What made you decide to lose weight?

julieh1973

1) Had a customer coming in from out of town to visit at work so I needed to dress nice. Pulled my black dress pants out to iron the night before thank goodness I had the insite to try them on and I could not get them pulled up all the way much less buttoned. So I rush out late at night to purchase black pants and tried on the next size up and they were too tight, ok finally 3 sizes up and have made it into the plus sizes a pair of black pants that fit- but my stomach pooch looks horrible and bloated so back to the plus size section to purchase a long shirt to hide the belly pooch (YUCK!)

2) Go to Dr. about weight and my blood pressure is through the roof.

I am saving those hideous black pants for my after pic. or in case I need to pitch a tent, lol!

Fat_Lenny

My Mum has Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (a mouthful I know!) It's genetically inherited high cholesterol that no amount of exercise or diet change will reduce, and having it increases the risk of heart disease and strokes at a young age, (she's had mini-strokes herself) so now she has to take statins. She was told there was a 50% chance she'd passed it on to her kids (me & sis), so I had a blood test, and fortunately I don't have the condition, but her diagnosis had given me such a scare that I started to re-assess my own lifestyle habits. I realised I wasn't happy with the way I looked in photos, as well as feeling rubbish and tired all the time.

A close friend who recently had a baby was trying to lose the pouch and told me about MFP. I signed up the next day and haven't looked back! I still have off days and don't deny myself treats every now and then, but making good progress, and frequently look on the Success Stories for inspiration, hoping one day I may be able to post photos of my own!

wolfehound22

I was 305 lbs, and got kicked off a roller coaster, because the couldn't put the safty bar down all the way, that was very upsetting. Also lets just say sexy time with the wife was becoming more difficult.

What keep me going, other than sexy time :drinker: , it would have to be my son. He was born 10 months after I started, and wanting to be a good example for him, as well as being able to run around with him, keeps me motivated.

bcattoes

I got fat and I don't want to do it again.

_LilPowerHouse

My brother (38yrs old) and grandfather passed away from diabetes complications..
I was diagnosed with diabetes two weeks before my brother passed.. LIfe changing to say the least..
R.I.P. JR..

MonicaT1972

Results! Once I started seeing results I couldn't stop! I have stalled this week and gone back to old habits but today is a new day and I am going to buy some new clothes to motivate myself back into reality!

Reyreygirl

I was driving in the car with my husband and I caught a glimpse of my self in the side view passenger mirror. All I seen was a big huge face laying on top a chest, no neck. I looked down and seen how huge my stomach was. I thought to myself you cannot do this anymore. That was 75 lbs ago, now my husband says wow babe I remember when you used to sit there and your stomach stuck way out. When I look in the side view mirror I like what I see now and can't stop looking

xlolitabandita

None of my clothes were fitting, I was embarassed by the pictures of me taken at my friends birthday party, and I just in general felt very unattractive. Not to mention, I would get out of breath just walking a block. I felt terrible. I missed playing soccer, and kick boxing, and running like I did when I was younger.

Reyreygirl

Same thing happened to me at Knott's, so embarrassing

jcstanton

It wasn't any one specific thing, but rather an accumulation of thoughts, feelings, and incidents that made me decide to do something about my weight. They are, in no particular order:

1. I was MISERABLE physically, emotionally, and mentally because of my weight.
2. I was beginning to have some serious health issues as a result of my unhealthy lifestyle.
3. I hurt ALL THE TIME...even just sitting on the couch or lying in the bed.
4. I could barely stand to look at myself in the mirror.
5. I was always angry and on the verge of tears...just sad all the time.
6. I couldn't fit on amusement rides anymore, and amusement parks used to be one of my favorite summer time activities.
7. At one time, I was fairly athletic. I wanted to look and feel athletic again.
8. I was tired of sitting on the couch watching other people do fun and exciting things that I couldn't do because of my weight.
9. I wanted to start dating again, but didn't have the confidence to do so at nearly 300lbs.
10. I was tired of being the fattest person in the room at nearly every group function I attended.

DrPepperLeigh74

Felt horrible all the time, had to go on high blood pressure meds and then at my Dr. check up last summer my Dr. told me my blood sugar had been up the last few times I had blood work and I was pre-diabetic and she said I would most likely go into type 2 diabetes as a result if I did not lose weight and change my eating habits and exercise. That woke me up, I lost 11 lbs before finding MFP and 52 since then 63 lbs gone. I cannot wait till I go for my check up in June and see my blood work numbers and show my Dr. that I did it. I still have a ways to go but with my MFP friends behind me I know I got this and you got this too Good Luck on your journey!!!

MelAudrey

My husband and I want to start a family next year. How can I teach my children to be healthy if I'm not healthy. As much as I want to see the number on the scale drop, I think it is more about feeling good. Working out has been a huge blessing, it makes me feel amazing, I'm a happier person, and I truly enjoy it. It's my time to get away from everything. I've learned to make better choices as far as eating goes.... I don't really need that hamburger and fries, a salad won't make me tired right after, I just tell myself that I'll have that next time. I also think about my morning workout, why would I put junk into my body after busting my *kitten* at the gym! I've been healthy for almost two months now, and I am feeling great!!!

belgerian

I was under alot of stress at the time, Marriage Issues, Father died, Bad car accident, son got hurt all 1 week apart I was a fricking wreck. I started running just primarly as something to occupy my mind with with really no goal except as a stress reliever. As I started running more and more I started eating better making better choices. WIthin a few months someone made a comment to me about that I lost some weight I stepped on the scale and I had lost about 50lbs. And did not even really realize it.

Davevl

Type 2 Diabetes. When I asked my Doc what my options were he said "lose weight or blindness with a chance of lost toes or feet." It was a pretty easy decision. I started a whole foods plant based diet 5 weeks ago - I'm down 22 lbs. Blindness?

cari4jc1

Growing up I was never overweight...not skinny, but not fat either. My Mom was severely obese and struggled with her body/self image a lot. When I was 8 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued to battle cancer over the next 10 years as well as many other health issues. She wanted so bad to be healthy and to lose weight, but just physically couldn't do it and also didn't really have the know how in order to do it. She ended up passing away 2 weeks before my high school graduation and 3 weeks before my 18th birthday. I vowed then that I would never EVER let myself get unhealthy and that I wouldn't be like her physically. She is my hero though. She went through soooo much and never gave up hope that one day she would be healthy. I got married 2 years after that in 2003 and have now had 3 kids and become a stay at home Mom. My weight reached it's highest after my last pregnancy and I realized that it's time to kick things into high gear and get serious about that vow that I made to myself. I realized that I'm worth it and I want to be around to see my kids grow up, get married and have kids of their own.

My motivation is to think about all the reasons why I want to be healthy. I think about my Mom and how proud she would be that I'm making this choice and I think about how my body was before I got married and had kids. All of that keeps me motivated and when I have down days and I don't feel like I can get through my exercise I pep talk myself through it and remind myself of all these things and it gives me the burst of energy I need to get through it.

jmapes9

Awesome opportunites is what made me decide. Ever since I've been an adult, I've said to myself "if I were thin, I could land any role I wanted in local community theatre".

Sorry if this sounds like bragging, but I am an excellent singer... and I love to show it off on stage. I've been in a few shows over the years, but I usually don't audition for the leading roles, as my size wouldn't make sense for it. In March, I played a part in a local musical. Although the number I was in (a duet with a friend of mine) stole the show, I couldn't believe my eyes when I watched a video of it.

After watching that video, I told myself I wasn't gonna screw around anymore. I'll be 40 in a year, and I'd like to finally play some of my favorite musical roles before I am too old to play them.

jcstanton

@ jmapes9: Love your ticker photo! One of my all time favorite movies. Everytime I watch it I wanna go for a run after seeing the training scene. LOL

jmapes9

@ jmapes9: Love your ticker photo! One of my all time favorite movies. Everytime I watch it I wanna go for a run after seeing the training scene. LOL

Thanks, jcstanton! I just was watching some Rocky movie montages on YouTube earlier this week! LOL

jodyl70

I got tired of being tired! :frown:

When I weighed more not pregnant then I did pregnant, going up the stairs left me winded, seeing pictures of myself and how hidious I looked.

Taking the accountability for the excuses and realizing that is all they are - excuses.

I feel so strong and healthy now! :happy:

cls_333

I want my next 40 years to be better than my first 40!!!

hduston

For me it was seeing myself in pictures. When I look in the mirror, I don't see it (the weight gain). But a picture is worth a thousand UGGGGHHHHS! I also didn't have the energy/stanima I used to and I want to be able to keep up with my kids (8 and 11) and set an example for them (fitness/eating right is a normal part of every day life - not just when you want to lose weight). I also want to fit into my clothes without having to struggle every morning with "what am I going to wear?!"

rbn_held

All of my clothes were getting tighter and I refused to go up to a bigger size. Plus I hated the way I looked in everything I tried on.

WorkitoutBev

I would like to have a picture taken with my 14 year old daughter, but looking into the mirror I'm huge. So I won't do, she ask me often for us to have a professinal picture taken one of the two of us, but I just can't image that picture the way I'm looking and feeling. So my goal is to work on my mind and body and have that picture taken for Christmas. I want to do that for her. Movitation is so needed, please provide advice and suggestion. I'm opened...

SassyClassyandALittleBadAssy

1) Vanity. I put a pair of shorts on. They fit, but one look at my legs and belly made me cringe...then I thought about the bikinis sitting in my drawer and couldn't imagine taking them out let alone putting them on- even in the privacy of my home!
2) My puppy. She's a a strong lean 8 month old sled dog and my dreams of hiking and running with her this summer were quickly fading, as I no longer had the physical stamina to keep up with her.
3) Confidence. I don't have the confidence I used to have when I was physically fit. It's not easy being in the dating world if you can't love yourself and have confidence in yourself first and I couldn't!

AlicynH

My husband and I had been asked by our foster son's mom if we would be willing to adopt him. We already had a 1 year old and they are only 8 1/2 months apart. I knew that I needed to be around for them and at 396 lbs, I didn't foresee that happening. I chose to have gastric bypass surgery. It's a good thing I did. When the Dr. did the surgery he took a look at my liver and saw that I had early signs of cirrhosis of the liver. It has now reversed and I have a healthy liver. We have since adopted a little girl also giving us three kids. I was still 300 lbs and wanted to be more healthy. I have now lost another 65 lbs and feel better than I have in a long time. I still have another 65 to go.

TheBraveryLover

The first time was just a phase. Seriously. I just felt like it, found MFP in 2009, lost 20 pounds, liked how I looked and stopped. The second time (and last/most recent time) it was a silly reason - to fit into non plus sized, "regular" sized dresses. Funnily enough I've stuck with it from that reason. I can now wear non-plus sized dresses (from a size 20 to 12) but I have different aesthetic goals now so I'm continuing instead of maintaining (original goal was 60 pounds).

Motivation (outside of self determination) comes from these forums and bodybuilding.com forums. No joke. These forums have gotten me through the toughest of times, and I'm forever grateful.

Umeboshi

I came back to MFP wondering how much I was actually eating. I saw it was a lot, then I just wondered if it were POSSIBLE for me to lose weight. So, I did. And it was possible.
Whenever I get discouraged I just remember how far I will be in a year if I keep going, and how much I'd backslide if I quit.

Kaylaj21

I always wanted to be thin and skinny, i never truly wanted to loose weight to be healthy until i lost my mother to a heart attack, and im postive, her eating habits, lack of exersise is what contributed to her death, she is my biggest inspiration and hero, for making me make the changes in my life that i have

saraann4

A ton of things!

1. A lady at my work who is almost 80 years old, who was overweight decided to make a change. She has lost at least 30lbs so far. She goes on walks everyday. She comes in hurting everyday and you can see the pain in her face. If she can do it, then so can I!
2. My huge muffin top
3. Clothes shopping - always having to go up a size
4. The doctor - I don't want her to tell me again that I'm at risk for a heart attack or a stroke
5. Going up stairs...I would be out of breath. If there was an elevator - I'd take it!

That's just a few!

Kaimana94

A picture posted on facebook with my boys. God I was fat