10 Best Things about Feeling Healthy

I want to thank all you Sparklers who read about my personal experience losing weight. It’s kind of funny that you found my blogging about squats entertaining. It’s even weird to think I have anything helpful to say about healthy eating and exercise. The person I was 30 pounds ago would never have believed it. It feels beyond weird that I posted information about my body fat and pounds lost online. After reading all your encouraging comments and hearing that so many of you are trying to make healthier choices too, I feel even better about what I have accomplished so far.

To motivate you and to give myself just one last opportunity to brag, I have made a list of the 10 best things about losing weight and being healthy.

1. Whenever you run into someone you haven't seen in a while, you get oodles of compliments. "Look at you!" your friend exclaims, pinching the place where your love handles used to be. "Where did you disappear to?" she asks in the middle of a crowded coffee shop, confusing and scaring other patrons. There are few better things than genuine compliments.
2. Slipping into smaller sizes is so rewarding, and makes shopping fun again. When you put on the smallest jeans you've worn since high school, it feels like you are king of the free world. Shopping, however, can become dangerous now that you seem to look good in everything you try on. How egotistical does that last comment sound? I don't care, because it's true. Ask Macy's—I just bought their entire INC Fall collection.
3. Sweating less makes situations so much less sticky. Now that I am lighter, I seriously think I don't sweat as much, which makes morning walks to work actually enjoyable, and so much less of a mess.
4. When people tag pictures of you on Facebook, you don't have to rush to a computer to detag the multiple double chin pictures that are guaranteed to be included. Now, you can take pride in your appearance and enjoy the fact that most pictures of you are flattering.
5. When you work out and challenge yourself to try new things, you begin to take pride in what you do. You know that you're accomplishing something almost every day. This kind of work makes you feel happy throughout the day—must have something to do with endorphins.
6. Once you start to get more confidence, you are willing to try new and exciting things. You can attempt a 5k, or go hiking or skiing and feel good about yourself. You will no longer dismiss potentially great new experiences as something you aren't capable of doing.
7. Dancing in front of the mirror is fun again. Just please keep your top on.
8. Pool parties no longer seem like mandatory jail time. And when the hot dogs (and chicken breasts) hit the grill, eating in front of people in a bathing suit is no longer a death sentence, but a chance to show how much less flabby you are.
9. You can lift heavier things than your boyfriend.
10. When your Zumba teachers ask you to join them on stage for a sultry dance in front of the class, you don't even care that your midriff is showing when you salsa and shake your goods.

Have you recently gotten fit? Tell us what feels so good about it below!

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