How has your life improved since starting losing weight?

[Anonymous]

I'm very overweight thanks to antidepressants, pandemic, and breakup, and need to get motivated and moving. I've been depressed and a hermit for 5+ years, I can't imagine another life.

How has your life improved since losing weight? This could be improvements to social life, romantic life, mood, or less-anticipated changes...

[Anonymous]

It's given me a lot more confidence. That said, exercise was a bigger part of my weightloss than diet, so the confidence I gained from learning to run, lifting weights, and being able to do things physically that I could not do before... has been a big part of my maintenance success (I posted an AMA about keeping my weight off for 10 years).

That confidence has permeated in every area of my life, from social to professional to relationship to personal mental health.

[Anonymous]

I was athletic until my university time was over.

After finally getting healthy during COVID, I am able to do things I always knew were possible, but was prevented from doing them by a work and physical life that was shutting them down. I now ride bikes and run with “kids” sometimes 20 years younger than me that struggle to keep up. Still can’t swim very well.

And I’ve found an active way to socialize and entirely avoid any source of media. I’m in better fitness shape than just about anybody in my age group at my am100 law firm. My brothers are on BP medication - I no longer am.

When I think about going places with my wife, I consider what kind of awesome stuff there is to do outside. And, whether I can take a bike. When I go on business development trips, I’m taking one of my bikes, and definitely to Japan.

I also sleep about 5,000,000 times better.

There is so much light at the end of the journey. You got this!

[Anonymous]

A great side effect of my weight loss has been better mental health. Nothing boosts my mental health like exercise, so my life has improved because I’m less anxious and more emotionally resilient.

OP, I totally get how the depression makes you less inclined to exercise—BTDT. But just force it every day and your body and mind will both benefit. I think therapists should routinely prescribe exercise; some studies show it to be as effective as antidepressants in staving off depression.

[Anonymous]

I can’t speak for myself but my best friend who struggles with obesity says he loves being able to get up and down easily and walk around without being out of breath. He says it’s so freeing!

He had lapband but gained it back. Now he’s on a semiglutide.

[Anonymous]

There really is no drug on earth that could ever possibly match the longevity and mental benefits of physical exercise. We were designed to move, that’s for sure.

OP - I’m one of the earlier posters. I started with walking. I struggled to walk 5 miles. Running five miles is below and easy run for me now. Find something you like and do that consistently. Being outside in the sun (with protection) can do wonders for your mental health.

[Anonymous]

My health anxiety has disappeared. I used to be much more nervous about getting sick and dying. I’m never like that anymore.

Buying clothes is much better. I am not looking for clothes that make me look thin. Everything looks good bc I am thin.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t lost much weight but my mood and sleep have improved significantly since I committed to exercising daily. I especially love seeing myself improve in how many reps of things I can do/how an exercise that once felt impossible becomes way over time. Getting back to fitting in my old clothes is nice for my self esteem too.

[Anonymous]

It’s great walking into a store and finding more clothing options. I felt more confident going on a job interview last year. Less health anxiety - my brother was just diagnosed with diabetes and I think about all the issues he may be facing. When I hear about other illnesses I think to myself that I’m not as likely to experience that because I’m not obese anymore. I feel an overall sense of accomplishment.

If you want to get started, get the Beck Diet book. The first step is to make a flash card with the reasons and get started. It’s a 45 day mental plan that was a life changer for me.

Good luck

[Anonymous]

I'm 56 and lost 20 lbs in the last year. It is such a relief to be able to wear my clothes more easily, have less reflux, and feel like I have more energy. Eating low carb was a huge adjustment though and not pleasant the first few weeks (I slept poorly and felt like I lost a friend), but now it's much easier. I have 20 lbs more to go and then will have to buy new clothes.

[Anonymous]

So much less pain - my lower back, my feet, my hips and knees always seemed to be achey and stressed. After losing the weight it feels so freeing to move around pain free, to easily turn over in bed, pick up my kids and carry them, play a game of kickball with them, etc.

[Anonymous]

As a person who has lost 78 lbs. since 2018, the first thing you need to do is accept that your poor choices are the reason you are over weight. Stop making external circumstances the reason for your choices or you will gain it back at the first sign of trouble.

[Anonymous]

It’s a mixed bag. You will have more energy and feel better. It’s WAY more fun to find and wear clothes. It’s easier to be confident about your appearance.

People will treat you differently, which can just feel sad and disappointing. But it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

I haven't lost that much - only 25 lbs so far (hoping to lose 35 more) - but I already feel the affects.

Like a lot of others mentioned, exercise helps me feel so much better. It's a cycle. Exercise helped me feel healthier and make better choices, which led to weight loss, which made exercise easier. I feel more energetic and just happier in my body.

Getting dressed is fun, I spend more time on my hair and makeup because I feel like I look good at the end. When I was fatter it felt pointless because I felt ugly no matter what I did.

I feel more secure and confident in myself, which makes me feel less jealous toward friends. As a result I think I'm a better friend and bring my whole self to the friendships instead of being guarded.

It's really been a gift, but it's hard work. I sometimes miss the comfort of eating dessert or junk food. I have to exercise willpower 24/7.

[Anonymous]

Blood pressure and blood works and joint pain improved immediately.
One negative is I feel cold easily.