Cool "Side Effects" of Weight Loss

Besides the obvious "side effects" of weight loss, I thought it might be a good idea to share the unusual or looked over effects of weight loss. So here is your chance to list the small things that maybe only you have noticed and might even feel silly about noticing.

I'll start:

I've noticed that as my fingers shrink the diamond in my engagement ring is getting larger! I like that! (Any other married or engaged ladies seeing the same results?)

406 fatty on the fasttrack to 225 or less. Currently 356 and happy about it.

Bad

Actually having a social life again cost some money to go out. I'd forgot about that.

I actually get cold. I'd forgot what that was like. It sucks.

I'm excited and want things to happen faster than they are.

Discovering most of your clothes should be burned.

The one person I wanted most to notice I've lost 50 pounds, didn't notice. Maybe she will after I lose the next 50 pounds.

Discovering while much better my will power isn't perfect. Getting discouraged if I don't lose each week.

Since I don't use food as an emotional crutch anymore, I discovered I lean on friends far more than I used too. Sometimes, I'm annoying and I know it.

Getting upset with myself for not doing this a long time ago.

Now I'm ashamed, I didn't step up and fix this weight problem years ago. In the past, I didn't care about me or anyone else enough for it to really matter. 

The Worst

Fear of Failure. I know what I want out of life. I know I have to fix myself or I won't get it. I know this really is my last chance.

Good

Excuse to buy some new clothes that are smaller and fit better

People have noticed, been nice and supportive. It's good to on the journey to return to humanity's fold.

Heat isn't as oppressive as it was

Spending less on food

Seeing the gulit in my friends faces as they eat junk food and know they should be cutting back too.

Making new friends. One that's very special to me.

Not needing Lexapro for the first time in five years. Feeling good. Beating depression. Thanks to excercise.

Being asked why I have a "glow" about me.

Feel better since joints don't ache anymore

I'm not the first one to get tired and wear out anymore when out with friends.

Feeling confidant and in charge of my life for the first time in over a decade.

The Very Best Part

Taking attractive twenty something year old females out for dinner instead of their older, divorced and often bitter sisters. Six new ones in the last three months. Ages 22 to 28. Seems pretty good to this 42 year old fat guy.

The Ironic

Knowing God can have a beautiful but twisted sense of humor and might just help and let me get my life fixed the way I desperately want it fixed...only for me have a heart attack etc and die shortly after getting things in order.

It would be pretty funny.

After the stuff I've pulled in life health wise I pretty much know I deserve that or worse. I'm so over due for a health disaster it makes my blood run cold. Despite the weight I've never had high blood pressure, triglicerides always good, cholestrol good, & blood sugar good. Something says there should be a repayment for living on borrowed time.

trainwreck - getting your health in line now, and not waiting is great!  I can understand your worry about some of those health issues that you never had, my husband didn't either until he got to be around 50.   At age 50, that proverbial bullet would have been a LOT harder to dodge.  Congrats on taking control NOW.

heh, I have another one.  My youngest child (she is almost 10 and a skinny-minnie for SURE) told me she could get her arms all the way around me now when she hugs me.  It was sweet.

A little early on and not too much lost, but I'm looking for proof that something's actually happening.  Since starting to exercise and eat right:  My fiance can't keep his hands off me, my chest (larger than average) has begun to perk up, and I don't feel like my knees are going to give out on me when I walk.   One of my goals is to be able to cross my legs confortably again.  I sit for the majority of the day so I can't wait for that to happen, but then my vericose veins will get worse.  Oh well, you can't have everything.

never heard anyone else mention some of the above but yes:

crossing legs easy now.  Getting in and out of small car easier.  I feel much more agile.  Yes, pedicures easier.

I feel younger and can flit around like I used to.............starting to get proud of my body again, not trying to hide it.

Also, yes, dressing is quicker.  No more squeezing into clothes, sucking in while I zip pant.........only to look in the mirror and see how vulgar they look, so having to change.

A man thought I was attractive, this week.  No one ever said that when I was 200#.

There are other places to go also where you can buy clothes that are not new but are still in good condition and dont have to pay as much.  We have awesome thrift stores here in central Ohio and I go there all the time to get newer clothes because mine just keep getting to big.  And JCPenney Outlet is an awesome place to go also! 

A side effect of weight loss for me is knowing that I look a lot better and taking better pictures because of it!

All great responses! I think it's great to share these sometimes unnoticed victories. I've read several that I can relate to.

I've thought of another one: When I sit in my car, I can actually see the leather seat on either side of my legs. 

The Good:

- Seeing my collarbones! They make me feel feminine and dainty
- Being able to walk in heels a lot longer and a lot easier
- Not being afraid to wear loose fitting trousers because they might make me look fat
- Discovering that I have dimples!
- Not getting numbness in my legs when I lie down at night
- Discovering that I like veggies!
- I fit into the tiny desks at school
- A ring my parents gave me over 10 years ago (I was 11!) fits again :)

The Bad:

- Saggy boobs (but I'm working on 'em - yeah push ups!)
- Loose skin on my hips
- The whole bony butt, it hurts to sit for a long time thing
- Being cold ALL the time! I used to hate girls who were always cold...now I'm one of them
- Not having enough clothes that fit me right
- Learning how to dress my new body (the cuts and styles that used to fit me perfectly don't anymore!)

I am a sports junkie and I love that sitting in the small seats at Titans and Predators games is more comfortable since I am smaller.

The good:

 I can wear cute, trendy clothes in the jr's department.

My thighs no longer rub together when I walk.

My cholesterol is down into the healthy range.

I am able to jump around and dance and general be goofy with my kids.

My son doesn't tell me I'm fat anymore.

I am constantly being told how "tiny" I am.

People can't believe I used to weigh 75lbs more.

I've been told I look anywhere from 10-20 yrs younger than I did when I was 75lbs heavier.

The bad:

I am constantly cold.

It hurts my butt and my back to to sit on and up against hard surfaces.

My boobs are saggy.

I hate the loose skin on my tummy and my thighs.

My blood pressure is down to 112 over 73 with a resting pulse of around 67.  When I started it was about 140 over 90 with a resting pulse rate of 95.  Of course my wife is mad at me now because my blood pressure is lower than hers even with her blood pressure medicine.  ;)

But that's OK.  She has said more than once this week that I look really hot again. :D 

I can "vine" my right foot behind my left calf while sitting cross-legged.  i could always do it the other way around, but i've finally gotten this side!!!  yay!

I actually like squats now, bring on the pain!  I have to tell myself I like bicep pain...I'll get it!

I can feel the lengthwise division between my abs, and soon I'll be able to see them without having to flex as hard as possible.

No more double chin in smiley pictures!

My hands are so pretty because they're not bloated constantly! (from drop in weight and lower sodium consumption).

I can hold "Crane" or "Crow" in yoga class without shaking or losing my balance (from being stronger and also not having to hold up so much weight!)

Oh, this list is making me happy! 

• I can wear heels now for so much longer without getting blistered and sore
• I can wear skirts without pantyhose and my legs don't get chafed. And if I wear pantyhose, they are still intact at the end of the day, instead of ripping or wearing through. That was sooo annoying.
• This Saturday I'm wearing a sexy Halloween costume for the first time ever, instead of going in the "funny" costume. ie: being too big to wear anything else.
• I can borrow clothes from friends... and they're usually too big! And having a friend who was always way smaller than me ask to borrow something... trying it on and saying "damn its too small." feels better than anything you can imagine!

my boobs are bigger! haha... no, seriously, i've lost 10 lbs and my boobs grew about the same time i started putting on weight... so my belly came out to about where my boobs did, but now my belly is a lot smaller, and my boobs look huge.

also having the fall clothes problem, but i'm only going for 20lbs total, and should be there by christmas, so i'm sucking it up and asking all the relatives for money instead of presents so i can shop the after the holidays sales!

 

The good: 

My blood sugar is under control and I'm a lot less likely to get diabetes.

I've gone jogging!!!!  I haven't been able to run any real distance since my teen years.

I don't get out of breathe when going for short walks with people (that's damn embarassing).

So much more energy.

The bad:

A bit of loose skin, I'm using firming lotion which helps.   Of course, I'd take loose skin over fat any day.

I sometimes have to move my mums car if she's parked behind me, i used to always try to get it then realise i couldn't without having to adjust the seat back.

It doens't happen anymore, i can get my knees in without wacking anything!

Perks:

less time in the shower and less soap usage

I have cheekbones!!!! and high ones at that!

Haven't seen this one mentioned yet: I can reach around and wash my own back in the shower! Amazing how such things are noticeable now, isn't it?

Some of these are duplicates but...

• I finally fit into my first pair of regular shoes (as opposed to W)
• I can fit in the Ladies department clothes (mental note:consignment)
• My wedding ring had gotten so big DH bought me a whole new set!
• I am way more energetic
• I can run up and down my stairs at home without a problem
• I can cross my legs!
• I can touch my face with my knee
• I can actually feel and see bones in my body I have never seen before.
• My boobs aren't bigger (they're actually smaller) but they look bigger now that my belly isn't as big.
• I had to buy all new bras...sexy bras, not the over the shoulder boulder holder type
• I DO have an hourglass shape!
• I fit in the movie and stadium seats.
• SEX

Ok, now for the not so great:

• I get cold fast
• loose skin on my lower abs, wings and thighs (mental note: firming lotion)
• Being able to carry the laundry from the basement to the 2nd floor unassisted so dh doesn't assist anymore.  (lol)
• quickly shrinking wardrobe (again note: consignment stores)
• having to pee all the time
• sitting on hard surfaces is now painful

 

I love reading these! They are so encouraging. Keep it up!

See ya Acid Reflux!