When was your last straw that made you want to change?

garoyall

About 8 years ago.

psitzmary

Two weeks ago when I found out I had a Vitamin D sufficiency that was causing the pain in my hips and arms for over a year and making it difficult for me to move without pain.

As soon as I knew the cause I started taking 1000 iu of Vitamin Day and started this program to help get some of the weight off my bones! Other than this, I am pretty healthy.

Being in pain everyday is not acceptable, if I can help it.

psitzmary~

BectheLion

Where to start!!

Not liking pictures of myself because the image didn't match what I thought I looked like.
My eleven year old doesn't remember me being skinny, even though I was a good 25 pounds lighter just 3 yrs ago!
I have very few clothes that fit because I hate trying new clothes on. But I had been in denial for so long that I had gained weight.
Every time I try to lose weight, I'll do great for about 2 wks, lose 4-5 pounds, then gain it back plus some.
I work at a doctor's office with the balance scales, and I refuse to move the bottom scale up by a 50 lb increment marker.
Somebody at work wanted to watch me weigh myself, and I was mortified!
I'll be in my best friend's wedding as a bridesmaid in May, and I don't want bulges captured by professional photos for prosperity. Especially since my best friend is my height but super fit.
My weight gain has messed with my horomones which has triggered more migraines.
I've caught myself mindlessly eating even though I know I was full and the food didn't taste good.

I'm ready for change!!!!

melinda11587

I realized I was an alcoholic and quit drinking...then I thought why stop there...might as well get fit too. Exercising and trying to eat healthy has really give me something to concentrate on and has helped me with my recovery!

srr728

I have always been heavy, always wanted to be smaller , always wanted to be a runner.

Then at 32, one day I was a widow. I took 2 years in survival mode. But one thing I swore was that I would not waste was do-over. I would change my life and do things I always wanted to do. No more hiding from life.

I want my legs not to rub together, to shop and ANY store I want, to run the mini marathon, for my weight and fitness not to hold me back from anything.

beautifulwarrior18

There was no last straw. I've wanted to change forever, but I graduated in December and finally I went from having 3 jobs and classes to having 1 job and job hunting. I spent the last 6 years working my *kitten* off to get my degree, now that I'm done it's time to work my *kitten* off to get healthy.

BridgetteH27

My three youngest step sons keep asking me when will I have their baby sister each time they use my stomach as a pillow or rub it. I'm not pregnant but I have a very big stomach I could pass off as I am. My eldest fourth step son keeps asking if his father and myself will ever have any children, he also wants a sister. It hurts every time they ask or touch my stomach the thought of this because I know my weight is what is holding us back from trying. Also I have put off three years running with my wedding date because I refuse to walk down the isle until I am at my goal weight.

astralparticle

I have struggled with eating disorders ever since I was 12 (I'm 25 now). I used to be a combination of anorexic and bulimic, reaching 82 lbs at 5'4" about 2 years ago, which landed me in the hospital getting fed via a tube. Not fun. I've put so much time and effort into recovering. Which is wonderful, but now I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum with a full-blown binge-eating disorder. I've hit 153 and none of my clothes fit. I feel out of control and I don't like the way I look. I joined this site tonight to try to encourage myself to eat healthy amounts. I'm terrified of falling back into starvation mode, but I can't keep eating significantly more than I should all the time which will lead to even more weight gain and discontentment. I am quite unsure of how to proceed, but I have to do _something_ before this gets completely out of control.
Obviously, I haven't made any progress yet. I intend to drink plenty of water, cut down on my use of fats, pay attention to my caloric intake [but not obsessively!], and start doing yoga again.
If any of you would like to be encouragement buddies feel free to send me a message.
My ultimate goal is to just be healthy. I definitely would like to lose weight, but I moreso want to be in shape and able to beat my partner in a water gun fight :]

lizc0

Realizing that people from my background/area are more susceptible to being overweight made me want to not fall into that statistic/stereotype. Also the fact that everyone in my family is overweight and unhealthy or is on some hardcore drugs. I just wanna be different from them and break free from that sad pattern.
The last, last straw though, was realizing how I was not happy with the womanly curves of my body. I hated the way clothes were fitting me, and damnit, I refuse to become satisfied with what I am now.

strawmama

An acquaintance of mine that I hadn't seen in a year asked me if I was pregnant. When I told her no, can't be (tubal ligation), she actually argued with me. "Well honey, you've got such a belly, you might want to take a pregnancy test!"

That hurt. I've been big most of my life, but other than actual pregnancies, no one has ever just assumed I was pregnant.

kmtbeaulieu

Watching my 69 yrs old mother die of diabetes. Herself and myself thinking it's just an ailment nothing serious...it is

Mauthos

I was always fit and healthy, even when I was diagnosed diabetic I was trim and very fit. However, over the last 3 years my relationship fell apart, I ended up on insulin on top of the tablets and had 18 months fighting for access to my daughter. In that time I piled on the weight and never really noticed until I spotted a picture someone had taken of me when I was on holiday.

It shocked me and I decided it was time to sort my life out, so being single I had plenty of time on my hands so sorted the diet and rejoined a gym. Fast forward 6 months and I have lost a total of 24kgs so far, no longer require insulin (and even may be able to drop the tablets too) and all my friends and family are commenting on how much better I look. And most importantly I have great access with my daughter with the fitness levels to do anything she wants. Not stopping now, another 10kgs and I'll be happy.

elghee123

Burnout. Stress. Broke.

crepes_

A combination of things, as it would be for most people.

1. I began working closely with patients in a hospital and seeing people in their 40s and 50s die from preventable diseases and lack of compliance every day.
2. I developed a binge eating disorder. I would eat an entire pizza and then 6 doughnuts, or a bag of 10 McDoubles with a box of chocolate chip cookies on a normal weekday to de-stress.
3. I was diagnosed with a genetic heart condition that can cause sudden cardiac death.

I added things up finally. I was one of those people who would die in their 40s or 50s from something that could have been prevented/controlled by proper diet, exercise, and regular doctor's appointments. Once I got past the general "that can never happen to me" phase, things just clicked.

Resting heart rate has been lowered from a high of 144 to 68, I'm down 40lbs, my blood pressure is under control, my EKGs look great, and my labs are perfect. I'm still working hard to improve my health and make sure that I'm not one of those people. Death is inevitable, but I don't have to beckon it.

suzyvinbarrie

year after the divorce. time to get up and get at it. Not looking back:laugh:

lucylousmummy

at the age of 33, having to lay down for over 5 mins because i was out of breath after walking up 13 stairs, i found this utterly ridiculous and decided enough was enough

Cathalain

My diagnosis of Type-II diabetes at the age of 40 is what kicked my butt. I have a family history, so you'd think I would know better. When the doctor told me, all that I could think of was what happened to my father (he had his foot cut off because he didn't take care of himself and his diabetes went too far).

That's when I realized - it was either the food, or my feet. And I kind of like my feet.

115 pounds later, I am controlling my diabetes with diet and exercise alone. Still have 85 pounds to go, but I'm over the "hump" and it's all down from here.

sabrinalee8

My last straw came when I found standing up for long periods or walking even short distances became difficult. Although I think it had more to do with the fact that I spent a lot of time in my last job sat at a desk so wasn't exercising, I decided enough is enough.

Also, getting divorced after my husband cheated on me with a slimmer woman nudged me in the direction of getting fit too. If not for that reason, it was for my own happiness and health/well being.

I lost my grandpa to pneumonia brought on by a stroke caused by years of unhealthy lifestyle choices in January 2012. I don't want to go that way and the only person who can prevent that is me.

EDIT: The other motivator was a photo, like it usually is... My wedding photo in fact. I was a huge lump in a full length purple gown. The wedding was a Vegas drive through wedding, so the photos were taken on the grounds of the chapel and in the back of the limo. It didn't hit me how big I actually was till I saw the photos.

qtgonewild

seeing myself in a full body mirror sitting down.

Grumpsandwich

my breasts would block blood flow to my arms when ever i lay on my side. Was getting painful and really scaring me. At that point i was up to a 44 Hcup ( and 230 lbs) and had enough and decided to lose so the girls would shrink.

McKenzieLeigh

THIS PICTURE!

wolfie640

Watching my dad lose part of a foot through diabetes and pulling muscles in my lower back was my catalyst to shake things up.

CrystalQ222

Last straw was going on my daughters school field trip and being caught in pictures that were posted to FB. As I never take pics I was mortified. That was a hard day. I cried all day and was so embarrassed. I vowed never to go on a field trip again and I haven't. Even after losing 38 lbs, I don't feel ok enough to go on any. That picture pushed me over the edge and I almost ended my life that night ....luckily I pushed through it and I am trying to lose weight. 38 lbs so far, it's not much but it's something.

lockedcj7

We had a health fair at work several years ago. I weighed 241 with 30% body fat and was considered obese. When I read about all the risk factors in the literature they provided, it freaked me out to think that I might not be around to see all my son's milestones.

DeterminedFee201426

when i saw how sloppy i look :0