What motivated you to loose weight?

DonniesGirl69

It seems like a silly thing, but........I have a very specific "turning point" story.

Every girl has that first "celebrity crush" when they're a teenager....the one who's pictures you tore out of Teen Beat magazine and hung all over your room?? Well, I was no different and when I was 36 years old, I got the rare opportunity, 20+ years after "falling in love" with him, to meet mine.

I saw pictures of me outside the concert venue with my "dream guy" and his bodyguard and realized.....I was the same size as his bodyguard.
It was devestating to me, because I knew I'd put on weight, but I always told myself "I'm tall and I can carry it ok. I don't look that bad." Well, as it turns out, even at 5'9" tall, 250 pounds and a 41inch waist is not cute.

I made a change the very next day, and I've actually had the opportunity since that day in 2008 to meet my long time crush several more times, only now when I get a hug, his arms can go all the way around my now 28 inch waist and my 160 pound frame.

AmeliaHatton

Coming from a small private school, I was considered the "fat girl" all throughout elementary and middle school. All the kids made fun of me where I came home crying every single day. I was depressed and suicidal at such a young age. I didn't have too many problems throughout high school, seeing that it was a public school with a lot more variety of people, so I lost the depression. A couple people made fun of me, but it was a lot better than being made fun of by the same people for years. I'm tired of being that "fat girl." I want to prove them all wrong! If I ever run into them again, I want them to be shocked. I'm still the same good person from all those years ago, but I will have the body to match.

CopyCat97

My main motivations
- To surprise family on our upcoming Family reunion in August.
- Getting off medications
- Feeling better about myself
- To be active again

Minor Motivations
- Love riding roller coasters and thrill rides but cant ride a lot of them because i cant fit in them.
- Been fluffy all my life and don't want to be anymore

Kipperdog123

I was getting all these aches and pains. I was 210 at 5'4", and my back was hurting me, as well as I couldn't pick up things or tie my shoes without feeling pain in my stomach. Then, when I was walking and trying to do something about it, I was really weak in my muscles and could hardly walk very fast. I went to the doctor, and he said I was prediabetic and that sugar was the culprit and that I should go on an Atkins type diet. Well, I did, and the difference is phenomenal. I have more energy, and when I do eat sugar, it makes me tired. I've lost 14 pounds in 14 days on this diet (with exercise), and I feel great. Someone who wants to go on the Atkins diet should consult their doctor first though. And I had to get special orthopedic shoes- MVP's because I'm obese and my feet were flattening out- so after that, my feet and legs felt really good. Then I could walk a mile lickety split! I am so happy now!

rah_jetta

My Boyfriend and Going public keeps me motivated. Let everyone you know your trying to loose weight. I work at walmart and that way I think everyone is watching me. Im not gonna lie... Its sooooo hard, especially when your trying to do it alone. Its been almost a month since I started the diet and I have only lost 8 pounds but that has made a difference in the way my clothes fit the way Wayne ( the boyfriend) looks at me and tells me he is so proud. I have to MAKE myself get up and walk everyday and i count the calories. Some days are better and I use my ellipitical (which burns more calories in the same amount of time that I walk) 20 min... Im only 5 foot tall and im down to 127 which alot of people doesnt think is alot but number 1: i carry it all in my upper body (stomache, arms and back) 2: i should only weight around 115 according to my doctor for my frame. I hate that it seems to be comming off of everywhere except my tummy but in all honesty it is... I measured inches also. Just not as much as i want.. The more friends you make on here and in life the easier it gets!! God Bless and Good Luck darlin!!

wendye1960

I've not been happy with my weight for years and have yoyoed so many times I've lost count but the main thing that motivated me this time if I'm being totally honest is the possibility of being made redundant and having to look for work in a job market full of younger, fitter people that aren't over 50 like me.

Yes I want to be healthier, though apart from my arthritis and and blood pressure - which only ever goes up when I gain weight I am reasonably healthy but it has to be my appearance that gets to me more then most. I didn't know about MFP until I saw a colleague/friend who now works in another city mention it on his facebook page. His wife is amongst my friends on here now and she told me more about it. I hadn't tried a calorie plan in at least 20 years and had opted for low fat plans but I always found that as soon as I stopped I put some back on because I hadn't really learned portion control properly I am determined that this should be the last time.

graceylou222

I knew I was at the heaviest I had ever been in my life, had 3 different people within a 2 week period tell me congrats on being pregnant.... i was and am not pregnant! joined the gym, got a trainer, and joined MFP. I'm now halfway to my goal weight!!!

deejaycee114

a friend of mine is getting married next week. i initially wanted to lose weight so i could look good in a dress. lol. but, as my journey continues, it's more than just looking cute in a dress. i want to look AND feel good...and i wanna be a good example for my son.

casperuk

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/casperuk/view/3-months-in-6809-calories-to-about-1600-285355

Didnt want to type it out again

yoovie

vanity and adventure

rbn_held

When nothing in my closet fit me. Everything was too snug and I knew I didn't want to go up another size. I already had a whole wardrobe in the back of my closet that I couldn't fit into anymore from when i was a smaller size. Little by little I am starting to be able to wear the smaller clothes in my closet again. It's the best motivation when you try something on that you haven't been able to wear in years and it fits

Irishmoonwitch

The short version, I looked in the mirror and decided I was done being the fat girl with the cute face.

^^ This and my daughter. I want to be able to keep up with her when she gets older.

MissNations

Saw myself cross the screen in the background of a TV interview. That huge troll is me? OUCH. :embarassed:

FreedomReigns

The very last picture in my profile pics is what motivated my *kitten* to get off of the couch and i am so glad i did!

My new motivation to keep going is the fact that my dad just died this year of a massive heart attack a week before he was to turn 60 and my mom has severe osteoporosis, severe arthritis, fibromyalgia and just had her hip replaced last week and she is only in her mid 50's

I am not going to end up like my parents....i refuse!!!!

slw0418

I decided I spent my 20's getting fatter, and I refuse to hit 30 and be this overweight... oh and my most favorite pair of jeans..must...wear...them...again!

juliaamilee

I'm so glad to read all of this. I'm notorious for saying I need to loose weight and then I go and eat whatever I want and do nothing else to help loose the weight. Reading all of these posts make me realize that you are all just like me. I'm at my heaviest weight ever right now 212 and I it feels awful. How do you stay motivated?


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

It's a part of me now, my lifestyle. That is what it is about is change. Making it fit your lifestyle. I kept telling my self over and over on that treadmil, only six weeks to break a habit, six weeks to make it. It worked I did it. Am doing it still. I am unmotivated that I am plateaued but I am not gaining it back, just stuck. Loose inches. Happy about that, I'll take any step closer to my goal even small ones.

Miribg

I saw my sister in law after about 3 years and she was really big, then I found out we weighed the same :brokenheart: Enough to get me going.

labberto

to be able to have a baby....... my doc told me losing weight will help...(after 4 yrs trying unsuccessfully)
my wedding in november... i dont want to look at my pictures and regret doing anything.....
to be able to have the energy to do 'something with my day... right now i feel fatiqued ALL the time

juliaamilee

Saw pictures of myself after a vacation and really didn't think I was that big. So they were a huge freaking shocker. I decided that it was time to get rid of that.. I got to a size 12, then got stuck and haven't moved in months, even put some more weight back on. Back on track now with my goal of a size 7/8, working towards a 50 pound loss.

Months here stuck how did you break it?

jennt_22

I was motivated once I realized my clothes weren't shrinking in the wash - I was actually just getting fatter (dumb I know, but I was SO naive and clueless).
I hated how I looked in all my clothes at the time... they were tight, uncomfortable, just yuck!

Then I took a 'before' photo - and was like OMG that's REALLY how I look!!??!!
I thought I looked better then I really did.... seeing myself for how I truly looked was the biggest wake up call. I still look back on those pictures today and cannot believe I let myself get that bad.

I was also motivated because my BF worked out a lot and to be honest - I want my man looking good (doesn't need to have a 6 pack but I want to be physically attracted to them). I felt like I was a huge hypocrite and that my BF deserved better and I wanted to look hot for him too (still working on this lol).

Lastly, throughout this journey Jillian Michales has motivated me through her DVD's, books, podcasts, emails, etc. Love her!

Today my main motivation is just the want to be healthy and fit and also to look good in a bikini and nakey

treetpflyer

1. I was tired of being self concious while hanging out on the lake with friends.
2. I was sick of feeling like crap all the time.
3. I was tired of my pants cutting into my waist line.
4. The doctor threatened to put me on blood pressure meds. That was the big motivator for me!

shannypoo21

My breaking point came when I was leaving for work one morning and drop something on the floor. I bent over to pick it up and my pants totally split in half. I was over it! I was so much in denial then, I honestly didn't think I was THAT big but look at some past pictures, I was definitely fooling myself.

ondiem

I couldn't wear my Wedding Ring for 3 days...I was so depressed...10+ years ago (22-23 yrs old at the time) I had done WW and some exersice classes and worked very HARD to be a very comfortable 146 lbs...all I could think was...I had managed to gain 65 lbs over the course on 10 years...my 2nd child was almost 1 year old and I was able to wear my ring through BOTH pregancies...I looked at the number on the scale saw 211 and stressed out...causing me to eat and gain edanother 8 lbs...NOW ITS 73 LBS!!! It is now July 2011...I waited a few months (until my daughter was done breastfeeding) and joined an excersice class (Oct 2011)...a few months later decided to start eating better (Jan 2012) joined and won a biggest loser competiton at work (Mar 2012)...took a month off and joined a 2nd biggest loser competition at work (luckily I had only gained 4 lbs during my month hiatus) but have not been able to get back into it and sadly ended the compieition with a 2 lb gain ...now I reading posts to try and find my motivation...

TankLizzard

I started back because of how my health was affected by the weight gain. After being hurt in Iraq I gained about 70lbs. The VA told me that if I didn't do anything about it I would be put on medication for blood pressure and cholesterol. So I lost a little weight here and there, but never really got serious about it. I got down to 223lbs and married my beautiful wife Kris. When we got the photos back I couldn't believe how bad things had gotten for me. Here I was, an over weight chunky butt standing next to a beautiful women. I needed to change. I know she didn't marry me for being a fitness buff, but I felt it unfair for her to see me slowly kill myself with weight problems. So a friend told me about MFP about 2 weeks ago and now I am down to 207lbs and still headed toward my old Army weight of 180lbs. MFP has helped me really think about what I am putting into my body and exercising right. When I put in what I eat as I go through the day and then exercise in the afternoon I really like to see the

Calories - Exercise=Greatness factor.

I'm really proud of myself and all the others who are taking back control of their lives or finally taking control. Go everyone!!!!

newgrace

Looking in the mirror. I had been at a stable weight of 140lb for the past few years and after living on my own last summer, gained another 10lbs. I felt and looked horrible. I've been trying to lose the weight ever since. Also looking at my family keeps me going. My sisters and cousins are all athletic and thin. I'm like the black sheep, all chubby and round.

Something just clicked this time around and to make things better, my best friend who now lives across the country is trying to lose weight too.

Leslie85

Long story short...I ripped the leg out of a pair of my jeans....blah.

wasveganvictoria88

I love wearing dresses and playsuits. I saw this vile picture of me at a club I always go to and I remember thinking to myself that night before going out 'think will do, its comfy' but I looked atrocious. And I know I don't have as much weight to loose as some people but my lifestyle was getting really unhealthy!

time2shine29

I tipped the scale 41 lbs. more than I am now and was really disgusted. A combination of medicine for health related concerns aided in my nearly 70 lb. weight gain. I felt miserable and stuck in a body that I knew shouldn't be so large.

Now after losing the 41 lbs I'm still on a journey but I look in the mirror now and am starting to see that pretty girl I remember.

high5girl

My story is I'm a 29 year old who weighed over 300 pounds. I lost my dad to cancer in March and decided that if I didn't get my weight under control I was going to die young. He died at 59. Before all of that I had been on the journey to get approval for gastric bypass surgery. I got approved right before he passed away and was so happy that I would finally be able to get this weight off.

As the date for my last weigh in got closer and closer, I got really scared of this surgery. I Youtube'd so many ppls videos of their journey on WLS, did so much research, that I think I freaked myself out. So I said if I don't go through with surgery I have to do it the good ol fashioned way....counting calories. I've been at this since April and have lost nearly 50 pounds.

I started using the elliptical and could only do 5-7 minutes at first at a ver low rpm. Now I'm up to 30 mins a day/ 5 days a week and a pretty moderate speed. I have a long long ways to go but I am so determined now....I will win this battle FOR GOOD!

sjflowers

what motivated me to loose weight: In mid December 2011 I ate a whole bunch of Christmas cookies and I could FEEL it in my blood..I got all jittery,an instant headache and my heart rate got wonky.. It freaked me out. I thought maybe I was getting Diabetes. SO, My Husband (who was in the same situation as I was) bought Insanity and I found MFP. I am still loosing (i have 15 pound left until i reach my goal) and I feel SO much better!!