That’s right, GAINED! With all the drama I almost forgot the question of the week! Since we’ve been talking a lot about finding happiness and being happy I thought it was a good time to take an assessment of what we have gained by changing our lifestyle.
I’m not going to pretend that my intention when I started Weight Watchers was to lose weight. Yes I was unhappy in my skin for a very long time. Yes, I think that unhappiness led to more of weight problem and I wish I had a better body image as a young women. However, on my journey to lose that weight I have gained so much more.
Along the journey to a healthier me…
- I have gained a healthy relationship with food where I don’t eat for eating sake. Where I can enjoy food I love and not have it snow ball into a 3 week binge before I even notice.
- I have gained energy and a love of fitness. I value MY time so much and I now enjoy doing things that are good for my body. I like running and lifting weights. Instead of measuring my success on the scale I’m starting to measure it in miles and pounds lifted.
- I have gained an active fun relationship with my son. We dance, we play, we run, we frolic on the beach and as he gets older out activities will grow and mature. I love the fact that I am setting a good example for him to live a healthy lifestyle and that we are active together.
- I have gained more self confidence. Not because I am in a particular size but because I am setting goals and reaching them.
- I have gained a sense of purpose. I love doing what I’m doing. I love sharing information and ideas. I feel like I’m doing something I am meant to do and that I love to do.
- I have gained a knowledge and appreciation of food that is good for me. Food that fuels my body not just tastes good.
- I’ve gained such a love and appreciation of life! Ok, that sounds a little cheesy but it’s true and maybe that has more to do with my age and being a mom but, whatever! It’s gained! ;~P
So how about YOU? What have you gained?
Update 3/8/11: Comments are closed. Please visit the new discussion by clicking here.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Useful links...
16 Responses to What have you gained?
BlogToLose
What's Cooking in my kitchen?
-
Finally my first Farro idea! I have to say, I love this stuff! It's chewy and yummy and, well, fun! I tossed it with what I could find in my pantry and it made a wonderfully satisfying lunch. Filling but not heavy, tasty and quite nutrient dense. According to NutritionData.com this [...] -
I've seen it mentioned in a few of my clean eating and healthy cook books but honestly, I never even thought of Farro as an option for me. I refuse to shop at specialty stores and I try to use only common products that I can keep in stock and purchase from a typical grocery [...] -
I've never had a tuna melt. Is that weird? I guess that's what happens when you grow up not liking mayonnaise. I never ate tuna salad or egg salad or chicken salad. Honestly, they always kind of grossed me out. Then I realized.. hey.. why does tuna salad have [...] -
I have no idea where this idea came from. I was hungry. It was lunch. I had Brussels Sprouts. That was all the catalyst I needed.:) I decided to use a slice of real bacon to add flavor and little fat that would help sauté the sprouts. I'm trying [...] -
WOW was this good. I mean seriously good. It's not vegetarian so don't start throwing stones. I'm calling it a Garden Vegetable Burger because I use the new Laughing Cow Smooth Sensations Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread. It was this recipe on Allrecipes.com that inspired [...] -
I drink water 99.9% of the time but every so often it just doesn't cut it. I want something else. Something more. Something slightly sweet. Today was one of those days. I decided to make a refreshing drink based on the famous Arnold Palmer, half lemonade and half iced [...] -
The other day I made a whole chicken on the grill in pieces. It was delicious! Just a little BBQ sauce and an open flame is all I need to make The Husband happy in the dinner department. I also picked up a few ears of corn from the grocery store. They aren't in season [...] -
Let me explain so you don't think I'm making a chili recipe and just put it on pizza. I'm calling this vegetarian Chili Pizza because chili is what inspired flavors. I think I told you. Little Bean is really into, well, BEANS! We go through a can about every 2 days. Yesterday [...] -
I've confessed my inability to follow recipes here on GreenLiteBites many, many times. I don't know why it's so hard for me. I can barely follow some of my own and I wrote the darn things! I think most of my problem stems from not having all the ingredients listed and, [...] -
Leftover brown rice and leftover sauce meet in this quick lunch idea inspired by my favorite food of all time: Pizza. I swear I can turn anything into a pizza concoction. Have you seen all my pizza ideas? I've used everything from pumpkin to zucchini, polenta to wontons. Nothing is off [...] -
This isn't a recipe just an idea I had to share. I can't believe how good it was! I've never had grilled pineapple. Can you believe it? I just never really had the desire to grill it before. When you love something raw sometimes it doesn't occur to you to cook it. [...] -
I whipped this up for lunch on a whim today because, well, I have a baby who's obsessed with three things… Cheese, Beans, and Avocado. No, really. Look... It's my go to meal for him so I find myself with beans and avocado readily available. [...] -
You know that tradition 7 Layer Mexican Dip? The one with the cream cheese, guacamole, salsa, lettuce, cheese, green onion and olives? Yea. That's the one. Well I had a craving for it the other day. Well, not exactly for it as I can never make anything the way it's suppose [...] -
If you go through the archives of GreenLiteBites I have about 5 total beef recipes. Five. Compare that to the 80+ I have tagged with chicken/turkey there's a clear winner in the meat department on my blog and in my home. I don't have a beef with beef (omg The Husband [...] -
I'm a kitchen sink smoothie maker. Whatever I have on hand goes in the blender and viola! A quick breakfast or a healthy snack. Last year I posted an "Elastic Approach" to how I make smoothies but I still like to share specific combinations that worked really well. This was one [...] -
The other night it was just the kids and I home for dinner and I decided to make what I wanted to make no holds barred. Without The Husband home it's much easier for some reason. Hmmm wonder why? Ok, not here to husband bash.. really.. I'm not! I'm here [...] -
*sigh* I was really hoping to share an awesome turkey burger idea. I had grand plans for my leftover ground turkey. The results was alright but they could have been so much better. I added diced pineapple, red pepper, green pepper, oats and soy sauce to the meat and formed 2 patties. In hindsight I [...] -
I made this on a total whim yesterday having no idea if it would work. To my surprise it did AND the husband actually said he liked it... UNSOLICITED! Here's the story. I had only 4 tilapia fillets defrosted for dinner. I knew it wasn't going to be enough for us [...] -
This is a slight reboot of a recipe I posted last year simply called Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili. Staying true to my use-what-I-have-on-hand roots I, well, used what I had on hand and made a similar dish with a spicy twist. Topping the result with avocado added a cool creaminess that [...] -
Did you hear? The Laughing Cow recently launched Smooth Sensations a line of 5 cream cheese spreads. There's Classic Cream, Classic Cream Light, Strawberries & Cream, Garden Vegetable and my favorite… Cinnamon. It's a sweet wedge of creamy goodness! Today I decided to use my new favorite flavor [...] -
Confession time, I recorded a 30 minute video making this with both kids (partally) 2 nights ago. I miss videos. I really do but they seem so much more difficult with 2 children. I'm also having technical difficulties with my video recording and audio syncing making it VERY time consuming to edit. [...] -
A couple of years ago I shared a modified version of Sloppy Joe's I made for a party. Everyone loved it but I've been wanting to try to make something similar for the family on a smaller scale and without the pre-made canned Manwich sauce. I don't particularly have any issues [...] -
Yesterday I was dreaming about a salad. Not just any salad, but a chickpea filled, cucumber, and red onion salad with a fun, tangy dressing. Unfortunately, I had no cucumber or red onion. Well, that's a lie. I had a half of cucumber but it was a mushy mess and [...] -
Dinner meals are getting harder and harder for me to share lately. I've gone back to just whipping things up without really measuring anything (this meal was going to be one of those until I realized I still had enough light to take some photos.) I've also instituted a few brainless meal nights [...] -
Three years ago I posted a video called "Makin' Hard Boiled Eggs" where I shared my system for, well... making hard boiled eggs. Genius name, I know. I'm smart like that. Anyway, since then I've gotten tons of feedback and comments thanking me but all the information is locked in a long winded 10 minute [...]
"My technique for single serve Banana Soft Serve.... http://t.co/nBfyVbAI— RoniNoone
About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.Like the new look of Roni’s Weigh?
Check out PageLines WordPress Themes
. Roni's Weigh is built on premium theme PlatformPro.
What I have gained is…….what I just wrote about on my Blog To Lose blog…..that I feel fabulous! Fabulously health and fabulously younger! I’m 53 and feel 40!
I’ve gained lower blood pressure and more money because I don’t have to buy 2 kinds of blood pressure meds.
I’ve gained knees that don’t hurt when I walk up stairs.
I’ve gained renewed energy to play on the floor with my grandchildren and be able to get back up.
I’ve gained a quiet new respect from my 2 grown sons, who are very proud of their Mom….I can tell.
I’ve gained a love of cooking again…..and knowing that I’m cooking healthy, and feeding my grandchildren healthy snacks and meals.
I’ve gained knowledge…about healthy eating and living.
I’ve gained a new respect from co-workers…..or perhaps it’s more of a respect for myself that makes me feel that way.
I could go on…and on.
I’m still on my journey but at this point in my life after years of bad eating and losing the excess weight only to regain it I think the most important thing I have gained is some sense! I’ve slowly (and reluctantly if I’m honest) come to accept that I just cannot overeat rubbish and not put on weight. Seems so obvious but actually accepting and believing it is quite difficult.
As in the previous comment I’ve gained so much knowledge of food and eating healthily. I’ve gained by improving my fitness!
I’ve gained by finding blogs like this to help, inspire and encourage me.
I’ve gained a belief (which does fade at times but never goes away) that I can achieve my goals but that I need to have patience and work on being nicer to me – whatever my faults.
Like you Roni, I have gained an active and fun relationship with my children. Monkey-see, monkey do – If I want my children to be active and healthy I need to set an example for them and that is what I hope to gain.
I have gained a healthy lifestyle
I have gained strength in my body and mind
I have gained positive energy
Roni,
I have never responded before, and honestly, I probably won’t again, but for THIS question I just felt compelled. A friend sent me the link to your website last year, about three weeks before the site crashed, and I have read everyday that I had computer access. And i’ve caught up on posts after vacations etc. I have never had a healthy relationship to food, until your site. Since reading your site and looking at your recipes and trying to follow along, i KNOW my family has gotten healthier. My dh’s cholesterol score has dropped (rather significantly), we’ve stopped eating out as much which is certainly a help to my wallet. My oldest dd (6yo) has type 1 diabetes and while we can’t “cure” her, I know her a1c is better than it was before your site. As a family we are all making better choices. My kids are reaching for fruit over other snacks. I think its simply fantastic.
I was raised with the idea that women don’t sweat and women don’t exercise- at least not where others can see them doing it. That to exercise meant that you NEEDED to exercise and then if you failed, well… you were less. I still don’t have a very healthy relationship with exercise, but I’m working on it. I want to be a healthy mom and I want to be around to take care of my grandkids and great grandkids one day. I’ve made so many positive changes, and while I’ve lost around 20lbs, there is SO much more to go. Maybe I’ll never reach those goals…. but at least I’m happier with the choices I’m making for my family.
So, I’ve gained an overall happiness. With myself and the choices I’m making. Thank you so much for all you do… totally worth it to me :)
hugs
becca
Roni -
I’m new to your website, but I absolutely love it. Thank you for all the great recipes and tips.
I, too, have lost a lot of weight (143 pounds in total) and have “gained” far more than I’ve “lost”.
I’ve gained a sense of self, and of self esteem. I no longer worry about what others think of me, because I finally think highly enough of myself.
I’ve gained a level of physical fitness that I’ve never had in my life. I’m healthy, fit and strong.
I’m able to keep up with my two VERY active little boys, and I’m so proud of the example I’m setting for them. I’m confident that they will grow up to be healthy, active, individuals who have a positive relationship with food, and a good understanding of nutrition.
I’ve gained the ability to socialize, go out in public and enjoy myself with my friends/family and not be embarrassed by the fact that I can’t fit into the movie theater seats, or humiliated by the looks of judgement when I order a meal.
I’ve obtained a more “out-going” attitude, that allows me to have more fun, and try new things.
I’ve gained a better relationship and level of intimacy with my husband.
In short – I’ve gained a life!
Again, thank you for all the great information here on your Blog. It’s much appreciated. All the best to you!
Jodi
I think a lot of what I have gained is similar to you.
I have learned to eat food for fuels sake.
I have learned that nothing is off limits.
I have learned to love my body and respect it.
I have learned to trust myself and the decisions I make.
I have learned that I can amaze myself with how hard I can push myself.
I have learned how resilient both mentally and physically I am.
I have learned that I actually do like who I am.
I have gained:
–The ability to complete a 10 mile race
–The confidence to attempt running a half marathon
–A new appreciation of food
–A new, and better relationship with food
–Friends who support me, no matter what
OMG! This question really made me think about my life and how far I have come. I actually have teary eyes just reading everyone’s responses.
It is a struggle, but it is so worth it. I knew that I was fat, but it took me a long time to actually (excuse my language) get my head out of my butt and do somthing about it instead of feeling sorry for myself and eating more junk. I have gained back my life and I feel like a new person, literally my whole life has changed, i finished college, i got out of an unhappy marriage, i found the love of my life, i found a good job, i got the courage to go to a gym and I do so much more with my kids now. I even took them to a water park!
Life is good! Thanks Roni, for helping me to realize how very happy I am and how much I have gained in my life.
Hey Roni,
Another new poster here as well. I have followed you for over a year and love to read about your life. I feel like we are in the same boat. I started at 216, I have a 3 year old son, school, all kinds of stuff. You inspire me to keep going on this crazy life change.
What have I gained? This question actually made me cry and I read the responses.
I have gained an entirely new self, I am nothing like the sad girl I was 1 year ago, I have gained more then I can even imagine. The biggest thing I have gained is being a better Mom to my 3 sons.
Thanks again Roni,
Ali from Ca.
I’m on the start of my weight loss journey and have lost around 10 lbs. What does that mean I’ve gained?
Fear that I will fall off the wagon, yes!
But also knowledge that I can do something about it…
in short, that I, me-weak-and-lazy, can change for the better!
To love myself for who I am and not how much I weigh, to accept the love of others instead of pushing them back, confidence, physical strength, the thoughts in my head “should I run 3 miles or do the precor?”, the ability to run after my son, feeling comfortable intimately with my hubby, energy especially for the last two, eat to live not live to eat, a solid relationship with food.
I’ve gained an appreciation for all the wonderful things that food can do for my body.
I have gained self-acceptance.
I have gained strong shoulders that my husband finds sexy.
I have gained the knowledge that there is no such thing as failure unless I give up.
I have gained a community that has helped me stick with this in a way that I never thought possible.
I have gained faith. Faith in myself, faith in God, and faith that making tiny good choices every day gradually adds up to more than I could have dreamed of.
Hi, I’m new to this website, but this question is intriguing. I was on WW about a year ago and still work to maintain a healthy lifestyle and loose the last five pounds.
I don’t mean to go back to the discussion of “do we love ourselves because we diet”, but what I’ve gained relates to that discussion. I recently found out my mom has had an eating disorder her entire life (she’s 75 now and very sick). We catch her all the time with her finger down her throat, using suppositories, etc. I received very negative messages about food and weight so what I’ve gained is just learning how to eat like a “normal person” as much as possible. I think something that was assumed by Carrie in the previous discussion is that we all have a naturally good relationship with food and then “fell” into the trap of eating healthy/dieting. I am here to tell you that is not the case for me. Learning to eat in a more healthful way pulled me out of the rut I was in. I fight to stay out of the black hole of an eating disorder. I believe society as a whole (e.g., think supersize me, children’s obesity, etc.) and possibly the example set by our mother, father or other relative conspire to set individual’s up for an eating disorder. I hope I have gained the ability NOT to have an eating disorder when I’m 75 and at the end of my life.
On a lighter note, I’ve learned to experiment with herbs and spices in a more creative way then I ever would have if I was cooking full fat.
Thanks Roni for the site.
I’ve only been doing WW for 4 days, but already, I see my husband and myself drawing closer as we reach our weight-loss goals. We are each other’s cheerleaders. It’s wonderful. I love him so.
I’ve gained so much knowledge — I know know that my hunger is not an emergency. I’ve learned how to have a healthy relationship with food. I’ve learned that there are more important things in life than going with the crowd and eating bad stuff all the time.
I have gained a more abundant life. I thought I enjoyed life and living before taking a healthy approach to it. Life is much better and beautiful now, thank God!