How has weight loss benefited you?

I'm really inspired by all the success stories on this site.  Wondering if some of you might share the benefits of your weight loss... I'm curious about his on many planes ie. health, mental and emotional health, spiritual self, dating, love, etc. 

I'm personally feeling better and better, on all planes as I regain my health.  My energy is up, I feel more vital.  I'm more and more pleased when I put my clothes on and confident when I walk through the world.  I'm giving and receiving more and more smiles and was even honked at the other day by a very attractive young man... all this and I'm 42, that's a feel-good moment.

There's more but I'm hoping to hear about your inspiring changes.

Thanks!

Rene

Well, I'm kinda glad that young men haven't honked at me! *grin* For me, the energy I have now has made this journey worth it in itself.  I used to be soooo tired during the day, I'd have to take little eye-closing breaks at work. It's nice to be able to fit into those pants that were in the closet for awhile ( no, none of them were from the 70's or anything *grin*). There was one other issue that went away, one I never see anyone talking about on here ( wonder why.... *smirk*) and that's being able to wipe yourself after no. 2 in the bathroom without having to reach around and way under the gut! Too much info, but I'm sure it applies to others here - Shhh, we just won't talk about it :)  Most of all, I have a goal and a vision/feeling of how I'll be at the end of the journey.

P.S.  The compliments aren't too bad either :)

1)  Just feeling better.  It's easier to move and to breathe and there's more energy to go around.

2)  There seem to be a lot of social rewards attached to dieting.  Even if you're a large weight still, the majority of people will respond very enthusiastically and supportively to you when you say you're on a healthier path.  I get such positive attention from my female coworkers.  They can't believe how different losing 26.5 pounds made me look and they're constantly cheering me on and asking me how I do it.  I like the attention.  :)

3)  Food doesn't have the power over me it used to.  I used to be obsessed with having enough food to fill me up because it took so much to do so.  I would panic if eating out or over someone's house, because surely there wouldn't be enough.  I would eat a whole meal before even getting to those situations, just to take the "edge" off.  Now I don't worry because I know that I can fill up on much less.  Thus, I can make better choices about what I eat.

4)  "Treat foods" such as chocolate taste so much better now that I don't eat them all day long.

5)  Knowing that I can do this and that I will reach my goal weight if I just maintain my new, healthy habits.  It never seemed attainable before.

Very funny.  Makes wiping easier... the untold benefits of weight loss.

This doctor was on Oprah and he stated (forgive me if I get the numbers wrong) but that for every 25 lbs of fat a man loses, he gains an inch!!!

What's more inspiring than that?

Sorry if I'm a bit over the top here but he said it on national television during the day...  Can't remember the actual number of pounds; so gentlemen, let it inspire you;)

Down almost 70lbs and here are some of the benefits I've noticed:

I sleep better.  I think my snoring has stopped.  I can breathe through the night and I don't need a humidifier by my bed at night.  My constant winter stuffed-up-ed-ness has gone away. 

I feel more confident.  I feel lighter and have more energy.  I'm happier.  I smile a lot more.  I feel sexy and accomplished.  I have a bounce in my step.  I'm far more flirty and less afraid I'm going to crush someone. 

I can find clothes.  I can wear hip huggers.  I love that feeling.  It goes to the aforementioned confidence and sexiness. 

Yoga is so much easier.  I was super-flexible for a person of my size, but my flexibility has improved tons since I have less 'stuff' in the way. 

I managed to walk in a room and catch the immediate attention of a young man.  The first time that's happened in a VERY long time.  I love the 'overweight' me and I can't wait to meet the 'healthy weight' me. 

well im at 131, trying to get to 117 before i get married in july.

ive only been here on c-c for a lil over two weeks, but boy has my skin changed with all the healthy eating!

usually around that time of the month, i wud get a pimple on my face, like big ugly ones that would leave scars, but this time around my skin is glowing =) it feels hydrated and fresh and yay - clean skin!

Yesterday I fit into pants that I haven't been able to wear since I was a freshman in college! (3 years ago). It felt so good, now I can wear them! yay!

I started Jan 22, 3 lbs down and 6 to go... and with just that small amount of weight loss, I've noticed:

1) Heartburn is nearly a thing of the past (this was a prime motivator for losing the weight in the first place... there's only a narrow window for my weight, if I go over it, the heartburn comes back)

2) Much more energy (from all the exercising)

3) Better concentration at work (because I'm not skipping breakfast)

4) I'm able to zip up the favorite black pants again (the other motivating factor)

5) Boy my tush is looking nice these days!! (from the running)

6) My sex drive has come roaring back. :-)

7) Periods are less painful and the bloating has decreased substantially (I noticed that months ago, when I started my excercise program)

Wow jenmcc, that's amazing.  Weight can have such an amazing impact on our psyche and body...

Zipping up the hot pants is a fantastic feeling!

Because I was younger when I was overweight I never really suffered any adverse health problems, but I'm glad I nipped it in the bud when I did and am now within the healthy weight range (and intend to stay there).

For me it was definitely more about mental benefits. Since losing weight I feel I am able to stand a bit taller and I think I exude more confidence. That is a big thing considering I was bullied at school for many years and made to feel really worthless. I have to admit that some (not all) of the attention I get from guys can be really nice, although there are times when certain people approach me that I wish I could pull the fat back on like a protective layer!! I met my husband after I'd lost almost 30 lb, and although I think he would have liked me anyway (I hope!) I was confident enough to fly out to meet him for the first time and not be worried about his reaction to me, at least not because of my size. Also as I get slimmer and fitter and become more body confident I have more energy and am more sexually confident, which is a bonus ;) Finally, the change in diet has helped my acne a little. I still suffer from monthly hormonal spots, but the rest of the time my skin looks way better :)

I'll have to second this one from jenmcc

7) Periods are less painful and the bloating has decreased substantially

If I knew excercise and eating better would really help around those times I would rather do that then pop some pill that numbed the pain!

I have lost about 12 lbs and I am just finding moving around and getting up stairs really quickly is a great feeling! I think its from all the Billy Blanks squats they have really built my leg muscles and it feels great to move my body with ease.  I am not too overweight but I never thought that it would make SUCH an impact on how I feel throughout the day.  I have walked everyday to and from work (1/2 walk each way) for a couple years now.  I used to find myself not enjoy them or get a little sweaty now they are just so easy and I wish they were MORE of a challenge!

I have lost almost 30, and have almost 55 more to lose.  I, too, am feeling the benefits mentioned here -- energy, vitality, confidence, getting attention and compliments, digestive health (and yes, the wiping thing -- thanks to whoever was brave enough to say that!), better skin, etc.  There are two other things as well: 

Although I did finally succumb to sinus and bronchial infections recently, I made it through three colds that were pretty easy before I got hit hard -- my hubby and daughter were stuffed and miserable, and I was just blowing my nose every 30 seconds.  The big difference was that when I was blowing my nose, I was getting the yucky stuff out, easily, so that I didn't get all clogged up -- hello, bonus, from drinking 1/2 gallon of wtaer every day.

And secondly, (stop reading here if you don't want TMI) -- while I still have serious challenges with my sex drive, my hubby has noticed that my body is much more ready, more easily than before -- probably another side effect of the hydration, if you know what I mean!

I have lost 20lbs and have 56 more to go. It feels like a lot but I have already noticed a lot of changes.

When I first got on the elyptical I could not even go for a mimute without being in pain. Since I have been working out on the bike and treadmil, with weights added in. I got on the elytical again last week and could go for 6 minutes before I had to stop. I could have gone longer but my asthma kicked in and I had to stop. My goal now is to double the time in the next 2 weeks.

My asthma has not been as bad. i have more energy and do not need to use my inhaler as often. I sleep better at night.

working out has been a great stress reliever. After work I hit the gym and work out all my frustrations from working with kids who do not care.

I also can not keep half my pants up. Going to have to go shopping. "darn"

I cannot wait to see where I am at when the swimsuit time comes. i have not bought a regular size in years.

I lost 76 pounds, from 245...

-I'm more confident, more happier with myself
-my snoring has stopped
-can buy new smaller, cuter clothes
-more energy
-can fit into the bathtub better and I don't get exhasted just from drying myself off after
-don't have to shop in the XXX large size clothing stores
-can fit into public washrooms more comfortably
-I have a waistline now
-my face is more pretty, not fat
-actually cooking healthy meals

I've only lost 16lbs but today I had to run coz i was late for something, and it didn't KILL me!!

The most overall general feeling is that I don't feel I have to hold my stomach in the whole time like I used to - I'm almost proud to have it hanging out cos it's much smaller than it used to be LOL!