what made you realise you needed to change?

glendeb

My friends brother in law was diagnosed with two types of cancer in January. My friend and I started swimming and she got on the weight loss train straight away, but it took me another month before I was game enough to weigh myself. When I did I was shocked. But it still took me 10 days to actually bite the bullet and start my journey.

It was a really hard step to take, but I am so glad I've done it!

Terri73

When 2 yrs ago i couldnt get on a rollercoaster with my kids as my legs and belly were too big.
Went back this year and got on that rollercoaster with room to spare

R_is_for_Rachel

I'd been saying that I need to lose weight for a while, but kept putting it off. Then I had a really nasty IBS attack, which made me lose a days work and was really painful. That was the wake up call to stop stuffing my face especially with fatty foods which I know irritate my stomach (that attack was caused by too much brie!)

Ryantube

I had to try on some clothes for a play I was in, and nothing in their prop closet would fit. Not even their largest clothes. It was such an embarrassing time...

tiff2275

When my 4 year old nephew told me that I had a fat belly. I laughed it off at the time but it really hit a nerve with me.

Not fitting in the seats of roller coasters. I love to ride them but am afraid I wouldn't fit.

I saw the price of plus sized clothes.

Ladywindchaser

Gosh there are so many reason for me but the main one is the amount of drugs I am on all due to weight. And the side affects those drugs have on me. I take a total of 11 pills per day that is 77 pills per week for a total of 4,004 pills per year!!! When I realized how many pills I take a year for being over weight it really shocked me. I know I need the drugs right now but even drugs can kill you. The drugs I take make me tried all the time and the list of other side affects are horrible. It is my goal to get off ALL the drugs and just be healthy!!! All the drugs are for high blood pressure (stage 3), diabetes, leg pain, acid reflux, high cholesterol. But the main thing that has really got to me. I was told that I am going blind in my left eye due to Diabetes. You see the blood vessels in the back of my eye are failing (leaking blood) 3 of them. The ones that are leaking are right on top of my retina. So lazser surgery is out of the question. I have had so many shots in my eye I care not to count them and countless drugs for this also. The only hope for saving my eye sight is to get rid of the fat. With diabetes you KNOW what is happening to your body it is not a matter of if but when the damage is done and you can not turn back the clock. So I had to ask myself whats next having a heart attack or is it going to be having my feet cut off?

Another reason is I love to ride Motorcycles and needless to say I can not do that without my eyes. I joined a Lady Riding Group all Ladys in their 50 and most are professional women. However, we rode out to lunch one day an I was the smallest one in the group. My gosh as I sat there eating my Rueban Sandwich, french fries, drinking sweet tea and taking PILLS. It was an eye opener that I was on my way to looking like the other wonderful Ladies and I did not want that. Not because of their appearance but rather because I thought if I got as big as a couple of them I would be dead. It was a real eye opener when in a group of obese Ladies all whom you like and admire for many reasons and you are the smallest. If that seems horrible for me say I certainly do not mean anything bad or ugly just being honest with myself about the health affects of being over weight.