The moment that made you SERIOUS about losing weight?

Like many others, I saw a HORRIBLE set of pictures that had been taken. Shortly after, I realized that I couldn't go horseback riding with the family because I was uncomfortable with the thought of being on a horse at my weight. So I'm working on being able to get back on the horses.

The first "now or never" moment happened before I had my daughter. I was 160+ lbs on a 5'2" frame and was climbing a ladder at work. My knee gave out and I almost fell from the second level steel.

This time it was because I realize that around 30 I will have to work twice as hard to lose the weight. So I need to start now.

I went to a wedding last weekend where many pictures of me were taken by my mother...and I barely recognized myself because I had a confirmed double chin. Every angle, every photo, big ol' double chin. Also, yesterday I stepped on the scale and saw the highest number I have seen since I was 18, and that was like an electric shock. I bawled for awhile, then realized that I needed to see it because reality just hit home in a very big way.

I went into my doctor's during the summer. It was hot out, and I was wearing one of the last outfits which still fit me. She looked me up and down, bluntly said "You are overweight. You need to lose weight. I'm sending you in for bloodwork to check your cholesterol".

To have this tiny Asian woman give it to me straight was such a shock. Her voice echoed in my head for months, but within a year I'd begun losing weight.

Man maybe I should go back and thank her!

I was 198 pounds, and I am only 5 foot tall. I was in size 18 jeans! I hated every picture of myself. I did it so i could be here with my kids for a long time

Three things that motivated me:

1) Taking a stress test and being told I could not finish it because my blood pressure was too elevated.

2) Realizing that me and my wife were like the characters from "King of Queens". She was the hot trim wife (size 2-4 petite) and I was the bumbling overweight husband

3) Dreaming that I would one day be able to run a 5K race with my daughter (25) but realizing that I was a long way from that ever happening.

Earlier this year, a nurse came to my house to take vitals on me and my wife for underwriting additional insurance. I went through a similar procedure years earlier at roughly the same weight and was approved, so I thought nothing of it. Everything this time was going swimmingly until she took my blood pressure. I don't want to provide actual numbers but let's just say that it was the sort of number you'd hear watching a hospital ER drama on TV! She took it 3 times and on both arms with similar numbers. My mom was a nurse when I was young, so this nurse suggested I take it myself (stethoscope and all) to make sure; numbers were consistent! To say I was scared $h!tless is an understatement.
At this time, I was already researching primary care doctors because I wanted to stop being the guy who only went when he was sick and even then only going to clinics, etc. I never had a regular doctor, even as a child, so I was dragging my feet picking a doctor. I chose one from my list that morning and went 2 days later despite nurse gently suggesting that I go to the emergency room that very morning. At the doctor's office, they took my BP and it was easily 40-60 points lower than the readings 2 days prior! Even though it was likely the insurance nurse's BP device was miscalibrated, my BP was still elevated enough to warrant concern so we're keeping an eye on it.
That was the donkey kick that I needed! I lost 20lbs in ~10 week span even though I didn't hear about MFP until many months later. The most recent 10lbs are attributable to MFP; I'm hooked!

I went to the doctor in March and found out how much I weighed. It was the heaviest I'd ever been and I was disgusted and angry. That was when I decided something needed to change. I started logging my food intake on MFP and working out. I started working with a trainer and picked up running as well. Ran my first 5K in September and plan on running another in December. I'm on my way! I love reading these forums/group discussions on MFP...really motivating! Keep it up everyone

You know, I had THAT moment this time. I got winded chasing my 2nd grader to his bedroom (in the house), and couldn't catch my breath to read him his bedtime story. I don't ever want to feel that way again. I am committed in a way that I never have been before. I had a "do this for a little while" attitude, not a change your life attitude.

I've had lots of other moments that could have been THE moment: I've seen the photos (ack!) I've had people congratulate me on my pregnancy (I'm not). I've had family members nudge me (to no avail). I've had complete strangers say rude things to me (that have stuck in my brain, but weren't motivating). I've gone to restaurants where I don't fit in the chairs (embarrassing, but not sufficient to motivate me).

I already feel better. I don't feel foggy. I don't get winded going from the living room to my son's bedroom. And I haven't lost that much, but I have changed the fuel I'm putting in my body. I can't wait to run after my son next summer...and maybe even beat him!

I was 20 years old, 383lbs and pre-diabetic! My GP told me that I could reverse the diabetes IF I lost a dramatic amount of weight. After losing only 50lbs, there was no sign of diabetes and 200+lbs better, I am now almost to my goal weight

Amazing story! You are an inspiration to everyone trying to get healthy.

Ahhh still learning this group posting thing

Wow! So many awesome posts! My mother being in a wheel chair with all kinds of health problems related to obesity did a lot to motivate me. Also I was miserable with sore knees, sore feet, gastric reflux, irritable bowel syndrome and fatigue! Feeling so much better now!

Just saw a bad pic and was like no is the time lol

When I found MFP.

My dad and I went to pick up some chinese food for the family and little kids (their parents own the restaurant) asked if I was pregnant, insisted that I was and that my dad's the baby daddy. I broke down crying in the car and knew that I had to do something.

When I stepped on the scale and I was 2 pounds shy of 400. It was an eye-openning moment for me.