What was the moment? When did you decide to take back control?

mtruitt01

A former boyfriend saw me at the Chipotle counter and took a pic of me from the back. I was in my car when I saw the pic.I looked like a buffalo, is all I thought. Went looking for him and just talked about how fat I was! I hadn't seen him in 30 years. That triggered something; I've lost 15 in 5 weeks and I'm keeping on. I have about 40 more to lose. Eggs, vegetables, chicken, turkey, greek yogurt, blueberries, soup, salad, occasionally a protein drink.

MrsDogLady

My best friend and I have been working together to lose weight for about 6 years, mostly unsuccessfully. A holiday, a family dinner, etc... we each lost about 15lbs, then it would stall, then we'd go up a couple, well she got serious around Nov 2020, and has finally - not only pushed below the 200 barrier, but now she is seeing low 180s. She is suddenly swimming in her clothing and it took her this far to finally see actual, noticeable changes that are in play. I remember that feeling the last time I lost weight - there was this 'moment' that you knew you found your way, you can make it work. I want that! I'm motivated because of her, she is my inspiration! Ten pounds down in six weeks, looking forward to the next 10, and the next!

lmf1012

For at least the last three years, if not longer, I had gone up and down the same 10-15 pounds but still overweight. One of my very best friends pointed out very bluntly that until I was serious about losing weight, I would not be successful. So, I just finally made the decision to go all in and do the hard work.

MrsDogLady

lmf1012 wrote: »

For at least the last three years, if not longer, I had gone up and down the same 10-15 pounds but still overweight. One of my very best friends pointed out very bluntly that until I was serious about losing weight, I would not be successful. So, I just finally made the decision to go all in and do the hard work.

Totally get that.....I am my own biggest stumbling block. Only I can make the decision to my own better health. Good luck!

obx1bag

It was a group picture during a family gathering. My cheeks, chins, and belly were super embarrassing.
I had gained 40 pounds during coronavirus due to a broken foot and quarantine. This past January 1st I decided to cut out sugar and exercise more. I'm down 20 pounds, 20 to go by next January 1st. It feels doable because my goal is only to lose 3-4 lbs a month.

giladson

i was allways thin untill i was at a party and the host sent pictuers.
i looked so fat!.
that was my moment.

brenn24179

riffraff2112 wrote: »

When I realized I hadn't weighed myself in nearly three years for fear of actually having solid evidence that I let things slip. It was time to face the issue and deal with it.

this is why I weigh daily so 20 lbs dont show up like it did before. I can so relate.

Magz5225

I have been heavy all my life except for a brief period in college. I have tried everything to lose weight. I had weight loss surgery after falling on the beach on a Caribbean island while my husband and I were on a cruise. It took three men to help me up. I knew when I heard "Harpoon that whale" that I needed to do something. When I got up I went and sat down and didn't move the rest of the day. I was mortified for myself and my husband. I can't imagine what he was thinking and feeling.

ClearNotCloudyMind

30th October 2020. Sitting in my bedroom, borderline obese. Realised that I had wanted to lose weight for a long time now but not actually done it. Feeling disgusted with myself. Was I really so weak and out of control?

Gave myself a day to decide whether I give it a sodding good go, or give up. If decision was to lose weight, I had to actually DO it. Set myself a mini-goal to achieve by Christmas, and if this didn't work I'd go to the doctors and seek help. Alternative would be to honestly give up on any notion that I controlled my diet and accept myself as fat, buy fat clothes, and accept a more humble view of myself.

I hit my xmas target and am now comfortably into the "healthy" BMI category. No idea why it has worked (so far) this time, but I suspect hanging my self-respect on delivering results may have had a serious impact on my motivation. Healthy ego has never been my problem.

jaygunn

November 2019, the day after Thanksgiving, I decided to give intermittent fasting a go. I wasn't particularly worried about my weight, sure I'd put some back on from when I'd lost 90 or so pounds about 10 years earlier, but it wasn't that bad (spoiler alert: it was all of that back, and more). I just wanted to try to make better choices.

But that wasn't my moment. My moment came January 2nd, 2020, when I had to go to the ER because my blood pressure was through the roof. Like "how have I not already stroked out" high. And it had been that way at least since Christmas day when a family member had gotten a BP cuff and was running around to everyone to check them. No telling for how long before then because I had never checked it regularly. But apparently it had been a long time because I didn't feel anything wrong, no headaches, no shortness of breath, heart rate wasn't erratic... it's like my body just gradually got used to it over however many years it was steadily rising. And for the 1, 2 punch, when my labs came back my A1C was 7.0. I was officially diabetic.

I lost 90 lbs. 10 years ago simply by keeping track of what I ate, and exercising regularly. No fad diets, no restrictions other than the amount of calories. I knew I could do it again, and this time even when I reach my goal I plan to continue monitoring what I'm eating because I don't want to fall into that trap again thinking I'm ok just estimating on a day to day basis. I used an app called LostIt back then, but I also got on MFP around the same time though I didn't really ever use it for tracking. I started using LoseIt again last year, but recently I've started tracking with MFP to start building up my database of foods, meals and recipes, because I plan to change over fully to MFP once I hit my goal weight. I like that MFP lets me plan meals ahead without needing to upgrade to "pro" or "premium" like LoseIt.

moonbeams896

I stopped and started a fair amount over the last few years. I had lost 25 pounds 6 years ago, but I put all of that back on plus 10. So, I invested in those "lose 10 pounds in 10 days" pills. Yup, I was one of THOSE suckers. I started taking them and, of course, nothing was happening. Then I decided I would continue, but also start tracking calories. Then I stopped taking the pills and now I'm just logging and exercising. And the results are happening. When my husband lost 20 pounds out of nowhere (mostly due to medication making him not want to eat). But, everyone was commenting on how good he looks. And now I weigh 50 pounds more than he does and I'm a foot shorter. I knew it was time. I'm still working from home, so I can truly control everything that goes in and out. Starting in August, I'll be traveling again, but I'm hoping to have built up enough good habits that I'll be able to make those healthy choices on the road. I'm just glad that this time, I really feel like I can do this. I'm not depriving myself of foods, I'm just eating things in moderation.
Last time I saw my doctor, she said she wanted me to lose 15 pounds and I might be able to come off of my BP meds. I'm hoping to achieve that! I'm down 5 so far

e_Willow

There has been many moments where I’ve said to myself ‘enough is enough’.

1. Being out of breath from walking up the stairs.
2. Not being able to tie my shoelaces without it been a struggle.
3. The fact my clothes no longer fit me.
4. I can’t go to work without feeling uncomfortable about my weigh as I wear a shirt that now is too tight around the neck.
5. I hate seeing myself in the mirror.
6. I don’t go out anymore because I hate how I feel about myself.

I decided to re-download this app in the hopes of a better lifestyle and to lose some weight.

mrmota70

e_Willow wrote: »

There has been many moments where I’ve said to myself ‘enough is enough’.

1. Being out of breath from walking up the stairs.
2. Not being able to tie my shoelaces without it been a struggle.
3. The fact my clothes no longer fit me.
4. I can’t go to work without feeling uncomfortable about my weigh as I wear a shirt that now is too tight around the neck.
5. I hate seeing myself in the mirror.
6. I don’t go out anymore because I hate how I feel about myself.

I decided to re-download this app in the hopes of a better lifestyle and to lose some weight.

Just start with some walking… Start building a new lifestyle you can live with. Avoid fad dieting… I’ve been where you are. Still working on it. It’s something I’ll work on as long as I have the ability to do something about it.

mrmota70

Landed in the hospital on Xmas week 2019. Possible Covid-19(of course didn’t realize it then). Was admitted with an oxygen level of 35. Yes that wasn’t a typo. I was put on oxygen and immediately my body shut down and for 9 hrs solid I was unresponsive. I was about to be intubated, but came out of it. I was on a bipap for a day and diagnosed with pneumonia in all quadrants of my lungs. Was in club med for a week. During my stay I decided the party had been going on long enough. Not the Drs not my wife nor my kids forced me… nor was I scared… I just figured if I get out of here time to do something before I run out of chances. I just ran a 10k on my treadmill last week. I’m 51 as healthy and more so now than I’ve been in 25 years.

kjfowlkes

Most recent moment of surrender -- I was fed up with caring for everyone else, then turning around and judging myself for my looks, my lack of self confidence, unable to wear more than 5 outfits (and not wanting to shop for more). I have been using MFP for about 3 years, but then recently saw a local trainer that would "coach" eight of us 50+ women. I took him up on the offer, and now 3 months later I am feeling super! I've got a ways to go to reach a healthier size . . . but I'm going for a full lifestyle change not a temporary fix. So . . . I'm accepting of the slow and steady pace (so far about 4 lb. a month). So happy you are all here -- helps to keep me motivated.

g2renew

MG kicked my butt in 2020. My health and 'no life' was out of control. As I began doing a little better, I thought that my nutrition was one thing I could control. Having this one thing is important to me. I have lost 13.8 lbs since Feb and am only about 16 lbs from goal. This week i have multiple doctor appointments and hope they recognize my progress.

kirbyderb71

Turned 50 this year. Dealing with a body ravaged by 7 weeks of COVID, an out of state move and a deep depression from my dog dying 6 weeks after I got here. I gained 12 pounds without even seeing it...to my highest weight ever. Then I really saw myself. Was shocked at how I really looked and decided to do something about it. I've only lost 7 pounds so far out of my 35 pound goal but so far, my motivation has been good.

shanda_jean

when I started noticing my thighs now rub together when I walk and it's the most horrible feeling! On top of that, I can't fit into most of my clothes anymore and wear 2 long skirts that have elastic bands and 2 pairs of leggings - I rotate all 4 choices every day no matter how hot it gets outside and whether I have to dress for the office or weekend because it's all that fits.

wo2gordon

Having taken up a new role of truck driving, at the end of February i was getting out of breathe and finding it harder to put my socks on. All of a sudden, those slights remarks from my wife and daughter hit home.

tachikoma29

Five weeks ago, when I resumed running after a long break. I stepped on the scale to update my data on my fitness tracker app, and the app said "overweight". I've been at the upper end of the normal bmi range for the past two years, but the covid induced home office finally pushed me into overweight territory. Just a bit, but still. That's when I had enough. I've been unhappy with my body for a while, and this was the final straw. Have lost 4 lbs so far and am back at a normal bmi, with 13 lbs still to loose.

kyndread71

Two moments come to mind --

1) I did the "Act Like Your Wife" challenge on TikTok, and couldn't believe that was me. I've always prided myself on looking younger than I actually am.... in that moment, I looked like a walking beached whale.

2) One morning, I was straining/holding my breath/almost sweating trying to cut my own toenails. That is pathetic. I even started to hate looking at myself in the mirror, whenever I started to shower.

I might be retired, but that doesn't mean I'm dead. I've lost 4 pounds in my first 8 days, back in the saddle again.