What finally pushed you to lose the weight?

quiksylver296

runnermom419 wrote: »

I was told I would never have kids on my own. The doctor also said I should either go on a prescription weight loss drug or have gastric bypass. Decided to do it on my own and lost 170 pounds and have kept it off for 7 years.

The like button isn't enough for this...

rianneonamission

For me it was a light bulb moment. I was 31, pretty much the heaviest I'd ever been, even my normal clothing size was getting tight. I hated how I looked in pictures, I was unfit. Add to that my lightly elevated blood pressure (and a family history of cardiac issues pre the age of 60) and high heart rate, and suddenly a switch flicked in my head. It really wasn't one big thing that caused the light bulb moment but lots of little things that made me realise that the longer I left it, the harder it would be to change.

I'm still going, but after starting in April last year I am now 23lbs down. My blood pressure, resting heart rate and cholesterol have all improved. I am fitter. I have dropped in clothing size from a tight UK 14 to a loose UK 12. My skin has improved. I am in control of my life and most importantly, I still live well. I have at no point starved myself, I have not cut out any foods. Just taught myself control.

It feels *kitten* fabulous!

DesOdhi

runnermom419 wrote: »

I was told I would never have kids on my own. The doctor also said I should either go on a prescription weight loss drug or have gastric bypass. Decided to do it on my own and lost 170 pounds and have kept it off for 7 years.

That’s honestly amazing. I’m so proud of you. I hope everything has and will turn in your favor with having kids.

DesOdhi

busyPK wrote: »

For me I didn't fit into half of the clothes in my closet anymore. I missed being able to actually wear all the clothes I bought, and since I'm frugal I wasn't going out to buy bigger clothes. I'm down 39lbs and although it has taken much longer than some, I am working towards a healthier lifestyle with the amount of food I consume as well as daily walking and/or jogging. I feel so alive and active now that I try and bottle that feeling so I don't slip back into my former habits.

Oh my gosh, YES! Clothes! 80% of my clothes don’t fit. But I refuse to buy more because I think I’ll get complacent at this weight. I hope I can get to the point of exercising again like you, but right now I just get disappointed that I can’t do the things I used to.

DesOdhi

cfgreear wrote: »

When I realized I had way too much trouble putting on my socks because my stomach was in the way, thats when I decided it was time to make a big change.

That’s a great reason. I had that epiphany when I was trying to polish my toenails. I literally lost my breath for a few seconds. Lol. Keep up the good work!

DesOdhi

minxboo wrote: »

I have tried many, many diets over the years, with varying degrees of success.
This January I enrolled in a pre-diabetes program. The goal of the program is to lose 7% of your beginning weight and ramp up to exercising a minimum of 150 minutes each week.

The program met once a week until this month, and then it will meet once a month for the rest of the year. The only requirement (besides showing up) is to do your best to track your eating and exercise. You only have to count calories and fat for food, and exercise minutes.

I don't know why, but it's been a real eye-opener for me. I think on a lot of diet plans, you count portions, or points or carbs, but counting fat was a big one for me. It's amazing how many foods that are low-calorie have a ton of fat in them!

I've lost 9 pounds since January. It's not a fast loss for sure, but it is steady, and for once I feel like it might stay off. Rather than saying "Is this allowed?", I'm finally starting to say "Do I want to eat this or not?"

Wow! Keep it up. Any progress is better than no progress. I’m so happy for you. I wish you nothing but success!

andersonkaitlyn3

I decided to get started on the diet thing and took pics in my bra and underwear and I was just absolutely disgusted looking at the pics. It was enough for me to stick with it. I also set up a big reward for meeting my goal. Something I had always wanted and it was a lot of $$ but definitely helped me push myself

lauralea1999

My doctor told me I needed to lose about 30 percent of my body weight. A few months later, I took my dog to the vet. Turns out, he also needed to lose 30 percent of his body weight. I felt guilty and started taking him to dog parks 2-4 times a week and portioning his food. And he started to lose weight. I realized I could (and should) be doing the same thing for myself. Now we work out together, I portion our meals and we eat at the same time. We weigh in weekly. I never thought my workout buddy or motivator would be my dog, but we've been at this for a month and we are doing great! We both have a lot more energy and I know I'm not in it this alone, lol.

DesOdhi

@lauralea1999 Oh goodness. That’s amazing! Dogs are just the ultimate buddies at everything. My little sister’s dog was the same way. It’s a wiener - pitbull (weird combination but she’s a rescued pet). That poor thing’s belly almost hit the floor. After portioning, she’s doing so well. It’s amazing how dogs can be so unknowingly motivational.

architect98

For me it has been the constant pain from walking upstairs as well as being winded. My favorite clothing not fitting, and worst of all the amount of sweat I produce, especially when driving my car with leather seats in the summer. There is more of course, such as hoping that with better health I can actually live a longer, happier, and healthier life which is my biggest motivator of all.

I've done it before and losing the weight isnt easy but the release of happiness you get from doing so is the greatest motivation you can ever have!

runnermom419

Destinyy wrote: »

runnermom419 wrote: »

I was told I would never have kids on my own. The doctor also said I should either go on a prescription weight loss drug or have gastric bypass. Decided to do it on my own and lost 170 pounds and have kept it off for 7 years.

That’s honestly amazing. I’m so proud of you. I hope everything has and will turn in your favor with having kids.

I have two kiddos of my own now. Right when I started, dropped 30 pounds over a few months and got pregnant right away. I have a 6 year old daughter and 4 year old son. So it did work out.

Foodfavor

My dream vacation is Japan, and I would NEVER feel comfortable going with the weight I am now. I might also want to look fabulous incase I run into people who have wronged me in my past...

Also, shopping will be easier/cheaper and just a better life in general but those aren't fun answers.

lauralea1999

@Destinyy Thanks! I love my little buddy, lol

itsgood

The physical discomfort was affecting my quality of life. I worried about how much damage I've caused myself. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find the "spark," but one day I realized I was ready. That was in January. A few weeks later my husband had a close call...a really close call...and was diagnosed with a life-threatening cardiac condition. I was supposed to be the one in trouble! Now there will be no looking back! I got the message! I am losing steadily at an average of 1.5 pounds a week. I feel so much better! I am definitely looking at a much-improved future!

Chelsi1028

I was pregnant with my second child and had the gestational diabetes test done and tested positive. Except they didn't set up a second test like normal and skipped right to a diabetic educator and dietician. When I asked why I was told my blood sugar was so high no second test was needed and it was so high that I had regular diabetes. I developed it before I was pregnant and just didn't know. That was my wake up call I was living so unhealthy and I'd let my weight get so out of hand something finally came of it.

Joe_Calzone

I've always had a love affair with food and drinks - seeking them out, going to restaurants, cooking, craft beer, cocktails, you name it. But the creeping realization that my lifestyle was / is unsustainable and that I can't keep putting on 10lbs a year for the rest of my life, coupled with some insights gained while under the influence of <redacted> in the woods, finally flipped the switch for me. So, here I am. We can do this, right?

Jedi_Jo

I knew I was extremely overweight, however I still couldn’t get into the mindset of healthy eating.

I went to the Dr’s with a chest infection. He took my blood pressure, then took it again numerous times. He looked really concerned and held my hand! He then started asking me if I felt dizzy, had chest pains etc. The Dr. Explained that my blood pressure was dangerously high and along with my weight I was at a very real risk of heart attack or stroke. He didn’t mean possibly he explained it was just a matter of when. I had to go to hospital and see various consultants and with medication, got my BO under control.

It was the wake up call I needed. I’m not on a diet, I’ve changed my lifestyle. Up to now I’ve lost -69lb.

AudreyJDuke

The mirror.

usadragon16

I already knew I needed to lose weight. But, I happened to watch "Obesity: The Post-Mortem" on Netflix and... well... it changed my life. It was the rude awakening I needed. I've been on the straight and narrow ever since.

tinak33

Same here. My highest recorded weight was 218. I am 5'5. I needed to buy all new clothes and I was plus size for the first time in my life. I was uncomfortable and had an extensive collection of giant long cardigans.... haha This was me trying to hide. My joints hurt, my back hurt, so finally I said enough is enough. There was a weight loss challenge at work, and I joined it. That was April 2017.

I am now 60 lbs lighter and feel great! I am almost at my goal weight, and all I did was change my eating habits. All I did was log calories on MFP. I didn't join a gym, I didn't start doing all sorts of exercises or join any fitness classes. I didn't start going for walks or doing home workout videos or anything. Strictly diet change. And I also didn't cut anything out. If I restrict myself, I will binge in 1-2 weeks on whatever I denied myself. So I eat whatever I want. I just stay honest and log it. This is the only thing that has worked for me.
Now I am looking into more exercise. haha But I can't do too many changes at once or it won't stick for me. It's too much. Then if I get off track with one, I will go off track with everything. It's my pattern. So I do this slowly. So far so good!