Your 'Ah-Ha' Moment

smantha32

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Keep_on_cardio

When I got tired of envisioning, “the better me” and decided to make the commitment to transform into the “best me”. I have had life events take place, to which my journey at times went to a pause. This past August, decided no more pauses for myself.

The bigger AH HA moment, was how exercise has helped manage my stress and anxiety. After my morning workout, I begin my day with a clear mind.

bobkinguk

a-ha moment…

Earlier this year after a routine health-check the results showed that I was carrying some excess weight, had a BMI in the “Obese” category, raised blood pressure and yet again that I had a high cholesterol level, but this time the Dr was ready to prescribe Statins. I refused, reasoning that I should be allowed six months to remedy the situation with a change of diet, as I was too young at 54 to become dependent on daily drugs.

Previously when I have wanted to lose weight I started running but continued without changing my diet. I was always proud of the fact that the weight would fall away whilst I continued to eat the same things. Then I would get injured and, over time, the weight would come back. After an accident that required ACL surgery, the weight returned as usual and the prospect of running it off seemed a distant dream.

After reading some literature on dietary changes that help reduce cholesterol (e.g. whole grain, non-processed foods, vegetables, etc.) I found MFP and started to record what I was eating and set a Target to lose half-a-stone (7lbs) and walk 6,000 steps. After three weeks the Target was met and a new Target to lose another half-a-stone (7lbs) was set and 8,000 steps. With that also achieved after at the end of the first month, the new step was set at and remains at 10,000 (minimum).

Just before the six months was up I was retested for cholesterol and the result was found to be within normal limits, which was a massive relief. Additionally, as a consequence of the dietary changes and some exercise, blood pressure and BMI were both within the normal range too. Most impressive of all was that my Doctors response was “Wow!”. I have managed to maintain this new weight for more than three months and having lost 60 lbs feel happy and comfortable at this weight, back where I was twenty years ago. Now without the excess weight I am back running, but faster and longer than at any time in my adult life…and just for pleasure/pain.

So when was the a-ha moment? Well, obviously the realisation that without changes I would need Statins for the rest of my life was the turning point, but along the way I discovered that:
• Porridge for breakfast every morning is a rediscovered joy
• Vegetables, fruit, whole grains and pulses are really very tasty after all
• Cooking from scratch actually takes no longer than cooking packaged foods
• Daily tracking Steps and what you eat in MFP really helps you achieve your Targets
• Replacing your whole wardrobe is an unexpected yet pleasant expense

HDBKLM

Bumping a few threads that seem like they might be beneficial for New Year's resolutioners

atheistred89

Definitely hitting 240. And having to use a walker periodically because I'd developed fibromyalgia. That was my "this is it" moment like I'd better get serious with this or my entire life will be *kitten*. I refused to spend another single moment so sick in my 20's (granted I've really not been healthy for a long while now but I'm taking it back damn it!)

atheistred89

Lol did *kitten* get bleeped out? That's the only thing I can think of as to why it says kitten.

hazeleni

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AudreyJDuke

These are GREAT stories!!!!

gmadkins2

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guppi03

My ah-ha moment was when we decided to have our second child soon after our first. I had struggled my whole life with my weight, always at a BMI around 26 or 27 and now I was carrying enough post pregnancy weight to push me into the obese category. I didn’t want to add another pregnancy on top of that and get to a place I worried I couldn’t recover from. I joined a gym and the trainer there got me on MFP. I finally felt like I had some control over how my body looked.

I’m reading the maintenance posts before I am officially at my goal weight but I am still carrying some of the helplessness I felt back then and I’ve been worried that lll always be short of my goal weight and unable to maintain my losses. It’s been very helpful and cathartic to reflect on the power I felt in those moments and to remind myself that I can reach my goals and I can stay at a healthier weight. It is well within my power. Thanks so much for that.

peachvine29

RaspberryTickleChicken wrote: »

• When was your 'AH-HA' moment that made you decide, 'ahhhm okay it's time to do something about this weight?'
• What made a difference this time which differed from previous attempts to lose weight &/or get healthy? (motivation)
• How much impact do you feel that a correct mindset has on the level of achievement?

My biggest Ah Ha moment happened in the doctor's office of a liver specialist. I had some blood work done with my rheumatologist (they suspect I have an autoimmune condition) that came back signifying liver damage, they were worried my immune system was attacking my liver (which basically meant I would need a liver transplant someday soon), so sent me to the liver specialist who basically said I was just fat and needed to lose weight which would correct the problem. WHAT A RELIEF! That was in January 2018...

I had a few ah ha moments up until then, mainly seeing myself in the mirror and seeing new stretch marks on my under belly and inner thighs. I hadn't developed stretch marks since puberty, so seeing new ones let me know my weight was getting out of hand. I rarely weighed myself, was clueless as to a healthy weight but when I saw 200 lbs. on the scale I knew I was tooo heavy.

Knowing my health was on the line was a huge motivator, I started looking at before and afters and getting excited about the possibilities for my body. I tried calorie counting for the first time after many restrictive diet attempts and the scale went down steadily, I felt as if I had finally figured it all out. Once people began commenting on my weight loss it made me all the more determined.

I was tired of being unhappy with my body, my health, and not achieving things. I'm down to 140 lbs. now.

You have to be ready in your heart and mind to lose weight, it takes a lot of discipline, and if you don't really want it you won't get it. My mindset and determination to make better choices and keep going day after day after day was the key. Consistency is key. I wouldn't be consistent if it weren't for my willpower to break bad habits and instill healthy new ones.

You have to know your WHY and want it more than any temporary gratification of food and laziness. It has to be important and meaningful and personal to YOU. Then and only then will you force your way through any obstacle on your path to your goals.

whmscll

My “ah-ha” moment came several years ago. It was based purely on looks and vanity. I had a nice figure my whole life and have always been active, but the weight began creeping up when I hit my mid 40s. I went up two clothing sizes at 45 but rationalized it as something that was just bound to happen as I neared menopause. At 52 I was at my highest weight ever (161.5). But I didn’t have any health issues and could still hike and be active so I told myself I didn’t look that bad. I cringed at some pictures but rationalized them as just being bad camera angles. I didn’t think I looked that bad when I looked in the mirror. Then I ran into an old flame I hadn’t seen for many years. He had only ever seen me when I was thin and in top shape. I was suddenly so embarrassed and felt like a blimp. Instead of looking in the mirror I took pictures and looked at those and finally realized how much I’d let myself go. I lost 30 pounds that year, bounced up and down a bit in the years since and finally decided to get down to my dream weight once and for all so I could look chic while visiting Paris for the first time last year. I reached my goal weight last Sept., and am now facing the challenge of maintenance, but I’m determined this time.

fourtotwentychars

My Ah-HAAAA! moment came when I bent over to do my shoes up and my *kitten* went through the back of my trousers. Fortunately I had packed a spare pair.
Also, I like cycling up mountains and it's just easier the lighter you are.

ReenieHJ

I've had many aha moments throughout my life. But my last one happened during spring of 2019. My weight was climbing again, I ended up retiring the end of May for lots of reasons. And my main thought was do I just want to sit in a chair and keep eating myself into an early grave or do I want to do different stuff, see more places, feel better, finally wear clothes I like, go hiking, etc., etc.?? Plus by then, my dd and her bf had planned a trip to Iceland for the 3 of us so I wanted to go and be comfortable in my own body so I could enjoy the trip. That was the start, my last start to changing my life.

nighthawk584

My "Ah ha" moment was building for 16 years till my labs came back last April and Doc told me I was pre-diabetic. AH HA! I already had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, was 100 lbs overweight, depressed, and just SITTING around waiting to die an early death in my mid 50s. I never looked back from that day and reversed every bad lab number in 6 months time and now am in Normal BMI range from Obese Class II.

amayk

The aha moment this time was when the scale at the doctors office couldn't weigh me, I had to use the scale for wheelchairusers. This time was different because I also felt very ill at the moment, I needed to get well again. And if you don't have the mindset playing on your team it's really hard, my journey got extremely easier when I got my head in on it, it's not for weightloss, it's not for a period, it's the way I live and it's for life. Now, 10 years later, 140ibs lighter, much healthier, I still hold on to it, because if I don't the weight and healthisues will be back fast. Tried and lost weight several times in my 50 years, never hold on, allways gained back. Not happening this time.

Annie42019

My AHA moment came as I said in a detailed thread in Success Stories when I went on a cruise and I realized the heavy restaurant manager ( correctly) saw us as the same size.

As some said a “ switch” went on. I tried WW and loved the tracking on their app ( I had done WW after I had my youngest but found the then paper tracking cumbersome). But I didn’t like how they made you “ pay more” ( in points ) for eating “ bad” food. I felt like that made it a game. Also I am never not hungry. Never except in the morning. And my WW leader was insistent that you had to eat breakfast which set me up badly for the whole day. Also “ free” bananas on the current program was not good for me. “ you wouldn’t eat 10 bananas anyway would you” seemed to be the thinking. Oh yes, oh yes I could.”

So I looked for a better for me way to track calories and found MFP. I also used 16/8 IF. And a smidge of WW by not tracking plain green veggies.

I knew this was going to stick when I went away for my birthday and took a holiday from tracking and ate quite a bit. I enjoyed it but found myself also looking forward to getting back to MFP. I came home, did a week of 5/2 IF (500 calories 2 days that week) which helped me reset.

I lost 73 pounds in 10 months. I track 1200 calories a day with another approximately 100-200 most days in plain veggies. IN maintenance for the past 9 months I allow an extra 500 calories on Saturday nights. I have gone on a few vacations where I don’t track but as soon as I’m home do what I did after my birthday. This is a way of life.

allstarteacher4kathy

I am a special education assessment specialist for a large middle school. At the end of last school year, I won an award and at our end of year staff meeting my picture was displayed on the huge jumbo-tron screen, and I saw all my chins in their full glory! I started MFP on May 29th and have lost 55 pounds. I have that picture taped to the inside of my desk drawer...keeps me motivated and away from the cafeteria's chocolate chip cookies😃

SnifterPug

When was your 'AH-HA' moment that made you decide, 'ahhhm okay it's time to do something about this weight?'

I've had a lifetime of failed "Ah hah" moments - usually born of clothes shopping and finding my size had increased yet again. Once when a lavatory attendant asked when my baby was due (I was not pregnant).This time is different and it started in 2016 when I hired a personal trainer. The reason I hired him was because I was approaching my 50s and since females are at particular risk of osteoporosis I wanted to lift weights and learn how to do it safely. Much to my amazement I enjoyed the sessions and then discovered boxing. I was very overweight but the trainer was forbidden from discussing the subject (bad history with weight). However my shape started changing and the weight started to go so I decided to harness the fitness benefits and address my diet too.

What made a difference this time which differed from previous attempts to lose weight &/or get healthy? (motivation)

Discovering the joys of feeling stronger and fitter and the sense of achievement when you've tried to master something for ages and finally do it. You can't keep me out of the gym, and I still use a personal trainer once a week. I am now mindful of my eating habits because I don't want to jeopardise my fitness and I want to get stronger. Plus it will be easier to achieve a pull up if I weigh less!

How much impact do you feel that a correct mindset has on the level of achievement?

It's massive. Trying to lose weight for the sake of vanity did not work. Too slow and ultimately chocolate and wine felt more rewarding. Trying to lose weight for the sake of health alone did not work. My weight did not really adversely affect my life and my health was OK so there were no tangible rewards there. Changing my lifestyle to further an activity that I utterly adore and feeling the increased confidence that being stronger and fitter brings - it's a no-brainer. I am also very glad that I discovered this before I lost my two dogs. They were my life and had I not been able to let my emotions out on the punch bag I would instead have dissolved in a heap on the sofa and mainlined chocolate.