What were some unexpected benefits of losing weight?

Good thread! I like the fact that I can cut and polish my toenails!

• So much more flexibility and energy to run around with my kid
• i don?t think about my weight for long stretches of time when I?m busy doing other things...body hate used to be constant background noise no matter what I was doing
• i don?t have weird jealousy feelings when getting to know new friends that happen to be slim women
• I?m less interested in finding perfect clothes because I feel good in whatever
• I live a lot more in the present rather than the imaginary future

Thank you for this thread. I'm just in the beginning process of getting the referral for surgery and I'm scared I can't do it - all the screening stuff, surgery, diet etc. Seeing the positive changes you all are experiencing helps remind me why I finally decided to do this. You people are my inspiration.

Love this thread,

Being able to walk up a flight of steps and not think twice about it. Would avoid steps at all costs. Now I do not think about it I just go up.

NSV....my thighs no longer rub together when I walk..?

mine don't, either - in fact, I have "thigh gap" now!

My favorite?

1) Someone checking out my ass (I'm 63),

2) Being able to walk 3-4 miles a day and not get tired or winded,

3) Being able to ride the scariest roller coaster and having the seat belts fit,

4) Going into a store and fitting in the regular size merchandize, and

5) Did I mention that someone checking out my ass?

P.S. I've friends tell me that their friends thought I was hot.

One that never gets old is running up and down the stairs in my house. Lived here over 30 years and never was able to do that.

Bought my first bikini in my life and discovered I really prefer them. Now I own quite a few.

Was at my niece's wedding dancing and one of my brother's friends- who I've known for decades- came up from behind me -grabbed me around the waist, lifted me and spun me on the dance floor. I promise you that has never happened in my life.

I love hiking, weight lifting and running. Who is this woman?

I'm on vacation right now (in Norway after spending the first 3-4 days in Denmark), but I've got a few moments alone with WiFi and felt inspired to reply to this post.

- Being able to buy clothes on vacation. It was always a source of concern for me when traveling, especially to Europe, when I was SMO. What if my luggage got lost? At home I basically had to buy clothes at specialty stores or online, so I always worried I'd be screwed if I needed to buy clothes overseas. Now I can actually buy clothes on vacation JUST BECAUSE I WANT TO. It's super awesome. (I've bought, um, three Kari Traa jackets and a hoodie from LegoLand so far this vacation... And I tried on a UA jacket in a store and proceeded to order it online. This trip has been awesome for my coat/jacket collection so far, but crummy for my wallet!)

This was a concern of mine that actually happened. I had to go to St. Louis for a hearing in Federal Court. I packed my suit and traveled in a pair of jeans and a sweater. Of course, I get to the airport and my luggage is no where to be found. I was in a dead panic. How am I going to find a suit that fits me less than 12 hours before my hearing. I figured I was going to have to show up in court in the same jeans and sweater that I wore on the plane, take my lost luggage receipt with me and hope for the best. It was one of the events that led me to seriously consider surgery. I figured I either had to lose weight, or wear my suit on the plane. I never wanted to have to deal with that issue again (although seriously, who am I fooling. At 5' tall, I'll always have to deal with the issue . . . but for completely different reasons)