If you have lost a substantial amount of weight…

[redambergreen70]

Can you tell me about the benefits you’ve experienced or how it’s made you feel please?

I have a huge amount of weight to lose… likely around 8st but the task just seems so big and I’d like to hear other people’s stories.

I lost 5 stone by changing my diet (focussing on healthy eating / looking after my body , not ‘dieting’) and exercising more.

3 years ago, and have maintained.

I feel as if I stepped into a new world. Even getting out of bed feels better. Less tired. More sprightly. I enjoy shopping for clothes more because I have wider choices.

Being fitter means I enjoy activities more, I don’t get tired on walks, even days at NT places or theme parks are less tiring - I used to get tired. I didn’t realise it at the time, I thought it was normal to look forward to a little sit down.

My creaky knees don’t creak.

Hair and skin all good. Better diet has brought cholesterol level down.

The backbeat of guilt has gone (“am I risking diabetes? Will I traumatise my family by having a stroke or heart attack…”). I know that’s not rational, and I didn’t realise it was an emotional and mental toll, but now I feel I am looking after my body I feel more confident and optimistic.

I’m not a gym or clean eating fanatic, just stopped snacking, moved to more veg, less fried food, more realistic portions, healthier choices.

Medically speaking, of course this is a cause of great concern, and there is certainly some pathological process behind it that won't just leave you now you are a nice size 10 or whatever

I understand there is some reluctance to admit use of weight loss meds. But I assume you have either used those, or have a serious illness that needs urgent medical assessment.

I’ve lost over 35lbs on Mounjaro recently.

I’m fairly tall, so it’s not that obvious to others but to me it’s huge. I wasn’t so big that it affected my mobility or health but I’m just so much happier to be thin again.

I’m really enjoying clothes for the first time in at least 5 years. I’m constantly looking at myself in full length mirrors and make a point of admiring myself naked in the mirror 😂 When I was overweight, I couldn’t bear the sight of myself. I had stopped undressing in front of my husband as I felt so unattractive. Now I’m back to stripping off with abandon.

In 12 weeks I’ve lost 3 stone and I feel great. My clothes fit well and look good. I can wear proper jeans instead of leggings and form fitting tops and dresses. I can run upstairs. My hair is thick and glossy and my skin is good. I don’t have swathes of loose skin. I’m intending to lose another stone or so. I’ve done it the old fashioned way of meal replacements and calorie counting.

My earlier comment was related to the above
Such appetite loss with associated 26kg weight loss either happened with weight loss jobs or has an underlying serious medical condition which does not magically disappear when you achieve ideal weight....

I lost 3 stone during lockdown, and my confidence soared. I hit 40 the same year and I honestly felt better than I'd felt since I was 20.

Clothes have become fun again.
I am no longer stuffing myself on a daily basis and I feel good at the end of the day rather than bloated and yucky.
Exercise is easier.
I enjoy going swimming again.
I feel like I'm in control, and not being run by a greedy mind control bot.

It's the best thing I ever did, and I have totally changed my eating habits so that the weight has stayed off. It's easy now.

Good luck OP

I've lost 4 stone, the lightest I've been in my adult/teen life at 10 and a half stone now but don't look my smallest, my boobs and belly need work, I'm a different type of sad about my body now BUT it's the best thing I've ever done, I can jog along side my children and play much easier, can move easier generally, feel much more confident (clothed) and just knowing the fat around my organs has reduced just makes me feel so much better

Some absolutely fantastic inspiring posts here. Well done everyone.

I am 6ft tall and have a lot of weight too loose. In total probably similar to you @redambergreen70 but I am aiming for 6 stone as I would look too gaunt if any less as so tall and now almost 60. I was a size 24 but last week I had some size 20 clothes on.

I started in August finally motivated by a combination of a health condition that frightened me, numerous social events coming up next year which I wanted to enjoy and some awful comments that really upset me.

I now want to feel good, be as healthy as I possibly can be, look forward and enjoy these events and life properly and not dreading things feeling like my usual, miserable, bitter, unhappy, unconfident, uncomfortable, fatty self forever more who struggles to find anything to wear being both tall and fat. Also my kids are at Uni now so this is my time and I want and need to feel good and better about myself and I want my kids to feel proud of me not possibly ashamed or embarrassed about me and my size.

I am still only a little way into my weight loss and fitness journey lost just over 1 1/2 stone but feeling motivated to continue I want to get to loose another 1/2 stone by Christmas. I am doing it in bitesize chunks.

The way I am loosing weight is by not bingeing. I started exercising on my own slowly building up to walking 10K a day regardless how I was feeling, what else was going on or what the weather was doing. I also downloaded MyFitness Pal and log everything daily. If I go over one day or two days I don’t beat myself up and go on a sod it eating spiral I get back to it the next day. I have also joined a small gym and take part in organised small group classes. The group are nice, yes I am the biggest most unfit there but we all have our own exercises, the instructor is lovely and some of the exercises have to be adapted for me. But I actually look forward to going and feel so much better after going. Alongside this I also joined a local online nutrition coach which helps with my motivation. She also advises me and motivates me about how many cals to eat (which is a realistic manageable 1750 per day for me), eat more protein and drink more water and she does weekly check ins.

Benefits so far my existing clothes are much looser or fit better as I was kidding myself and squeezing myself into some of them before as I couldn’t get a bigger size.

Also I am sleeping better, I feel more positive, have more energy and feel happier and more in control. I have also bought some new clothes in a smaller size just to enjoy the benefits and the boost now but I haven’t gone mad just yet.

Not very many people have noticed or commented yet but maybe because I was so big before and still am big but I am less big than I was or it could be because of political correctness but I am happy to be finally doing something about it.

Not looking forward to saggy face and skin any ways to help with this?

This is a really interesting thread!
I've lost 2 stone, I carried it all on my stomach after having 2 huge babies and loosing all muscle.
I feel like a different person, my aim is now definition by weight training and pilates.
Cons, as others say loose skin. I have an issue with my belly button, the skin is so saggy it traps moisture and moisturiser in there which leads to irritation. But I'd rather that than how I felt before weight loss.
Take pictures, I didn't because I could bare to and now I regret this. I did record measurements and that has been eye opening!

@Shoppedatwoolworths , @Searchingforthelight is right, you should go and see your GP urgently and tell them about your unexplained weight loss.

Not looking forward to saggy face and skin any ways to help with this?

Facelift.

I honestly can’t thank you all enough for sharing your stories and advice and for those on a similar journey, I wish you all the best.

I can move about more easily, back pain is better and I look much better and get constantly compliments

Your response is actually pretty bitter, are you okay?

I have been to my GP several times this year due to the unexplained weight loss and have undergone a multitude of tests that have revealed nothing. My appetite is still not back so I’m not claiming I’ve had an illness that magically went away when I got to a certain weight (not sure why or how you came to that conclusion?). Each day I’m forcing myself to eat to gain weight now as my BMI is going toward underweight for my height. I’m really tall.

I’ve had bowel cancer screening, been fobbed off it’s IBS and IBD, told it is stress related, or menopause related (I’m 39) or because I’m grieving after severa close family deaths… if I was taking weight loss jabs then my weight loss wouldn’t be unexplained would it?

I have. Several times. Mentioned in my original comment that my blood work has all come back ok. I’ve had so many tests over the past 5 months and my doctors are perplexed. As am I.

I've lost 6 stone, though I still have a way to go. I was very fortunate in that despite being morbidly obese, I didn't have any obvious health issues. But it has still improved my quality of life no end.

• I have loads more energy
• My fitness has increased without me even trying – I no longer worry I won't be able to manage hills or long walks or whatever
• My skin is better (though my hair is worse)
• Sex is way better
• Clothes are more fun
• I feel more in control generally
• My mood has improved
• I don't snore any more

It's the best thing I ever did for myself and I feel SO much better both for the weight loss, and when I'm sticking to the plan that works for me (one meal a day, high protein, high good fats, low carb).

@Shoppedatwoolworths
I am perfectly ok
My response is not bitter- why would it be?

Your original post did not go into much about such concerning loss of appetite with resultant huge weight loss

I am a hospital consultant of many years experience and find your history alarming

I only mentioned wt loss jabs as some are reluctant for whatever reason to admit to using them

Your replies since have indicated you have had some investigations with no explanation to date, but I would be highly concerned with the history you have given here