Was losing weight everything you thought it would be?

If you reached goal, or come close to it, was it like you imagined when you started?

Did you make you as happy as you thought it would? Did you look as good? Did you feel is good?

In the back of my mind, I must have imagined that all my problems would disappear when I reached a particular weight and this morning, when I hit it, I think part of me was shocked that the sky didn't open, the angels didn't sing and I didn't find myself in a mansion in Belgravia. Not to mention, I still feel just as fat as I did when I started.

All these years it felt like getting to the "magic number" is a ticket to happiness.

Maybe people can just appreciate their weightloss in restrospect: as in after gaining back a bunch of weight, looking at their pictures and thinking "WTF was I thinking back then! I looked really good!"

 :\\\'(
 

How wonderful that you have reached your goal!  Cause for celebration no matter what!  And over time I'm sure your mentality will catch up to your fabulous body, and your body will be thanking you forever for keeping it healthy.  And of course you can always set a new goal to keep yourself working towards something!  Cheer up, and congrats!

Congratulations on hitting goal!  I don't think I was prepared to get here, or that guys would actually pay attention.  The first time, my MIL pointed out a guy checking me out and I thought she was taking the p**s.  The first time I noticed it myself, I gave the guy a dirty look, because I thought he was creepy, staring at me.    My husband never pushed me to lose weight other than to say that he wanted me to be healthy, but he LOVES the way I look now, which is a huge boost for my confidence.  I've always been a happy person, so I don't think I thought anything but my weight would change.  At my highest weight, I never thought this was possible...I thought fat was my eternal fate, fight it as I might.  I still have days where I feel fat, but I have to remind myself how far I've come and how small a distance I still have to cover (I started at 280 lbs, am now at 171, goal is 150).  I can definitely appreciate how you feel.  I think I hoped I'd somehow be uber-sexy, but it turns out I'm just a thinner me - go figure!  

Edited because I can't seem to get my head around the 1 in front of my weight!  ( I weigh 171, not 271!)

Thanks all. I think you all get what I am saying.

This isn't my goal weight: when I started and it seemed so impossible to reach, this weight was where I was gonna like the way I look, finally! And now I am here and I still don't. I *know* I look better, but I don't feel like I do.

All these years I've read "Make the weightloss about your health and not about your looks!" and I rolled my eyes. I see what they're saying now. If you do not accept yourself when you're fatter, you will not just magically learn to love yourself once you're thinner.

Some of you prob dealt with the issue of a parent who was always on you to lose weight "for your own good!" My mom is like that. She used to tell me my weight is all she ever thought about (and I don't doubt that's true.  ) The irony is that for the past year she just goes on and on about how beautiful she thinks I am, as opposed to how beautiful she thinks my face is (although she still ends every conversation with "I hope you're not gaining it back!") and I just don't believe her.

I can't believe it! I thought this would be like my happiest day ever and here I am sitting writing a screed so pathetic, it's making me cringe.

How long have you been losing weight for?  Sometimes too it just takes our minds time to catch up with a new body and create a new body image.  I'm glad it's taken me over 2 years and will probably be 3 by the time I hit goal (although I doubt I would have been if I'd been told that at the outset). 

How long have you been losing weight for?  Sometimes too it just takes our minds time to catch up with a new body and create a new body image.  I'm glad it's taken me over 2 years and will probably be 3 by the time I hit goal (although I doubt I would have been if I'd been told that at the outset). 

You won't believe it, but since 2003. Although the "last" 10-12lbs took over two years.

At the rate I'm losing, I believe it!  It really slows down in the home stretch.  How much have you lost total, if you don't mind my asking?

PMed you.

All these years I've read "Make the weightloss about your health and not about your looks!" and I rolled my eyes. I see what they're saying now.

It's all about my health (particularly since I started being treated for high blood pressure at age 39 & got some stern warnings from my doctor at the time).  So in that sense, and in answer to your question, yes - it's everything I hoped it would be.  My blood pressure is back to a normal level, and now - without taking any medication.  My blood sugar and cholesterol are normal as well.  I am now more fit than I have ever been - as an adult.

I went from close to 300 pounds (wasn't weighing myself back then so I don't know for sure) to around 210/215 -- that part took me about 3 years.  I've been stuck at 210/215 for about a year, so don't know how I'll feel when/if I ever get to goal -- for me I'd be happy to be around 170-180.

I'm ok with if it takes 3 years, 5 years, whatever.  I don't really follow any diet -- just try to watch what/how much I eat at least some of the time ...and exercise.

Because it's taken such a long time & I'm not expecting weight loss to solve all my problems, I find that along the way I've become a lot happier with me & more comfortable in my own skin - however roomy it may be.  It's a good thing.

I reached a goal weight when I was around 20 yrs old through a low carb diet and went to a normal, healthier diet and kept it off for about 2yrs. I gained it all back and then some, but during the time I was thinner, I felt like some things were better and as good as I thought - I could wear a bikini and get attn from boys like everyone else, I could run pretty fast and stick with it and stay motivated b/c I was looking good as a result. I too thought I was still fat at the time, but I look back at those pics and think, darn I looked hot!

I am not as heavy as I've ever been, but I am still about 15-20lbs heavier than I was at my goal. Like Carolyn, I am watching what I eat and working out quite a bit, but not doing anything per se. I am considering Nutri-system for the last 10-15lbs, but I don't know if I want to spare the expense. I know what I need to do and I am healthy now, just want to get to a little healthier weight (I am technically overweight).

Because it's taken such a long time & I'm not expecting weight loss to solve all my problems, I find that along the way I've become a lot happier with me & more comfortable in my own skin - however roomy it may be.  It's a good thing.

Couldn't agree more!  I'll never be a bikini model, but I'm okay with me (even naked, isn't that miraculous? - and no, it isn't pretty). 

Couldn't agree more!  I'll never be a bikini model, but I'm okay with me (even naked, isn't that miraculous? - and no, it isn't pretty). 

Actually that's one thing I noticed that I am way less self-concious being in a bathing suit. I mean less than I was the last time I was this weight, on the way up. I'm always thinking "This is my body, such as it is. I worked really hard to get here. And if you don't like it, you can stuff it!"

For me I have always struggled with body image and eating disorders. I always see myself as larger than I am. When I lost my weight back in 2000 after my divorce, I faulanted it horribly. I wore bikinis, short skirts and daisy duke shorts (at 35). I enjoyed dating lots of men...and having even more look at me. I even worked at a gym as a personal trainer. But even through all that...everytime I looked in the mirror I still saw that size 20. Now I am a bit better even though I have put some weight back on. I don't see that fat girl anymore, but it still kills me to look at the couple of pictures from that time period that my daughter still has.

I find it ironic that I always struggled with body image....I thought I was smaller than I was!  Always gave me a bit of a turn when I saw my reflection in a shop window.  I just didn't feel fat (although at 280lbs, there was no doubting it).  No huffing or puffing, wasn't tired all the time or anything.  Never stopped me doing anything I wanted to do, other than wearing cute clothes or enjoying clothes shopping.  Probably another reason I waited so long to do something about it.  I think now I'm the size I always thought I was...slightly chubby. 

I realised at age 40 and after having 4 kids I was never going to be smaller than 11st. I said to myself "this is who I am...this is who I'll always be and I'm happy with it"
I vowed never to stress about my body image or go on another diet. I was finally happy! Then less than a year later I stepped on a scale and was up nearly three stone! I don't feel good about myself. I'm tired, have no energy and hate the way I look. So I decided to get a grip and drop the weight. I'm only down just over one stone but I'm starting to see the real me again. I want to be able to take the kids to the park and run around with them and still have more energy. With the extra weight i just can't.
So I'm losing weight for my health and for my kids. I'll be 41 in mid May and hope to be back down to 11st. If not at least I'm well on my way.