What was your "Gotta Change my Life "moment ?

Drendren

My moment was getting close to hitting the 300 mark on the scale.. I started this journey at 292.. Well went to the doc & found out I actually had hit 299.. I started thinking it might have been higher when I was not at the docs.. That 300 number scared the hell out of me.. So I found MFP by accident by searching weightloss on the net.. I was tired of being short winded & feeling basically like a lump... My new life started on January 9th, 2012 & I am now happy to report 33 pounds down & 34.5 inches off.. I started out just doing a 20 minute workout & now am up to as much as 2-3 hours on a good day.. I help my husband with the yard work & do Leslie Sansone workouts or my Wii or Tae Bo.. Whatever gets my moving & sweating.. I have had some bad days & down moments, but my friends here have helped keep me on track... I am in this for the long term.. I want to lose 100 plus... If it takes me a year or more then thats fine.. I have changed the way I eat & my whole outlook on life is more positive.. MFP really saved & changed my life for the better.. I am forever grateful.. Thanks for sharing your story & good luck...
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No matter how long it takes, you're on the right track. You've got this - you will get there!!

aimee_md

Looking at my debs(prom) photos and thinking how the f**k did I let mself get this big? This is when I realised I needed to change my diet and lifestyle.

builtforlife

Ive had about 500 of those moments.

calvert6183

When I had strangers started being rude to me in public. People def treat heavier people different.

BigBrewski

when i was 340 i didnt feel like i was that big but when i got on a plane i had to get a seat belt exter. started eating salads and went to the gym the next day. few months later after hard work i was down to 300 and kept at it ... now i am downto 240 and on my way to my goals

slpknt84

I bought a pretty maxi dress and when I got it home and tried it on for my bf, he frown and i looked in the mirror and it looked like I was wearing a tablecloth.

BexleyGirl

I looked at myself putting on my make-up and my face looked like a pumpkin.

SandraD89

Mine was when i was told i had hypoglycemia. I now 8 months later no longer struggle to control it and i am 13lbs away from being at my pre pregnancy weight. My daughter is 3 now so it's been 4 years since i have seen that number.

AlicynH

Mine came from knowing that I had to get healthy for my kids. Sadly their father isn't much of one and I knew that he would never be able to raise them if anything happened to me. I had high blood pressure that even with meds was hard to control. After reaching 396 lbs and trying everything to loose weight, I made the decision to have gastric bypass. It literally saved my life. After the surgery the Dr. told me that i had early signs of cirrhosis of the liver because it was so compacted with fat. With the surgery I lost almost 160 lbs but because I didn't make the lifestyle change I needed to, I ended up gaining back 60 of it. When I hit 300 lbs I decided that I needed to turn my life around. I have since lost those 60 lbs plus a few more. I had gall bladder surgery last summer and I had the Dr. look at my liver while he was in there. It has reversed and I now have a healthy liver. I also have my 25 year high school reunion this summer. I weigh less now than I did in high school. I'm actually really excited to go.

Jessyka4

My "gotta change my life" moment was last summer; I'd never known my biological father or his side of the family and my boss at a new job i had at the time in loss prevention was a private investigator. He found my father for free only for me to find out he had passed away in Jan of 2010. I found the rest of his family and when we got together they informed me he had died from complications with type 2 diabetes....at 41 years old. It was a real slap in the face. When I looked at his records i saw that he and I are the same height (5'4) and weight (i was 252). If that isn't a kick in the butt I dont know what is.

StrawberrySuzyQ

My father passed away three years ago this past Thursday and at that point I moved 800+ miles "back home" to live with my mom. I know I suffer from depression and the traumatic circumstances of losing my father and my husband being completely unsupportive and refusing to move, meaning then that we were separating, just totally got me down. I thought I was eating okay but I noticed I was pulling back out some of my bigger clothes and come winter my coats were not fitting the same as they had the winter before.

My nephew played t-ball in the summer and he loved that I would chase him around but I was finding I couldn't keep up with him as well and I really wanted to chase him.

My mom was told April of 2011 that she NEEDED to have bypass heart surgery for two blocked arteries (one was 100% the other was 50%) and I started to realize that my health and weight could set me toward the same track if I wasn't careful.

Then, last year in May or June my sis-in-law (nephew's mom) sent me an invite to join her here on MFP. I himmed and hauled about it and finally "joined" but didn't really do much with it. I have an annual convention that takes place in July and then in August I accompany my mom to PA to visit her family. I was just starting to get good at tracking my food and really seeing what I was eating when I ended up places where there was no Internet or trying to track on my phone was too hard. I was careful about my choices for the two weeks I was gone and when I came home I realized that I had actually lost weight.

For me, THAT was my "AHA" moment. I KNEW this could work. I know I'll never get back to my pre-marriage weight of 110 lbs but that is okay. I will be happy if I can get back down to a healthy 130 and look and feel great. The scale itself hasn't moved since I lost the initial 26 lbs and I have another 24 to get to where I want to be, but since adding the 30 Day Shred I have managed to lose a LOT in the way of inches. I'm only 1/2 way through the program so I'm waiting to take my "after" measurements, but I have realized that I don't want to be as big as I was ever again.

I realize that I've never hit over 180 lbs, but for being 5'5" that is big. I can see it in various pictures taken throughout the years since I got married and I never want to be there again. My husband was 350 the day we married (17 years ago) and 640 the day of his gastric bypass surgery (Nov 2004).

I've been working hard to make the healthy changes in lifestyle and eating and never feel like I'm missing out on anything if I keep it all in moderation. Now to help my mom get off that extra weight and slim down a bit ... she is seeing the need especially since I have lost over 25 lbs and lots of inches. (Doesn't help she is twice my age and not nearly as active, but she is walking during the times she watches TV...and not just the commercials, either ... and we walk two miles together twice a week.

Laura80111

Bumping to do later:bigsmile:

joconnor09

I had a number of moments that really should've been my a-ha moment and weren't, though now i really wish they had been. when i hit 200 lbs after months of telling myself i would never ever ever get that big. when i bought size 16 jeans after i told myself i'd never ever ever do that. when i was eating fast food almost every single day. when i realized, after being a competitive swimmer for 11 years, that i hadn't gotten in the water in a year. there was moment after moment and nothing clicked for me. it wasn't until i started getting really thirsty all the time, to the point where i felt like i couldn't stop drinking water, that i really got scared. i was worried that i was developing diabetes, so i went to my doctor. luckily the tests were negative, and i'm not even pre-diabetic. but i knew then that i never wanted that kind of scare ever again. i was so mad at myself for letting myself get to the point of a serious health scare before making a change. i wasn't even looking for MFP when i found it. it just showed up in an email one day, so i checked it out and signed up. it has turned out to be the best thing that could've happened to me. i've been put on diets my whole life, even as a child and nothing ever lasted or really worked. this works for me. i've lost almost 20 lbs, and while it's been slow going, i know that it's making a real difference. i check in every day, logging my food. i'm still working on forming an exercise habit, but for right now i'm always so proud to log any exercise i do. i almost feel like i didn't really have an a-ha moment the way people talk about. i just sort of started doing it, without truly thinking about the life change i was making. i think that's why it has worked. i don't feel like i've dramatically changed my life. i feel like i've made some small changes, and i'm continuing to make small changes that will eventually add up to some major changes. this didn't happen overnight, and i don't expect to change my life overnight.

kalkat

My "Aha" moment came about a month ago in a crowded elevator at work.

I had lost a bunch of weight last year and have steadily gained it back. I hadn't realized how much I gained back until the nice old lady in the elevator asked me when my baby is due.

I was in shock and I sputtered. I was horrified.

That moment motivates me daily.

marylynn85

When it started getting warm and I tried to put on my favorite skirt and it didnt fit. I had gained 35 pounds since last summer. I had been eating out too much, drinking too much soda and just eating crap food. Cleaned up my eating a lot and have started exercising everyday. I hope to have most of it gone by August.

StrawberrySuzyQ

Alot of reasons as has been posted but the one that has hurt the most was when I was asked if I was pregnant when I married husband... The inference being that it must have been something drastic for him to marry me. I'd love to c that woman now. The best thing tho is that I am doing it for myself now, not hubby (who is supportive) and not people like her and there has been a few. Now they c me and they shocked n I make it clear I don't hav time for them n don't care for their compliments either. I know who my true friends are...they were there b4 this journey and still are cheering me on.

I just wanted to say: Good for you! When I made up my mind to lose weight I had not only my mom but even my best friend ask my why. (Husband and I are split up and have had thoughts of asking him if he would like to give it another try since the divorce he claimed he was going to file two years ago has not materialized into anything....) I didn't really say anything to mom my until just the other day about it, but told my best friend that it was ALL about ME. I'm not doing this for my mom, for my sister, for my brother, for my husband, or to make anyone jealous or envious. I am doing it for ME because it is what *I* need to do for my emotional and physical health.

So you keep on doing what you are doing and let those you didn't have time for you before get caught behind in your cloud of dust. Keep up the good work!!:bigsmile:

Lipstickcherry

Flying Southest and buying 2 seats. I had heard about the Kevin Smith incident (please google his name + Southwest) and thought "what if that happened to me". I could fit inside the seat but I was sooo scared I was too big at this weight, I just flipped out and bought 2 seats, as I really need to see my ailing father. I was able to refund the second one due to the plane not being full up both to and fro however it was an emotional experience. people were quizzing me, being called to the front to pre-board...the person next to me picking up the reserve paper and asking me "What's this for?" I swore right then, I will lose this weight.

I am on two high blood medications right now and I really want to go off them too. Only 4 days on MFP.

missattitude57

When I was diagnosed with PCOS and my doctor said losing weight might help alleviate the symptoms. There is no way I'm going to let my weight get in the way of my future family.

jazzylopez

My was, when I found out that I had hypothyroidism. I'm 5 feet tall & weighed 166lbs :noway:
But, what really did it for me was when my doctor said "most people with your condition will find it extreamly
hard to lose weight"

Jett8888

I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst knee pain of my life. Turns out I have gout brought on by years of terrible eating. I did a lot of research on gout friendly foods and decided to try it. Lost the first 12lbs just from that. I just hit 40lbs lost since February. And my body feels better than ever. Still have a lot to lose but I can do this.

Lwillis1234

When i got pregnant and almost reached 300lbs

Shaunky68

Diabetes.


A year ago I was well under way to destroy my body, and doing a good job at it. I knew something was wrong with me by Thanksgiving when I spent most of my day in bed with no energy, extremely thirsty, other things were going wrong as well.

My daily caloric intake a year ago was about 5,400 calories, and NO exercise to burn them off. Drinking too didn't help, late night food binges, and no more clothes that fit comfortably. I did see a 30 lb. weight loss by December but that wasn't done the right way but as a result of my problems. I was 280 lbs. last summer, now close to 230 lbs.

I'm now on medicine for my sugar and have it under control. I'm almost down to a target weight of 230 and my sugar is great, blood pressure is great, I dropped my cholesterol 100 points since last July, and I'm exercising more and more.

I used to look at myself in a full mirror and be shocked at what I saw because I didn't feel like the person in the mirror but I knew my problems were real and had to do something about them. I also kinda wanted to date girls again and that had passed me by in recent years. Still would be nice.

StrawberrySuzyQ

When I had strangers started being rude to me in public. People def treat heavier people different.

People don't believe it but this does happen! My husband had always been overweight except maybe his senior year in high school. I was always embarrassed for him when we would go out because he had picked up weight steadily from the day we got married. He was 350 when we married and 9 years later he was at his highest at 640 lbs. He had gastric bypass (on the recommendation of his bariatric doctor who knew of nothing else to help him) Nov of 2004. He had gotten back down to 280 within 5 years. I noticed a HUGE difference in attention he was getting. Instead of being the "butt" of the fat guy jokes, people who would have never given him a second glance except to MAKE that joke were now being all friendly and flirty with him. (No longer embarrassed now annoyed and jealous. :brokenheart: )

But, yeah, you are absolutely right, people are downright rude to heavier people, and sometimes I don't think they even realize that they are. :grumble:

BigBrewski

Last year I went to a theme park last year the restraints were so tight... i almost didnt fit


however - it was an older ride - and smaller seats. but I love coasters... it scared me that I would be one of those people that they would have to tell me "your to big to ride"

this was my second motivation moment i was 270 and barely fit on coasters at 6 flags so back to the gym and hard work got me back down to 240

calvert6183

When I had strangers started being rude to me in public. People def treat heavier people different.

People don't believe it but this does happen! My husband had always been overweight except maybe his senior year in high school. I was always embarrassed for him when we would go out because he had picked up weight steadily from the day we got married. He was 350 when we married and 9 years later he was at his highest at 640 lbs. He had gastric bypass (on the recommendation of his bariatric doctor who knew of nothing else to help him) Nov of 2004. He had gotten back down to 280 within 5 years. I noticed a HUGE difference in attention he was getting. Instead of being the "butt" of the fat guy jokes, people who would have never given him a second glance except to MAKE that joke were now being all friendly and flirty with him. (No longer embarrassed now annoyed and jealous. :brokenheart: )

But, yeah, you are absolutely right, people are downright rude to heavier people, and sometimes I don't think they even realize that they are. :grumble:

Oh they realize it. I remember just going out and if a woman looked at me, I would just say "hi". Not hitting on her or even close to her and I swear 6 out of 10 times they would say "ugh, or omg or gross yoour fat". I also had alot of problems with hipsters being rude because in my area, they are judgmental and rude. Maybe it was the area I lived in but its messed up how people think they can say anything they want to people and be mean. I miss the good old days when you could fight back or feed them a fist.

mmurelli

on 4-9-12 i was at my doctors office and as i was walking out the door i thought i would jump on the scale, it's been forever since i weighed myself. i've always been heavy but i was shocked to see 255. my first thought was i'm gonna hit 300 if i don't do something now. i immediately changed my eating patterns, i used to eat no breakfast, a 4 course lunch and no dinner. i starved myself to 255. i started walking after work in the neighborhood. i figured that wouldn't be enough or be reasonable in the winter so within a week i joined a gym. a week later i hired a personal trainer, she's great. i never worked out in my life but now i work out 5 days a week. this is a life style change, i cannot go back to the way i've always been. i have a long way to go, but i am determined. i've averaged a weight loss of 2 lbs a week but recently it's slowed down.

TokenFatGirlNoMore

Two different moments:

Trying on a dress that just 5 months earlier had fit like a dream, and having it be too tight to even zipper. My mom told me, as she tried to zipper it up unsuccessfully, "you must have gained weight then". I. Wanted. To. Die.

Second moment was in Target, trying to find a cute swimsuit. I didn't have high expectations, but the sight in the mirror was more horrifying than I thought it would be. I KNEW something had to give.

Santa14

Getting smoked on a PT test by a younger kid when I was supposed to be the strong one. And seeing how everyone below me was in better shape, just the pure competitions drove me change my ways. Also I am a very nice guy and when i have take some ladies on dates they have fun with my personality, but when I ask to become more serious they just want to be "friends" and I know that putting in more pt might help convince them/ Personality and Health!

chrisss793

I've been big my entire life, both height and weight. Standing in at 6'4, being heavier than normal really wasn't that big of a deal until my last year of highschool when i got my license and first year of college. Forget the freshman 15, i did the freshman 50. I found myself eating out with friends almost every night and i watched myself quickly approach 300 pounds. When i stood on the scale one morning and saw i weighed 301, that was the day i began. It was time to end the way i was living and see what it's like to be skinny- I'm 18 years old and have never not been overweight/obese my entire life- I'm extremely curious to see how i'll look skinny. Its been 18 days and i've lost 15 pounds so far and i feel great. its amazing once you start counting calories how you realize how many you were eating prior. I've cut my calorie intake by more than half.

ylanglavender

Like others, a lot of moments have come, gone, come back and I was still not doing anything. I've had back issues as a result of 3 different car accidents in 4 years, each one taking a toll on my back, and taking longer to heal. However, it was when I was looking in the mirror and I'm just rounder, and feeling fat. Last week, when reading a book that was talking about change, the concept of setting a timer for a set amount of time to do something that I have been putting off really caught my attention. So, I set my timer for 10 minutes to walk in one direction then, when it went off, turn around. I have many reasons to lose weight, but the biggest one is for me, my health, my sense of self, and the fact that soon I'll be 50, I don't want to live life like I have been as of late.

First the 20 minute exercise, and 2nd the food shift is starting. More veggies and fruits, letting go of the evening munching, increasing the water, all of the things I've heard (and told others!!!) for years.

Thanks for the encouraging stories. All the best for continued weight loss/forward movement for us all!