What is your WHY?

angeliis02

This is a great thread. I wish I had time to read through it all right now but I will for sure when I get home tonight.

My why is deeper than I normally admit. I have the jokes on my bulletin board at work "I stay fat because it just would not be fair to all the thin people if I were this good looking, intelligent, funny AND thin. It's a public service really." Then I have the Maxine comic stating "Only one thing keeps me from staying on a diet, food." On the outside I pretty much take my size in jest. Most people think my "why" is to simply fit into a pair of jeans or be smaller than my co-workers.

Not the case in reality. I have panic attacks which started after my daughter was born. My DH has his own issues and it terrifies me thinking my daughter will have to grow up without either of her parents. There are times I am convinced I'm having a heart. The pain radiates through my chest, down my arms, into my legs. I've been to the doctor, had EKGs only to find it's just a panic attack. The attacks seem to be directly related to how I'm treating my body at the time. When I'm eating whatever, struggling to fit in my clothes, sitting on the couch all the time they're worse. Makes sense. Since I've started back on MFP two weeks ago I haven't had a panic attack. I generally feel better. Every pound lost I feel a little more confident in myself.

Then there's my daughter, my mini-me. She's 7 years old, 4'3" tall and weighs 110 pounds. Since elementary school I was the fat kid. I haven't been under 200 pounds since middle school. I don't want her to follow in my footsteps. If I start now it isn't too late. She can learn to follow a healthy lifestyle and still enjoy the foods she likes. She sees me get up and go for a walk and she's right there beside me. Whatever I do, she'll do so I have to make sure I'm influencing her in the right ways.

Last but not least is the health aspect other than the panic attacks. Every doctor I've gone to has told me I'm pre-diabetic. In November I was told to lose weight or be put on medication. I had a follow up appointment in January. I didn't lose the weight I canceled the appointment. Rescheduled for late February. Didn't lose the weight, canceled again. Smart eh? Now I have to go back. I'm out of my thyroid medication and can't get another refill on it before I go back and see her. Since I last saw her I've lost 12 pounds. I'm not sure if that means I'll avoid the medication or not but it's a start.

Bottom line is. My "why" is because I'm scared. Scared of leaving my daughter, scared of her life dealing with excess weight, scared of the health issues that come with being my size and carrying all of my weight around my middle.

Shaselai

My why is girl. Have a girl i like and she likes me even though i am overweight compared to some others who would ignore me. She herself is skinny, pretty and educated. She did give me a goal to work towards at saying for my health and our future i need to lose those pounds and although she didn't give me an ultimatum or anything she did say she would like me to lose X pounds by Y. I think that was when i got really motivated even though before meeting her i was starting to lose but certainly not as motivated as now.

palmetto_dewbug

Bump

MikePXstream

Many more great reasons why. When you visualize what it is that is driving you, or have the physical motivator right there in fron of you, it makes it that much easier to push forward and be better. Not only for yourself, but for those you love. Your children, your spouse, the fear of complicated medical issues that you don't need are some of the strongest motivators. Especially with the crazy health system we have right now. Since my journey started almost 2 years ago, I have only been to the doctor twice, and one of them was a waste of time and money. The last time I went, I thought I had a sinus infection. Turned out to be some kind of virus, and there was nothing they could prescribe to fix it. Money and time wasted. But, everything else was good. Now I am due for a physical, but I am not worried. My body fat % is around 15-16%, my blood pressure is normal, no news of thyroid issues or diabetes, which are all my goals. But, I know I have to continue to eat right and exercise so I may continue to have positive results like that. But, it has to be a combination of all contributing efforts. Yes exercise is good, but without proper nutrition, that is only a piece of the pie. Proper nutrition is great, but if you are not moving around and pushing your body, you will never know your potential. Switch up your activity level too. Don't just stick to walking, running, or weight lifting. do it all. Each will work your body differently and maximize your results. If you are walking today, jog a little tomorrow. If you are running, then switch it up and lift some weights. Keep a regimented plan. If you don't know where to start, then ask someone. Ask me! I have ran races, mud runs like the rugged maniac or mud brigade, done the basic exercises of physical training while in the Army, completed extreme programs like P90X, Insanity, and LesMills Combat, and learned how to make it work. Finally, seek support. Not just from forums like these or other sites. Tell your friends, your family, etc. When they know you are serious, they will be more likely to support you and who knows, you may even inspire them to some degree. You have already made the decision to be better, stay committed, and you will succeed. Thank you all for sharing. Please, keep it flowing. Your "whys" help to keep me going to. :happy:

Bukawww

I need to post this for myself. There are so many reasons. I used to take pride in not knowing or caring what my weight was in high school. I was active, healthy, and a tomboy who didn't want anything to do with those weight obsessed teenage girls. While I was babysitting one night at age 17, I stepped on their scale. It read 175 (I'm 5'4.75"). I'm not really sure why I thought that was a perfectly acceptable weight but I was fine with it. I'd been told my whole life that I was big boned so that must be it. It wasn't until I got pregnant with my 1st (age 21/22) and weighed in at the doctor at 193. Eek...that was too close to 200 but what could I do. I was pregnant and miserable. I didn't gain much weight, ending the pregnancy at 212. That baby threw my life into loops I feel like I'm still recovering from (she's 11 and I've had 3 more since, ages 8, 6, and 2 - I'm done now lol). I'm 33 now and I swore I wouldn't enter my 30s over 200. Oops. Birthday is in August and I WILL achieve my goal or being overweight...lol, NOT obese anymore (that's about 178 for me). I have a gorgeous beach vacation waiting for me this year and I plan to put the self hatred to rest permanently.

My WHYs:

- to love myself so I can show my 4 girls that its ok for them to love themselves too
- I want to stop obsessing about my weight...it literally dictates my life. I avoid social functions like crazy...I missed an old boyfriend's funeral because of my weight. How selfish of me.
- I want more tattoos
- I want to feel strong again. I was voted most likely to become a gladiator and 'most muscular legs' in high school lol
- I want to set a good example for my kids. Not about weight, but that exercise needs to be normal, whether its on purpose or doing something you love
- I want to wear regular clothes. I kid you not, I have ONE pair of sweatpants and 2 shirts. That's it. They get washed a lot.
- I'd love to feel not-at-all self conscious in the bedroom
- I'd like to wear a somewhat regular bathing suit. I hate regular bathing suits. I also hate the baggy swim shirt and men's swim shorts I wear now. I want some cute WOMEN's swim shorts (Roxy) and either a fitted rashguard or even a tankini top.
....there are so many more reasons.

gummibear64

bump for later

MikePXstream

You have some great reason's why. Thank you for truly thinking about it and sharing with us. I have all the confidence in the world that you will achieve your goals!

I need to post this for myself. There are so many reasons. I used to take pride in not knowing or caring what my weight was in high school. I was active, healthy, and a tomboy who didn't want anything to do with those weight obsessed teenage girls. While I was babysitting one night at age 17, I stepped on their scale. It read 175 (I'm 5'4.75"). I'm not really sure why I thought that was a perfectly acceptable weight but I was fine with it. I'd been told my whole life that I was big boned so that must be it. It wasn't until I got pregnant with my 1st (age 21/22) and weighed in at the doctor at 193. Eek...that was too close to 200 but what could I do. I was pregnant and miserable. I didn't gain much weight, ending the pregnancy at 212. That baby threw my life into loops I feel like I'm still recovering from (she's 11 and I've had 3 more since, ages 8, 6, and 2 - I'm done now lol). I'm 33 now and I swore I wouldn't enter my 30s over 200. Oops. Birthday is in August and I WILL achieve my goal or being overweight...lol, NOT obese anymore (that's about 178 for me). I have a gorgeous beach vacation waiting for me this year and I plan to put the self hatred to rest permanently.

My WHYs:

- to love myself so I can show my 4 girls that its ok for them to love themselves too
- I want to stop obsessing about my weight...it literally dictates my life. I avoid social functions like crazy...I missed an old boyfriend's funeral because of my weight. How selfish of me.
- I want more tattoos
- I want to feel strong again. I was voted most likely to become a gladiator and 'most muscular legs' in high school lol
- I want to set a good example for my kids. Not about weight, but that exercise needs to be normal, whether its on purpose or doing something you love
- I want to wear regular clothes. I kid you not, I have ONE pair of sweatpants and 2 shirts. That's it. They get washed a lot.
- I'd love to feel not-at-all self conscious in the bedroom
- I'd like to wear a somewhat regular bathing suit. I hate regular bathing suits. I also hate the baggy swim shirt and men's swim shorts I wear now. I want some cute WOMEN's swim shorts (Roxy) and either a fitted rashguard or even a tankini top.
....there are so many more reasons.

YAYJules

My reasons have already been taken by other members, but I wanted to chime in and say it's so important to be reminded of these things, particularly because weight loss can be a long, arduous journey if you forget why you began.

verptwerp

heading to bed, bumping for tomorrow ...... great question, btw :drinker:

AnnBassham

I had some heart issues when I was 28 years old and had three small children. I started eating healthy. My husband and brother teased me about eating stuff that taste like cardboard and spending time exercising when I could just take medications. I buried my husband last year and one of my brothers who was only 2 years older than me. I am helping my other brother he has had several bypass and stent surgeries. He is getting his diet under control. He no longer takes insulin but there is no more they can do for his heart.
My why is to show our children and grandchildren that you have to live for tomorrow or you will not have a tomorrow.

pleasurelittletreasure

My brother died. I let myself get unhealthy for years because he was unhealthy and I didn't want to move on without him. He died and I had to remember how to be me. It's coming up on a year now of him being gone and I am coming to terms with it. And I'm ready to move forward. It's been baby steps since July but now I am ready to truly take my life in a positive direction. I don't think he'd want me to just stay stagnant. It didn't do him a bit of good. So I'll do it for both of us. I'll do what he couldn't.

JG762

My reason is probably boring to everybody else, I know what it is and I guess that’s all that really matters.
I just know that I have to make it, I’ll either make it or I’ll die trying, I guess that’s what’s important to me, knowing that no matter what I've done everything I can and didn't quit.

Lifeisgood4

Bump

Petuniaisme

Why is the key. I discovered that when I quit smoking - for the final time :-)
Earlier attempts lacked the resolve of Why, and were fraught with Should.
The result was feeling deprived, resentful, and overwhelmed. And resuming the habit.
I had dreams that I still smoked; I would wake up feeling defeated and horrified.
The cravings always got the better of me, eventually.

The last and final time was motivated by Why. I knew why I wanted to quit.
I knew why I could resist the urges to smoke.
I knew why I would never smoke again.

It's been 8 yrs now since I smoked my last cigarette.
8 yrs and no cravings.
8 yrs and no regrets.
8 yrs and its just as easy today to be a non-smoker as it was the moment I discovered my why.

My goal now is to apply the Why factor to weight loss and maintaining a healthy balance of nutrition and activity :-)

dakotababy

My Why

- To avoid my pre-dispositioned chance of getting Diabetes
- Not get winded by going up a flight of stairs
- Stop my ankles from cracking while walking
- Constantly sleeping!
- Only going to get bigger and bigger
- To experience life as a thin, healthy female
- To buy whatever the f--- I want when I walk in a clothing store
- To love the camera instead of running and hiding from it
- To feel confident and comfortable with affection and being touched
- To look in the mirror and feel amazing

missdalena

Because I want to be me again.

Because I don't want to admit defeat.

Because I am smoking hot under this 30-35 pounds.

I want to like pictures of me again.

MikePXstream

I am so sorry for your loss. You are setting a good example for your children and grandchildren. Prayers to you for comfort.:flowerforyou:

I had some heart issues when I was 28 years old and had three small children. I started eating healthy. My husband and brother teased me about eating stuff that taste like cardboard and spending time exercising when I could just take medications. I buried my husband last year and one of my brothers who was only 2 years older than me. I am helping my other brother he has had several bypass and stent surgeries. He is getting his diet under control. He no longer takes insulin but there is no more they can do for his heart.
My why is to show our children and grandchildren that you have to live for tomorrow or you will not have a tomorrow.

HikariAlta

Why? Because I was just diagnosed with T2 diabetes. I have PCOS, and weight is a struggle for me.

It is a challenge I accept.

My goals:
- Consistent, truly normal blood sugar, not "good enough" for a diabetic levels
- an A1C of 5.0
- weight loss in the neighborhood of 20 lbs.
- increased strength and endurance

IzzyRoseDixon

I want to set a good example for my daughter.
I want to be able to play with her for more than 10 minutes without feeling exhausted.
I want to be able to own and ride horses again - no point me working my butt off to get through uni so I could get a job that would support a horse if I'm then too fat to look after one.
I want to be able to get a Berta bridal wedding dress when my fiancé and I have saved enough to get married.
I want to proud of my body again.
I don't want to end up like my dad - morbidly obese with numerous health problems.

Yoshirio

What a great thread-bumping for later.

KMclymont

This topic drew my attention my why is to be a healthy nurse and to be around to see my kids become successful adults.WOW this really made my foggy mind more clearer, I was just playing around not tracking really, changing my calories from time to time and starting over every single day. I felt so defeated and this morning reading this I found the answer, I had no clear and precise WHY.Thinking about the question and finding what's most important to me just gave me that ah ah moment I heard people talking about. This I know will renew my zest to get fit and healthy. Thank you.

StarPlatinumORA

I was writing a really long post but the basic reason is because I HAVE TO lose weight, for pressing health reasons. Then it became a turning point in my life. I realised I genuinely want this, so I'm actually happy and positive about it, despite the horrible reason for it!

oh, and I might have been beaten but...

tarcotti

I started a year ago because of vanity. I just wanted to look better. It wasn't enough and I quit after loosing almost 30 lbs. I think the reason I quit was because of depression. I'm starting up again and the reason now is because I want to be healthier for when my husband and I get pregnant. I think my "why" is a much better reason now

iamom507

[/quote] To fit in an airplane seat without worrying if I'm crowding the person next to me. Well....that might be too much to ask considering the size of those seats. Haha! [/quote]

This!

I want my husband to look at me like he did when we were dating
I want to buy clothes that do not have an X in them
I want to visit my family without the talk about my weight/health
I want to live a long time to see my children raise their families

Sweetie_darling

I think I am my why. Because I deserve it. I deserve the time, effort, focus, care and appreciation. I'm going to take this time for myself, unashamedly and unapologetically. I can't use other people as an excuse to give up if I have decided I am the priority.

It's not even so much about the weight loss anymore, I want everything that comes along with it- confidence, sense of accomplishment, strength, peace. I don't want to crave external validation anymore, I want to know I'm enough all on my own.

Xx

MikePXstream

KMclymont - You are very welcome. Sometimes just a little outside influence is all it takes to get the gears spinning again. I am glad you have clarity now. use that to fuel your motivation and strive to do your best to achieve your goals. Feel free to reach out to me any time.

This topic drew my attention my why is to be a healthy nurse and to be around to see my kids become successful adults.WOW this really made my foggy mind more clearer, I was just playing around not tracking really, changing my calories from time to time and starting over every single day. I felt so defeated and this morning reading this I found the answer, I had no clear and precise WHY.Thinking about the question and finding what's most important to me just gave me that ah ah moment I heard people talking about. This I know will renew my zest to get fit and healthy. Thank you.

hidbee

BECAUSE I AM AWESOME AND I DESERVE IT!

and my legit life goal is to be 100. 30 down, 70 to go!

happieharpie

My initial reason was JUST health. After losing 40 or so pounds, I will not lie, my vanity did definitely kick in.

At my present 80+ weight loss! I feel better than I have in 30 years, or even possibly ever. That is what keeps me

Keep in' on. Eat grain? Eat dairy? Eat salt? Eat sugar? FEEL LOUSY!! I'm not stupid- now that I know the equation, I

Just don't do things that make me feel rotten.

mdt07

I've had a number of reasons why and for some reason they didn't keep me moving towards my ultimate goal. This time I have a few things have occurred at the same time and I have looked deep inside and asked "Do you really want to be this size in a year?" But I realized that I have asked myself that questions many times before and the answer was "no" but yet I was that size or larger in a year. So this time around...I'm about 30 days in I ask myself "do you want to be this size tomorrow?" the response is "NO" and I then act accordingly (continue with my meal plan, take the extra steps to be active) to achieve the goal of changing for tomorrow. My List of Whys:

-I was appalled that my doctor recommended me for weight loss surgery
-I don't want my child to be embarrassed because she has the fat mom
-I want to continue to say I don't have high blood pressure, diabetes or any of the other markers that a number of overweight people deal with
-I want to forget the saying muffin top

LaurenFoss10

What is my why? I hate the way I look in and out of clothes and after months of self loathing I decide to start doing something about it. I was always skinny, pre kids. I am short so carry weight much differently. After my first daughter in 2006 I have started battle self image issues. I now am at nearly 150 pounds, and become depressed when I need to get dress because nothing looks good to me. My why moment was this weekend. I want to get back to normal weight some where between 115-120 so I can wear jeans, feel confident again and prepare for a tummy tuck. Any and all support is welcomed