What was your "moment"?

thomasc96

Diabetes is a problem in my family and in March of this year I had an A1C test. My weight was 285 and blood work came back putting me about in the pre-diabetic range. My doctor went over all the consequences and life style changes if I became diabetic. Well that didn't exactly make my day so while at the store, I picked up an issue of Men's Health. I read a few articles of regular guys like me who made dramatic changes in a short amount of time, kept up the good health, and were able to have richer lives. After reading the articles, I had my moment of realization that I've got this disease hovering over my head but if other guys can make changes then so could I. Long story short, I got a gym membership, bought a mountain bike, and no longer ate out or bought junk food. Using MFP to keep track of my journey, I'm now down to 214 with about 20 to go before hitting my goal weight. I had another A1C test and dropped into the middle of the normal range and couldn't be happier.

jennifersmiles444

The planets aligned last February!

I had been overweight most of my adult life....sometimes dieting, sometimes in denial. My husband had always been one of those people who ate whatever he wanted in huge quantities and never gained a pound. He especially loved for me to cook cheesy casseroles, pasta alfredo, anything with gravy, etc. But last winter, he actually stepped on a scale and was stunned to find that he had put on 15 pounds over the holidays. In the same 24 hour period:

1) He said he wanted to lose it, and suggested I not cook the unhealthy stuff he likes so much.
2) I saw a photo of myself from Christmas that shocked the hell out of me.
3) I googled the calories in a particular food and stumbled upon the mfp site..read a few success stories....and joined.

I swear, it was meant to be! Our last child had gone off to college, and we just turned things around overnight. He prepared his food. I prepared mine. He devised his own eating and exercise plan. I joined mfp and started doing Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. Gone were the gravies and casseroles...our fridge was now filled with fresh fruits, veggies, Greek yogurt and lean meat. He lost a lot of weight very quickly (of course!) but is still happy with the permanent changes we made, and can't believe we ever used to eat so unhealthily. My weight loss has been slow and steady....42 pounds since last February. Although I would still like to lose a few more, I feel so much healthier and have dropped 4 sizes in clothes. Thanks mfp!

Simmi37

I can pinpoint the moment exactly.

I was out shopping for a top and found that my usual xl was too small and had to buy 2xl for for first time.

I am now a large for the first time in many years and have even had to buy a few medium tee shirts

Kowee84

my moment was trying to find something nice to wear.. my wardrobe is full of clothes... and everything i looked at was too small .. or fitted too tightly.. then i looked in the mirror... i didnt think there was a huge change in my size, yes i was big but not that big... putting on my socks was and still is a drama... stupid tummy.. seeing veins around my knees after that.. now i cant even see my ankles.. they are too swallen... i beat this stage once before.. this time i wont let peoples negative comments be my excuse to stop.
step 1. stop blaming others for what i put in my mouth
step 2, stop worrying about who i can blame next and dont let my goals be based on whether other ppl stand by my side
step 3, come back here when im down and know theres so many like me TRYING to beat their weight JUST LIKE ME

Brandonalex15

Bump need to read later

leannabseven

Mine was more a series of moments that culminated into a fact I could no longer ignore.

The moments:
- I work in an RV Resort who caters to mostly older, retired individuals. They are an active group, and nearly all of them are 20+ years older than me. I noticed during social events that I didn't have the stamina as most of the people who are my parents generation.
- I noticed that these same older people would all but cheer aloud when I did anything that remotely resembled a physical accomplishment.
- I saw a photo of me sitting at a table and everyone was finished eating...but me.
- I saw a photo of me from a distance and I was easily the biggest person in the room.
- I visited my doctor for a routine check up...and blood work he'd been trying to get me to have done. Turns out I am pre diabetic and have a fatty liver. My health was finally starting to fail.
- I realized I was the same age my brother was when he died from a massive heart attack directly related to his obesity.

It's only been 2 weeks, but I feel good about the direction I'm headed now. I've lost weight before, but I don't think I really ever accepted the reality of what I'd done to myself. I get it now.

LeAnna

LishLash79

my oldest child got an ipod for her bday and had taken a picture of me with out me realising it.. I hated getting my picture taken.... when I saw the picture I was horrified.. and it was that moment I decided enough was enough

BrittanySA

My mother was going in the hospital for cancer surgery, and I was explaining to my young son what surgery was, using my appendectomy scar as an example. He said to me, "Your tummy is squishy, mommy." I laughed it off, but later hopped on a scale for the first time in years...just to see where I was...


202 lbs. At 5'2!!

I don't want my son to have the "fat mommy." Down to 167 now. Will keep going until I'm not the fat mommy anymore.

Pspellcst

I had just turned 49 and was feeling my age...aches, pains, no energy. Went to the doctor and he suggested I take diet pills to help me lose weight which would ultimately improve all the problems I was having. He told me that ladies my age have a very difficult time losing weight. Ladies my age? Really? I was determined NOT to take any diet pills and I was also determined that I could lose weight even at my age. So I came home and got out my bike and hopped on it. Could only ride a few minutes due to being so out of shape, but I kept at it. Slowly over the next four months, I improved to a total of 45 minutes which is where I am at now. I also started counting calories and keeping up with what I eat on MFP. Was a real eye opener to see how many calories I had been eating, not even realizing at the time. Began eating 1200 calories per day, adding more veggies and fruit, and more protein. I have found that protein helps keep me from being hungry and keeps me feeling fuller longer. I do eat carbs but limit them as best I can. Have lost 34 lbs since mid August and still have a ways to go, but is amazing how much better I already feel and much more energy now. Women "my age" can and do lose weight. It's not easy at any age, but it is definitely worth it. BTW, I am loving riding my bike and recently bought me a new one. Hope by next spring to be a good bit lighter and faster and maybe will join a cycling group.

beltinches

A very good question!

Four weeks ago in college and I looked at a picture of myself my friend took and just realised how much weight I'd put on and was frankly embarrassed of the photo. Then that day I walked home(2.5 miles) and haven't stopped walking everyday since. I ran for the first time in a year yesterday.

greenhudler

So happy to have been able to read all of the new "moment" stories! Thanks for sharing everyone

suzyfj8

Coming back from the USA and weighing the heaviest ever and I knew I had to change

iLOVEbabySARA13

When I saw this picture. I didn't want to turn my weight into a lifelong struggle...I just never realized how much of a fat little gremlin I actually was.

cubsgirlinny

* to comment later

VincitQuiSeVincit

Over the years, I had a lot of "moments"...Ones that would get me to diet and workout for a few weeks or months but didn't lead to anything substantial.

I lost 40 lbs 4 years ago and have kept it off, hovering around 200lbs and a size 14. Not in plus sizes any longer, I was complacent, but thought "good enough".
This past February, I booked my trip to Coachella, and immediately hit the gym and began dieting again to look good in California. (Mind you, there was no amount of working out I couldve done that wouldve had a serious impact on my 200 lb body in 6 short weeks)
And it hit me...Do I want this to be my life? Do I want to be complacent only to have a FREAK OUT every time there was something awesome on the horizon? Did I want to feel "too fat" for the beach, for music festivals, for life?
I went to Coachella feeling good enough, but I haven't stopped since... My mentality and my motivation have shifted tremendously since February though...My focus isn't weight loss anymore, even though I have plenty to lose...My focus is health and strength.

chezjuan

Xbox 360. Seriously. A coworker was selling their XBox360 with Kinect at a good price and I bought it. I got YourShape Fitness Evolved and started doing one of the programs (fit in 40 days or something like that). It got me in the habit of exercising, and I was introduced to MFP at around that time as well, which helped me with the "eat less" part of "eat less and exercise."

meganjcallaghan

I haven't had a moment where I look at myself and say ''oh gee...I'm fat. I want to be small". I've never been small and I've always been fine with that. Even now, I prefer what I looked like when I was at least 40 pounds bigger than I am now due to the fact that my fat looked less ''flabby'' because I filled out my skin better. I'm only doing this because I'm trying to give away an organ and those durned doctors want you to be smaller for the sake of surgery.

ponycyndi

I haven't had a moment where I look at myself and say ''oh gee...I'm fat. I want to be small". I've never been small and I've always been fine with that. Even now, I prefer what I looked like when I was at least 40 pounds bigger than I am now due to the fact that my fat looked less ''flabby'' because I filled out my skin better. I'm only doing this because I'm trying to give away an organ and those durned doctors want you to be smaller for the sake of surgery.

I've never been unhappy with my size, until after i had my third child, lost my job, and gained more than 10 lbs AFTER he was born. My pants didn't fit anymore, and I could no longer afford a second wardrobe within a year.
So I got serious for the first time in my life. When I reached the same weight before I had kids that I realized that I had been in the "overweight" BMI category MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE. Now I'm 5lbs under that, and pretty happy.

meganjcallaghan

I could no longer afford a second wardrobe within a year.

My weight loss has been significant enough and in a short enough time that I've had to buy 2 new wardrobes in the last 6 months (I belted and took in what I could for as long as that would work until "new" clothes were a must....and the stuff I got that time is getting to that same point again now). Unfortunately even thrift shopping can be expensive when you need new EVERYthing. lol

sjp_511

In the spring of 2012 I got engaged. Wanting to look good on my wedding day was a kick in the butt. I had been dating my now husband for a year. While I was overweight when we had met, I had put on a good 20 pounds during that year (he had gained 15 pounds at the same time). We were really good at encouraging each other to exercise from the very beginning (we travel the US running half marathons), but our bad food hapbits rubbed off on each other. We ate out a lot and indulged in desserts and other high fat foods.

I lost close to 40 pounds between spring of 2012 and my wedding in May 2013. After the wedding I wasn't as strict with my calorie counting and the weight started to creep back on. It didn't help that we had put our house on the market and was under intense pressure to keep it spotless - cooking meant a lot more cleaning so we relied on eating out/ take out.

By November of this year I had put on close to 15 pounds since the wedding. Then around Thanksgiving, I accidently skipped my BC pills 2 days in a row. That resulted in the worst bloat I have probably ever had - I looked like I was 4 months pregnant! Even though I knew it was bloat, it was still the motivation I needed to get back on track.

msdeb424

I guess I am the exception, because I never had a "moment". I was just trying yet again lol. I think I simply just tried the right way this time.

I can relate to this! I'm trying again. :ohwell:

Kerantli

I was at my mums one evening when I saw the reflection of myself in the doors window. I hated the way I looked (even though I know it was slightly distorted due to the type of glass).

Not only that, but I have a pair of very baggy jeans and a Mickey Mouse t-shirt from when I was a smaller size that I love and want to get back into.

karak80

I've had several "moments" but the one that really got me this time was just a couple months ago in November 2013. I have been overweight for as long as I can remember and have tried for years to get to a healthy place. I went to the doctor for a sinus infection and he ended up ordering some blood tests since I haven't had a decent check up in a while. The nurse who came in to draw the blood has known me for years and asked me "do you realize you've been on blood pressure medicine for 10 years now?" I was about to turn 33 (in December) and didn't realize I'd been on them that long. She proceeded to tell me things I knew already about how dangerous high BP is, especially at my age, and asked if I really wanted to be on meds the rest of my life. It was the kick in the pants I needed. I started watching my portions and lost 7 pounds in a month. I was slightly derailed by the holidays, but signed up for MFP for a way to keep track of my food, goals and get some support and stay motivated. I even convinced my fiance to sign up. He needs to lose some weight, too, so we made a pact to get healthy together .

Seros1992

I had a "come back to health" moment just last week.... my parents offered to fly me home while my husband is away (military). When I moved 6 months ago, I was 150lbs just after my wedding. Now I'm over 200lbs. I was ashamed of myself, the choices I've made, and then more ashamed of myself because I've been preaching self-love and self-acceptance to my customers when I didn't even love myself enough to go home and spend much needed time with family and friends.... I have until the 11th of February to get myself on track before I go home. I will no longer stand in my own damn way!

justal313

My Buddy scored tickets for a Patriots game. It was in the 400's section which is in the top top top of the stadium. You didnt take stairs but rather walked up ramps. Getting to our seats almost killed me and we missed kick-off. That was the day I would no longer be limited by my lack of fitness. I've since gotten in shape and in fact I've run a 10k that ended by running out through the giant inflatable Patriots helmet and finished at the 50 yard line. Before you get to the end you have to run those ramps and I RAN THEM LIKE A BOSS!!! Take that fat Al.

st1992uk

Seeing this:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/02/25/student-james-lally-finds-wrinkled-kidney-brain-kfc-meal_n_2757933.html

My main reason for weight gain was KFC, and loads of it! After seeing this I cut out all the fast food and the rest followed from there...

I have since gone back to it but I am now back on track!

erbell3

The dr. told me it was most likely my obiesity that caused me to lose the baby.

This seems unnecessarily harsh, there were probably a variety of factors involved in your miscarriage, from what I've read being over weight does increase chance of miscarriage, however the link between obesity and miscarriage is very complicated. I'm so sorry for your loss. Is there a miscarriage/infertility support group where you live by any chance? Having some support might help with the grieving process as well as getting healthier.

dmt4641

I took a trip to Brazil and wore a "Brazilian" bikini. After seeing pictures of myself, I signed up for a gym and had a personal trainer for 5 months and lost weight. Then I moved, had to sell and buy a house and other things and got off track so I am back to where I started!!

Tamijennelle

My moment was this past New Years Eve. I recently started a relationship with a wonderful Indian man, who isn't overweight, but accepts me as I am. We went out to some Philly nightclubs and even though I looked pretty swell, I kept parked at the bar as other couples danced together, feeling to fat to dance in front of people. Now, awesome him, he stood by my side the whole time, but I know he wanted to get it in on the dancefloor with me. I felt boring and imprisoned. That's when I knew, I am totally unhappy, and need to fix this NOW.
I joined this site a while back...but life happened and I once again, put my health on the backburner.
Things are totally getting better now and I think this is finally going to be it.

Its amazing how something as simple as a new career and a new relationship can motivate the hell out of you.

dls116

I've known for 4 1/2 years that I need to lose weight, but my "moment" came a few weeks ago when I was too fat for my "post baby fat clothes" that I bought after I had my second baby in February of last year. I felt so defeated. I knew something had to change. We are renewing our vows in Disney in a couple of years with our 2 kids and I am determined to look amazing!