1. Tolerating Heat
This is what actually prompted the blog post idea. We've been experiencing a heat wave for several days. Today the high is 95˚F. Yes, I understand that might be cool for people who live in Nevada, Arizona, or even Africa - but it's unusually hot for those accustomed to San Diego's typically comfortable mid 70's.
When I was obese - I felt absolutely miserable in any weather above 80˚F. I'm not exaggerating when I say I would cry because of how uncomfortable the heat made me. I experienced heat rashes, headaches, and sweated profusely - all while doing absolutely nothing but sitting.
Now? I feel warm but I'm not uncomfortable or miserable. I even went outside, exercised and ran errands for a few hours today. Before my weight loss I wouldn't have even considered going outside in this weather unless I absolutely had no choice.
2. Shopping
Here is a perfect segue to my next point... I had a love/hate relationship with shopping when I was obese. This may sound insane - but I never wanted to go to the store without my kids when I was obese. I used my children as a visual excuse for my excess weight. I figured if people saw me with my 2 (and subsequently 3) children they would think, "She must have gained weight when she had kids." The truth is, I was technically overweight prior to ever having kids - but no one else knew that. I always irrationally felt that people were mentally judging me when I went shopping.
I don't feel that way anymore! Now I'm whizzing down aisles and hopping onto the back of the shopping cart as I ride it through the parking lot! Weeeeeeee....
3. Clothes
This ties in to shopping but deserves a feature on it's own. I've abhorred clothes shopping for as long as I can remember. I started getting chubby when I was about 9 or 10 years old... and back in the late 80's/early 90's there weren't really sizing options for fluffy kids. I couldn't wear the cute/stylish clothing because they either didn't fit or didn't look right on me. I resented having to settle for frumpy clothes.
Of course now I absolutely LOVE shopping for clothes. It's a wonderful feeling being able to pick clothes off the rack and have them fit and look great (ok, so sometimes I have occasional fit issues since I have large breasts - but I'm okay with that). Oh, and I don't have to spend a fortune either - I always find great deals for things on clearance or at the thrift store.
4. Social Butterfly
I've always been a life-of-the-party girl... however, during my morbidly obese years I completely fell off the social spectrum entirely. I stopped going to events and friends parties. I was ashamed and I didn't want anyone to see me. An old friend/acquaintance from high school invited me for coffee and I casually said we should be never did. I dreaded that awkward moment someone you know digests the drastic difference in your appearance.
Although I prefer to maintain a light social calendar - I no longer shy away from invitations (or going to the store). Now when people digest the drastic difference in my appearance - it's in an entirely positive way which leaves me feeling proud of what I've accomplished.
5. Sex/Intimacy
Yes, I have no reservations in addressing this very important topic. It's incredibly hard to be sexual and intimate with your spouse when you're completely embarrassed and/or ashamed with your body. How do you give yourself to another person when you're constantly holding back and hiding? Quite frankly, you don't - not the way either of you deserve.
For more than 9 years of my marriage I would not willingly let my husband see me naked! I would always wear some sort of clothing - either a baby-doll nighty or tank top with panties. I covered myself with sheets or pillows... I would even dive behind furniture or a door if he accidentally walked in on me simply changing my clothes.
There's a lot I'm not going to say - but I will say that sex is amazingly different now that I have energy and confidence in my body.
6. Energetic
I always had one extraordinary and feisty personality. Oftentimes I wondered how much of my personality developed as a coping mechanism for my personal insecurities with my weight... For what I lacked physically I more than made up for with my smashing personality! (I concede my personality wasn't always so fabulous... in high-school I was a bit of a loud-mouth *itch - or in a more eloquent word, arrogant. Thankfully I lived and learned from my shortcomings.)
I can finally physically keep up with my own energetic and frisky personality! I took the bull by the horns - it was worth the challenge!
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