Weight loss is a unique journey for everyone. We all have different reasons for wanting to change our body, different sets of struggles we must overcome, and different weight loss methods that work for us. 

I should know, I lost 100 pounds on my own at 14 and have maintained a healthy body weight since, 18 years later. 

However, while we all have unique journeys, there are certain challenges or outcomes that I believe are universally experienced when you start to lose weight. 

Whether you’re just beginning your weight loss transformation or are currently in the thick of it, you might want to know what to expect. Below are 5 things that will happen when you start losing weight based on my own experience with drastic weight loss. 

1. You Will Feel a Boost in Confidence and Renewed Sense of Purpose

Making the decision to lose weight and get healthy is empowering. When you finally make the decision to do it and follow through, you will have a renewed sense of purpose. 

Having a goal to work towards is exciting and gives you something positive to focus on. It’s also what helps you keep going when your motivation begins to wane. 

As soon as you begin seeing results from your efforts, you’ll feel a confidence boost like you’ve never felt before. There is something so exciting and empowering about being able to see the physical manifestation of all your hard work. 

This initial confidence boost will boost your spirit and energy and give you the motivation to keep moving towards your goals. 

2. You Will Inspire Those Around You

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “If you want to change the world, start with yourself.” There are many other iterations of this quote attributed to other people, but they all mean the same thing. 

You can’t demand people change, you must inspire them to. Essentially, it comes down to practicing what you preach.  

Transforming your body and health is both a spiritual and physical change. There is positivity surrounding the change to become healthier and happier, a positivity that others will also feel when they are around you. 

Though it may not have been your intention, don’t be surprised when those you’re closest to start making positive changes in their own lives. You may inspire those around you to also get fit and healthy. They may want to join you in your workout sessions or ask you for diet tips. 

Other times, the change you inspire in them may have nothing to do with fitness. Watching you go after and be successful in going after your goals may inspire them to go after their own, whatever those may be. 

You will see firsthand how making positive changes in yourself creates positive changes in the world, and it all starts with you. 

3. Your Commitment Will Be Tested

Making the decision to lose weight will not only transform your body, but your entire life. Weight loss is a major life change that will require you to adopt new habits and behaviors. 

Though on a conscious level you believe this is a good change, one that you are excited about, subconsciously you may be afraid. 

Humans are creatures of habit. We crave the familiar and subconsciously, you may be afraid of the change that will occur should you be successful with your weight loss. 

Because of this, you may start to see obstacles appear in your way to thwart your weight loss attempts. For example, you may be doing your best to keep your diet on track, only to have your co-workers or friends continually surprise you with your favorite sweet treats. 

Or you may be excited to start a new fitness routine, only to sprain an ankle or come down with the flu. These inconveniences may seem like random occurrences, but they are subconsciously manifested by you. 

Why? Because you’re subconsciously scared of change. These inconveniences are occurring to give you a way out. It’s the universe’s way of testing your commitment to your goals. 

It would be easy to blame life’s inconveniences for the reason you couldn’t stick to your weight loss goals. No one would even blame you for giving up. But this is when you must remain stronger than ever. 

Recognize that these inconveniences and temptations are just a test. Once you find a way to overcome them, your subconscious will recognize that you’re serious about this change. You will become less fearful and will manifest these challenges less, and less. 

The universe will accept and recognize that you’re willing to change and instead of conspiring against you, will conspire with you to make your dreams a reality. 

4. Your Friends and Family Might Not Be Supportive

Though many of those close to you will be inspired by the healthy changes you’re making, others, well, not so much. 

It can be difficult to understand why those closest to us wouldn’t be happy for our success, but it’s very common. In most cases, friends and family aren’t supportive because the changes you are making scare them. 

They may be afraid that if you lose weight and start living a healthier lifestyle, you won’t be the same. They may feel as if they are losing you or that you won’t be the same person that they know and love. 

The truth is, they’re right. Sometimes we outgrow people as we age and our interests go in different directions. If your friends and family aren’t interested in growing with you or at least accepting the changes you are making, you may have to leave them behind. 

On the other hand, your friends and family may not be supportive of your goals because they are jealous. They are jealous of the fact that you are doing something they believe they can’t do themselves. 

Most people never accomplish their goals, simply because they never try or give up too soon. Watching you go after your goals and being successful makes them feel inadequate, which is why they may try to bring you back down to their level. 

It’s a hard truth to accept, but sometimes those closest to you may hinder your success more than anyone else. 

5. You’ll Wish You Started Sooner

There is no pain like the pain of regret and unfortunately, you will regret not starting your weight loss journey sooner. 

Once you see and feel the positive changes that taking control of your health and fitness can do for you, you’ll only wish you could have felt this way sooner. You’ll wish you had known this feeling weeks, months, or years before. 

You’ll question why you didn’t start this journey sooner and why it took you so long to finally make the decision to do it. However, one good thing will come from this pain of regret. 

You’ll know not to repeat this same mistake in the future. Now that you know that you and you alone are capable of achieving your goals, you’ll apply this same knowledge to other goals. 

You will finally understand that if there is ever something you have thought about doing in the past, the time to do it is now. Because if you don’t do it now, you’ll only wish you had started it sooner. 

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Thanks for reading! If you’d like to hear more about my weight loss story, check out my book 1 Year 100 Pounds. 

Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube for weight loss tips and motivation!