When you lost weight, did you feel.. Different?

[BorkityBork]

Sorry for the title, I wasn't sure how to word it!

All through my 20's I weighed 8 stone 12 - I was young, felt fit and attractive. Had plenty of confidence.

After having my two DC (I'm almost 34) I'm 10 stone 12. I feel I uncomfortable, and lacking in confidence. I've lost my 'oomph' if you like. It's had a knock on effect with making an effort with other areas of my appearance too.

I've started calorie-counting and aiming for 9 stone. But I was wondering - once you got to your target weight, did you feel happy? Did you get your oomph back? Or am I just chasing after my child-free younger years?

Thanks

Yes I've recently lost a stone. Got another half stone to go (poss more if I still feel motivated). It's nice to look in the mirror and see my clothes fitting me better

Some great results. It's amazing to hear!

I got down to my goal weight 10 years ago when I was 30 after 2 kids and losing 5stone. I struggled to stay there without a ton of effort although I looked amazing. I also found men constantly hitting on me very annoying in a creepy way. I still felt anxious about the way I looked though and not really good enough. I look back at photos now and I looked so good. Anyway I then had an accident 5 years later, where I couldn’t move properly for 4 months. I packed on a ton of weight as I was depressed and very down on a lot of painkillers. I tried to lose it after I recovered but I then got ANOTHER medical condition which was also awful and finally got surgery 2 years ago for that. I am now 42 and really want to focus on health not looks. I am not healthy overweight. I need to not worry about how I look as much as how I feel. Mentally it’s hard to go from fat to slim, you feel constantly still in ‘fat mindset’ and down on yourself. It’s important to focus on why you are doing it and vanity/looks is not enough to maintain it. You also need to be resilient to accept there are circumstances you can’t control that might affect your weight and not let that make you throw all your hard work away. You might need to accept that old younger you was younger and you are now older so you can’t ‘go back’ to how you once looked you might have to settle for something practical that you can manage long term and doesn’t mean starving yourself. So be realistic. I will never be the same as I was 20 years ago, I am 20 years older! I am going to settle for healthy and a comfy size 12