Best thing dieting has done for you?

Besides helping you lose weight, of course. By changing my diet to consciously eat healthier, I just realized just how delicious some healthy foods are! For example, I used to hate fish, raw red peppers, raisins (even in cookies and bars), and raw spinach. I eat all of them now and actually love the way they taste. If it weren't for my diet, I know I would never touch them. Oddly enough some of my favorite foods are the ones I forced myself to eat.

What about you? What blessings in disguise has dieting done for you?

(oh I almost forgot- I'm also saving tons on gas! I walk and bike nearly everywhere now for the exercise and I haven't had to fill up in weeks!)

my energy level has gotten better! I use to be able to lay on the couch all day (I mean ALL DAY) and not care.  Now I can barely sit still for an hour program.  And I am not even on a strict diet!

Same (though I think it's partly because I feel guilty watching TV for long periods now). Better sources of energy=better energy!

Definitely discovering a liking for fashion!  In my 'Fat Elvis Period' I lost all interest in the fashion business and found shopping for clothes depressing.  I'm not exactly a twig-thin supermodel today but I've discovered that my new, slimmer body can wear some fantastic clothes and look even slimmer!  So what if the credit card is looking a little pale and wan....? :-)

HI!  I am new here, but have lost 65 pds so far.  Losing weight has brought me a new self esteem!  I used to think I was a failure at everything-now I am a success story!  People now give me positive feedback, praise, and encouragement whereas before, people seemed to just ignore me ( you know, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all syndrome!).  It sort of ticks me off, but I have chosen to embrace the positive and move on.     Also, it's nice to be able to reach my toes and cut my own toe nails!

I've lost 18 pounds and I get up every morning and walk 3 miles. I wasn't doing that four months ago when I started.  I haven't missed a morning yet, but, if I did, it would really bother me. I also do 2 miles in the evening (most of the time), when I can't go, I get stressed. I'm not munching all day. I don't eat what my kids leave on their plates, I just throw it away, though that bothers me, but it's better than gaining weight! I feel better and more encouraged with every pound lost!  

Misskady, it's great to hear of such a nice lifestyle change! That is another thing my diet has done for me- I enjoy a nice walk now. I only used to go when my mother asked me to, but now I am finding myself really happy on walks alone.

Being aware of how many calories I consume and how much calories is really in food.  I had no idea before I started this journey!!!

 

By the way, I reached my 30 pound goal today!!  I am officially at my final goal weight of 130 pounds!!!!

Congratulations amilagirl!!! Finally reaching your goal is an amazing thing that you should be so proud of.

no question: it's given me so much self confidence. i used to hate how i looked, hate how i felt. felt like a loser. Now since i've dropped 30lbs, i look good, i feel good and more importantly i feel like i've accomplished something. i can make the sacrifices, i can push myself beyond my comfort zone, i can reach my goals.

just watching what i eat has made me think twice about what i'm shoving down. i'm much healthier, and definitely have more energy. losing weight has also made me feel (for the first time in a couple of years) that i can set a goal and actually achieve it. last weekend i prepped and painted my room, which is a big project to do on one's own. but i had the energy and the drive to actually finish the project, which hadn't been the case in years.  i also have a renewed faith in myself in terms of school-- i know that if i put forth the effort, i can do well in all my classes. just do everything one step at a time.

One reason I never really tried to lose this "baby weight" before (baby is now 10--10 YEARS, that is) was because I thought I would have to give up eating, basically; you know, a chicken scratch type of diet for the rest of my life. Right now I'm eating a LOT and still needing to eat more, perhaps, to lose and keep to my plan long-term. So for me, learning how much food I can actually consume and still be happy and healthy is very reassuring.