What benefits are you experiencing by losing weight?

[Daves_Not_Here]

Hello all - starting to lose weight brings some immediate rewards that help offset the challenge of changing behavior patterns around food and exercise.  I thought it would be fun to compare the benefits we are experiencing.

Here are some of mine:  Even though I'm not even halfway to my ultimate goal, I'm already able to enjoy:

• Getting my wardrobe back - it's Christmas every day in my closet.
• More money - I used to fritter away $5 to $10 per day on various snacks, drinks, and fast food.  Now that I drink only water, cook most my food, and eat half the calories, I figure my savings in after-tax dollars are like having received a $5,000 - $7,000 annual salary increase.
• Floor accessibility - When I had a more ginormous gut in the way, I found myself avoiding any task that had to happen below an altitude of 12 inches.  Like wearing shoes with laces.  Now if I drop a quarter, I pick it up.
• Less photo-avoidance - I'm still no bargain in the looks department, but if I find I have been accidentally photographed, at least I have less of the fat-face cringe response.
• No snoring - after a year of sleeping with a CPAP machine, I've turned it off.  I never much liked that thing anyway, and I'm thinking that when hit my goal weight, I'll reward myself by hitting it with a hammer.

So now, when I'm feeling drawn by the siren-song of a box of Krispy Kremes, I just recall these benefits and it makes it easier to stay the course!

[Julia_G]

@Daves_Not_Here, you are doing so well!  I love the "floor accessibility" advantage.  I wouod definitely pick up a quarter...

And that is an amazing assessment of the extra income!

Your posts are always positive and helpful.  Keep it up!

[exhile]

---

@Daves_Not_Here wrote:

• No snoring - after a year of sleeping with a CPAP machine, I've turned it off.  I never much liked that thing anyway, and I'm thinking that when hit my goal weight, I'll reward myself by hitting it with a hammer.

---

I'm also on a CPAP machine and would like to get off of it too. Hopefully some weight loss will help me accomplish this goal.

[Daves_Not_Here]

---

exhile wrote:  I'm also on a CPAP machine and would like to get off of it too. Hopefully some weight loss will help me accomplish this goal.

---

Hi @exhile - I think it will depend on if you started needing it after gaining weight.  If so, I think you could very well find yourself getting off if you lose the weight.  Hey, another reason to get serious about losing weight, right?

[MagsOnTheBeach]

• More energy
• More money (for some reason when I'm thinner I get better job offers)
• Better service (again when I look healthy, clerks suddenly see me)
• Strangers are nicer (holding a door, giving random compliments)
• More confidence 
• More fun shopping  - I used to see cute things and ask my daughter to try them on.  Now I can try them on!  It's interesting for me to find things I like for myself vs buying the cheapest tee I could find in my size.  There is a huge price difference in a women's medium/junior large vs a plus size in both cost and selection.
• Less wear and tear on your bed, couch, car seat (butt indents)
• Better sleep
• More strength
• I got my wardrobe back!
• I didn't eat out so i don't have a savings there.
• RE floor accessibility: I took a workshop yesterday of self defense and we got up and down from the floor about 10 times.  That in the past took a lot out of me.  
• I've noticed fabrics are a better quality - tee shirts are less thin.  I used to get little holes on the front of my tee shirts.  
• I don't mind photos as much but I'm still awkward in them
• Yes to no snoring!
• And I also have not (knock on wood) been ill for more than 12 hours since I lost weight.  I had a couple seasonal migraines but nothing like I used to get!
• Honestly, I just like myself more.  I had no idea I was super depressed.  I was angry and bitter and sarcastic.  

[EmjayH]

So many benefits. So much has improved but what sticks strongest in mind is how much easier everything is and how much more happier I am. I'm fitter then I've been in easily 20 years and it's fantastic 

[Daves_Not_Here]

---

@EmjayH wrote:

So many benefits. So much has improved but what sticks strongest in mind is how much easier everything is and how much more happier I am. I'm fitter then I've been in easily 20 years and it's fantastic 

---

@EmjayH  Isn't it cool how you can, through your own actions, become healthier and stronger.  You are reversing some of the effects of aging and feeling younger than 5 or 10 years ago.  How empowering!

@MagsOnTheBeach - so great you are experiencing so many positive strokes.  I agree with you about lifting the depression -- it's kind of a virtuous circle how you feel better physically, which puts you in a better frame of mind, which gives you the confidence and motivation to continue engaging in actions that will continue to improve how you feel physically.

[Lash107]

Muffin top is GONE! 🙌🏻

[SunsetRunner]

• More energy
• My asthma is like not there anymore! I can even run 🙂
• No snoring - before I used to snore like a bear
• Easy to shop for clothes as long as they have size XS ( due to my height )
• All medical readings went back to normal - I'm approaching my 40s being totally healthy
• Learned better self-control, got stronger willpower.
• Some amount of success in getting my wife on a track of healthy living 🙂

Not much of a benefit but in my case, it's less money 😉 Healthy living seems to be a lot more expensive than unhealthy, at least in the UK 😉 Also, buying all the clothes again hit my wallet 😉 But at least shopping now isn't a nightmare and stress. Now if I need to buy something I just go and buy.