Brutal Honesty - What was the final straw?

cybercelt

Eating what I wanted and thinking "There's nothing I want to eat because nothing is special" (I can think of THOUSANDS of things I'd like now....don't get me started!):laugh:
Good Luck all!

TriedEverything

I've been on & off diets for years, but I really hope (& believe) this time will be different. There were various triggers over the past year:

One of these was the nightmare of trying to find an outfit for a family wedding. Thought I'd found quite a nice one in the end, but then I hated myself in the photos And talking of photos - it's been at least 2 years since there was a photo of myself that I actually liked (or even HALF liked) - so that was another factor.

Then there was Christmas - we did a lot of socialising, and I was sooo aware that I was usually the fattest person in the room, and I felt as though I was bursting out of all my clothes. I've never been so miserable & embarrassed!

Then there were health considerations too - both my parents have had health scares over the past decade (OK, they're a lot older than me, but they are both a healthy weight - so it wasn't looking too good for me at my weight!).

On top of all this, general discomfort, lack of energy, etc etc - by January, I'd decided enough was enough, and I needed to start taking it seriously (I'd already been on MFP since July, but had only been dieting half heartedly).

It's been really interesting to read everyone's posts about what motivated them - wishing success to you all! :flowerforyou:

techigirl78

I guess I ignored lots of things over the past 6-7 years going from 130 to 240. I brushed off going over 200 and no longer being able to shop in misses/juniors dept, I would not look at pictures of myself, I didn't admit to the effect it had on my self esteem, career, or family. What hit me is when I went to the doctor for my annual exam and I had a BMI of 39.9. I was nearly morbidly obese. At that visit, I was also a smoker. Luckily, I only had a slightly low good cholesterol value, no other emminent health issues. I discussed with the doctor the plan to get things under control. That was back at the end of June 2011. I am hopeful that when I return for my visit this June I'll be in my normal weight range and manage to quit smoking (still smoking as of now, but switching to e-cigs and plan to quit soon).

millie916

About July of last year I had to buy new pants for work and I had gone from a misses to a womens. So I stepped on my scale a month or so before my birthday and a trip to Hawaii mind you, which I hadn't done in over a year and saw that I had gained 20lbs... I heard my scale say "Hi Fattie McFatterson! How would you like your fat today? " :mad: :noway: It shocked me into really looking at what I was eating, how much I was eating. I had gone back to fast food for lunch and dinner on school nights. BAD! Netflix kept my attention and I just shovled more food into my mouth. in about a month in a half i lost 14 by just watching what I was eating. Atfer going on vacation I fell off the wagon and didn't log or work out and gained 4lbs back.

About 2 weeks ago, after knowing I needed to make this change for me I stepped on the scale and saw the gain of 4lbs. I logged back in and started tracking and lost 3 of those four. Back on track with a prize for myself on my next birthday when I reach my goal of under 200... SKYDIVING! :happy:

FitnessBarbie99

Turning 50 was a big event for me as well.

When I turned 40 I was sensational! I was fit, pretty, busy and on top of my game.

Then I retired from Martial Arts, moved to a remote neighborhood ( I mean remote!) and quit smoking.

I ballooned up to how much I weighed before I gave birth to my daughter! Yuck! I kept telling myself if I just kept walking and did a little more of this or that, I'd get thinner. But I didn't. more than 10 years went by.
Along the way, both my older sister and younger brother were diagnosed with diabetes, which both of my parents have. My blood pressure wasn't exactly great either ...

I refuse to become a diabetic!

I know I would just hate it.

I kept walking, ate a decent diet, but the weight wouldn't budge and after each vacation or holiday season, another couple of pounds came onboard. Since there were no M.A. classes, I started watching televsion every night like DH.... boring!

I read every article I could find on how to avoid diabetes and I did and do follow every guideline. The last thing on the list is lose weight, so it's time to lose weight!

I am going to be 52 in May and all I keep hearing from women in their 50s is that it gets even harder to drop pounds. That's my biggest motivation. I need to lose some weight before the next metabolic downshift happens.

So I'm working hard to build up some muscle mass so my resting metabolic rate is high. I want to get fit and lose weight for certain, but my primary goal is to get stronger. Not an easy task, but I've been going to the gym 3 days a week for 10 weeks. My hope is that by summer, I'll be in decent shape!!!

I joined MFP at the same time I joined the gym because my SIL wanted some company while she loses weight for a cruise in August. Sadly, I'm not going on the cruise.... might be even more motivated if I were.

VictorianJade

- Turning 30
- Possible trip to Mexico next year
- "Metabolic Syndrome"
- Seeing my mom at 56 struggling with her weight, post-breast-cancer.
- Estrogen Dominance

I'm on the track to possibly having heart disease (family history), diabetes (family history), and female cancers (family history)

lpatterson327

ive been big since about 12 years old, i always told myself i will never be 140 pounds then 150 pounds and continuing on. only i never did anything to really stop myself from being big. i graduated high school at 175. cw is 202

ive had alot of personal trauma that made me want to hide and not be noticed, but ive grown into the person i am now after alot of self reflection and realized that i didn't want to just exist, i want to live my life the way it should be lived. my son doesn't deserve a mom who cant go outside and play because she doesn't have the energy to keep her feet moving.

the very last straw was going shopping for work pants and pulling them up only to have them not fit and look at the horrible folds of fat hanging, i dont have a full length mirror at home so i never really saw it, and lots of little things have influenced me but i must admit finding mfp has been one of the greatest gifts i have received

Tara4boys

I stopped at page 7 - gotta get off computer but want to come back and read later. Also I'll share.

I've always been at upper end of my BMI... I had 4 kids in 5 years and did well to lose weight in between. After my 4th child, I got into running and lost down to my goal weight and felt AMAZING. I felt like I could do anything. Then I got injured and can't run any more.

Well, I just went into mourning. And gained all the weight and then some back.

I finally realized that yes I miss my size 6 jeans but most of all I miss that confidence. I miss wanting to be around people and wanting to have my picture in photo album.

Also recently... we got the Kinect for XBox for Christmas. Seeing my silhouette was humbling. Were my hips really that big???

gems4me

For me it's this stupid battle with being a breast cancer survivor, now I'm on Tamoxifen and it's put a good 20 pounds on me in the past year. uuugghhh.... I know being at a normal weight will better my chances of never seeing cancer again, so here I am trying everyday to move more. But I love food so it's gonna be a big challenge to say the least. I am only 5'4 and yesterday I was 196 friggin' pounds. Crap....

pokergal76

Gee there isn't a final straw, I have an entire straw bale!

Having to use a seat belt extender, using the elevator at work because my knees are so worn out, grandchildren that I can't be active with, my hips are starting to bother me, high blood pressure, the roll of fat around my middle at my daughter's wedding, not being able to finish housework because of my back and knees, being the only overweight person in my family, feeling less than a person, losing my overweight father to a heart-attack at 69, wondering if I will be around to see my grandaughters grow up....

shellyrsmith22

I was at home in December 2011. It was only 4 months after my wedding and I had some how gained 20 lbs from work related stress and over eating. One day my father in law casual said to me, "Hey Shell, You big girl, how you doing?" and also during the week home on a couple occasions he asked me if I got enough to eat. To be honest, I think he might have thought and hoped I was possibly pregnant, and I know he didn't say it out of spite, but it was just the final straw.

Chanels_mom

Seeing myself heading towards 400 lbs! Wanting to be happier. Tired of how life treated me for my weight. People definitely discriminate against heavy people. I'm not as heavy as I was but I still get mistreated and judged. Looking at photos of myself, almost to the end of the in-store plus size range. Couldn't see myself being a 5x or 6x or not being able to shop anywhere for clothes. Would have been bad, really bad. After size 32, the clothes seem to get frumpier and frumpier. You have to buy sweaters with cats on them, twinsets, solid colors, no style at all! Catherine's is the WORST clothing store. They turn plus size women into grandmas, and they are TOO expensive.

I totally relate to this post. There are so many on here that I agree with but I must say that this stuck out and hit home the most. I personally want to become a better person. I have always been the quiet voice because of low self esteem due to my physical appearance. Over the years I've added more and more fat to my body because of depression about my weight. This year I want to finally live to my full potential and be HAPPY.

moonlightturk

Not being referred to as cute but fat girl.. "Oh your face is pretty" instead "damn you're sexy!"

haddawaygirl

My friend was diagnosed with cancer and her life is going to end far too soon. I stopped and realized that I didn't want to spend the rest of my life hiding. My weight has kept me from enjoying my self and my family. A year and half ago, I was so embarrassed about my weight that I walked around on a torn Achilles tendon for a month because I was afraid the doctor would judge me. How whacked is that!
My life starts now!

Hersery

I look at myself and see that my stomach sticks out I can't fit into my clothes and I cant afford to buy more what do I do loose the weight. Need motivation I don't like excrise, and I do love myself just need to fit in my clothes so frustrating. So here I am trying this for a little motivation the rest is uo to me.

TracyP111

For me, it was trying to get on one of my favorite rides. The dang thing didn't even want to click, I got off the ride with everyone staring at me, and cried.

It helped me realize how big I was.

I've been here too. But what finally did it for me was finding out I had gestational diabetes with my second child. After he was born my blood sugar did not go back to normal. I'm pre-diabetic. I realized I could end up like my mom at 500 pounds, type 2 diabetes, high bp, can't even walk across the room without losing her breath....and that wasn't going to happen to me. I'm much more motivated than I've been in a long time. MFP has been a lifesaver--literally!

Superbritt2drescu

I think for me, it was when my new fat jeans had become fit, then snug. I looked over and my husband and said lets do it. And now we are doing it. We each work out around 4-5 times a week and cut out coke, and other junk food.

JanieJack

I work out almost every day, as you'll soon see here, and run races and am very active... so...

I never realized that I developed a belly til I saw pictures of myself at my friends going away party. Even when I was bigger I'd always had a nice hourglass figure...but NOW there was this spare tire roll poking out around my jeans. Whaaaaaat?

JanieJack

My last post was about what recently motivated me to step up my game and join this site...

What originally got me into working out and being healthier years ago (as vain as this sounds) is that I lost a substantial amount of weight one time, for my job, and was amazed at how much better my (then) husband and other people treated me.

Now I am motivated by how many of my friends are having health issues and getting on medication. I don't want that. I want to enjoy my retirement.

ShrinkRapt451

It's been building for years (weight creep up to 265, gestational diabetes, not wanting to play with my kids because I tired too easily, etc), but the thing that really did it was having to re-enroll for health care. New plan penalizes you for obesity (higher premiums). It didn't make me mad. It got my butt in gear. Hubby jumped on the train, too. And I hope that my 6 year old, who is overweight, will slim down as well as she gets taller.

barbiebarkley

for me it was things kije not being able to tie my shoes or cut my toe nails and i went to six flags and could not ride the rides,and i was sick of being out of breath!!!

squidgely

mine was realising that I couldnt get away with wearing my maternity cothes forever! I had to either lose the weight or accept the fact that I was now a bigger girl and buy new clothes to fit. I didnt have loads to lose (about 2 stone) but it was pretty clear 6 onths after having my baby that the fat wasnt going anywhere unless I did some diet and exercise.
x

MissGatekeeper

A combination of things.. A 12 hour busride where my knee was in horrible pain the whole trip just because I'd walked too much before! The realization that my children quite possibly would be bullied over having a fat mother. My oldest son getting an diagnose within the Autism Spectrum, forcing me to realize I might at some point have a very strong teenager with the mind of a two year old boy, and that he might actually end up hurting me during his meltdowns if I'm not in shape and stronger. And also, realizing how low my energy level was, and how badly that fit with the level of stress I get within a day!

yuckidah

Barely wanting to leave the house.
Catching sight of my reflection.
Never allowing anyone to include me in a photo - if I die my children will have next to no pictures of me.
Finding it impossible to feel like I look ok, and never having anything to wear.
Turning down invitations to things I'd enjoy, just because I don't want to have to get dressed up.
Hating myself and turning in to someone I'm not - a reclusive, anti-social, loser.
Zero confidence. Zilch. Nada. Nought.

I could go on & on. They're no different to all the other times I've dieted of course, but this time I hope to nail it - even if it means logging my calories on MFP for the rest of my life, lol.

Inacay

I was tired of being the VICTIM of my weight. I was hungry for SELF-EMPOWERMENT.

I am a successful business woman and college student. I am thinking about becoming a doctor and pursuing my PhD. For my age, I look good.

However, my weight has been a constant issue in my life. I eat healthy and work out, but I couldn't understand why my metabolism was slow, I was constantly hungry, and gaining weight.

For me, it was about the challenge of CONTROL and CLARITY.

I am a true believer in the spirit of leadership. In order to be a powerful leader, I need my life to reflect in my body what I feel and know in my mind and heart.

Aviendha_RJ

Am I the only one here who says... No. Not really anything that stood out to me as being a MUST LOSE WEIGHT moment. Just... started thinking about it one day, & decided to go for it.

Inacay

My last post was about what recently motivated me to step up my game and join this site...

What originally got me into working out and being healthier years ago (as vain as this sounds) is that I lost a substantial amount of weight one time, for my job, and was amazed at how much better my (then) husband and other people treated me.

Now I am motivated by how many of my friends are having health issues and getting on medication. I don't want that. I want to enjoy my retirement.

I know, it's amazing how weight loss can bring that energy into our lives. For me, the FOCUS and work it takes to eat right, work out, and live right draws people that are doing the same. Aside from weight loss, the GREATER benefit is that you and I are becoming the BEST version of ourselves, we are spending time and energy with people that get that and support it. At the same time, the people that don't "get it", slowly lose the power of influence upon our lives. That value is worth EVERY SACRIFICE!

peacestar84

I had been unhappy with my weight creeping higher and higher, but the real thing that got me going was a visit to my doctor. I had a gastrointestinal disorder for the past four years and it had been under control with medication. I went to the doctor because I was uncomfortable and felt swollen. Since that was a symptom of my disorder I figured the medication dosage needed changing.

I was lying in a paper gown with the doctor feeling my stomach and he says "you're not swollen, this is all fat, pushing in and up on your internal organs."
I was horrified at the thought that my fat was damaging my insides and pushing towards my heart. I was not going to be 26 and having a heart attack brought on by my own indulgence. That morning when I left the doctors office I starting making life changes that day. I admittedly have had set backs and gained and loss, but ultimately the first 25 lbs down I felt so much better and not swollen and uncomfortable.

Excellent thread by the way.

Mdin1029

For me it was the combination of having my tight jeans, and realizing that my favorite store didn't go any higher in size. I also hated how tight my jeans were getting, especially sitting in the car and driving. I didn't really like how they bit into my stomach haha.

Same here!

Mdin1029

Well, first it began with "my Hollister jeans don't fit." Those jeans were my absolute favorite; they did wonders for my butt. (sorry if it's too much information) And knowing that they used to be sorta loose on me, I knew I was gaining weight. I threw them aside, wore my other jeans, and continued eating my usual fast food. Then my work pants which I had to wear a belt to keep up started getting TIGHT. Yet, I still kept eating and wearing these tight work pants. Recently, I've been through a lot of emotional distress, which involved losing some really good friends of mine. I decided that I could work off of my emotions and gain the confidence and self esteem that I have lost lately because of recent events. Otherwise, my emotions are going to cause me to keep "emotionally eating" and get to an extremely high weight where nothing of mine will fit anymore.

Very similar for me!