I'm curious as to what everyone's favorite part about the weight loss journey is. There's so many little things that are exciting . . . . feeling that clothes that used to be tight are now loose, the cravings for junk that are starting to diminish, the extra energy, and so on!
What do you guys like about losing weight?
For me, I have to say it's the feeling of accomplishment I have when I make it through another day eating the way I should. It was so hard to start, but feels so good now that I'm up and running!
When I started losing, I was a tight size 18. And I said to myself, "Being a size 10 again would be amazing -- that's the smallest I've ever been in my life." And now I'm an 8!! And they're getting LOOSE! I still can't believe it. Sometimes when I'm driving or sitting on the couch, I look down at my jeans and think, "Can this really be true?!? ME?! A SIZE 8?!?!?!?"
That may sound superficial, but a size 8 really IS smaller than I EVER imagined I would be.
Also: I don't worry about trying to cover my butt with long shirts anymore , and I flip past all the "flattering tunic length" shirts in the LL Bean catalog with a big, goofy grin on my face.
Last edited by LovesBassets; 10-28-2005 at 08:36 PM.
For me its great to finally be able to fit into some of my skinny clothes again. Some of my favorite dresses don't fit to well, due to bf'ing (a problem I would have really wanted to have before ). I fit into a size 8 in jeans comfortably. My goal is to fit into a size 5 or 6. But if I can lose a nother 10 lbs that would be great.
It truly feels good to be able to say that I only need 10 lbs to go. For about 4 yrs I was 40 lbs over weight, I never thought I would ever see this day.
Wearing really nice clothes. I never slob around in jeans and a baggy tshirt any more (even small jeans ) If I'm going to wear something, I make sure it flatters my figure, so I wear lots of gorgeous flattering skirts, or jeans with nice tops that show off my collar bones.
I was never really that interested in clothes before, but now I'm really loving it. I figure that if I've lost nearly 80lb I need to wear things that show it off rather than hiding away behind something shapeless. That's been the biggest, and most enjoyable, change for me.
Gee, that's a tough one, as there are sooooo many things! One of the major ones is not having to wonder or worry if I'll fit into a given space like a movie theater set, restaurant booth, roller coaster ride, or just getting out of my car when the car next to me is too close. Another is knowing that all eyes and feelings of pity are not automatically directed at me when I enter a room. Knowing that I am worthy of the space I occupy rather than constantly feeling as though I am always in the way and invading others' space. And knowing that my body will not betray me in an emergency is a very comforting feeling. I know that if I need to, I can wriggle out of tight spaces, move with speed and agility, and have the stamina to keep going for as long as I have to. Of course, the clothes thing is definitely nice too! Although the fact that I can even think to try on a size 6-8 is totally surreal, and still amazes me every time.
I'm sure there's more, but it's early and my coffee hasn't fully kicked in yet!
I would have to say my favorite part of all of this..is the way I feel about myself and how my hubby can hold me SO tight When we were married I wore a 2X sometimes 3 if I wanted baggy clothes, and now 10 years later, well he only has half of that girl, and his arms can go all the way around me Also that I can wear a medium shirt...I still feel like a teenager everytime I put one on and it fits . I am like many of the other ladies though, there are just toooo many things I love about losing the extra weight, I cannot wait to wear a swimming suit this coming summer...without feeling like I need a shirt over it Now that will feel liberating
There are a lot of things that could be my *favorite* parts of the journey. I know for the first (no joke) 25 pounds NO ONE NOTICED I lost weight except for my kids and hubby, since they KNEW I was dieting. I just past the 25 pound mark and my insurance agent saw me and said "WOW you look good, your getting so skinny" I just smiled and said OH, I dont know.
But really, I think buying smaller clothes, and then THOSE getting too big is a big motivator for me. I love that. So buying new *SMALLER* clothes and when people NOTICE that is my favorite part.
Like so many others clothes are a really big deal to me. I'm wearing a 6 or 8 in pants/skirts and a small to medium in shirts and sweaters. Still, it isn't so much the size but all that it encompasses. For instance, when I'm out with my kids - sports practices, school functions, etc. I'm no longer the frumpy mom. Casual dressing has a whole new meaning. Cute jeans have replaced baggy sweats. I look forward to social functions because I feel so confident being able to dress up. I clean up pretty good - who would have guessed? LOL. And shopping is a whole new experience. It is fun that my shopping dillema isn't finding something that fits but finding too much that fits and looks good!
And, like Kate, clothes are my reminder of how far I've come. I know it sounds egotistical but I can't stop looking at myself. I am just so amazed at what I see. It isn't that I check myself out and think, "I look good." But, I check myself out and think, "Is that really ME?" And, at the same time, I finally FEEL like me. I am outgoing and active - two things I always felt inside but was too afraid to foster because I was ashamed to draw attention to my physical state. Now, though, I am as comfortable throwing on a pair of jeans and playing flag football as I am getting dressed up and going out on the town because I finally fit in either way.
On an even more personal level, looking better in clothes makes me feel good to be around my husband. If he compliments me I KNOW he means it. Until now it didn't really matter if he was sincere or not because I couldn't believe he considered me attractive. And it is kind of cool that his compliments have gone from, "That looks nice" to "That looks HOT!" Admittedly, it was uncomfortable to hear things like that from him at first but it didn't take long to get used to it. LOL.
Jawsmom, you said it all so perfectly. I'm long past the point of continually buying smaller clothes, but shopping is still fun and I'll never forget the days when having to buy clothing for a social occaision was a dreaded chore. Now I chose my clothes and style rather than buying the only dress that zipped.
I like walking in a room and feeling confident that I look healthy, fit, strong and lean. I used to cringe, knowing that I was probably the fattest person. Now I'm usually the fittest.
Being strong and confidant about the way I look is empowering. I never would have been comfortable in my current social or business situations in my old body.
Wow, first of all I have to congratulate all of you for your weight loss. I think the rewards are all well deserved. I'm lucky when I lose 5 lbs. I have been going up and down for the past year...but just this morning, I went into the store to try on a size 10 Levis jeans at the store which they didn't have. The reason I mention Levis is because they have always been one brand that I usually stay away from because I ususally have to go up a size in them as they are usually too tight and I don't like the fit. Lately, my 10's have been very tight, so I was going to try on the 12's when I spotted a pair that looked like it would fit me but it was a size 8. I took in the 8 and a 12 (they had no 10's) and tried on the 8 first. Boy, was I surprised that it went on easy and it did not look nor feel the least bit tight! I kept checking and checking to make sure it was a size 8 and not a size 12 with a size 8 tag
So to answer the question, by far the best part has to be going in a store and trying on a size you haven't been for years (or high school which was about 30 years ago for me!) .
My favorite part is suprising people that havent seen you in forever. Its the most funniest thing to see there expressions. My daughters doctor looked at me yesterday and her jaw dropped.. she said My God, you have lost alot of weight! lol Stuff like that really chirps me up.
I also like the change in pant sizes and not worring about me being the one breaking down the bed!
Every day I discover things that make me so happy that I lost weight, so it's difficult to just weed out a few to mention here.. But I like that my confidence has returned, I am not afraid of standing up for myself and being assertive. No more Ms Meek. I also love the clothes bit, how I can walk into H&M and find loads of things that fit and look great on me and I can decide whether or not to buy them based on if I like the style and look, not based on whether they just plain fit. Another nice thing is that I feel more comfortable when commuting (by public transport) to work, because I can easily fit into bus and train seats now without flowing over to the next seat. If I go out for dinner or a drink or whatever I don't feel self conscious about what I eat, I can eat a hamburger in public and not feel that people are secretly thinking "No wonder she's fat when she's eating like that!". That attitude was probably more in my head than in everyone else's, but still, I don't feel that attitude anymore, I just feel.. normal. Also, I love is that I am now more fit, strong and flexible than I've ever been in my entire life. I can run, lift, bend.. you name it. I like my body because it can do so many amazing things.
And of course, sad as it is, you get treated in a better way when you're slim. Shop assistants are friendlier and more helpful and people in general seem to pay more attention to you. It's a shame that it is that way, really, because everyone should be treated equally but when it comes down to plain reality, they're not.
Well, the list could go on and on but I'll stop here. Suffice to say that it kicks *** to be slim again and I feel like a million bucks because I did it all myself. Very soon the most fun and interesting part will begin: Maintenance. Only 4 pounds left until that starts.
And of course, sad as it is, you get treated in a better way when you're slim. Shop assistants are friendlier and more helpful and people in general seem to pay more attention to you.
Excellent point, Ann-Charlotte! I'm not invisible anymore! I'm always surprised by how many people (mostly men ) go out of their way to talk to me now. It may be just a "hi" or "how are you today?" but that kind of thing never used to happen to me before. These guys aren't necessarily hitting on me -- it's more that they've NOTICED me. It's very weird. And kinda nice, too.
Even though I'm not at goal yet I just had to jump in here. One of the best things about losing the weight is the confidence I've regained. It's amazing how much more outgoing and friendly I am. I actually can't wait to go out and find a new job now. I always dreaded job interviews before. Also I had a guy hit on me at the POOL!?! Craziness but I'll take it! Not him ( I'm very happily married with 2 kids) but the compliment was wonderful. I glowed for the rest of the afternoon.
What's your favorite part?
, and I flip past all the "flattering tunic length" shirts in the LL Bean catalog with a big, goofy grin on my face.
). I fit into a size 8 in jeans comfortably. My goal is to fit into a size 5 or 6. But if I can lose a nother 10 lbs that would be great. 
) If I'm going to wear something, I make sure it flatters my figure, so I wear lots of gorgeous flattering skirts, or jeans with nice tops that show off my collar bones.
Very soon the most fun and interesting part will begin: Maintenance. 
) go out of their way to talk to me now. It may be just a "hi" or "how are you today?" but that kind of thing never used to happen to me before. These guys aren't necessarily hitting on me -- it's more that they've NOTICED me. It's very weird. And kinda nice, too.
