# The unexpected benefits of weight loss. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 18, 2002, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520 "2002-08-18T22:46:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2002, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/21 "2002-08-19T16:45:42Z")
I’m doing Weight Watchers **Elvis** and that’s Bitch Diva to you! (BTW, congrats to you too, on this the anniversary of your death. Good to see you’re still out and about.) If Eve is fat, then I’m still a very big girl. A gargantuan girl. ---
**Author:** ![Tir\_Tinuviel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tir\_Tinuviel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tir_Tinuviel)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2002, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/22 "2002-08-19T17:22:10Z")
**TVGuy** and **jools** she’s loosing weight, not vowels! Its Bigg **i** rl! 😛 Good for you! Loosing weight can be a bitch, but stick to it, I feel a damn site better since I lost a stone or so! Not sure about the beer thing though, I _like_ being able to drink lots, yeah, it would be nice to get pished for cheaper, but then I would have to go home earlier… Swings and roundabouts I suppose! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SaxFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SaxFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaxFace)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/23 "2002-08-19T17:52:38Z")
Hey, congrats Biggirl!! That’s super. I’m even more impressed that you did it in Brooklyn, the land of a bar on every corner and a fattening pastry shop every other door. Since I left NY, I’ve quit smoking and lost 40 pounds. The biggest benefit I’ve noticed is that medicine hits me a lot faster. I took a couple Midol last week and I felt completely wasted. Maybe you’d like to join me in a triathlon next spring? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2002, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/24 "2002-08-19T19:15:27Z")
That’s great! How are you doing it? What’s working for you? Share. Share. Share. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2002, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/25 "2002-08-19T19:33:24Z")
You didn’t lose 'em, **Sax** , you left them here in NY on me. They are fine, thanks, they miss you very much and want to know when you’ll be back to pick them up. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/26 "2002-08-19T20:57:08Z")
I’ve lost 130 so far (still about 30 or so to go)\*\*, but even after the first 20, I noticed a lot of changes, all positive. Especially being able to walk or jog without my underwear getting twisted up, or worse, set on fire from my thighs chafing. Two of the biggest changes, after all this time? 1. Guys seem to be interested in me again. (Big improvement over before, and I can afford to be ‘pickier’ [not shallow, but I don’t have to ‘settle for the first one who talks to me’]). Though I still prefer to rely on my ‘charming personality’. 2. No one is telling me “you would be so pretty if only you lost weight” anymore. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Don’t EVEN get me started on that phrase. :mad: Drawbacks to weight loss? I had to buy another comforter for the bed, since I am FREEZING at night!!! And I had to go shopping for new bras. Nothing fit anymore: I dropped ten inches there, but my shoulders and back don’t hurt anymore (and that’s a very good thing). The nice frilly onesand the leopard print ones made up for the disappointment. \*\*Yeah, bariatric surgery, but it was the last act of a desperate woman. But my resting pulse is back to normal, and my blood pressure is no longer in the triple digits on both sides of the line. ---
**Author:** ![miamouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@miamouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miamouse)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2002, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/27 "2002-08-19T20:59:14Z")
Unexpected benefits of weight loss: I can’t tell you how much I’ve lost because I don’t and won’t own a scale. But over the past six months I’ve lost almost two sizes. The clothes thing is so fun. I want sex again. I get doors opened for me more often now. I sleep better. I could give a rats ass about certain previously stressful items. (Punching bag, Mmmmmmm.) ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2002, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/28 "2002-08-19T21:05:30Z")
For me it’s been about 15 pounds over the last six weeks. So far I’ve noticed that I have a lot more energy. When I walk down the hall at work, I practically bound. Also, I find that I don’t miss the junk food nearly as much as I thought I would. The down side: My pants are getting to big on me, and I haven’t yet gone out and bought a new belt… and I haven’t lost enough yet to justify going out and buying a bunch of pairs of pants… Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![seawitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@seawitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seawitch)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2002, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/29 "2002-08-19T23:00:06Z")
I’m barely started at this point, but I love hearing about you Dopers who are making it work - the more inspiration I get, the more I’m able to stick it out through the plateaus. Congratulations to all! ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/30 "2002-08-20T00:14:33Z")
If this quadruple posts, some hamster is gonna die! Plateaus are horrible, horrible things, **seawitch**. I almost gave up at about 15 lbs. 2 weeks I had no loss and then 2 weeks of gain. I _knew_ I was doing everything right. But for a month, _a whole friggin’ month_ I was below 1550 cals and all I had to show for it was a 3 lb weight gain. I talked to both my doctor and then the WW conselor. That PCOS is a real PTA and I had to go way below my normal point spread before things improved. I have become a Weight Watcher’s cultist. They don’t tell you _what_ to eat, they show you _how_ to eat. When a fat person says “I really don’t eat that much” no one believes them. Before I joined WW I **really** didn’t eat that much. In fact I believe I eat more now. I’m going to go have me a sammich stuffed with Boar’s Head honey coated ham on Branola with (light) mayo and a Stewart’s orange and cream soda. At 5 points a pop, I think I’ll have two! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Patrol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Cat\_Patrol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Patrol)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/31 "2002-08-20T02:02:23Z")
Congrats on your weightloss, Biggirl. I’ve been on a diet as well for a couple months and I’ve lost 24 pounds.I’ve got a system for keeping myself motivated in case of a plateau.Heres what I do: I weigh myself once a week on Sunday morning before eating. I also measure my waist around my spare tire, under my spare tire, and in the fat part of my upper leg near the crotch. Now, even if my weight doesn’t go down, I’m sure to lose a half or quarter inch in one or more of my measured areas. This way I keep my momentum going and I don’t become discouraged. Sometimes it’s a case of not losing any actual weight, but losing inches. ---
**Author:** ![diku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@diku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diku)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/32 "2002-08-20T04:26:50Z")
I’m chiming in with the Weight Watchers thing. Any plan that will allow me to go to a Reds game, eat two Big Red Smokies(Stayed under my points for the day still) and lose three pounds over the past week is ok by me. Congrats **Biggirl** , I know it feels good. I’m down 12 pounds since joining, and feel better already. Sure, I’ve got a looooong way to go, but it’s still good. ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/33 "2002-08-20T04:47:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > \*\* > Mebbe I should break an ankle or something-- couldn’t be any harder than the plan I’m on now! What say you, **TVGuy**? \*\* Nope. That’s one weight loss program I CANNOT recommend 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Grimace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@Grimace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grimace)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/34 "2002-08-20T05:25:22Z")
I’ve loast about 20 pounds in the last month, trying to get back into shape and all, and i’ve hit a slight plateau, but it’ll break, just have to be determined like I used to be. But I LOVE the fact that i’m not winding myself going up stairs anymore, nor my back in pain all the time from carrying all teh extra weight around. Plus I love the fact that I have a LOT more energy, like back when I was in my early 20’s late teens. Still got about 70 pounds to go, but i’m looking forward to pulling out those 36 inch waist jeans again! ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/35 "2002-08-20T05:26:01Z")
I’ve been genetically gifted in this regard, never had to worry about this sort of thing, but you all sound so positive! Hooray for you, and keep at it! (And if you’re already thinking about being cold and have never faced winter as a skinny person, for heaven’s sake **get some long-johns**. When the daytime temps get below 50, I’m wearing long johns every day, and I would absolutely curl up and die without them.) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/36 "2002-08-20T09:57:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > [li] **It’s less hot.** [/li]It’s been a brutal summer. Usually, when the temps and the humidity go anywhere near 90, I melt. This year I’ve been hot, but I have not felt the need to find a shady tree to lie prostrate under, strip naked and beg strangers to either pour ice water over me or kill me. Now, why didn’t you tell me about this _before??_ If this urge ever finds you again, I’ve got a fairly private backyard with shady trees, and a pitcher of ice water in the fridge. Both would be at your disposal. 😃 Seriously, congrats on the weight loss, and good luck in keeping it going! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Space\_Vampire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Space\_Vampire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Vampire)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/37 "2002-08-20T10:46:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by EggNogg \* > \*\*“You go girl!” > Why cant British people say that without looking like pillocks? > > \*\* If “pillocks” is an adjective meaning “stupid” or a noun meaning “one who is stupid,” don’t worry, I don’t think anybody can. ---
**Author:** ![Squish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Squish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squish)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/38 "2002-08-20T11:45:18Z")
Brava, **Biggirl** , and to the rest of you, too! Sadly, I’ve gained two sizes (I never weigh myself) over the last year. Whatever’s wrong with my back (can’t afford a doctor to find out) has gotten worse; it feels like my lower spine is in a vise grip if I walk a block. Before, I used to walk all _over_ the place. Hopefully, I’ll be able to drop the weight by this time next year! I’ve been heavy and I’ve been thin, and thin is so much fun. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/39 "2002-08-20T13:21:10Z")
**Squish** , I hear ya on the bad back. I’ve always been thin, but since I broke my back a year and a half ago I’ve put on a sh\*\*load of weight and I can’t do a lot of exercising to help burn it. Rather bothersome, really. F’neh! ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520/40 "2002-08-20T14:02:19Z")
Yea **Biggirl**! I’ve lost 20 lbs since January, but have hit a major plateau. I got pretty demotivated and regained about 9 lbs (I had lost almost 30), but restarted my diet this week. This thread was exactly what I needed. Thank you for sharing! By the way, another benefit, is having your thighs not get totally chaffed when you wear a skirt with no pantyhose. (Well, this is what I hear, anyway. ;)) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unexpected-benefits-of-weight-loss/124520.md?page=3)