What were some unexpected benefits of losing weight?

Sure, when we had surgery we all expected the big things. Weight loss, increased mobility and health, etc. What about those little things that happened that maybe caught you off guard? For example:

• I can buckle seat belt
• I can get up off the floor without an issue, or a chair/bed to cling on to
• Nothing in plus sized sections fit me. Even pants. I wear a 12/14 right now, but if I buy them in the plus sized area they are WAYYY too big thanks to lots of stretchy fabric.

What are your "Oh wow, I can't believe I can do this?" sort of moments?

Great idea for a thread! You're going to get some good ones.

I started keeping track of some NSV's a bit ago for my own reasons and here are a few that have meant a lot to me:


1)All things booths or seats. restaurants, airplanes, movie theaters, church pews, back seats of cars, etc.

2)Necklaces fit again and even my earrings are easier to deal with.

3)Hugs. I remember my youngest daughter telling me that she could get her arms around my whole body. I hadn't realized how much I missed that. Bigger hugs are my favorite NSV by far.

4)A silly one: No more wet tummy from doing the dishes! We don't have a dishwasher and my belly had gotten so big that I had to change shirts after this chore. Not any more! =)


Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Oh yes, I love hugs! I have a friend who gives me a big bear hug, and I love it. He can just pick me up!

Yep! It's my very favorite because it always reminds me of the reason for my surgery. I wanted to be here for those I love.

It's such a wonderful feeling to be completely enveloped in a hug.

Crossing my legs when I sit. And then realising I crossed my legs when I sat!

I can't believe I'm fit enough to run the distances I've been doing.

I can't believe that my lifestyle 'influences' so many people.

i can't believe my wardrobe- I feel like my closet belongs to the fantasies my formerly SMO self wanted but could never fit/find/afford.

I can't believe people call me 'disciplined' with regards to my eating and fitness. I constantly feel like a hamster on a wheel in regards to both.

Hey, Peach just a question about your running and calves! My calves are holding onto a lot of fat, they're big and definitely not firm. I've just started light jogging on the treadmill, is running going to be a decent way to slim them down? Did they for you if your calves were big?

I definitely lost inches in my calves, but they weren't exceptionally fatty to start, I'd always liked my calves. My weight was carried mostly proportional. If I had to pick an area it seemed to bundle up on- I'd say my hips.(and that's where I wish more inches would disappear from!).

So I think you'll lose some inches- and build up great muscle underneath- but you may be plagued a bit fatty tissue that will hopefully only be a cosmetic nuisance.

I know this was directed at Peach, but I'm going to share my experience. I also run. While my calves have lost a fat layer, they are by no means skinny. I built up a pretty nice calf muscle, so they still look on the larger size.

Thanks for answering! I'm definitely not going for a slim and trim calf, just not a fatty one!