Is it possible to feel better about yourself without losing weight?

In article .com,
Chris wrote:
snip

Glad I followed this thread, since I see I'm mentioned :-). You're
absolutely right, Amy. I was never disgusted with myself or otherwise
unhappy. I had an extremely successful career, a happy marriage,
great friends, and a good life. My values just emphasized intellect
and career accomplishment over appearance. I was not particularly
self-conscious or unhappy with myself; for example, I was an
experienced and confident public speaker. I knew I would be healthier
if I were less heavy but didn't spend a lot of time fretting about it
-- and I honestly didn't feel many health effects of being
overweight. My path to weight loss started with joining a gym --
because I had an injury and wanted to do water aerobics to help with
rehab. Once I got there I started doing other stuff. Rather than
focusing on weight loss I focused on strength, and became a
competitive (and record-holding) weight lifter. But at some point my
experience with my new circle of friends at the gym made me feel I
wanted overall fitness, not just strength. And that's where the
weight loss started. But I had a positive self-image when I was
heavy, just as I do now, because all along the way I have been living
in accordance with my values -- they've just evolved over time.

While I never felt any desperate need to lose weight, in some ways I
think that made the path easier. I suppose it might have made it
easier for me to abandon it along the way, but I think it was helpful
that I didn't have a lot of emotional and self-esteem issues tied up
with it. It was just a project that I undertook. And it turned out I
really liked the way it was working out, so that motivated me to keep
it up :-).

Chris
262/130s/130s

Thanks, Chris. I think that's what I find so interesting about your
"journey"--that weight loss was really a side trip rather than the
original destination. And that you have maintained that loss while
enjoying life to it's fullest is wonderful. I hope others get as much
motivation from your story as I have.

Amy
168/115/...

--
Check it out!
http://www.tcfitnesschallenge.com/index.html

"A Ross" wrote in message
...
In article .com,
" wrote:


On the other hand, if you aren't thoroughly discusted with yourself
for being fat, chances are a diet isn't going to work in the long run.
dkw

Um...I don't believe that...I think one can be cognizant of the health
risks of being overweight and choosing to lose without being disgusted
with oneself.

I believe Chris B. is a valid example--and Chris, correct me if I'm
mistaken--but she never struck me as being unhappy or depressed or
lacking in self-esteem because of her weight. She considered herself to
be a smart person, a strong person, not a fat person.

So while many do lack self esteem and have a poor body image (even after
losing to goal), many others lose--and maintain--for very different,
healthy reasons.

Amy
168/115/...

--
Check it out!
http://www.tcfitnesschallenge.com/index.html

A few of us gained the weight while trying to improve our health. I gained
my weight when I quit smoking. I knew quitting often caused weight gain but
I was willing to exchange the cigarettes for a healthier life style and
concentrate on shedding the weight after I quit. It took a year to lose the
40 pounds I gained and I've managed to keep it off since '96. My goal to
become healthier also led to a healthier diet and regular exercise.