Weight Loss Support - What prompted your decision to lose weight?

failure

nicky_a — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:39:45 -0500

I tried out for a sport i loved and failed because i was too unfit. And there were things i struggled to do because of my weight. It was humiliating and motivating at the same time. Since then, I've lost almost 10kg and am ready to try out again at the end of august. I still have a long way to go to even be in my healthy weight range but just losing a small amount so far has made a huge difference in my fitness and my ability to do things.

I always "wanted" to lose weight but never actually did anything about it. Having this dangling in front of my face and the fact i refuse to fail again has really helped push me when i'm feeling hopeless and want to give up! I also don't want to be 'the fat bridesmaid' in my friends wedding in december, im sick of not looking or feeling nice so its time to move! im going to look good in that dress!

Surgery

CaroleJean — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:30:32 -0500

I was having surgery again and was embarrassed to have the dr's and nurses see my fat VERY fat stomach and to have them tape it out of the way. Afterwards I could hardly eat anything because I felt so icky and decided it was a good time for me to start on a weight loss program. So far am 20 lbs down and hope to loose another 60-70 lbs.

Energy!!!

TJBombay — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:49:17 -0500

The biggest thing that prompted me to start losing weight was the lack of energy. When I had lost weight in the past I had felt so great and that is one thing I really miss. When I gradually started packing on the pounds againI noticed I had lost energy. I tryed to replace this with energy drinks but it just wasnt the same. looking at myself in the mirror and not being able to fit in your favorite clothes is also another motivater to lose weight. I really want to gain the energy I once had, take controlof my lifeback, and become healthier. This is what prompted my decision to lose weight.

Holiday

summaz — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 21:18:02 -0500

Parter and I are planning on going to Melbourne beginning of next year and I decided it's time to get into shape for the summer months in Melbourne so that I can feel comfortable on the beach etc. Plus we both just want to become a lot fitter and have more energy and a better way of life, so becomming for active is how we are achieving this.

2 things

smoothrobbie — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:12:20 -0500

two devestating events lead to my wanting a healthier lifestyle

1)only being about to fit one pair of jeans, everything else is way to tight to wear now which is a downer since i love to go out but now im ashamed to

2)not being able to fit into rides at six flags, this was probly the most embarassing experience of my entire life and the fact that i keep replaying the day over and over in my head makes it worse, but im trying to turn it into motivation

strychninemime — Fri, 20 May 2011 18:53:04 -0500

I recently got out of school, and because of my college student lifestyle, I've gained a lot of weight. I've never been in shape, so I figured now is good a time as any. I'd like to be less curvy, improve my mood, and physical capabilities. So if there's something I want to do, I can go ahead and do it. And you know, feel comfy at a beach.

DocCooper — Wed, 18 May 2011 12:23:24 -0500

I'm in the United States Navy and I just had a baby 6 months ago. I NEED to get back down within standards and I also want to feel better about myself! I'm also quitting smoking at the same time! So far I've lost 10lbs! 46 more to go!

My motivation

Flounderedturtle — Sun, 08 May 2011 22:16:16 -0500

Two main motivations

1) Have the option of joining the military

2) Not be continously limited by my weight.

I've always been thick, but I considred myself fit fat. I was a 16 throughout middle school and high school, but I did Karate, Kickboxing, bowling and tennis. When I was in college I gained more weight so I started playing Rugby. Two years ago at a tournament I got hurt pretty bad and strained my kneck. When I quit I started putting on weight pretty rapidly. Last New Years Eve I fell and hurt my knee. Fearing I tore something I went to the doctor and weight in at a massive 365 lbs. I almost passed out, the last time I had been on a scale before that I weighed 240 lbs, and I thought that was rock bottom.

At this time I was in the process of starting at a new University after doing a 13 month engineering internship and I figured that a new University in a new town is a new start, and if I didn't loose the weight now and get back in shape I never would. I have to make fitness a priority in my life.

My Motivation

urbantango — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 09:16:08 -0500

I have been big all of my life. It is something I had just learned to live with and learned how to hide fairly well. This past summer, I went to my parents lake house for a little R &R, but when I tried to get on the jetski, I needed a band of midgits and a can of Crisco to get into it. I have literally been wearing the same life vest for the last 10 years so it was rather embarassing. My wife wanted to just go buy a bigger life vest, but I saw this as an excuse to get bigger, so I decided to change myself, not the life vest.

madocaro — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:04:14 -0500

I've been pretty active for most of my adult life, and up until two years ago was teaching karate for a living. Since my mid 20s my weight has been a bit higher than I would like, but not so much that I was unhealthy or felt unattractive. Over the last few years though my life has changed drastically, mostly in ways I consider negative and often because of things beyond my control. Part of my response to that was to stop taking care of myself.

Then a few months ago I came out of a dead-end romantic relationship, which for reasons I'm not totally clear about yet snapped me out of my inaction. I realized how much of my life I'd let get out of my control, and decided to do something about it. I made a list of things I could control or at least change to some degree, and immediately set out to do those things. One of the things on that list was my weight. So, here I am.

I kept on...

fatdaddybrian — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:40:24 -0500

Getting sick with MRSA or known as staph infections. With crazy high blood sugars I am more likely to get infections and that's what kept happening for over 3 years now. I had to have a amputation done due to the infection going in the bone. So if I eat healthier, exercise to get blood sugar lower, less chance of infection. I missed out on so much in the 3 and half years being in the hospital...something had to change!!!! Also please check out my group, it explains my story more it's called Overcoming Lifes Obstacles With Our limitations, Without Putting Limits On Life

I used to be athletic...

YJ1005 — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:18:31 -0500

So why lose weight? Because I've been saying "I should lose some weight" since I got to college and stopped playing sports 6 days a week. Now here I am 9 years and 45 lbs later. I've consistently gained a few pounds a year. Generally I go up and down around the holidays and exam periods (I'm in law school now). Last Christmas I hit my all-time high. I stepped on my mom's scale and it said 188lbs. I was horrified. I dropped 8 lbs before I got on DailyBurn just from "eating better", but now that I'm back down to 180 - eating better is not going to cut it. I graduate in May and I don't want to look back at what should be one of the proudest days of my life and think, "Damn, I look fat." I'm starting a new career and my fiance promised me a new wardrobe if I meet my 30 lb goal (I'm going to be a nonprofit attorney - so no, I won't have a big law job to pay for it myself). I also need to plan a wedding within the next two years. Finally, I'm a soccer player. A decently skilled but out of shape soccer player. I want to be badass on the field again, I just need the conditioning. Being out of shape means getting tired and playing sloppy. I'm too good for that. My body image doesn't match the person I think I am and the person I want to be - so its finally time to get serious about getting in shape.

I had to buy bigger pants!!!

lynniebinn — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:28:28 -0500

It really doesn't matter what frame size you are. You KNOW when you've overstepped your boundary into another weight bracket! I am feeling really miserable at this weight, even though it's just about 5-10 lbs more than my normal weight. Nothing fits, and I'm out of shape! Gotta do something NOW - before it gets out of control!!!!!

Diabetes

ezra1964 — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:00:38 -0500

Thats easy enough, I am about 30-40 lbs overweight. Removing that weight should do wonders for my condition!

Healther and happier life

vitorpellegrino — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:46:58 -0500

I used to train and do a lot of sports. I had a pretty active and busy life, but i barely noticed, because my energy level was always very high up.

3 years and 70lbs after i found myself without all that energy and self esteem i used to have. When i realized i was giving myself nothing from excuses to go back and get in shape as i (proudly) was, it was time to act.

So, my priority this year is to get my shape back and complete a half marathon that happens every year here in Brazil, and i WILL DO IT :)

shahija — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:02:51 -0600

I used to weight about 60 kg (132 lb). 3 Years ago I had to start taking some antidepressant which made me gain 80 kg. When I was able to reduce the amount of medicine I have to take every day, I finally could start getting back to where I began. With these pills it's just impossible but I probably can stop taking them this summer. At first, I took 60mg, now I'm down to 10 - and every time I reduced it, I lost some pounds.

I want to be at my inital weight again next summer (-:

Trying to Look to the Future

anythinggold — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 14:44:44 -0600

I'm trying not to dwell on what made me fat. My motivation is that I want to wear <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/Womens/Dresses/-On-the-Job-Dress">this dress</a> and look good in it!

tired of feeling ugly n fat like i'm not good enough for anything

jinxviolence — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 07:19:49 -0600

I'm 20 years old, will be 21 in less than a month and i have been big for most of my life. in middle school i had to wear a uniform which consisted of a skirt, a blazor and a white dress shirt. While the other girls got hit on by boys and looked nice i felt out of place like i shouldn't be wearing it, my thighs were always my biggest issue. my waist is smaller than my thighs and it just feels weird when i try to find clothes to fit. When i got into high school, i had gym for first period which helped me lose some weight for a while until i moved. i had gone from a size 20 to a size 18 in 5 months which i felt great about. when i had gotten to senior year i had gone from a size 18 to a size 15 which by the time graduation came, i felt a little better in a dress then i did in middle school. after high school i tried a new diet and exercise rutine trying to lose weight before college started. I had gone from a size 15 to a size 10 and felt great. then i had hit a down point in my life, i stopped working out, stopped eatting right, stopped everything, even stopped going to school. Now i am almost 21 and back to a size 16. I want to be atleast a size 7 or even a size 6. for my height i should weigh 130 at the most, i want to weigh about 115. at the current moment i weigh 170 or so, haven't checked the scale in a while, kinda scared to look at it and read the numbers. But, right now, I want to start this again because i'm tired of hiding my body. I've been told by just about everyone in my family that if i lost just 10 lbs i'd look a lot better, but i want to lose 50 or more. i need to get rid of my stomach, hips, thighs and but. I just hope that this site will help me stay motivated and on track better then everything else i've tried.

What prompted my decision to lose weight

jennbunnii — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:35:57 -0600

I am a first time mom and I've learned to love my body so much more now. I want to take care of myself and I don't want to look my worst as a mother. I want my family pictures to be beautiful and if I don't lose the weight now it'll be worse later. I have to be healthy for my breastfed daughter and for my future.

I was closer to 300 pounds than 200 pounds

adaniels1497 — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:09:13 -0500

I hopped on the scale and saw that I was staring down 300 pounds and decided to join the local gym.

I've only been at this for 2 weeks but I've already lost 7 pounds. I'm hoping to lose at least 80 pounds by next fall because my husband and I are hoping to be pregnant this time next year. My ultimate goal though is a mighty fine 125.

Tired of not being happy

Kcurley — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:29:36 -0500

There were a few reasons.

Definately being tired was one of them. i went on vacation with my boyfriend, who works out because of his job being so active, and we went hiking and I didn't give up but boy was I breathing heavy and I knew I was very out of shape.

Secondly I don't like my pictures. I see my picture now and just notice how uncomfortable I look - I used to like how I looked so i want to like myself again.

And really I would love to/am planning to get married soon and would love to feel confident on that special day!

Tired of being tired

meghan111 — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:59:26 -0500

Recently I went on a trip to the Rocky Mountains in Canada and had all these plans of hiking, biking and canoeing. My first hike ended within 30 minutes. I was dying - sweating, huffing and puffing. Elderly couples were passing me and asking if I was ok. I was embarrassed and ashamed of how I had let this happen to myself. My canoe trip become more a drifting trip and the bike trip - well, lets just say I did a lot more stopping and staring at the beautiful scenery than was needed. I am starting to plan next years vacation and this time I plan to be in shape.Elderly people will be eating my dust!

What prompted you to get started?

sloron — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:23:38 -0500

First of all, I my weight has been up and down for the last 5 years. 2 years ago I lost 30 pounds during a work weight loss contest and ran two 5k's when I was done. Almost all of that weight is back on after getting back into old habits.

But the biggest reason for my decision is my kids. Being in better shape would help me to be a better father and be more active for them. I look at pictures of when i was growing up and notice how big my dad was, and see myself looking like that in recent pictures. My kids need me to be in better shape so that I can be more active, so I am starting now.

why I wanted to lose weight

Janetff1 — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:43:39 -0500

What prompted me to lose weight is first of all seeing pictures of myself last Halloween and how I hated my double chin and fat arms- it made me disgusted to see how much I let myself go over the years. But what really propelled me into making a lifestyle change and losing weight was my dad being diagnosed with diabetes Type II as a result of being overweight, and my boyfriend's mother dying of heart disease and diabetes. I do not want to die young if I can avoid it!! This is what got me to lose weight.

lingo10 — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:01:37 -0500

I guess feeling comfortable in my own skin and targeting trouble areas as been a big thing for me. I wanted clothes that was not a double digit and not look a damn pear. haha.

Well also for more endurance and stamina during sports, im a seasoned athlete and would like more strength and determination.

Thanks Time4achange

Kaluha — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:17:59 -0500

Your post spoke to me so much. I am there. Sick and tired of being sick and tired. I am 50 years old and my obesity has cost me so much! I have had several surgeries due to being overweight. I am diabetic, and there is no diabetes in my family anywhere. This is directly from being fat. I take medication for this also for blood pressure. I work in the medical field so I am able to get the medication without having a doctor monitor my health. This a such a dangerous practice and I know it. I also take a suplement because I have arthritis in my knees and at times can barely walk. My heaviest has been 305 lbs, I am 253 today. I have had such a yo yo dieting history. I have been heavy my whole life. I remember being in the 6th grade and weighting 150 lbs and the school nurse was horrified. I was always the fat kid in school and so many mean comments were made. I have had successes in weightloss over the years, at one time I was down to 170lbs and really felt good. That was in my highschool years. I gained alot of weight back after I was married. Two pregnancies added even more weight. Three years ago I got down to 225lbs and we went on a cruise. I felt great then. Well three years later here I am 253 and needing to start all over again. This sucks!

I don't know what it will take to motivate me. I have a nutritionist, exercise coach, and life coach who call me regularly from my medical insurance company. I have an accountability partner that I have been talking with for the last 5 months, (have lost 7 lbs in 5 months) we write out our food plans and encourage each other in exercise. I have basically a gym in my basement, with treadmill, exercise bike, bowflex and weights. I live in a beautiful area with lots of sidewalks and walking trails all over. There is still a disconnect!

The question is "What prompted your decision to lose weight?" If I don't have enough reasons I don't know who does!

What prompted me?

ezra1964 — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:24:24 -0500

Well, I have always been heavy, I am 5'5'' and 200lbs. I have a small frame too, so that doesnt help. Well the day my doctor moved me from Pre-diabetic to Diabetic, that was a huge wakeup call.

I am at a place where if I loose 30 lbs, I may be able to keep the Diabetes at bay. Its now or never!

why

tinamarie75 — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:56:58 -0500

well i have teenagers now and i found it hard to keep up with them.its like one minute they were calm childrenand the woke up and chose to do alot of activites. with all the sports and running around i became hard to do so. plus i work two jobs. my life is hectic but i mainly wantt the energy i once had to keep up the pace.

A holistic approach to being well

Peter_Close — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:42:59 -0500

I have suffered from a period of depression for the last couple of years brought on by some family tragedy and employment changes. I used to be a very caring person but I changed into someone who did not care about anything including myself. I am starting to learn to care now about myself, life and other people. I realised that if I want to feel positive I have to do positive things. Getting myself physically fit is part of that process. And losing weight is just a small part of being phsically fit.

kellyf87 — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:37:21 -0500

I decided to become more healthy and lose weight when i tried on my wedding dress a few weeks ago. I had gained weight after i bought it, and while the dress still fit and would zip up i looked like a bloated sausage in it. I realized that on my wedding day (which is in about 3 months), I want to look good. I also want to be healthy and have energy which i didn't have a lot of. I have been dieting and excersizing for about 2 weeks or so and already feel more energized than in the past.

malibu333 — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:25:59 -0500

Number one, just wanting to be healthy and feel fit and strong. I'm by no means obese, but for my height I am overweight. I'm lucky I carry it pretty evenly and not just in one area, so people are always like why do you have to lose weight? Especially as a girl who loves fashion, I want to be able to buy the clothes I want to wear and feel good in them. There are so many styles I feel I can't wear because I would be too self-conscious! It also doesn't help having a best friend who is a size 2! Also, for my work's insurance, we get graded every year for our weight and bloodwork to get a discount on our insurance, and I want to make sure I'm always able to get that! It's nice to see so many people going through the same thing...keep up the hard work everyone! :-)

TStarnes — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:57:59 -0500

Spending time with my baby makes me want to ensure that I am around when he is older. At my current health level, that isn't all that certain.

I want to loose weight for my kids.

My weight loss decision

scottad — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:22:09 -0500

Hi all, im Scott i an currently a Soldier stationed in Alaska...After having reconstructive knee surgery in 2008, and after failed attempts to control my weight i started training with a co-worker a month ago i have now lost 17 lbs.. we work out 2 times a day, before and after work 5 days a week...i have also lowered my calorie intake and pumped up my workouts..i feel alot better today than i have since i joined the Army 3 yrs ago...my goal is 190 by june 30 before taking my next official recorded PT since Nov 08...and before i transfer in August........scott

Decision

dunderhill — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:04:56 -0500

I have always been overweight, I don't think there is a time in my life that I have not been fat. It really hasn't bothered me in quite a long time, but after losing my job, I have quite a bit of time to think about things. Then my back started really bothering me. I began to notice how i am missing out on a lot of things and i think that some of my friends might be avoiding me simply because i am bigger and never really have the energy to do things. I just want to be able to do things and feel better.

corirose — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 06:28:00 -0500

After gaining 60 pounds with my first child and 20 pounds with the second child I figured I need to lose the weight and be healthy enough to run after my 2 year old and 1 year old.

sick and tired of being sick and tired

aarykah86 — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 04:33:32 -0500

I was actually (now please don't judge me here) a methamphetamine addict in my teenage years, for about two years. I gave birth to a son at the ripe age of 15, a day after my 15th birthday, even. My eating patterns while doing the drugs when i was 16-18 years old really messed up my metabolism. As some of you may know, meth supresses/completely gets rid of one's appetite. I never ate food! Just when I was coming down or something, enough to keep me alive. People told me I looked malnourished. I felt really ill, but I loved that I could wear a size 7! Anyways I knew I had to quit using, so I stopped. I gained weight VERY rapidly. I had a low of about 108 lbs while using, and quickly it kept going up, up, up, and Away! Instead, I became an alcoholic, binge eating, and binge drinking. Eating and/or drinking almost every minute of the day. I topped out at 280. My mom made arrangements for my son to be adopted because she said I was an unfit mother (and she was right). I lost my child when he turned 5, and I was almost 300 pounds, a drunk, and overall a basketcase!

Because I had been fired from all of my jobs from always calling in "hungover", I was unemployed and back living with my dad. One day he told me, "Erica, you're really starting to look a little too soft!". That was when I got PO'd, beyond belief! I already cried on a pretty regular basis about my fat, and feeling dumpy and gross, but that statement really threw me over. In fact within minutes of him saying that to me, I was out the door and walking to the nearest walking path (which was about a mile away). I remember how FAR that mile felt! How LONG it took to walk, and how HARD and STRENUOUS of a walk it was! So out of shape that just a few blocks of slow-paced walking, had me panting and out of breath.

I continued to push myself and after about 2-3 miles I would be sweating all over, totally drenched in sweat! This was how badly my body needed that exercise. I took it as a sign from the universe and kept that up for months afterwards, just going on aimless walks with no destination in mind other than to get my exercise in.

After about a year, I lost around 80 pounds. Then I stopped trying as hard, but I maintained a weight of anywhere between 200-210.

Since then I've gone to treatment and had two years sober, and now been with a GREAT company and making more money than I knew I ever could with my level of experience and education. Losing weight and feeling good in your body boosted my confidence, and I've been able to achieve so much more. I'm still not done, though! I have another 30 pounds to go before I'm satisfied, and now I am not only exercising almost every day - but I also eat much better and record my calories. Recording calories can really make or break the weight loss program. Somehow it keeps you on better track. I also wear a pedometer, and try to do the reccommended 10,000 steps a day, and if I dont, then I at least make sure to do 70,000 steps in 7 days, and have it somehow balance out! Good luck to everyone else, and remember you all deserve to look and feel like a dream!!

the decision is the easy part

windios — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:46:07 -0500

I have decided to lose many times - usually for the same kinds of reasons. I feel ugly. I feel unattractive. I am fairly active and don't usually have trouble doing what I want to do, but finally it comes down to creeping gain. What gets to me is how negative it all feels.

What I am doing differently this time is absolutely faithful tracking. The hard part will be to stick with it -- I have gotten this far before, but never stuck to it long enough or consistently enough to make a big difference.

I am choosing to lose for real this time. I have a big performance piece I am working on (I am a musician), and some horse shows this summer that I'll enter just so I have to be seen. Let's hope the 25 pounds come off this time!

Why now

lilstitch — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:35:23 -0500

I was tired of looking and feeling like I gained a lot of weight, when I know most of it is from the medicines I have been on. It is really bad feeling that you cannot fit in a chair with arms in a doctor's office. I looked up nutritionists in my health plan and found one that also had a gym with personal trainers. The personal trainers wrote up my plan to use at my local gym.

My Weight...and my Dad

thor79 — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:09:21 -0600

I've been large all my life. Never really learned to get in an exercise groove. Since I work in IT and do programming, my work life is very sedentary. Also, since I love computers and video games, so is my home life.

My motivation for getting going this time was shock. After moving into my new apartment in January I bought a scale. Last week I casually got on my scale with my clothes on and saw myself sitting at just under 290 lbs. I made a decision at that point to lose some weight and get in shape. I have never been that big, and I want to make sure to reverse the trend.

My other motivation, which sticks in the back of my head, is I don't want to be like my dad. He has struggled with weight all his life, mostly giving in and keeping it on. He and his ex-wife took drastic measures to try to lose weight, with gastric bypass surgery. Well, he lost the weight, but never really changed lifestyle-wise. Sure there are certain things he can't eat, but what he can eat he doesn't keep in check. So he has gained a good portion of the weight back. I know if I were to continue on the course I am, I would probably end up doing the same thing eventually. I definitely don't want that.

My Decision!

ebikenut — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:47:16 -0600

I have been struggling with weight issues most of my life. For the last several years I have been very active bicycling .. It seems I would get some weight off in the spring when I returned to the outdoor cycling and then I would overeat compensating for the loss of calories on long bike rides...

So it came time to get really honest. Diet and exercise works, find a tool that will help and will keep you accountable. Well here I am, going honestly into the next thin phase of my life. Daily Burn works for me and now my Son is doing it as well which helps to see his progress.

Sometimes is is tempting to take the short cut as in the extreme diet like I have known others to do but all that does is tell my brain, hurry up and get off this diet so we can eat... good thing that never worked very well for me. I want to be healthy and fit all of my life and be able to do outdoor activities and play with kids and be free from pain...

So here I am open and honest and feeling great about this tool and how it is working for me.

Oh gosh. Where to even start? Nothing dramatic...

cyprian — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:54:55 -0600

First, let me say how awesome you all are! This has been one inspiring thread! Great job!

Unlike many here, I have not always been heavy. I've always had a pretty average build. Not fat. Not skinny. But as I have aged, my metabolism has slowed done. Coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, this had a predictable result. When I was competing athletically, I weighed no more than 175lbs. By January of this year, I was up to 220lbs. It was hard to climb stairs. Even my "fat pants" were getting tight. I moved and had to get a new doctor and he lectured me. He told me I need to exercise and lose weight and he put me on some meds to fix my bad blood chemistry which comes from a poor diet and lack of exercise. I looked so fat in pictures. I looked like my Dad! So I needed to change. I want to be around for my wife and 4 kids.

I'm exercising like a mad man and eating every healthy and I have restricted my calories. I'm down to 199 now. I expect to hit 175 in early April. You guys have given me alot of motivation. I appreciate it!

Trying to be a positive role model

John500 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:13:34 -0600

I've had health problems for years: severe sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, fatty liver and recently gallbladder surgery. All of these probably directly related to my weight.

The story behind my weight loss is rocky. In June 2008 I was hospitalized with atrial fibrillation. My heart wouldn't slow down, and I thought I was going to die. I was probably 500 pounds or more at the time, not really sure though because I didn't have any scales to weigh myself on. I was diagnosed with a. fib. and fatty liver and told I needed to lose weight or my life may be shortened a good bit.

I immediately started my diet because I love my son more than anything and want to be around for him. I lost 100 pounds in four months. During this rapid weight loss I developed gallstones and the pain became very intense. After gallbladder surgery, I was afraid to keep going with the diet. But this is only partially true. Although I was afraid, I used the galbladder incident as an excuse to go back to my old lifestyle, and I gained back 100 pounds during 2009.

In December 2009 I took my 2-year-old son to daycare, and overheard a child talking about how huge I was. In fact, the kid couldn't take her eyes off me. This didn't insult me and I wasn't angry. The child was right, I was huge. And kids are just kids, they don't mean anything by their observations. It dawned on me, however, that my son was going to have to grow up with a super morbidly obese father. I wondered if kids would one day joke him about his fat dad and maybe even direct comments about his weight. My child looks up to me, would he follow my lifestyle, becoming super heavy? What kind of a role model was I?

Anyone who has been really heavy knows what it's like to walk around a grocery store or the mall or anywhere in public. I pictured my son, ten years from now, walking around with me in public places. Some people can be hurtful without meaning to be. Just staring or facial expressions can send a clear message to a large person. Other people will laugh, and some speak loud enough to be overheard when they comment on what they've just seen passing them by. Did I want my son to see these people look or laugh or talk about me? My answer is no. I don't want my son to grow up exposed to these things, and I don't want him to be influenced by my poor lifestyle decisions.

Being large is an awful thing, both physically and mentally. It scars you in so many different ways and offers some insight into a darker side of human nature. I know what to do to turn my life around. I have the knowledge, and it's all up to me to make it happen. This site asks for a motto: Mine is simply "diet or die." Those are my two options.

monkey4818 — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:00:25 -0600

I was working out regularly (3-5 times a week) until March of last year when I all of a sudden started having issues with my digestive tract; my health rapidly declined. I ended up having major surgery and haven't quite recovered. My preparation and fitness goals for getting into my chosen career field were shot. Couple that with failing a very easy PT test for not being able to do a single pushup (dissapointing and very humiliating) and years of not feeling comfortable in my skin. I've reached my breaking point.

What prompted me?

Jeff51 — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:50:19 -0600

For me it was simple..either figure this out or die early. Being 51 now (in March) and getting bp of 140/105, cholesterol readings all bad, and blood suger @ 125 seemed to me to be a no brainer. I am 6'4" and weighed in at 257. That was 12/15/09. Now to be honest, I have known about the BP and cholesterol since the time I had 4 stents put in in 2006. Stupid of me huh? But...I was active and always have been. so I rationalized it all away. For whatever reason the blood sugar thing caught my attention. No diabetics in the family, so there was no family evetn that I was tied to. So maybe it was the realization that all these risks, layere dupon each other wasn't a good combintation.

Since 12/22 I have lost 13 pounds. xercise 60 minutes a day...vigereous (CV, weights and calesthenics).

So in a nutshell my motivation

My Prompt

david2587 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:56:09 -0600

I suppose my main prompt is that I do not want to look in the mirror and feel ashamed about what I see. Eventually I would like to feel proud, but in the meantime I will be happy with being content with what I see!

I rowed during my undergraduate degree and would always feel embarassed standing next to my teammates - lycra isn't the most forgiving material in the world. Rowing helped me lose some weight but not enough.

I have since gone on to grad school, and moved to the States from the UK. I cannot row while here so have taken up road cycling. Now spandex is not much better (if not worse) than lycra so I really want to slim down a bit ready for the race season. Fingers crossed I get there!

What prompted me

Zazu — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:15:32 -0600

Honestly?

I don't feel like I look like myself when I look in the mirror. I've gained about twenty pounds this year, and I miss the way I used to feel about my body - proud and happy. I've never been in "great shape", but I used to be much stronger and have more stamina.

I really want to feel like my outward representation of myself matches the way I see myself on the inside, and I just don't feel that way right now.

Lots of things

jcb6488 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:25:01 -0600

I don't know that I'm properly motivated yet. Honestly I have been so annoyed lately with how my clothes fit and then I go to buy new ones and still can't find any that fit. Last week I had to find an outfit for my fiance's company dinner and I had the perfect outfit in mind, but when I went to the closet and tried it on the skirt wouldnt zip and the shirt kept riding up even with some serious suck um in underwear on. I got so frustrated that day shopping to replace the outfit I really wanted to wear. I was with a friend who is bigger than me and she kept trying to encourage me but everytime she would leave the dressing rooms I just cried. I'm young, I have always had pretty good self esteem and yet right now I feel like complete poo. My fiance is always telling me how he loves wemon with "curves" and trust me I believe him I have met his ex's who are built like me. But regardless of what he says I am not happy nor am I comfortable in my own skin right now. To top it off I hopped on the scale the other day and it said 185, 15 pounds away from 200. Thankfully I carry all my weight proportionatly but still its definately starting to show that I need to do something. I just don't really know where to begin. So any motivators or tips would be greatly appreciated.

new prompt

selene0981 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:38:06 -0500

too much rapid weight gain due to sugar addiction in recovery:(

Diabetes and death

SoFlaTechie — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:05:25 -0500

About 3 years ago, with my wife slowly dying from complications of Diabetes at 34 and my blood sugars spiking out of control, I made the decision that if I did not do something - I would soon also be in a hospital bed fighting for my life.

My wife died September 14th, 2007. I could not save her. I made a pledge to myself that I would learn from tragedy and vowed not to die from Diabetes.

I am now 100 lbs lighter, with 40 left. Those last 40 are proving very difficult. I am also off all Diabetes medication.

I still struggle every day with what happened to my wife, but I will not die from Diabetes and its complications.

still struggling..

GoliathEater — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:34:38 -0500

I have just reached a point where I have accepted the fact that it is entirely up to me; first of all. It won't be any one else that makes the first step happen for me - it has to be me. I have a number of minor health concerns and annoyances including being winded when I play with my little girls or the aches and pains I experience every morning when I wake up - all of which stem from being very overweight. I watched my Dad deal with it all his life..I now have his ashes in my closet - he died some years back from a massive coronary..spent his adult life making it his mission to endulge in whatever the hell he felt like. It killed him. I don't want to hurt my girls the way that his absence in my life (and theirs) hurts me. I have to do this: for them and for me. Thanks for reading and thanks, in advance, for your feedback and encouragement!

corirose — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:47:24 -0500

Just the fact that I have had two kids and now I want to look somewhat attractive again. I want to also be healthy!

Mazza888 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:27:26 -0500

I had recently had my second child and been on maternity leave for a while. I'd always been fairly slim and fit but had really let myself go. I started noticing that my clothes wouldn't fit and my confidence dwindled. Then to top it all off, i went back into school to discuss my return and the look of surprise on everyone's face when they saw me was awful. I commented on how i needed to slim down and pick up my fitness and people started making excuses for me! Well that was that, time to change!!

Suit Shopping

johnw1982 — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:51:10 -0500

I was recently shopping for a new suit and when I tired it on I had to get a 40 size waist. I have never been above a 38 before that and I made a decision that I would never go back to that size.

Decision to Lose weight

JLCormier — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:03:15 -0500

I have tried multiple diets/programs in order to lose weight and have not been able to stick to any of them. I have steadily gained weight since finishing my college soccer career (which was 4 years ago) and those strenuous workouts I was getting. I have put on over 80 pounds in the past 6 years just eating my way through life. I am 26 years old and my husband and I are beginning to consider having children. I do not feel that it would beneficial for my health to be at the weight I am and on top of that add carrying a child and all the babyweight that comes with it. So with all that in mind, I have decided to make a conscious effort this time to change my eating and exercise habits and really make a new lifestyle for myself.

Deciding to Lose the Weight...

OldGoat — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:57:07 -0500

What prompted me to lose weight? Well, the timing is right for one - we recently moved into a new house and are settling in for the long term ... makes for a good opportunity to 'change my lifestyle' at the same time.

Also, my wife is very fit and trim - I'm hoping to be around for a long time and share life with her, so it's way past time I started taking better care of myself.

Finally, I'm just past forty years of age and if I don't make a real effort at losing weight and adopting a healthier, more active lifestyle now ... it's only going to get harder and harder from here on in!

Time to get my health on track...

rshwayder — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:49:39 -0500

I'm 27, and I was on my way to making that my halfway point if I wasn't careful. I've let my weight creep up on me since after high school, and I'm not ~6'4" and 290 lbs.

If I want to get to a healthy weight again, I need to kick that down to 225, maybe even lower (when I was playing hockey and football and in great shape, that's what I weighed).

To stave off future health issues and to stop being looked at as "the fat guy" at work (and, let's be honest, everywhere else), I decided to get in shape back in January.

I did great at first. I got back into hockey, was eating pretty well, and worked out sometimes on off days from hockey. Then, I injured my wrist really bad in late February and everything about future health dropped off the radar.

My wrist is still recovering, and I'm still limited in what I can do with lifting weights, but it's no excuse not to do aerobic exercise, eat well, and lift light weights.

Now I'm back to about 15 lbs under where I was in January, and I'm on my way to health and happiness.

error — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:47:49 -0500

just want to do better sex :)

decision to loss weight

jeff2ang — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:41:55 -0500

I finally decided to do something about my weight when I couldn't even take a shower without getting out of breath. When I would dry off, I would have to stop and catch my breath, that is pitiful. I have struggled with my weight all my life. I have always been the fat chic. I have had the same problem on the rides, I wouldn't even try to ride them because I didn't want to get embarrased. I have lost weight in the past with diet pills and fad diets, but always gained it back and more. This time I have cut my caleries and started working out everyday to a workout DVD. I have lost 49lbs since Feb., still have alot to go, but I know I will make it this time.

My Boys, My Scales and My Mirror

Lockdoctor — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:11:59 -0500

1My boys. As an older father I wanted to be around to see them grow up

2 holy S**t that thing has just gone around the clock!

3 The mirror

christyeklee — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:54:43 -0500

I live in Korea...for those of you who don't know much about Korea, Korea has the lowest obesity rate in the world (I think..it was in the news a few weeks ago or something) and it's a country where about 50-70% of the girls in the country wear size 0's and starve themslves to death trying to get to size 0. The biggest size I've ever had to wear in the US was a size 7, and that was only because the size 5/6 of the same skirt was just way too short. And yet, when I go shopping in Korea, I have to go shop at the plus size aisle (not that there's anything wrong with that) but I also have to endure the looks that people give at department stores when I ask to try stuff on.

So although I never thought of myself as skinny/fit, I never thought of myself as morbidly obese either. But now that I have returned to Korea, I've pretty much grown sick and tired of having no choices when buying clothes (Korea is one of those countries where if you're "plus-sized" - size 7/8 and above in the States, it is really hard to buy clothes...ANY clothes) and getting stared at when I walk down the street or go shopping. Probably not the best reason out there, but hey, at least I'll get more fit and feel better about myself right?

Health concerns and young children

jay_stewart70 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:23:11 -0500

Well, I have started on teh road to recovering my former lean fit body because of health concerns re my lung capacity and heart health. I also have three little children at home, and I want to be able to not only keep up with them but lead them with a good example of eating right and exercising. I have felt bad about my appearance for some years now and it has gotten to the point that I don't want to buy bigger pants! I am not so concerned with counting claories although I have started, as I am having a much slimmer waist (I am a 38 waist now, I want to get back down to 34 inches) and to feel healthier.

sabayon — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:18:06 -0500

The first time (yes, its the story of my life) I went over to my parents place and found that my mom had put up a picture of me taken during a recent holiday. I saw a sad and overweight person, litterally carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. So, I changed everything (and i mean everything) and lost 80 lbs. Today I looked in the mirror and found myself thinking: how did I end up here again? The scale says I'm 40 lbs heavier than I was at my last goal weight. Granted, I've been juggling 2 jobs and a master education this last year, so my life was unbalanced and frankly out of control. I hope to find both motivation and opportunity to get back to healthy place and a healthy weight.

Injuring my back

ingermanywoot — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:07:32 -0500

During Highschool I was an offensive and occasionally a Defensive lineman (We had a small Team). During football i could eat a ton of food and not gain anything. During my junior year i hurt my back in a weight lifting accident and could no longer weight lift or play football. the rest of highschool i slowly gain weight and about a 3/4 a year ago i realized i went from 200-205 to 230 so I commited to loosing weight, so now im down to 210 and hopefully joining this site can keep me on track of my weight loss. :)

cccc — Sun, 31 May 2009 10:26:22 -0500

Spring gave me the energy.

I have not been chubby, eating badly and not exercizing all my life. I used to be slim and active, doing yoga twice a day during 10 years, then swimming every other day and hiking on week-ends. And I felt great.

But in the recent 6 years, my life was on a downward slope. I had crisis of bulimia, and was not doing any sport. I have reached the end of that cycle, with 25 kg more than at the start. I know that was bad for my health, my image and thus my self-confidence. I want to repare that and feel good again. I bought an elliptical in Winter and was watching it for a while... When nice weather was back, I felt like using it.

The Truth?

SlimifyMe — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:39:23 -0500

I was in a "safe" relationship for 4.5 years, the last few months were spent looking at myself, from a different angle. I didn't like what I saw, when I was living with this person. We never exercised, or ate right (not even halfway healthy), and as hard as I tried to "diet" while with this individual, his bad habits influenced or even instigated some of my own. I knew it couldn't last like this. I was going down a path, that I would have been completely lost on one day. So, I made the toughest, most painful decision I have ever made in my life...and I chose, me. Me, me, me, and ME. If I hadn't, it would all still be him. That's not groovy. So, I'm doing my best to salvage the rest of my life, I know i'm young, but I feel like an old fart. Not the happy old farts either. I'm glad I found this website, I think it will help me, more than I know.

Even more than all this, as a reason. I've never been thin, or slim in my entire life. Maybe at birth. >.> But who really counts that? Exactly. It's not about looking hot, or beautiful, or having a "killer bod". For me, it's all about being healthy, and doing what other people my age are doing. Being an active, happy, healthy person.

My weight has ruled me my entire life....and I refuse to let it anymore. My life is mine.

What starting me on my weight loss journey...

ToFat — Sat, 23 May 2009 23:38:32 -0500

I wasn't always extremely overweight all my life. I spent a lot of my younger years around 135 pounds. What got me to my highest weight of 450 pounds, yes I said 450, was having a child a stressful unhappy marriage that was ending and a family that insisted if you're hungry eat, eat and eat. I think I confused emotions with hunger more than anything. I did not choose this my health did. About two years ago I started having pains that I thought were heartburn. And one night after doubling over after eating a spoonful of applesauce (the only thing I could keep down at the time) My now husband, dragged me out of the house and to the hospital. (kicking and screaming I went, I don't like hospitals.) They did an ultrasound, and found that my gall bladder was infected and I had stones. What caused it was my weight. You would think that would have scared me enough to do something about my weight but it didn't. What scared me into taking care of myself was the fact that I could have died on that table when they took out my gall bladder because of my weight! Yup, my weight! It scared me to think that because of my serious weight problem, that if anything was to happen to me that a doctor might not be able to save my life because of my weight. That got me motivated really quick! I am down to 323 pounds so far and I intend to keep going and to keep it off.

Three things

imbehind — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:50:46 -0500

1. I'm 104kg/184cm or 208lbs/6ft man. Health is a first factor.

2. I was active in all kind of sports, and I miss the feeling of being physicaly capable.

3. Also I've noticed that ladies don't glance at me any more... :>) & My wife complains i'm being more and more static in bed.

my reasons

CKB — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:40:55 -0500

My reasons for losing weight stem from feeling very disgusted about myself. I know that I have been gaining weight in the past couple of years, reaching 228lbs. That is the heaviest I've ever been. I would do anything possible to avoid seeing myself in a full length mirror. I've been struggling with depression the last few years, which has caused me stop working, and this has also been a major reason for the weight gain. I have no one to blame but myself. I am finally at the point where I want things to change. I am embarrased with my body, tired of feeling physically bad and want to look better to my partner. I want to have children and be able to chase them and play without being tired. I am finally starting to feel better mentally, and I want to now feel better physically.

maintaining interest

aferraro — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 05:00:38 -0500

for me it wasn't a case of a sentinel event prompting me; for a number of years I have been trying to lose weight. It was only the discovery of web sites such as this, and finally making the tough decision that I really had to count calories (in the same way one has to manage a household budget), that has resulted in success thus far.

Surgery

sheppeyescapee — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 03:50:28 -0500

I had 1 surgery last year and gained about 40lbs over the 9 months after it. I looked at myself in December and didn't like what I saw, I was already overweight before that gain.

So it was a combination of reasons why I wanted to lose weight. Health, vanity and in the summer this year I'm having a follow up surgery so need to be in the best shape I can be before then.

So far I've lost 22lbs since my highest weight, about 17 of those so far this year. I would be happy with another 17 before the operation. That would take me to almost what I was before the original op.

What prompted me to loose weight

cyclechris — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:11:43 -0600

Health. I had been exercising for about 2 months pretty regularly and felt a lot better but my sight was blurry when reading and I had to use reading glasses more and more. I wondered if my BP was up and when checked it sure was.

So I decided it was time to adjust the diet as well as exercise and get really serious about loosing weight. So far so good, but I've a long way to go to get myself more or less "out of danger". I'm not sure why I waited so long, I guess I just wasn't really ready before. I finally faced the fact that I could either do better, or get steadily worse.

Another factor was my comfort, my joints are sore, from past injuries as well as weight and I just want to stop feeling old! I have had some days now where I feel energetic and like I want to "go out and do something". I want more and more days like that! I want every day to be like that really. Why feel tired and down?

I am active, I work a farm in my spare time, but also quite overweight, and being lighter means feeling ready to go as opposed to dreading the chores I have to do every day regardless of how I feel. All the critters need to eat every day even if I don't feel well!

Marine Corps Orders

schulzusmc — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:31:10 -0600

I am a United States Marine currently serving the in the Reserve and we were recently told that a new order was coming down the line: It doesn't matter how fit you are, all Marines must look like Marines. (Big chest and shoulders, small waist, flat stomach). On top of that, I dreaded going to any training exercises because I knew I was too out-of-shape to do even the simplest tasks. That was part of it. The bigger part was that I was actually in the best shape of my life in Summer 2008 and working as a personal trainer. I became very ill and stopped exercising for about 6 months. By the time I started to recover, I had gained about 40 lbs. My energy levels dropped extremely low to the point that sometimes I would call out of work just to sleep, my mood wasn't great, and I really started feeling depressed when my clothes stopped fitting. I actually ripped the whole backside of my jeans at work and had to sneak out of the office (yes, it's ok to laugh. It was funny but was a great motivator to start exercising.) I have been doing the M&F Rock Hard Challenge since January, and following my nutrition plan on Gyminee. I've shed about 12 lb so far and feel much better. I thank God for this awesome website and the great community of people here. It's definitely been a huge help for me. Hopefully, I'll be back to personal training soon. I'm excited to train now with this tough experience under my belt that I'm sure will help me help others better. Stay Motivated!

bunnyo — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:52:46 -0600

It wasn't just the new year- new leaf... it has been a lot of things - and a lot of good changes...

I now have a full time DAY job - M-F so I can actually schedule my life again...

I have 3 grown children - so no more taxi mom...

And I have health issues and could become really bad health issues - so time to deal with it - before it gets to the point where I can't deal with it...

So my goal is to be an active grandma (when the time comes) and not the fluffy can only cuddle one...

I have a LOT of weight to lose - literally need to become less than 1/2 of what I am now... and that is with 9lbs lost... but with time - some good friends to cheer me on - and family support - I WILL get there!!

My first fitness goal is to run the Vancouver Sun Run 10km in April. I might end up with part walking - but still - I will do it!!

deziroo — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:35:45 -0600

I hadn't really realized I had gained a lot of weight until one day I went clothes shopping and somehow found myself in a size 24!!!

That same week I noticed that walking up the stairs at work was rediculously hard at my new job! I could barely breathe! This was shocking and sad to me cuz I have always been pretty active and like to keep up with my younger brothers but some how i "let go"

To date I have lost 65 pounds!!! I am currently in a size 16 and still going strong! I plan on getting down to a size 12 (because i have a pretty athletic build) this will be a pretty good look for me!

I am so proud of myself for making it this far and staying with it- even when it was soo tough or seemed pointless! :) I hope I can continue to lose weight and build stamina..

oh yeah.. i straight up OWN those stairs now!!!

Weebs — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:22:24 -0600

As bad as it sounds, one of the reasons I started working out in the first place (back in September of 2008) was because of a girl. I really liked her, and we got along about as well as two people can, but she only liked me as a friend. I assumed if our personalities matched so well, it must have just been that she didn't find me attractive. So, my roommate and our friend had recently started memberships at Bally Total Fitness and asked me if I wanted to go. I knew I wasn't in good health, and going with them would give me motivation to stay on track.

The first time I remember weighing myself was just after we started working out, and I was at about 271. By the second week of December, I was down to 240 because of how much I changed my diet and going to the gym 4-6 times a week. Since then, my college started winter break and I wasn't on the same routine, so I plateaued. I've actually lost around 5 pounds over the past month or so, but it's nowhere near what I wanted. I have a pretty big frame, and had originally made my goal weight 180, but my doctor said 200 was a much healthier range. I just started classes again and am getting back into my routine, even working with a personal trainer for a few days over the next couple weeks, and I'm hoping to be able to get down to 200 by around June.

It's been tough so far, but I can physically see how much progress I've made and I know I've just felt healthier and more confident in myself since I started this "journey." There's still a long way to go, but I think I'm prepared.

Weebs — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:22:19 -0600

The next logical step

kingss46 — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:57:13 -0600

A culmination of factors lead to my decision to kick this issue in the rear, the most important one being self-image.

I've been heavy all my life, but I'm not one to blame external factors. I'm lazy by choice, and that's affected my health. I don't go out of my way to eat unhealthily and remain inactive, it was just the easier choice.

I've reached a point in my life where I'm no longer living for myself, but living for those in my life. I'm married now, have a job I plan to keep for a while, our next step is hopefully to have children.

I want to play an active role in my child's life and I'm learning to realize that I'm physically hindering myself by living my life unchanged. I can't run without being fatigued nor do I feel comfortable in my own body. I want to set a good example.

I am mentally ready for the next stage in life, but physically, I'm far behind.

dter — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:17:41 -0600

I used to be pretty fit at 170@5'8". I had a decent amount of muscle, and although my BF% wasn't that low, I wasn't fat, or even chubby. Then I started law school, had no time to work out. In the past 3 months I've lost muscle and put on another 15lbs of fat. So my decision to lose weight was prompted by the fact that I can't fit into about 80% of the jeans that I own right now--and I'd much rather get into better shape than buy new jeans.

Uh

NYCSknhds — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:16:22 -0600

I just looked goddamn disgusting. Nothing fit. I looked like a pig. There was no option. There's nothing less attractive than a fat person in my eyes, and I had to do something about it.

carloreyes — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:38:55 -0600

I'm 24 years old, I already have a cardiologist. I have high cholesterol, and may possibly have diabetes. I get my results this week! I'm hoping for the best. Most of the male's in my family have had a heart attack or have some form of heart disease and are on medication, and my mom has diabetes. I recently gained the weight due to my stressful job, and of course falling in love :) What lead to my decision.... I want to feel my age. This is supposed to be one of the best times of my life. I'm done with feeling so tired all the time and lazy. I want to go outside to the public again without feeling so self conscious.

bunnyo — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:10:08 -0600

I want to be the type of grandma that is active and can really play with the kids - and not just the plump soft one... I also want to live long enough to be a great-great grandma someday - and if I don't lose weight and get more fit - I won't even make it to being a grandma!! (still a few years away I think)...

I want to get healthy....

What prompted your decision to lose weight?

rwillies — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:19:09 -0600

rwilliesj I,am 48 yrs old with a famaly histroy of high blood pressure suger when I started 8 mouths ago I was 230 now I,am 185 withthe p90x program!!

Wanting to Live!!!!

tooch97 — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:35:25 -0600

Looking in the mirror and not liking what I seen. Having trouble bending over just to tie my shoes, Stores not selling clothes that fit and having to pay extra for one's that do. Turning thirty in 4 months and knowing if I don't start now my journey could end before I get to enjoy the next thirty years.

Bikini

Zelle — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:16:22 -0600

I want to wear a bikini for the first time in my life on my upcoming honeymoon!!

My First Child

pbrizzolari — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:01:12 -0600

My dad is overweight and never really played with us when we were young and I want to be able to run around and play with my kids and hopefully grandkids.

Thats the main reason. The other reason is as SAWolf said, I am 6"3 and trying to find clothes is hard enough as is.

Darkwind — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:37:27 -0600

My weight caused me to become diabetic. I hate the medication for that, and for cholesterol, so I'm going to work on solving these issues. I want to look attractive again, and be able to go out on fun dates, not just dinner and a movie.

I added to this though. I have used Chantix to quit smoking, stopped drinking sodas 99% of the time, and I've hit the exercise bike 3 of 5 days this week. Plan on a couple of trips each day this weekend!

My reason

abuyaseen — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:46:11 -0600

I always have been overweight, I have inhereted a bad gene that seems to love to store fat in my lower body than my upper body (and I am a male).

I never really enjoyed summer, I always seem to have either search for loose clothes to cover my shame, or just have an excuse to go outside of the house or building.

However, this summer I will have the body that I am not ashamed of and will be able to wear normal clothes (t-shirt and jeans).

GBDickinson — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:03:03 -0600

For me, it was airplanes. Not riding in them, but trying to fly them.

I went for my first flight lesson at the airport closest to my house. We did all the preliminary stuff, and went out to get in the trainer plane (a Diamond DA-40 if anyone is interested). When I went to fasten the safety harness, it wouldn't fit. And I'm not talking "almost there" - it was a good 4 inches from being able to buckle. That was a few weeks ago, and was the "turning point". I've got a long way to go (I'm 360+) but I've been there before (12 years ago I was in good enough shape to make it through US Navy Basic Training) and I can get there again.

Avrom — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:10:47 -0600

For me,it was looking at my graduation pictures, and saying to myself, "I look horrible". I cant wait till I reach my final goal,I want to delete all those pics,lol

Feeling Sluggish is for Slugs

skylarlinden — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:37:26 -0600

Over the summer my boyfriend was the best man at two of his friends' weddings, and I was the chubby girlfriend. Okay, not chubby. Chubby was more like my freshman year of college. This was just plain ridiculous. I finally invested in a bodyfat scale and realized I was at 195 lbs...only five pounds shy of 200. That really kicked my butt into gear. I tried to do little things to change my diet, but I never became fully committed. Then I had a scary ER visit and a week of crazy illness that finally put me on the straight-and-narrow. Now I walk at least four miles every day, and my eating habits have completely changed. (Even my boyfriend is hooked on bran crackers; he eats them all and thinks I won't notice the empty box in the cupboard.) I'm at 170 lbs, halfway to my goal of 145.

Health and rewards

blazo007 — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:11:31 -0600

Every day I get thinner I feel difference in my body I have more energy the other day I was so light I thought I could fly . I've started from 280 pounds I'm now 205 pounds hoping to get to 180 . The difference is huge and for everyone who is trying to lose weight don't go for the ( I will look better ) yes that is rewarding but the small things like not sweating while you are tying your shoes or getting up 4 floors without braking a sweet,getting a smaller number shirt xl to l then to m it's like running a marathon and you are the winner on all of them . The benefits of losing weight are lot bigger then eating some dirt cheap food made of corn :) to make you happy for the momment . About the health the benefits are huge I had hypertension when I was 21 now everything is normal hart rate when I was resting was 80-90 now it's 70, . So please continue losing weight the healthy way eating proper food and practicing every day the rewards are huge and the people that never been fat are losing a lot :) that is the advantaged we have we are already winners.
P.S Sorry for my English it's not my native language

Looking myself in the mirror

Antil0ck — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:57:46 -0600

One day, I got out of the shower and was feeling nice and clean. Then, I looked into the mirror and was looking at someone who was not me (at least mentally). I was in shock when I saw a 304 pound man in the mirror! This could not be me! I thought to myself. My stomach hanging down like some kind of tumor that was growing on my body. I did not know if I should cry, yell, or both. This is when I decided that I WILL loose the weight! all 104 pounds of it! The day will come when I step out of the shower and look at myself in the mirror and recognize the person in the mirror. Loosing weight is not just for myself, it's or my family who depends on me and needs me as much as I depend on them and need them. My two little boys and little girl want daddy to be there for them for many more years to come. My wife who needs a husband to be by her side for many more years to come. This is why I have decided to loose weight. Wish me luck and I wish all of you the best of luck aswell.

God bless,

George Orozco

crownjewel82 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:00:11 -0600

I went to the doctor in July and I realized how much weight I had gained. I was bordering on 4X clothes and my blood pressure was borderline. I remember thinking, I'm 26. I'm way too young to have a blood pressure problem. The next day I started drastically cutting back my diet. About three weeks later I had lost 16 pounds (mostly water I know). But that gave me the boost I needed to start exercising.

No time like the present

nichus — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:14:42 -0500

Like so many of the rest of you, I've been overweight my whole life. In high school it was only a few dozen pounds, but over the past 14 years, those few dozen have grown to over 130 pounds (60kg). But since I've always been big, I never paid it much mind. I'd tell myself that I have to do better, and would lose a couple pounds, get distracted and pack them (and friends) right back on again.

What changed everything for me was two-fold. First I moved from the state I grew up in, to another halfway across the country. This made me more aware of how far I'd let it go as at least in the area I'm now living, instead of overweight being common, it's now a rarity. The realization that there's a different way to live made a big impact on how I was looking at my life.

Second, my wife got pregnant with our first child (about 6 months ago now), and I made the decision that my child will not ever know daddy as obese. I joined a gym about 2 months ago, and have been meeting with a trainer there for about the last month. While I haven't yet started to see changes on the scale, I'm just now noticing some adjustments to my shape. Over the last week I've started adjusting my diet thanks to some guidelines from my trainer, and tracking websites such as this one. I know it's just a matter of time before all this hard work starts to really pay off.

While I know I won't be ready for male modelling any time soon (if ever), I believe that if I can keep my motivation up, I can make my short term goal of dropping back below 300. Then, much like cynfierro I need to keep at it so that my child(ren) will have a positive role-model, rather than how I was shaping up.

cynfierro — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:50:44 -0500

What prompted my decision to lose weight is the fact that I weight more now than I did right after I had my son 10 months ago.

I want to be fit and more healthy so my son will have a healthier role model and not go into the life of chicken nuggets and french fries.

what prompted me to lose weight

Calla_lily17 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:00:31 -0500

i have always been bigger my whole life. nothing life threatening, but slightly overweight. forunately i never went throught the "freshman fifteen" during college. however after i got married, the pounds started packing on more. i didnt realize how much i hated the even bigger me, until i saw pictures from my best friend's wedding. i was shocked and upset. my goal is to get to where i was in high school for a start. to be at least where i'm comfortable with myself....then, if i want, ill go farther. i love not being stick skinny, i always have. im different and unique to the norm....but i also want to be healthy. to me thats the most important reason im doing this.

Flat Out Tired

hotrod realtor — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:36:53 -0500

I am just plan tired of a lot of things that have to all relate back to being overweight. I'm tired of not having energy. I'm tired of being grumpy cause I feel fat. I'm tired of not being able to wear all those beautiful clothes in my closet. I'm tired of looking at what I see in the mirror. I'm tired of being out of breath on short walks. Like I said...I'M JUST FLAT OUT TIRED...and ready to do something about it.

Health side effects of weight

dasfux — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:41:39 -0500

The main reason I want to lose weight is that my weight is effecting my health. I have high blood pressure and sleep apnea. These conditions are negatively effected by my weight. I also tend to be less depressed when I exercise regularly. It would be nice to not have to squeeze into seats, and not have to look for stores that carry extra-large sizes. I hate having to pay extra for the larger sizes. My knees get sore easily. Losing weight would help reduce stress on my knees.

sick and tired of being sick and tired!

time4achange — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:41:17 -0500

losing weight..well I feel I have spent the last 25 years trying to do that and instead of losing i have ended up being over 150 lbs over weight. June of this year I was 298 pounds - I never thought I would be a 300 lb 5 ft 3 woman, When I was in high school and young adult I had to watch what I ate but I was active and it ws not a major factor in my life, obesity runs in my family and my mother would always say, you need to be careful you are built just like so and so and look at them as older adults. I was one that thought how I looked made who I was. Boy have I learned so much. At age 34 I surpisingly found out I was pregnant with my 3rd child, my other 2 were 11 & 12 years old, I was so shocked and upset, but needless to say he was a true blessing from God. After that my metabolism died and my weight went crazy, I weigh more than I did at 9 months pregnant. I hurt every where and I could not walk to my back yard without being totally out of breath. I was always so tired, I had not drive of any kind.....I was ill and I was self conscious and I would not want to go anywhere but work and home. I have done every diet program you can think of and would lose 50 lbs here and there and then try to do things on my own and gain it all backplus some. I use to love rollercoasters but have refused to go the past 5 years because I knew I would not fit in the seats. I went on a missions trip about 6 years ago and flew to mexico and I fit in the seat and barely got the seat belt on...I watched a woman a few isle up have to ask for an extension and I saw how she looked..so sad and embarrassed, I remember thinking God I hope I never get that big, well I did and I would not fly. I would not go to the Dr. afraid of what they would say, then this past spring I really realized how bad I felt and I was afraid of cancer or heart touble... I went for a physical. I was so scared... everything came back good, but I felt like crap and the Dr. asked me about gastric bypass surgery and if I would thinik about it. I said ok and I really started looking into things and I met with people who had it and all were sucessful and I became excited. I prayed about it and I was going to start the process, but for some reason something did not set right with me, and I am not one scared of surgery, I mean this would fix this problem! but I still had a very nagging feeling this was not what I needed. Then I watched a show oneday that showed a 45 year old woman that had lost 150 lbs on without surgery. She saved and got a trainer and changed her daily routine of no exercise and junk food and within a year she met her goal. This was the one thing I had not tried. I contacted a trainer at our local Gym and I about died when I heard the price. I went back to the Dr. and discusssed the issue of if I could handle exercise and at what level. She said yes I could and a trainer would know my limits, I said well I can not afford a trainer and her response was "honey you can not afford not to get one, if you do not do something soon you will not be here another 10 years" I felt right sick to my stomach and it really hit me, I was a fat slob and I was killing my own self. I went home and prayed and cried and for the first time I asked God to help me with this. The next day my sister in law called and out of the blue she talked about her gym and the trainer she had and how good he was. The cost was still alot to me, but I felt in my heart this was what I was suppose to do and amazingly the money was there for me to hire this trainer for 3 times a week for 5 weeks. I had been dieting some before I started and when i started i weighted 288 that was June 30, 2008, I have stuck with it and still have a this wonderful trainer, he told me abut this website and it has helped me so much with my daily journal. I am down to 260.5 as of today, my BMI has gone from 42% to 32 %. I have lost so many inches! I told my trainer my first goal was to get out of womens plus size clothes. Yesterday I picked up a pair of pants that were 18 reg. and they fiT they were not in the womens plus side! Praise GOd!! The Lord has given me the ability and the mind set to do this and to stick with it! I have a great trainer that is so incouraging. I go and work out at 5:30 -6:00a.m. 4 days a week before I go to work and I feel Great! I am amazed at my stamina and strength! My husband is really shocked and tells me often how proud he is of me. He is always saying how amazed he is at how different I look and even act. I still have a 110 lbs to go to what I want to be, my trainer says I am putting to much emphesis on my weight, I am weight lifting and doing cardo and the muscles are going to weigh heavy. I was in a 24-26 plus size, now an 18! I have no intentions of giving up. I am geting ready to cut back my time with my trainer to 2 hours a week and try more on my own, I will not lie, having to answer to someone at the gym and know they are waiting for you and expect to see that food journal has helped me alot and if I can not continue that mind set and get slack then I will go back to more hours with him. I have totally changed my way of eating and the thought of junk food is not there, I crave friut and salad. I only want broiled and baked or grilled protein. I crave water! who would have ever thought! I was a coke a coal addict! I very rarely even do a diet drink, I just thank God for all his help and for my trainer. I no longer feel sick and tired!

age, weight, wii fit :D

schettj — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:46:25 -0500

I've crossed the magic 45 line in age

I broke the magic 200 lbs line in weight

(last year)

So I started working out to both get fit and drop some weight. I used to weigh 165 (waaaay back in college) but was pretty stable around 180 for most of my 30s. Then it just started adding on, and before you know it, 200+.

This fall I added a wii fit to the routine (for those days I can't get to the gym) and it's telling me my BMI is still too high - I am pretty happy at 185, but can see there's a layer of, er, insulation still over the muscles I've been making.

So, I'm trying to shed about 10 more to make the Wii Fit happy.

It's kinda sad, isn't it?

benyasbabe — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:18:45 -0500

Wow, I can relate with so many of you on this question. Lots of little things started happening over the past few weeks, like getting acid reflux almost daily from what I was eating. I also noticed how barely any physical activity made me breathe harder and start to sweat. But the final straw was a family trip to Busch Gardens in VA this past Labor Day weekend.

I was definitely nervous on the way there, hoping that I wouldn't be too big to get on the rides. I knew for a fact that I was heavier than last year, since I had gained even more weight after getting married. When we got on the first coaster, I couldn't get the overhead contraption to go down far enough to click the belt into it. One of the crew members came over and shoved it down so the buckle would click. This continued the rest of the day, and it was humiliating. The best wake up call I could ever have to finally get myself in gear. I'm looking at lifestyle changes and losing 100lbs, so any motivation or gymbuddies are welcome!

A couple reasons...

jawalav — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:21:02 -0500

One reason was I was having some abdominal pain for a few days and went to the doctor to check it out. The Doc ordered a abdominal ultrasound and the result was not a good thing. It turned out my pain was from my liver being inlarged because of fatty liver, or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The Doc said lose weight or get a new liver within 10 years or so......

Reason two is that I am way to young to have a really ugly liver transplant scar! I am tired of always being tired and feeling like crap all of the time. I use to be in great shape and it is time to get that lvl of fitness back.

Jack

cneubert — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:56:12 -0500

When I was twenty, I felt that I still have a lot of time to change. Not that I didn't try to lose weight, but there just wasn't a lot of motivation behind it. Now, almost ten years later, I realize that I should've tackled some things earlier -- that I don't have unlimited time to change.

And I think it's worth it. Not only to look and feel better, but also because it's a kind of symbol for me. A symbol that I want to improve things in my life. Physically as well as mentally.

Motivation...

alporth — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:00:41 -0500

I have been trying to lose weight for about 2 years now. During college I gained about 35 pounds! A while ago, I tried to start working out more and also tried the South Beach diet...I lost about 10 lbs and didn't gain any back. For the last 9 months, I've been working out 2-3 times a week and trying to stick with it....My new recent motivation, however, is my engagement...My fiancee and I got engaged about 6 weeks ago. I have dress measurements in 12 weeks!! :) I'm trying to lose at least 20 lbs by then...so far I'm down 4...I plan to do some measurements this week and keep track of that, too. I wish you all the best of luck!!

obesity

knots — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:50:16 -0500

I've never been anything other than overweight. My genes are working against me as well. Both of my parents are overweight too. That hasn't led me to a defeatist attitutde (I hope) but I am realistic.

I have a 7 year old daughter and to put it simply I want to be healthy enough to have a comfortable life and see my grandchildren. I don't want to be paying for my lack of excercise when I'm in my sixties. Now that I'm over 30, it seems as though if I don't improve, I may never improve. I'm confident that I can get better.

When I discovered mountain biking

engelgrafik — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:21:12 -0500

What prompted me to lose weight was that I no longer felt comfortable squatting and I started getting heel pain. I used to be able squat anywhere. I'm 6'3" and in bookstores I have to spend most of my time squatting really low to see the books near the floor.

As I gained weight, this became harder and harder, but I still prided myself in the fact that as a big guy I didn't have any back pain and I could walk and walk and never have problems. Perhaps it was the years I played soccer when I was younger.

But eventually, I gained so much weight that I finally did start to have problems. So I had to find a solution.

I've always wanted to run as a way to lose weight -- I think it's exciting to be able to just run around anywhere you want, through paths, etc. -- but I can't do it. At this point I'm too heavy to begin with, and I hurt my ankle really bad back when I played soccer so it's extremely weak. My whole body just shakes and pains when I run.

As someone who was 350lbs, I had to find something that would give me the strenuous workout of running, or a cardio exercise in a gym... but not in a gym, which I find incredibly boring. And not in a group of people, because frankly I don't want to be in a group of people exercising.

I love hiking and walking but you just don't burn enough doing it.

Then I found several online calorie-burn calculators and discovered that with moderate mountain biking, at my weight, I can burn over 900 calories per hour! Moderate being raising heart rate and sweating a bunch, but not continuous uphill riding, but also not easy flat surface or path. Moderate.

Eventually I went and bought a sturdy mountain bike with knobby tires. This changed everything! I started riding it on paths and even discovered a cool website http://www.bikely.com that uses Google maps to allow members to "draw" their favorite bike paths all over the world.

Now I ride my bike 20km offroad in areas nobody even knows about.

This, combined with my Nutrisystem diet is a great way to completely blow away the pounds! And while I don't condone it, if you ride your bike like this for 2 hours or so like I do, you can cheat and still lose tons of weight per day!

Candid Pix Can't Tell Lies

Pamela Juan — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:39:17 -0500

I recently look at my pictures in our high school reunion and I'm shocked that I'm the biggest in our class. I know I'm getting bigger but I still did not realize -I'm that BBBIG- for I have this lean image of me 2 years ago that had somewhat stuck on my mind. Perception do tricked us. Not to mention my every loving bf who always tells me -I'm not that fat (that kiss-assed honey... but I still love him for loving me the way I am) ( Oh-no! the blaming starts again).Anyway, imagine me looking at the pictures while my confidence sinks. I can't even look at myself. But I guess, reality bites. And now, I have to accept that I have to lose weight. I just hope that I could do it all over again. I lost 50 lbs. 3 years ago but the situation and motivations before were different.

vegandarling — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:57:23 -0500

I actually didn't make it consciously at first, I went vegan for animal rights reasons and the pounds fell off and I was suddenly feeling so good, I figured I'd keep it up, so, I started exercising.

Ephiphany

bluroses — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:32:38 -0500

I'm not even sure what brought me to this point.

I was fat my entire adult life and, like vdayvickileigh said, I was loathe to conform to society's idea of what beautiful is. I would have liked to be thinner and (in my mind) cuter, but that's just how I was. I mostly loved myself and tried to set a good example of positive body image for my younger sister and children I encountered through my job. (I will never stop being disturbed by thin 6-year-old girls complaining about how fat they are!)

I met a wonderful man who mentioned that he'd like me to be healthier. And, to his credit, that's where it stayed. He encouraged me to go to the gym with him, but never hassled me about my weight or about what i chose to eat.

On July 5, 2006, we went to see India.Arie at a free concert in Chicago. I couldn't see, so he offered to pick me up. I said, "No. You can pick me up next summer." He asked why next summer. I told him, "Because I am going to lose weight."

And that was that. I asked him to support me but to let me do it my way - and he did. It took a few more months for me to egt really started, but whatever clicked that day stuck. I don't know what was different or what inspired it. I do know that I haven't really looked back. I found an awesome on-line support forum that I check in with daily. I work out every day (although I am trying to give myself one day off a week now) and I am determined to continue on this road toward better health.

I'm a girl. This is LA.

vdayvickileigh — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:06:17 -0500

I'm a female in Los Angeles, CA so it's almost impossible not to have a preoccupation with body image when the model is not only on the billboard, but also in front of you in line at Starbucks. They're everywhere! I always rebelled against the notion that I HAD to conform to anyone else's standard of beauty. But for a long time that was an excuse to just completely let myself go. I have a lot of weight I want to lose and am implementing a half marathon in October and the LA marathon in March. Been training for about two weeks now and just completed 8 miles!

krolls — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:04:17 -0500

I was just sick of being "the fat kid"

Davey — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:00:13 -0500

I was in good shape for years until I fell and injured my lower back at work. It took over a year to recover. During the time I couldn't exercise, I lost interest in fitness and gained weight. I've experienced many of the things other users have written about, e.g., tight fit in airplane seats, buying larger clothes, wise cracks, feeling lousy about my body, etc., and it hasn't been fun.

A few things inspired me to finally do something about this: concern for my long-term health; personal improvement; and I want to better support my relationship. It's amazing and sad how feeling lousy about your weight can affect your attitude. No more of that!

The Threat of Diabetes

CountDrakeula — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:23:53 -0500

I realized my lifestyle needed to change after an annual physical exam in 2007.

The doctor explained to me in the most serious tone that my blood glucose level was on the rise. She warned that I had a high likelihood of becoming diabetic if I didn't get things under control.

Managing diabetes can be painful, and keeping the condition in check is very involved. I didn't want to volunteer for that lifestyle, nor did I want to take medical resources from people who are genetically susceptible to the disease.

MissSlytherine — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:32:33 -0500

I decided I needed to lose weight because I'm starting college in the fall, and don't want to blend into the crowd anymore. People have told me on many occasions that I have a good 'foundation', but I want to be able to show it off. I mean, I'm 18 years old! I don't want to stuggle with my weight!

Before I started my diet, I weighted 183lbs. But I've been on the diet for 32 days now, and I've gone down to 173lbs. I can already notice a huge difference!

I really want to be the hot new Freshman, so I need to lose another 35lbs or so, to reach my goal.

I think 138lbs sounds really nice. I can't wait til I look the way I see myself in my head. ^_^

~Kat

What prompted me...

jmmurphy122 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:10:34 -0500

Honestly, it came to the point where I was just fed up with myself for having let myself gain as much weight as I did. I had gone through a lot of stress and whatnot, and had slowly but steadily put on the weight. All of a sudden it clicked...I could feel sorry for myself and my poor self-esteem and indulge in that pint of Ben and Jerry's or I could do something about it. I just decided it was time to do something about it. Going and working out on a regular basis has been and will be such an important part of my daily life. I never feel better than on the days I've pushed myself at the gym, mentally or phsyically. It was one of those things where I was just like..."Why did I wait so long to do this??"

Losing weight to join up

sensoki — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:19:14 -0500

Recently the military has increased their enlistment age to 39. I had thought about joining but never did because of my weight. I have a little over a year to do it, and I'm not sure if it is enough time as I have a lot of weight to lose (around 130 pounds) but I'm going to at least try my best. I got a chance to work with the Air Force Security Forces Squadron this past week and they're a great bunch to work with. Made me realize how much I want to be a part of that and has really got me dedicated to doing what I need to do to get there.

I needed a preoccupation

Shinfu — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:47:57 -0500

I had serious problems in other arenas of my life (unemployment, no boyfriend etc.). I decided to focus on weight loss because i wanted a preoccupation that would keep me from dwelling on my misery.

joseport — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:26:25 -0500

for years I had struggled trying to lose weight and maintain it. It kept being something that my parents would push me on (esp. when I was in HS and living at home) and then it became about being attractive enough to get a date. What finally did it for me though came as kind of a shock to me. I started dating the man that I hope to marry, and suddenly the only reason that I had was that I wanted to be healthy and I actually like going to the gym. Not having to fit into someone else's mold gave me the space to realize that this is something that I want for myself. Now, despite the fact that I don't always see the changes that I want to see in the mirror, I don't get frustrated, because it doesn't affect my motivation.

inuchan — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:21:24 -0500

There were many things that made me want to lose the weight. My cousins that do work out told me that I would look great if I did work out. That helped bring me to working out. Also I thought about it and told myself that since I have been fat all my lift that it would be cool to see what I looked like thin. I have started two weeks ago riding the stationary bike and now I joined a gym. I love working out now and it makes me feel more active. I feel like I did something in a day other than my normal day time job. So mainly it was me wanting to see how good I can look that made me get up and do something about it

tptman01 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:30:24 -0500

Speaking of amusement rides, I have a very similar story. Basically the same situation...I got turned away from a ride at Six Flags. The bad part was we walked to other rides that had seats placed outside so you could check and see if you fit before you got in line, and I didn't fit in those either. I think it was partly because of my height, but my weight definitely didn't help. The worst embarrassment was that my friends decided we should all leave the park, so I cut the trip short for 3 of my friends who would have otherwise had a great time. Sadly I didn't do anything about it then, but just as sawolf01 stated, that is definitely part of my motivation. I want to ride a rollercoaster again!

what promted the weight loss...

brianneptak1 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:10:41 -0500

Well I was planning a trip with my boyfriend across country. His father was planing on taking us out to a nice dinner so I thought I would by a new dress. I had not realized how much weight I had gain in the last year and the excitement of the reason why I was buying the dress soon dissipated.

On the last day of the trip my boyfriend asked me to marry him. When I go shopping for my wedding dress, I don't want to feel the same way as I did when I bought the other dress.

I have only lost 2 pounds so far but am optimistic and excited about my new life changes, only 20 more to go

Speaking of amusement parks

sawolf01 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:32:41 -0500

It's always been a tight squeeze for me on roller coasters. I had never been turned away. About 3 years ago, I was in Florida on a family vacation. Was about the size I was when I started this site and my weight loss journey (2.5 weeks ago and 8.6 pounds heavier). We went to downtown disney and went into this arcade/entertainment area there. One of the attractions in this multi story arcade was this device where you go to a kiosk and you "build" your roller coaster. You could put a ton of loops in, corkscrew turns, whatever you wanted. When you were done, you went up to this area where there were capsules (pods that resemble roller coaster seats built with a movie screen in front of them and on hydraulics to simulate the coaster you built) waiting to let you "ride" on your rollercoaster.

So I spent 20 minutes building this awesome rollercoaster. As I got into the pod and they tried to snap the shoulder harness down, they couldn't get it snapped and told me I was too big and apologized. It was pretty much the most embarassing moment of my life. Not sure why I didn't make the change then, but the memory of it alone just fuels my already overmotivated self.

8.6 pounds lost, 71.4 more to go.

what prompted my decision to lose weight?

selene0981 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:05:20 -0500

my doctor told me i was slightly overweight and in order to be healthier, i would need to lose weight. That was one factor.

The other factor was I wanted to feel better about myself and I don't feel good about myself when im overweight. The comments and stigma from others doesn't help neither. It triggers when I was teased as a child for being fat.

I shouldn't care what others think but im not made of stone. Anyways, I care what I think and I dont want to be overweight ever again.

thats my answer:)

kait

Motivation

Noblejoker — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:39:13 -0500

Well I do an annual charity show. It's sort of semi professional. We rehearse for months and sells couple of thousand tickets to 8 shows and give thousands to charity. I have done it for 15 years

Anyway this year they decided to do a full monty reoutine as part of the show. I ahd done this once before about 5 years ago and was no less fit or shapely than before although I have always been heavy. It just started me thinking and reading Men's Health articles and stuff.

I started in early April and lost about 3kgs (6-7 pounds) before the show. I have lost about 11kgs (25 pounds) now inc some new muscle - about 5 kgs to go hopefully :)

brottjr — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:45:46 -0500

I really want to fight for my country and am overweight by about 60 pounds now. I was overweight by about 80 pounds. This is why I want to lose weight so that I can join the military.

pewteredout — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:42:59 -0500

Thinking about it, I had a similar experience at a Theme Park a few years back, and again when going to an out door adventure park, lots of tree climbing and a tarzan swing+cargo net defeated me.

Very depressing. I don't think I would be as knackered by the outdoor theme park any more, but I have a long way to go to losing inches still.

Good luck with your weight loss sawolf01, I've lost approximately 2 lbs so far, but my main benefit has been a change in body shape and over all health.

sawolf01 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:05:36 -0500

My motivation was a recent vacation trip. First, I was fairly uncomfortable on the plane ride, I didn't have to ask for a seat belt extension, but I was just barely off. Second, when I wanted to kayak across the bay, I could barely squeeze into the kayak. Once I did get it, I wasn't comfortable and couldn't put my legs in the thigh rests you're supposed to use for leverage. It was at that point that I decided enough it enough. I've been at it for 2 weeks now and am down 6.4 pounds. 73.6 more to go.

tptman01 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:30:16 -0500

Finally having time to work out was a big factor for me. When I'm active at school, I work in between classes and study at night which makes it impossible to schedule gym time. I used to be in great shape, but college pretty much ruined that for me.

I guess my motivation is just feeling better, and being able to find clothes that fit. It's hard enough finding nice clothes when you're 6'4", being overweight doesn't help. Also, it's pretty depressing when you get winded walking up a flight of stairs, or from class to class.