How, why, when did you start? I.e. your beginning story

wseakell

So here I am, at the beginning of my weight loss journey, and I look at all of my new MFP friends and all of the people posting to the message boards and I think "wow, these people are amazing!" Seeing losses of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, up to 150 lbs and more just blows me away. And I can honestly say I'm excited to see my ticker in the double digits one day. :-) I wanted to ask those of you that have had such success here - where did you begin? What was the initial motivator to lose weight and how did you stick to your plan during the hard times? Did you hit the gym hard at first and cut your calories drastically right away, or was it a gradual transition?

This is the ten-millionth time I've started a weigh loss plan, but it does feel a little different for some reason. I think it's because I'm finally happy in my job and happy in my general life. The one thing that brings me down is my weight and not fitting into hardly any of my clothes (and I refuse to buy more). But, since I'm happy in all other areas, I can focus on my weight and hopefully be successful!

Now I'm rambling - but I'd love to hear stories of how you all began and why you started. Also, how MFP has helped you. Thank you - you're all fabulous and very motivating!!

SugaryLynx

This is my second and final time. After my 6 week postpartum check up, June 20th 2013, I was 170 lbs. My mother in law had passed away exactly a week before I gave birth. It was heartbreaking. I remembered all the times I'd told her I was going to get into shape. How I wanted to lose weight. I never did. I had no drive. Those were only words. Having time to reflect over the month and a half after, I found old pictures. I started with a picture from high school I clung on to. All those memories. I remembered how I felt fat in high school and not actually being. I yearned to have loved myself then. It shouldn't of made a difference that I was 50 lbs heavier now but it did. At first, I let the emotional part take over. I was consumed by self hate. It took me losing the 50 lbs and pushing through the moments when I wanted to give up. The days I wondered what it all for. That's when I woke up. This wasn't about a number on a scale or the size of my jeans. I fell in love with weightlifting and how it made me feel. The mirror was starting to reflect who I was inside. My fitness level and body shape now surpasses that picture from high school but only because I no longer let the echoes of the past rule me. I will be the best me I can.

Even if it took me twice the time it did to get there. Even if I stumble. One of the greatest quotes I've heard is that successful people don't always succeed but they know that in order to taste success, they have to get back up again. It's not the inherent ability to always win, it's the drive to know you've only lost when you give up. I'm now 116 lbs and working on my first bulk. This is a new me, a new outlook on life. I want my children to be proud and in my heart, I know my mother in law is smiling down on me in some way, I feel I have made her proud. I guess that's my story of where I started

wseakell

Wow – thank you for sharing your story SugaryLynx. I’m sorry about the loss of your mother-in-law and couldn’t comprehend how hard it must have been one week before giving birth.

I can definitely relate to looking back to a time when I thought I was fat (50 lbs lighter) and thinking to myself now, why can’t I just be that person again? It helps to hear stories like yours to remember that I’m not that person any more. In fact, I’m a much better person! (albeit much heavier – but that can change!)

Your story and words are very inspirational. Just what I needed to hear on a Friday right before I get off work – on my way to many temptations. Thanks you again!

mattmccool3

Check out www.matt-mccool.com

I made my first post on here and things started changing for me, this was the first part!