Just a quick warning that this is an opinon piece, my opinon

Is it just me, but why have people been telling me for years that just because you lose weight its not going to make you happy. Your still going to have the same problems weather you fat or thin, So i thought that makes sense. I prepared myself for this. It made sense. How could so many people be wrong. They were all wrong. I am so much happier and I don't have the same problems i had before. I can breath, I can play with my kids, my husband wants to sleep with me all time. I could go on and on about problems i had when I was fat that I dont now that i weight 165. Okay im by no means thin, but i am a lot healthier. So to all those people who say being thin isnt gonna make you happy are lying. I still have my share of problems, but not nearly as many. I dont want to mislead anyone and say your not going to have problems once you lose the weight, just dont let people discourage you.

I cope with stuff SO much better now than I did and my self esteem makes everything rosier.

We've always been very materialistic, DH and I. We always wanted to have the *best*, live in the *best* suburb, drive the *best* car. Life, whilst very comfortable, didnt work out that way for us. We tried too hard to show off and our sensible friends all surpassed us whilst we sort of peaked early. It used to REALLY worry me, it was my all day everyday downer, same for DH. Our whole life was focussed on "one day" and we werent enjoying life and what we have.

Since losing weight, I have that pride I was searching for. It doesnt come with things, it comes with yourself. I feel SO much better about everything and realise that just because I'm not a millionaire, I have lots to be thankful for, I mean we have a 6 figure salary, private schooling for our kids, its revolting to think how greedy we were.

Weight loss has changed my views on that and my appreciation so much that I really encouraged DH to go for it too, hoping he'll find the same, because he's still a bit too focussed on all that stuff since he's faced with a bunch of rich tossers at work every day. And at exec level he feels ridiculous for living where we do etc. And you know, as he loses, he says he IS feeling better about everything.

That's just an example. I was also a complete mess, disorganised, messy, late etc. Now I cant sit down for five minutes, I have too much energy so everything is in order. That makes me LOTS happier.

I have almost finished a degree I dont think I'd have gotten through fat because it takes a lot of organisation to combine 3 kids and full time study.

I could go on for ever. Weight loss doesnt solve every problem but changing your outlook on things means a lot of things you think are problems really arent.

I know, for me, I already feel better about myself. As far as physically, everything is feeling better and not hurting as much or as often. As I lose more, I imagine all of the will just get better and better! I have a great life and need to remember that. Sometimes when you (I) wallow in your (my) own bad self-image, you (I) forget the things that are going well.

I think when people are saying thin doesn't make you happy it's the same as money won't make you happy. In some ways it's true and in others, not so. If you are hoping that being skinny (or having more money) will cause your relationship issues (personal, work, etc) to suddenly disappear, then you are probably going to be disappointed. If you are hoping that being skinny (or having more money) will make life in general easier, then you are probably going to happy with the results. IE, being thinner helps with movement, health issues, energy, etc whereas more money could facilitate much needed repairs to car and/or home, college education, retirement, charitable donations, etc. Being thin (or having more money) will not save marriages or make your work life easier.

Does any of that make any sense? Trying to type a point sometimes is difficult and doesn't always come across well.

I do totally agree with both of you. I also think that most personal opinions are just that, personal. They are fact for that person but probably not fact for many other people.

my two cents/pense

Firstly those who say such are usually thin and thus if they have any personal issues at a low weight - assume the same may be true of others - though to those overweight it tends to be the sole attribute they dislike. Those overweight often have to adapt their personality to be stronger, more determined and funny to compensate for that negative attribute. With weight loss the same strong likeable person remains but they no longer have one over rideing attribute...the weight

My self for instance - i have a great family, wonderful and numerious friends, a enjoyable and very well paid job , a first class university degree, have travelled to 47 countrys and am in a good relationship.

I am happy in almost every respect - my only problem is that i am 90 lbs over weight and until i adress that (banded next week) it will be one hand tied behind my back, running the race with a backpack/

my weight and possible related future health problems are the one "bad" aspect of my life that i can identify and the band is going to help me win that war. - so yes, i think the weight loss will make me that much more happy - no question

Well, all I can say is I'm very happy! Sure, you still have problems like you did before, but you feel so much better about yourself!

I have always been a pretty happy person in my personal and professional life, but looking good really lifts the spirits.

I really think this is personal and it depends on curing what ails you to begin with.

I am much happier than before . . . but I can also say that my life was wonderful before banding with the only real bane of my existence being the excess pounds.

With that being said, I also know that not everyone is happier. Sometimes there are underlying issues in a persons life . . . bad relationships, low self-esteem, self soothing through addictive behavior that is not improved solely by losing weight. Sometimes counseling or other actions must be taken to overcome these issues.

So, my two cents worth is, you can be a lot happier without excess weight . . . but I think you must work on yourself as the "whole" person to find satisfaction throughout your life. We are all more than just our "weight" so to say less weight automatically equals happiness is an oversimplification.

I am VERY HAPPY now. I think I'll even be happier when I reach my goal. The excess weight was just as much a drag on my brain and happiness as it was on my body. It put a strain on every part of my life. I had even let my house become a huge burden on me. Every closet needed to be cleaned out. All kinds of chores needed to be done. Now I am getting out from under all of this burden and getting things done. Losing the weight definitely has made me happy.

Losing weight hasnt made me happy. Its made me ECSTATIC!

Well, take away the political correctness and add a dash of straight talk and here's what you get...

A lot of the people who say you won't be any happier when you're thin are fat people who've given up trying to lose weight...

As painful as it is to admit, most all of us have people we associate with on a daily basis who aren't 100% behind our succeeding with the band. They're the ones who make comments like, "boy I sure am glad I can have bread." OR "I don't think it's healthy to just eat that small amount of food."

Let's face it... misery loves company. They can do without mine because I'm with you... that's just a lie...

Brad

I am so happy where I am, I don't feel like the 800 lb gorilla in the room anymore. People that used to say 'Ol fat ass', well, I am smaller than they are now and I don't hear that anymore. Neither do I gloat because I know that when I was dieting and preparing for my surgery and miserable, they were eating, fattening foods, chips, soda, candy bars, and at restaurants eating chicken, burgers, doughnuts, pizza. I stuck to what I had to do. It's amazing, the people that were adorning them with compliments and overlooked me as if I didn't exist all of a sudden by osmosis are overlooking them and noticing me. I say nothing but know that I am that same 'fat' girl that you dissed at the club that sat all night, holding the coats and purses.

HELL yeah I am happier, my waistline is now a 34 from a 51. I went from a 24-26 to a now 14 - 16 depending on the clothing. I can't begin to tell you how good I feel. My ex's girlfriend posted a whole myspace page devoted to me because she once was my friend and started dating my husband. Before she knew I lost weight, she had the caption on this page, 'Everybody knows she's a fat ass that is bigger than me!!!' I put my new pictures upon my myspace page. She has to be hitting 375 lbs while I am more than a hundred lbs slimmer than she is.

I feel great! My ex was abusive mentally and physically and that was the reason I was nearly 300 lbs. I feel so good, I started modeling again and let go of the comfort of using the phrase BBW.

the people who told you losing weight won't make you happy never had to worry if they were going to break the chair they were sitting in. i'm ecstatic!!!!!

well people who say that dont know what theyre talking about because ive only lost fifty pounds and im so much happier im not on any pills anymore im not depressed im always happy my sex life is better im just happier all the way around i can only imagine when i get to my goal weight

I think loosing weight makes you more confident and definately happier.

I am glad you are happier and making your life what you deserve. Good for you! And let that skank have him. :ohmy:

Happier? hmmmmm. I'm only 110 lbs down right now with at least another 80lbs or so to go. I can get up out of my chair without great pain or noise, I can play with my kids, I am off all my meds but 1, I workout 5 times a week, I can get out and visit friends, and go to my kids school sporting events without being embrassed for me and my kids. I also talk to a therapist every week to talk about my reasons for turning to food when I was depressed or upset. So my body is happier, my mind is getting happier and my kids are even happier than I am about my weight loss because they have their dad back to play with. My joy is coming from my comfort, my joy comes from not having to ride in a scooter at walmart when shopping with my family, my joy comes from not just sitting at home feeling sorry for myself and being able to help some of my new friends with their weight loss. I have been stuck in the house for 2 years, gaining weight for over 10 yrs. and not moving around at all, now i can go outside for over a hour just walking around and feeling the wind against my face. Maybe lossing weight doesnt make you happier but it gives me new abilitity to live and have fun like I havent in many years, which by the way makes me very happy!