It's Feel Good Friday: Tell me... What is the single more prolific thing in your life that you can now do, that you could not at your heaviest weight?

For me it is plain and simply running. I found it even so difficult to trot for more than a few steps and I'd be out of breath and having an asthma attack. Now I can run/jog for an hour straight with no issues.

Swim laps - I do 120 lengths of a 75' pool in 90 minutes 2 or 3 times a week

Horseback riding - been twice in the last 3 months, love it!

Cut the grass without wheezing like I was going to die

Have sex without it hurting more than feel good - neck, back knees etc.

Walk any amount of distance without getting winded

Lilmissdiva- How far out were you... how long did it take before you could run. I think I would like it but can't do it now...too much pain in my joints. How did you work up to running?

It's a good thing you mention sex how long did you wait before having sex?

Swim laps - I do 120 lengths of a 75' pool in 90 minutes 2 or 3 times a week

Horseback riding - been twice in the last 3 months, love it!

Cut the grass without wheezing like I was going to die

Have sex without it hurting more than feel good - neck, back knees etc.

Walk any amount of distance without getting winded

Crossing my legs and being able to do my walks when it is hot out without feeling my heart do the cha-cha.

I agree with the running, though I can't do an hour yet. I run a 5k 3-4 days a week in under 40min.

I think the biggest thing for me is keeping up with my kids. And having a better attitude around them- mainly because I'm not so tired.

Plain and simple one for me - hold my head high without the constant psychological panic of "ARGH! I am the fattest person here!" I know it should never have mattered, but I guess for lots of us it did!

Just being able to walk. Last year I could barely walk without lower back pain and feeling exhausted, now I do 3-4 miles like its nothing

Lilmissdiva- How far out were you... how long did it take before you could run. I think I would like it but can't do it now...too much pain in my joints. How did you work up to running?

I'll answer this because it pertains to me as well. I could run right away, but it was for 1-2 minutes. I'd walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes and do 1-2 minutes running./ That's all it took. It seemed that every week I was able to increase my speed, the incline or run a little bit more. I'm still obese and pre surgery but can now run 2 miles - though it hurts. I can run 1 mile comfortably.

Believe me, my knees and shins used to hurt. I get it. Just take it easy at first. It wont take long at all. I didnt even feel like I was pushing myself in any way and it still happened rather quickly. Just do it.

I find I burn almost as many calories walking on an incline fast. Maybe try that at first.

Great replies everyone!! Our lives have changed so much! And the further out we are, and the closer to goal we are, those positive changes start piling up. I love my sleeve!!!

tree, I simply started out with walking. I would *always* push myself that extra mile. The second I noticed my body could handle it I would bump up the intensity and distance. I got over the hump by signing up for a real 5K event. That really spurned me to giving it my all and finally getting me to realize I CAN do it! I have arthritis in both my knees and I always doubted I could do it. I started really running at around 230ish Lbs. Once I got into this is when I started to see so many real and positive changes in my weight loss and physique. My legs are so much leaner than I ever remember, and I've been very VERY thin before, and my arms have lost back pretty great. I never feel self conscious about them, in fact I *like* showing them off!!!

Good luck to you! Baby steps though, that's how I got started. Once you get used to a really good speed walking routine, try this website: http://www.fromcouchto5k.com/articles/training/the-couch-to-5k-training-plan/

About every month I can throw out big clothes and not have to save them because I will NEVER need or wear them again! Lovely!

It's Feel Good Friday: Tell me... What is the single more prolific thing in your life that you can now do, that you could not at your heaviest weight?

For me it is plain and simply running. I found it even so difficult to trot for more than a few steps and I'd be out of breath and having an asthma attack. Now I can run/jog for an hour straight with no issues.

For me it's getting thru the day without being exhausted. I travel for work and I used to arrive in a city and go straight to the room and lay on the bed to rest. Now I see the city, go out for dinner, do some shopping. I have about 50 lbs to lose still but what a difference the 73 I've lost have made!

For me, at 2.5 months out, I am still tired a lot so no increased energy yet But I can bend over easily now. I used to have enough belly fat it totally got in my way. And I fit in all chairs and booths now too!

Lynda

Getting out of the tub without feeling like I need a crane. Not needing a seatbelt extender on airplanes. Not needing to wear bike shorts under skirts and dresses so my thighs don't rub raw. Those are the three that jump to mind immediately.

I find that I engage with my friends and family at a different level now--I'm not so self-conscious. I am not so worried about being huge. I still have a long way to go, but already I am feeling more open, less barricaded by my fat, if that makes sense. I could never be fully comfortable, not even with my very supportive and nonjudgmental family, because of feeling like a failure due to my size. I find that sense of social isolation slowly diminishing--I feel like I can be myself now!

Shop in the regular women's section. I have been in plus sized since middle school. I cross my legs without thinking about it. I love to have my picture taken. I'm able to live my life without what I'm eating that day (ooo i can have doughnuts in the morning) consuming my thoughts. I don't daydream in the same way. I used to always dream bout being thin, what I would sacrafice if I could have one wish, I don't do that anymore. It's freeing.