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

Sand_TIger

And I ask you all.... based on the comments I've seen and my own experience... how much of aging is actually just the effect of not taking care of our bodies, including weight gain? I have told you all about my first aha moment, but another aha moment came when I realized I needed to continue this journey. At that moment I realized "I feel ten years younger! What I thought was just age related slowdown, was only due to my excess weight! I can keep on de-aging myself, and feel even better! LET'S DO IT!"

cpnknight

Two years ago I failed miserably to break back into the 200lb numbers after reaching 304lbs. Recently stepped on the scales and it went over 350lb.....
I cannot live forever but I do not wish to die prematurely!

pmalexis_

My moment was when I had to get bloodwork done and my doctor called saying I was on the line of being pre-diabetic. It was just the wake up call I needed.

AnnPT77

Sand_TIger wrote: »

And I ask you all.... based on the comments I've seen and my own experience... how much of aging is actually just the effect of not taking care of our bodies, including weight gain? I have told you all about my first aha moment, but another aha moment came when I realized I needed to continue this journey. At that moment I realized "I feel ten years younger! What I thought was just age related slowdown, was only due to my excess weight! I can keep on de-aging myself, and feel even better! LET'S DO IT!"

I'm gonna take that as not a rhetorical question, and answer it.

IMO, it's most useful to think that nothing inherently comes from aging alone, i.e. that it's entirely about choices.

I'm pretty sure that's not 100% true (mitochondria, telomere shortening, blah, blah blah).

For sure, I have 70- and 80-something year old friends who are active, healthy, athletic, vital, and at a reasonable body weight. I'm absolutely sure their life choices have been a crucial factor in their happy, healthy aging. I also have friends in their 30s (and a few even younger) and beyond with serious health conditions and dysfunctions related to overweight, inactivity, undernutrition, excess intoxicants, smoking - also mostly life choices.

A few people will be unlucky (experience serious health compromises despite good choices). Making bad choices because bad luck could happen is not the way a smart gambler would play the hand, if you ask me.

If it matters, I'm 64.

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10728170/thoughts-on-getting-old-vs-aging

Sand_TIger

AnnPT77 wrote: »

I'm gonna take that as not a rhetorical question, and answer it.

IMO, it's most useful to think that nothing inherently comes from aging alone, i.e. that it's entirely about choices.

I'm pretty sure that's not 100% true (mitochondria, telomere shortening, blah, blah blah).

For sure, I have 70- and 80-something year old friends who are active, healthy, athletic, vital, and at a reasonable body weight. I'm absolutely sure their life choices have been a crucial factor in their happy, healthy aging. I also have friends in their 30s (and a few even younger) and beyond with serious health conditions and dysfunctions related to overweight, inactivity, undernutrition, excess intoxicants, smoking - also mostly life choices.

A few people will be unlucky (experience serious health compromises despite good choices). Making bad choices because bad luck could happen is not the way a smart gambler would play the hand, if you ask me.

If it matters, I'm 64.

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10728170/thoughts-on-getting-old-vs-aging

Totally not rhetorical - not anymore anyway. I know there are things that just kind of - wear out in the body, but I have a sixtyish friend who is fitter and has more drive than most people half his age. This after stage IV cancer. His attitude and his lifestyle led to his survival and he has a zest for life that's second to none. When I compare how I am now with how I was a year ago... there's no comparison! So thanks for answering.

Keeks__

I saw a picture of myself and my 2 year old at the time and it didn't hit me til right then how big I had gotten. Like, I knew I was a bigger girl but seeing it from the outside was..wow. I found MFP not long after that and although it was a roller coaster I lost 127 pounds

TheArttoBE

Turning point... was my divorce!

I realized that throughout my marriage, I was eating 'like' my husband...and gained 50 lbs. When you are married, your husband might say they love you, and overlook what's happening to your body.

That seems to be an excuse for a lot of women. But I felt like Crap...and then, the weight came on so slow over a matter of two years...that I had to do a Serious Check list on myself. I went up to a 2X. I WAS 230 LBS!!! 5"6
I am way to pretty to carry around all that weight...and felt ugly.

Also...
One... eating processed foods. Two...to much sugar. Three...Not enough Vegetables. While I am not a big meat eater, I was eating more meat due to my Husband's choices.

Well...within 6 months after we split up...I dropped 25 lbs. I was also caretaking my Mom, and my life was in turmoil. But I worked hard to keep my focus on Health and Clean Foods. I also started researching things about Food, Animal Farming, "Forks over Knives" documentary & learned about many other Food doctors like Esselstyn and Dr. Fuhrman, Dr. Micheal Greger.

When I discovered those people...I was shocked by what I found out. Especially a Book - The China Study! It was then I realized that the Food we are being FED has led most of the population toward OBESITY and Bad Health.

It no longer became about looking GOOD - My LIFE became about being really Healthy.
Because the American Standard DIET - is to much Processed "anything". Dairy Causes Inflammation - also contributes TO Osteoporosis! Diabetes....is primarily from eating TOO MUCH MEAT!..not carbs. Carbs may turn to sugar once your body becomes Insulin Resistant...but it's a Diet high in Saturated FATS, that causes the Insulin issues DOCTORS HAVE THIS SO BACKWARDS!!!

I am now down to 165...I actually got down to 140, started a new Job that stressed me out so much I ended up gaining back 20. Well...while friends tell me I look fine, I am not happy and as fit as I would like to be.

So my Goal...is 145 by September - I can DO this. I have all the Tools and knowledge this time around. And I have decided to skip the Sugar, and become Vegetarian. Within two weeks, I can feel my body already turning around and already lost 4 lbs.

Juliana

NotSoFat70

Mine was being rushed to the hospital in diabetic ketoacidosis. My blood sugar was 36 (just under 700 in US numbers) Dr's told me I was about a day away from a diabetic coma. That was my prize for not listening to my Dr to lose weight and eat better. I was almost 270 lbs on a 5'8" frame. I've lost 60 lbs since and my last a1c was 5.1,below prediabetic levels.

Before all that , I was trying but couldn't put the fork down. I drank Pepsi by the 2 liter and basically ate crap all the time. My attemps to go jogging ended in failure. After a half mile my calves would be on fire. A. Lot of times I can suck it up and block out pain but not then.

I've been walking for the last year and a half, sometimes 5 miles at a time. A few weeks ago I decided to start running again. The first day I did a mile. Walked for a minute a few times but finished without too much trouble. After a few days , I was doing a mile without walking. Got it up to 1.5 miles .. then 2. I'm. Up to 3 miles and average under 12 min/mile.

I have a few lbs to go but I feel great. I do feel that how you take care of yourself impacts the way you age. At 46 I felt 76 .At 50 I feel, idk, better .

wanderlustisamust

When I found out that I weighed as much as my dad, and he was complaining that he had put on a few pounds! I had known for almost 2 years at that point that I needed to find a way to deal with the weight that I had been gaining. I had tried a few things for a few weeks each (shake diets, ACV), but they never stuck. I could probably count on one hand the number of pictures I've posted to social media during that time, as I have been so ashamed of how I looked. I also had the mindset that counting calories was overly restrictive and not sustainable in the long wrong. I thought that if I just ate "healthy" and exercised, that would be enough. I am also someone who loves traveling, and when I thought about a future of struggling to walk around a new city due to lack of energy and fitness, and the shrinking size of airplane seats, that provided a further motivation. I decided it wouldn't hurt to trying tracking calories, and that if it was too hard, I could quit and just go on a strict "healthy" diet. Well, it's been almost a month since I've started this. I'm not finding tracking too hard, I can still eat (small portions of) my favorite junk food, and despite eating at only a moderate deficit, I've seen the scale number drop for the first time in 2 years.

ElTriste1973

I went to the doctor and he told me I am healthy but needed to lose weight. I felt so embarrassed as I had always thought people who wait for the doctor to tell them “you need to lose weight” had lost control of their health. I had to accept that I have lost control of my health. No excuses now. They took my weight...I though I was maybe 223lbs?... it was 241lbs!... my job is to get at least down to 240lbs and then take it from there. All my clothes fell tight and I am not comfortable sitting down anymore. Already lost 2..38 more to go!!

QueenZeeIsm

Went on a tropical vacation. When we got back home, I couldn't believe who the person in the pictures were. I did not even share any pics of the vacation. It's almost like I wasn't there. I felt uncomfortable in my body the whole time and if I could get out of a picture, I would. We are going back to the same vacation spot in a few months. This time I would like to share a few snaps.

glittersupernova

Ending up in the ICU with a torn/dissected carotid artery at age 33.

Yukon_Jack

My doctor told me that I was pre-diabetic. That scared me enough to start to eat healthy and get at least 10,000 steps in per day even if I don't feel like it. I have been logging in for a week now and I feel great. ..so much more energy!

cleopold4

3 years ago after triple bypass and infection, I put on 30 kilos in just over 12 months. I reached 124.5 kilos. I am 177cm. I'd been, say, 10-15k overweight for a long time ... this was new territory.

Getting up off a knee, holding onto cupboards, the fridge etc. was not just helpful, I couldn't get up otherwise.

Then 6 weeks ago, I went shopping and tripped. I hit the ground like an elephant. Fortunately my wife was with me and after regaining my breath she helped me up. I did crack some ribs, but that would be a convenient excuse. I was helpless. At 60, it's too early for me to draw the line.

So, here I am. 6 weeks in. 118.4 kilo's. Squats, wall push ups, 15 minute walk, 5 mins on bike.

Push me over, I'll get up like a spring chicken. 34 kilos to go.

ItsyBitsy246

chaseracer2386 wrote: »

When i got out the shower and looked in the mirror and was like what the hell you fat a**... Time to suck it up and get fit and healthy..

This was me too! Lost 60 lbs over the next year and kept it off for two more. Recently I've gained some back, and me and my reflection had words this morning. Back on MFP.

jonni82014

My moment is now, one year post hip surgery and a failing sex life. I regained 25# I lost three years ago. Complacency on my part of course. I realized that I needed “self care”. I like using those words “self care” because I am responsible for me. Small steps are the best.

erniewebbiii

I had a difficult time tying my shoes. That really bothered me.

jimmarriott7

The day I heard from a high school friend that her husband passed away from a heart attack. He shared my build (height, weight). He left behind a young son. I have 2 kids...that was over 7 years ago.

Down over 100 pounds from my heaviest, and maintaining now for the last 5 years.

dainty_duchess

about 3 weeks ago when i hit 13 stone 11 and a bit lbs. 14 stone was psychologically a different space and i was a big meal and a few drinks away.

Currently using MFP to help me through the 8 week fast reset and then migrate to a longer term 5:2. I'm 14lbs down, with at least 18lbs to go. Having a slightly difficult day today and reading the notes here has helped.

ghilsinger74

When I was diagnosed with diabetes. I decide right then that I was not going to be on medication and sticking myself with needles for the rest of my life.

adreyer1932

When I stepped on the scale and saw that I weighed more now than I did when I was 9-months pregnant with either of my kids. I was so disappointed and utterly sad about it. Decided then and there to get my butt in gear and get my mind right!

charmmeth

dainty_duchess wrote: »

about 3 weeks ago when i hit 13 stone 11 and a bit lbs. 14 stone was psychologically a different space and i was a big meal and a few drinks away.

Currently using MFP to help me through the 8 week fast reset and then migrate to a longer term 5:2. I'm 14lbs down, with at least 18lbs to go. Having a slightly difficult day today and reading the notes here has helped.

I so identify with this. 13 stone 13 lb (195lb; 88.8 kg) was the point at which I said, "This has to change!" Currently two days off two months. I have been down to below 13 stone after exercise which was amazing. Working on being into the 12 stone area consistently...

mhbrainard

I lost 25+ after retirement when I FINALLY got around to tending my health. Turns out that when I am not counting calories (paying fairly close attention to my health), I am gaining weight. I am back up 5-10# and having ditched all my big clothes and getting new smaller swim suits, it was clear to me that tracking was just necessary. I tried another service but guess what? Eating is just emotional for me!! I love it! So avoiding excess requires focus and tracking helps me focus.

Stygiansynth

Mine was last month after an appointment. I weighed in at 226 for the 3rd time in my life. Not to mention, this time I began becoming winded by the time I reached the top of the stairs. That was my flag! I am down 16 pounds and carrying out my journey knowing I'm 100% on board this time. It's liberating. { before that, I was not active and eating way too many calories in a day! I just didn't care. It feels wholesome to have had a wake up call, headed in a positive direction for good. I actually..love waking at 6 am for runs!

RusticBeautyQ

My moment was when I put on a pair of shorts that I thought still fit, and before I could get pass my thighs, the teeth on the zipper popped off and hit my wall....talk about embarrassing!

lovin_soul

Covid, and I was still obese and with many high risk factors. The least I could do was try to try to save myself by getting healthier.

Oklahomared58

I saw this topic and realized it was exactly 10 years ago tomorrow. I stepped on the scales that morning and I weighted 282 lbs. Three weeks later my wife of 33 years passed away from stage 4 breast cancer. She had been 100+ lbs overweight her whole adult life. She had ALL the health conditions associated with her obesity: high blood pressure, diabetes, circulation problems, joint deterioration, etc. In my heart I think her poor health kept her from beating the cancer. She was incredibly intelligent, had our retirements all figured out and we were financially set. I was to retire at 55 in four years and we would travel and enjoy life without a care.
Now she was gone. I knew if I didn't change I was going to miss out on those plans too. I had put on 105 lbs since we first met.

I changed the way I ate; and wore out two exercise bikes in the next few years.
I did retire at 55, 100+ lbs lighter than that day, and eventually found someone to share those retirement plans with me too.

Dead_Mans_Party

I had gotten a new job that over the first few years proved difficult to maintain my current activity level and weight that I was when I started. In 2013, I had gotten well over 300 lbs, then with my work apparel / equipment on it was insane to say the least. I started having knee pain so bad I could no longer use the stairs and resorted to the elevator. I was feeling sluggish and overall blah. I made a decision to start watching what I ate, but no real motivation to get back into shape. I went to my doctor who ordered lab tests. My cholesterol and triglycerides were through the roof. Then saw the orthopedic doctor for the knee. He basically said knee was doing this and that and surgery was not an option at the time. He told me ultimately I need to lose weight. The exact statement was for every 10 pounds lost, 20% of the pain went away. That was it. Over the next year, I dropped 80 pounds with a goal to get in good enough shape to do triathelons and road biking. The doctor was right, by the time I dropped 40 pounds all the knee pain was gone. In 2015, I successfully did my first 5k run and a 70 mile bike ride. I haven't looked back. I continued to do bike rides and triathelons. My knee still has some issues that I'm watching closely, but the stairs are no longer the enemy, but my friend.

QueenZeeIsm

My vacation pics. I did not show my parents any pictures with me in. Just the views. I wanted to brag a bit because it was the best one I've been on, but I couldn't. The shock of what I looked like was necessary.

ms_maruska

Reading that obesity is one of the most pronounced factors in covid complications. My coworkers all take care of their diets and bodies, eat well and exercise. A hurtful comment by one of the coworkers. Feeling slow and sloth-like. Avoiding responsibilities. Drinking a lot. Snoring. Lots and lots of anxiety and fear of everything. A lot of unused clothes in my wardrobe. I don't like having my picture taken. I fear that my health is or will make my mental health deteriorate even more and that I may lose my (dream) job.

If I had to choose one then it would be the fact that I feel ashamed of the way I look.

But I suppose it wasn't a moment since I've been thinking about it for a while. It's just that I became aware of a lot of these factors. And now, I feel ready and focused to do better for myself.