Weight Loss is...

To be honest, we didn't expect our Obesity is... post to garner the attention it received. Had we planned appropriately, we probably would have written this followup post a little quicker, but alas. Better late than never? While obesity was/is/will be all those things we listed in our previous segment, this post centers, instead, on what weight loss has been to us - making it the (mostly) "better half" of our journey thus far. So, without further adieu:

Weight loss is...

Moving the driver's seat forward to match your arm span rather than your (now smaller) belly size.

Having more energy.

Learning how your body feels when you fuel it with good vs. bad food.

Seeing definition in your muscles (even if it's only a little bit).

Weight loss is...

Being afraid of loose skin.

Annoying folks on your social networks with all the "healthy"/"weight loss" posts.

Realizing you've essentially lived your entire life dehydrated.

Feeling guilty when you eat the occasional crumby meal.

Fighting those feelings of guilt with self-love and understanding that one poor meal choice doesn't make you a failure. BALANCE is the only way to make this effort sustainable.

Weight loss is...

Going through your clothes and getting rid of anything that is now too loose.

That feeling you get the first time someone else notices your weight loss and says something positive about it.

Getting (and USING) a local gym membership.

Not being ravenously hungry all the time.

Sleeping better.

Weight loss is...

Receiving lots of messages from strangers who want to "help".

Getting accused of being obsessive.

Dealing with plateaus by trying to focus on non-scale victories.

Being in-between the sizes you've got on hand so you either look frumpy or heavier.

Losing your balance, because you aren't used to a lower body weight.

Weight loss is...

Celebrating milestones along the way with things like new gym clothes or a video game (instead of food).

Making connections with new and old friends who share a passion for wellness.

Successfully pushing yourself further in a work out than you ever thought possible.

Eating lots and lots and lots of protein.

Taking mirror selfies, which you said you'd NEVER do.

Until next time,

Ryan & Rachel