What was your "time to get healthy" moment?

Jamie2663

lilann1961 wrote: »

Logically and objectively, I know I am overweight/obese, but never really felt it. I track for the most part, still take the stairs, park far out, eat my veggies, cook at home and turn down doughnuts at work, but it is all smoke and mirrors. I drink wine, eat larger portions, order pizza and don't exercise anywhere near what I should (those are just some, not all bad...but moderation is the missing link) and I never lost all of my pregnancy roll (back to back pregnancies). This past weekend, my (thin, tall, good looking lol) husband and I went to an amusement park with our children where they could ride the "big kid rides" for the first time. I was so excited because I hadn't ridden these rides in almost 20 years! Yeah, they had a hard time pushing my belly, and um 'torso' into the seat harnesses. I DID fit, but a few more pounds and I won't. My daughter (bless her, she is the kindest child ever) noticed I was struggling on one specific roller coaster and said she would practice ballet with me so I could exercise more. It was deflating and eye opening as to how large I really am. One of the posters on here, Kathryn247, said it perfectly, "I realized my outside didn't match my inside." That is exactly how I feel. It was nothing specific that caused all of this, just bad habits, more laziness than I care to admit, and avoiding the scales. I am sure I will have bad days, but I never want to feel that crappy about myself ever again. Cheers to all of you, and feel free to send me a friend request to keep each other accountable!

This is exactly how I am. I can keep up with my kids, my #'s (BP, cholesterol etc) are good. But I know I am overweight and that it will wear out my body faster carrying it around. I had to have the ride guy ask me to lift my "pouch" up on one of the rides a few years back to get the lap belt across. Humiliating! Good luck on the journey!

JaydenHudson93

I got on the scales one morning after my shower and seen 288.8. This number shook me to my core and I became terrified. I stepped in front of the mirror and hated what I saw. At that moment i swore i would never see the number 290 on that scale. So I started my journey. Im now half way to my goal of 200

lilann1961

"This is exactly how I am. I can keep up with my kids, my #'s (BP, cholesterol etc) are good. But I know I am overweight and that it will wear out my body faster carrying it around. I had to have the ride guy ask me to lift my "pouch" up on one of the rides a few years back to get the lap belt across. Humiliating! Good luck on the journey!"

EXACTLY! We will get through this. It is hard to convince people I am healthy having the excess weight and I feel like I am one pound away from "healthy" no longer being the case.

Jamie2663

lilann1961 wrote: »

"This is exactly how I am. I can keep up with my kids, my #'s (BP, cholesterol etc) are good. But I know I am overweight and that it will wear out my body faster carrying it around. I had to have the ride guy ask me to lift my "pouch" up on one of the rides a few years back to get the lap belt across. Humiliating! Good luck on the journey!"

EXACTLY! We will get through this. It is hard to convince people I am healthy having the excess weight and I feel like I am one pound away from "healthy" no longer being the case.

My favorite is when a nurse that isn't familiar takes my BP... and then does it 2 more times because it "can't be right"🤣🤣

PhiliciousGotCurves

I was told by my physician that weight loss would be beneficial to my health. At first I didn't listen, didn't really care much because I was ready to settle with my weight. He referred me to a specialist and and after my test results showed my numbers were high for cholesterol and diabetes, it was a wake up call! I watched my father inject himself daily with insulin for many, many years and I've had to care for my husband who suffered a stroke in 2018. I don't want to be medication dependent, so I figured it's time to make it happen.....for me, for my health, for my life!

maverick4x4

What did it? Hitting 232 after a lifetime of weight training (16yo to 51yo) and generally healthy eating and always being able to manage weight between 215-225 (the last 20 years) by gentle tweaks to either diet or exercise. Had I only hit 229, I'd still be in that range and generally happy with my strong but slightly chubby bod. 232 was TOO MUCH and ignited a fun project to get "shredded" (or close to single digit bf% anyway). 37lbs later (since Dec 2018), it's obvious that I was carrying a LOT more fat than I thought. Glad I did it, almost to my short term goal, and excited to see what's next. Key 3 items, besides a habit of weight training 4-6 days/week and generally eating clean, were getting the right macros for me from a trainer at the gym, tracking daily with MFP, and the Premier Protein shakes making those afternoons less snacky.

darklyndsea

I don't have any big scares. I just looked down one day and thought my fingers looked fat. Somehow that mattered more to me than my large thighs and stomach. *shrug*

But also, I'm sick of doctors recommending the mediterranean diet to me. Any diet that's high in fish and low in cheese is a diet that's not going to work for me ever.

Clddleopard

Had a heart attack at age 41. My ldl cholesterol levels were a little high. My blood pressure has always run a little high. I was one pound into the obese BMI. But I have an active job and regularly ride my bike 5 miles to work. I am probably genetically predisposed to heart disease as my father had a heart attack in his early 50s, so my only option is to control my weight, eat a heart healthy diet, and be more conscientious about my exercise. My laissez faire approach to heart health obviously wasn't good enough. I've lost 23 pounds since my heart attack three months ago, and my BP and cholesterol levels are fabulous ( though I'm sure my meds help with that). 20 pounds to go for goal weight, and I still need to expand my palate in terms of heart healthy foods, but I eat more vegetables daily than I did in a week before and less saturated fat weekly than I did in a day before, so I've definitely made progress!

ekboh

pontious11349 wrote: »

I pushed my belly out as far as I could and I swear it was bigger than my pregnant wifes belly LOL

Okay that's the funniest reason so far! I love it.

megann929

I knew I was overweight and unhealthy and I just didn't care anymore. I had accepted that I would be heavy for the rest of my life. I didn't have the energy to workout or even count calories. Most days I could barely make it through work. As soon as I would get home, I would just go to bed. I was stuck.

Then I had a complete mental breakdown in my doctor's office one day. I straight up lost it and could not stop crying over every little thing. He did a depression screening and diagnosed me with major depressive disorder and anxiety. I had tried antidepressants before and they didn't work well for me. So, he did some sort of dna test to determine what kind of medication, if any, would work better for me. I also started therapy.

I've been new medication for 42 days and it actually works! Now I have enough energy to workout on most days. I always get in a minimum of 10,000 steps, a feat that would have been impossible for me earlier this year. And, to top it off, I actually care about what I'm eating. My whole outlook on health and nutrition has changed. I've lost 22 lbs in the last month and a half!

alteredsteve175

I donate platelets regularly. That means a blood pressure check every couple of weeks, before each session. I was not allowed to donate a couple of times due to high blood pressure readings. That was my wake-up call.

I went to the doc and he prescribed some meds for me. Bless this guy - he ended the visit with this bit of motivation - "You won't need to take those meds if you just lose some weight." I had opened an MFP account earlier, but then I actually started to use it.

Two+ years later - I have dropped 50 pounds and kept it off. Blood pressure is good (was off the meds in 6 months) and I haven't been rejected for a platelet donation in all that time. Not too mention all the other benefits of being small(er). I'd like to lose another 20, but I am willing to take my sweet time getting there.

granx26

BuddhaBunnyFTW wrote: »

I was fine being fat and happy at 45 but my cholesterol was deteriorating and I was starting to have more joint pain. So I decided to eat healthier and try and move more. I've been at 300 for last 25 years, ad I've been pretty healthy. I've been extremely content, but I'm married to a lovely woman and she needs me to be around as long as I can be so got to lose the weight.

Also as you age, you do want to be healthier because it makes it easier to deal with health issues.

NadNight

I’m not overweight but I have been quite relaxed since Christmas (never really got out of that lazy Christmas mentality even though we’re halfway through July!). My weight has steadily rose but nothing dreadful however I can see my habits getting worse and worse. As in 1700 calories worth of brownies in 1 day. As they say prevention is the best cure so before I DO pile on a lot of weight or give myself a sugar related health issue, I need to get a grip of my sweet tooth/generally massive appetite

GreenValli

My moment was 14 years ago. A picture of me was printed on the front page of our local newspaper. I think I weighed 250 lbs. Yikes! I eventually lost 75 lbs. and I still struggle but once I got under 200 I have decided I would never be over 200 lbs again.

LyndaBSS

I was caregiver for my husband for 5 years while he battled with ALS. I lost him a year ago.

I have suffered from high anxiety and deep depression since. I've been overweight since birth. I joined MFP a month ago in order to better my health, both emotionally and physically.

I'm very happy with my progress so far and my anxiety and depression have lessened. Onward and upward. ☺

WynterDreaming

When I was trying to encourage my mom to start taking her health seriously and agreed to go with her to be her buddy. I weighed more than she did and was well on my way to 300 pounds. That was my initial kick in the behind. 40ish pounds lost later, I was flagging in my resolve and took some before photos when I tried to join a new challenge to reignite my resolve. It reignited me all right.