Dieting = Happiness?

I've lost about 15 lbs. in 2 weeks just by changing eating habits and being a little more active. I wonder regualrly if it is worth it. I am such a social eater and really enjoy food even when it is bad for me. These are some scary thoughts because I often wonder if I would be happier on the plump side and unrestricted. I don't know. I'm hoping on the other hand I will be a little happier in a few months when I start to feel healthier.

"It's true what they say, "NOTHING tastes as good as being thin feels", that my friends is an absolute fact."

This quote is from another fat secret member: indiehjarta

I totally agree with her! Congrats on your weight loss!

I think beeing a social eater and beeing healthy are absolutely compatible. of course, in a first time if you are overweighed you might need to cut off fattening food and drinks. but in a long term, it's possible to have a social life and stay healthy. and beeing healthy is anyway the only way to live longer and happier. it's not only about looking good in skinny jeans, it's also about not getting sick, not beind in pain, being able to move and do whatever you want without having a hard time to catch your breath...
I think it's a question of balance. If you eat more one day, then you eat less the next, or you can eat light during the week and indulge more on the weekends... and what is the most important in social events, beeing with your friends and family and share a good time, or eating full plates of food? congratulations on your weight loss!

I think we definitely rely on food (and the accompanying endorphins, dopamine, etc) for our "happiness." But you will take much more pleasure in knowing you have achieved a goal, and in the feeling that comes from fueling your body with exactly what it needs. As usual, I agree with Jessyline. It's not just a number on a scale, it's about health. It's about having energy to do the things we want to do.

Maybe you are for some reason afraid of losing weight? Hope you don't mine my amateur analysis, but maybe you need to think about why you want to lose weight and if you are really ready to lose the weight. I know that before I was 100% ready I made up all kinds of things like this too--that I'd rather be happy and fat than sad and thin. But that's not a REAL choice. Eating healthy food fuels not only your body but your brain and your mood as well.

I am a social eater as well--to my detriment. When I'm home it's all about whole grains and leafy greens. When I'm out--I will eat two or three cupcakes (and 5 glasses of wine). I know I need to learn how to maintain my balance when I'm out and I'm looking forward to that. I know it's still possible to enjoy other people's company without going overboard.

It looks like you're doing awesome. It is hard sometimes to give up some of the things we like and we may feel like we are being deprived at times but that feeling won't last forever. As you move on in your journey you will crave those things less and less as you start to feel healthier and see your accomplishments. I am a social eater as well and it was hard when I started to watch everyone eat and abstain but if you keep to it and get some exercise in you will be able to do that again just in moderation and Jessy is right. Your health is more important and in time you will feel great and be proud of what you have accomplished while still having some of the things you like.

Thanks, helpful posts and I feel a lot of you can relate. The driving force to my weight loss was that I couldn't fit as well in my cloths. I've played competitive sports my whole life and eaten what I want until the past 2 years and I put on 40 lbs. It is coming off much faster than I put it on but nonetheless all new to me. The only thing that keeps me from cheating on the diet is that I challenged my brother to see who could lose 30 lbs first and he talked a whole lot of smack. Anyway, thanks for the posts.