It’s been more than three years since I dropped over 50 pounds and I continue to enjoy this new experience. Admittedly, I’ve had struggles lately with stress, poor sleep and undisciplined eating fluctuated my weight by 5-10 pounds. Despite these difficult moments, I remain appreciative of the many interesting benefits I’ve gained from significant weight loss.
I wanted to share some of my new perspective that helps me navigate tough periods where my weight fluctuates. Ironically, I often come to appreciate how far I’ve come in this journey, and life generally, during tough times.
With the dramatic weight loss came several benefits including the obvious change in my aesthetics. My body just looked completely different. More flattering in some areas! I wasn’t nearly as embarrassed to take off my shirt on the beach. Also, I could walk or jog greater distances on consecutive days without any pain! While this has been great, I’ve come to realize and appreciate other interesting benefits from weight loss.
New Wardrobe
One interesting benefit from weight loss has been the increased simplicity of my wardrobe. I’m more comfortable wearing medium or large sized clothing, which makes shopping easier as these sizes are more readily available. For example, my spouse bought me some H&M shirts that fit nicely! I don’t wear quite as many clothes, which might be partly due to working remotely during the pandemic.
I ended up donating nearly all of my professional attire as I could no longer fit into my XXL dress shirts, sport coat or dress pants. It was actually liberating to give these clothes away and a little bit of a challenge to myself to ensure I never need those sizes again. For most of my working life, I struggled to find attire that fit me properly. Those days are over.
Smaller Food Budget
The transition from junk food to moderate servings of mostly clean foods has been good for my wallet. Once I started measuring the amount of food I needed to lose or maintain weight, I simply required less food. I’ve always wanted to eat until I felt full, but I realized that my body needed fewer calories to function.
Over time I noticed changes in my food spending habits when I scaled down on random snacks, drinks or fast-food stops. I still have my occasional treats, but it’s a far cry from what I used to spend on food. Our spending on healthier foods is surprisingly less expensive than I would have imagined. I don’t always eat organic, though. I simply eat less which has made a difference over time.
New Perspective on Social Experiences
While strolling in the local mall recently, I realized that the experience no longer derived the same pleasure for me. I used to love visiting the mall because of all the shops I could peruse for smells and tastes. Now that I’ve accepted that most shops in the mall offer processed foods with few if any health benefits, the mall experience is less interesting. Now I’m only inclined to go for my kids or spouse, if necessary.
I had a similar experience on recent travels where I enjoyed trying different foods but was far more conscious of what and how much I ate. This change of perspective enabled me to further appreciate the experience of a new place beyond the next meal or snack. Foods will always be part of my traveling experience, but I think I’ve become enlightened to appreciate the culture and environment that often inspires local treats. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t as anxious for my next meal.
Weight Loss is More than Shedding Pounds
At this juncture in my life (middle-aged), I think losing so much weight has meant more to me than it might have in my earlier years. There is the accomplishment of dropping the pounds and there is the realization of how much one learns from the experience. I feel that I’ve learned a great deal throughout this process including a greater appreciation for life. It’s also given me the confidence to further progress with improving my overall health.
One thing that I continue to learn is that the weight loss process is its own experience. What happens beyond dropping the pounds is a completely different aspect of the journey. I’ve unlocked a new perspective on life that continues to enlighten me on the interesting benefits of weight loss.