in your signature?

Hi Babybrowneyes, the collar bone comment is a good one! I noticed mine the other day - I had forgotten I had one!!!