What made YOU decide it's time to change?

RV_08

I recently posted my above before and after pic on here and got asked the question:

"What made you decide it's time to change?"

It was an interesting question that helped me to remember all the reasons how I got where I am today, so I thought i'd put it out there to everyone else.

For info, mine were:

1. Comments I got from family members I hadn't seen in a while (and they don't hold back!) about how I had put on weight etc. Not nice to hear, but gave me the motivation to do something about it
2. Online shopping and seeing really nice outfits I wanted to wear but when buying them, didn't fit as well as I thought they would
3. Embarrassingly, sometimes being offered a seat on public transport (for those not from London, on trains we have 'priority seats' which get offered to the less able to stand/elderly/pregnant) as people had mistaken my rounded stomach for a baby!
4. Wanting to do a charity 5k at the best of my ability when I was 25 (life goal - DONE)
5. Being fed up of being unhealthy/tired/out of breath anymore when walking or going up stairs

I'd love to hear all of yours reasons too and see before and after pics of you have them! PLEASE SHARE

newlife0202

RachelRecky wrote: »

I recently posted my above before and after pic on here and got asked the question:

"What made you decide it's time to change?"

It was an interesting question that helped me to remember all the reasons how I got where I am today, so I thought i'd put it out there to everyone else.

For info, mine were:

1. Comments I got from family members I hadn't seen in a while (and they don't hold back!) about how I had put on weight etc. Not nice to hear, but gave me the motivation to do something about it
2. Online shopping and seeing really nice outfits I wanted to wear but when buying them, didn't fit as well as I thought they would
3. Embarrassingly, sometimes being offered a seat on public transport (for those not from London, on trains we have 'priority seats' which get offered to the less able to stand/elderly/pregnant) as people had mistaken my rounded stomach for a baby!
4. Wanting to do a charity 5k at the best of my ability when I was 25 (life goal - DONE)
5. Being fed up of being unhealthy/tired/out of breath anymore when walking or going up stairs

I'd love to hear all of yours reasons too! PLEASE SHARE

for me it was mostly about being a role model for my child. Being heavy came with issues such as insecurity. Even though my daughter loves the beach I dreaded it. I want to be able to feel comfortable in my own skin so i can do the things I want to do.
2. I love the science behind weight loss, im a book and fitness article junkie. So what I learn I like to apply to myself and see how my body reacts to new methods.
3. To be honest at 265 lbs. i wasnt getting much love from women. Mostly friends but I wanted more. Its funny once i dropped weight especially when i was 165 last year the difference of attention i got was significant.
4. I just want to be the best version of me

JayRuby84

It was pictures of me where I looked big, and not in a muscular way. I looked very soft. I started at 172 and now hover around 156-160. I like that I have more muscles now, and don't really want to get skinny. I want to get harder (ha), and know I need to drop a few more pounds to take some fat off. But I feel much better than when I started.

Mycophilia

Putting socks and shoes on became a struggle.

suruda

I had been doing pilates for years...it wasn't getting any easier. I also wanted to live a more active life, biking, hiking, etc. My hips were hurting, my knees were hurting and somewhere in the back of my head a little voice kept saying "if you lost even 20 lbs, it would make a huge difference". over time, that voice got louder and louder and finally it worked! Down 30 since January and it is awesome! My knees and hips still remind me occasionally that I'm 0ver 50 but I am more active than most people I know!

CrumbCake37

When I ate my last big southern bbq meal and felt like I was going to die!

merchantmarine

After my divorce, needed a life boost !! Dropped 45 lbs and I am in the best shape of my life

duckie33

For me, when I looked in the mirror and noticed I had gained some of the weight back. And, when I noticed how my clothes weren't fitting me correctly anymore. So, I'm back and this time I plan to maintain whatever I lose.

MOMfit4life

Worked off > 18 pounds over last few months... NOW, time to drop another 18-20 pounds to reach my goal!

MagnoliaStorm

Having gone through a hard time - unemployed, living with mom with dementia- I need to do something good for myself. Becoming beautiful and liking myself will surely bring some positive changes to my life.

stinkyshirt

I realized my clothes were not fitting anymore even though I kept insisting they would...but when I tried to put on my "fat" pants they were too snug. Then I went to the doctors office only to find out I'm back to square one at 214 pounds (which is where I was 7 years ago when I had my son). I promised myself I was never going to be this round again and I failed. I'm doing it all over again but I don't intend to fail this time.

Hybrice

Girlfriend broke it off with me Want to get in to crazy shape so when I go back to the gym classes we both attend she will regret that decision 15Kgs down already!

spanderholic

Hitting over 100kg... I couldn't believe how badly I had let myself go. Been fluctuating around this mark for a while now and I am going to dip below it and further this time!

Bacchants

I'd been feeling down about my current weight for a while as I was finding it harder to fit things to fit in my favourite stores. Then my partner had planned to get me a photoshoot for my birthday, I didn't know so asked for hints, and he said (jokingly) that I might want to cut back on the pizza. He meant it as a joke but it hit a nerve and made me realise I needed to do something!

So he ended up moving the photoshoot to christmas and getting me a fitbit for my birthday!

GelasiaT

1. Lacking energy - I was so tired and exhausted all the time even when I got more than an adequate amount of sleep

2. Wanting to be more active with my children

3. Tired of shopping in the plus size section

4. Not wanting to resort to the health issues my mom is now facing, which is a long list of conditions including heart failure, high blood pressure, arthritis, and many more

I am still fairly early in my journey, but I can feel it in my mind, body, and soul that this time will be different than the numerous other times I've tried. I've completely changed my mindset and how I see food and I'm approaching all aspects from a very different angle.

soldiergrl_101

Seeing the looks on peoples faces that saw how far I fell after the military got me motivated to get my body back. They had that look like "awww what a shame"

LianaG1115

When I was dying after walking up a flight of about 20 stairs!! OMG I thought I was either having a heart attack or an asthma attack!! Didn't want to face the reality that I was out of shape and morbidly obese!! Reality check right there!!

G33K_G1RL

I wasn't seeing anymore progress in kickboxing, and the cardio intensive drills were so hard! I realized I wanted to be strong, now. I saw an opportunity to start woking with an online coach and took it. When I started I told myself that this was the time, that I was going to give this a 3 month trial, all out, no holding back. And I did

steponebyone

I've never been overweight in my life... Until recently. Slowly this last year I've worked my way up on the scale. My normal for a 5'9 girl is about 155, but when I had a physical at the doctor the other day a dramatic 178 lbs popped up on the scale. Also, at the end of the physical my doctor handed me a packet of papers that were about a healthier lifestyle and showed my bmi on there being overweight. Also, I get comments from family members that aren't so nice. But those comments I disregard. I am deciding to do this for me, because I deserve to be happy and feel good in my own skin. This is for no other reason except that God gave me this body and it's time to love it and treat it better, which excludes trips to Panda Express at 10pm or late night ice cream runs. Just seeing the posts on MFP are so motivating. Thanks everyone for sharing and good luck!

ktface17

I was driving my dad home from my brother's birthday party. He is a large man and used to being in his big truck. He found my Lincoln MKX uncomfortable. Then he was talking about how much he'd love to have a Charger. That if he had a dream car at this moment, it would be a Charger. He looked sad and said that even though he could afford one, he'd never own one now. Why? Because he can't fit in a Charger. Something snapped to life inside of me in that moment. I never want to have a dream in my reach and miss out because of my weight. That day was in April. I've logged every day since then and exercised regularly.

KaseyDH83

I lost both of my parents in 2013. My dad had a heart attack while he was driving and it caused him to wreck his vehicle, and my mom lost her fight against breast cancer 8 months later. My dad was 52 and my mom was only 49. They both come from families that have a host of health issues: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, strokes … the list goes on. In fact, my dad's brother passed away in June after spending 6 months being bed-ridden because of complications from diabetes and strokes. This was a wake-up call. Genetics are not in my favor; and while I can't change genetics, by eating healthy and exercising I am at least improving my quality of life, and hopefully prolonging it a little. I'm down 40 pounds (having lost 20 before joining MyFitnessPal). I still have a ways to go before I reach my goal weight, but I'm already noticing big changes in my body and overall well-being.

KarlaH9801

KaseyDH83 wrote: »

I lost both of my parents in 2013. My dad had a heart attack while he was driving and it caused him to wreck his vehicle, and my mom lost her fight against breast cancer 8 months later. My dad was 52 and my mom was only 49. They both come from families that have a host of health issues: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, strokes … the list goes on. In fact, my dad's brother passed away in June after spending 6 months being bed-ridden because of complications from diabetes and strokes. This was a wake-up call. Genetics are not in my favor; and while I can't change genetics, by eating healthy and exercising I am at least improving my quality of life, and hopefully prolonging it a little. I'm down 40 pounds (having lost 20 before joining MyFitnessPal). I still have a ways to go before I reach my goal weight, but I'm already noticing big changes in my body and overall well-being.

I am so sorry for your losses! I lost my mother at a young age (42) due to an unhealthy lifestyle. I know they are all proud of you!!

RoyBeck

I'm from London too so I know what you mean!

For me it was buying my 4th pair of trousers in about a year having outgrown the previous 3.

I dropped 50lbs but am back up 30 after not logging for 18 months but back now.

cwolfman13

some really bad blood work that illustrated that I was very much on the same health issues path as my dad who died at the ripe old age of 62...I was 38 when I started out a few years ago...I am a father of two young boys and I determined that I wanted to see them become men and have families of their own.

I really could care less about the weight...I was never unhappy with my weight or anything. It was the health scare that got me. I didn't want to be that guy that leaves his wife and babies behind when there's something that can be proactively accomplished to remedy the situation.

Three years later and all of my blood work is in the good to optimal range. The only meds I take currently are for my hypertension which would not appear to be a result of diet and exercise, but rather hereditary. In RE to heredity, I still fight an uphill battle...diet and exercise have fixed a great many things for me at least for the moment...but I won't be surprised if down the road issues arise simply due to heredity; particularly cholesterol.

A nice bonus of all this good livin' is that I dropped 40 - 50 Lbs or so.

courtsley_fitnessjunkie

I've had problems with my menstrual cycle and then doctor told me I had PCOS. I've also been obese my whole life. Last but not least, some heart problems that I have to deal with. So the main reason I decided to change was because of health issues. I just want to live a healthier lifestyle. I would say I'm pretty active but couldn't do the things I wanted because of my weight. I dream of running my first ever marathon and that is on top of my list at the moment.

Jessalane0607

When my 7 year old daughter felt she had to defend me against kids in her class about my weight. I cried for two days after that, and then strapped on a pair and have lost 29+ pounds and still going strong. I didn't want my children going through life having to defend me against their peers. I work in the medical field, and I see families that do this on a daily basis. I would NEVER let it come to that for them or me.

bodymindmusic

Seeing my mom and gma for the first time in 4 years and both of them wearing Nitro-necklaces in case they have heart failure.

carlyp79

So many reasons...
1. I have twin girls who turn 3 in December. I want to be happy to be in pictures with them
2. I want my girls to see a strong and healthy mother as a role model, and not to hate their bodies like my mother does
3. I have rampant diabetes in my family
4. My Mom gave me some shorts she was getting rid of or bought from a Thrift shop - they were very tight, and I even wore a size larger than I normally wear (like a glove!)
5. I take ages getting dressed because I hate how I look
6. I have lots and lots of clothing that i cant wear because they are too small now
7. I would like my husband to have a confident and sexy wife again (and it still is me!! hahaha)
8. My husband has an autoimmune disease, and I need to be healthy incase I am suddenly the only one left to look after our girls
9. I think we will be moving house in about 10 months and I need to be able to pack and lift as much as I used to!

I'm sure I could go on, but that's plenty.

saraherren

1. The summer before my junior year of high school (July 2007), I was getting ready for a job interview for a gymnastics coach position, and my mom made a comment to me about what I was wearing and how they wouldn't hire me because it made me look big and that I didn't look like I had ever done any gymnastics (which I did for 8 years). I ended up getting hired.
2. Between January 2012 all the way through 2013 (spring of my 3rd year of college into the fall of my 4th year), my mom always made comments about my weight and would buy me girdles or other clothes that some may wear to make them look skinnier. I was already struggling with major depression and had thoughts of suicide, and her doing all of that just added way more fuel to the fire.
3. I had a breast reduction surgery in May 2012, and in January, my mom said that if I lost weight, I probably wouldn't have had to get the surgery.
4. When I was 12, my dad told me that I needed to lose weight.
5. I was tired of my mom making comments about my weight and buying me clothes that made me look smaller all throughout my college years and making me feel 100 times worse than I already felt (and still feel) about myself.

JessiBelleW

saraherren wrote: »

1. The summer before my junior year of high school (July 2007), I was getting ready for a job interview for a gymnastics coach position, and my mom made a comment to me about what I was wearing and how they wouldn't hire me because it made me look big and that I didn't look like I had ever done any gymnastics (which I did for 8 years). I ended up getting hired.
2. Between January 2012 all the way through 2013 (spring of my 3rd year of college into the fall of my 4th year), my mom always made comments about my weight and would buy me girdles or other clothes that some may wear to make them look skinnier. I was already struggling with major depression and had thoughts of suicide, and her doing all of that just added way more fuel to the fire.
3. I had a breast reduction surgery in May 2012, and in January, my mom said that if I lost weight, I probably wouldn't have had to get the surgery.
4. When I was 12, my dad told me that I needed to lose weight.
5. I was tired of my mom making comments about my weight and buying me clothes that made me look smaller all throughout my college years and making me feel 100 times worse than I already felt (and still feel) about myself.

Your mum is a Dick. I'm really glad you are able to use this as fuel to get healthy and boost your self esteem

gilliebee63

JessiBelleW wrote: »

Your mum is a Dick. I'm really glad you are able to use this as fuel to get healthy and boost your self esteem

^This.

You'll do it, too, @saraherren, with the positive support you find here.