Straw that broke the camel's back

The fact that I went from a size 4/6 pre-pregnancy to a size 20 post. Gross.

I stepped on the scale out of curiosity and nearly died when I saw the number.

I had gained a lot of weight after having some health issues that led to 5 open abdominal surgeries in 6 months. My abdominal muscles were so ravaged I developed multiple abdominal hernias and a diastasis (separation of the abdominal muscles) I was in constant pain and the hernias were so large that they never reduced, so my intestines were always outside of my abdomen...let me tell you, painful! I stopped doing all the things I loved...hiking, kayaking, walking my dogs...everything. All of my energy went to trying to get through each day at work and getting home to lay down. The only thing I could do without pain was eat....and so I ate. I gained more and more weight, I looked like I was 8 months pregnant all the time, and my belly was hard as a rock. Finally a co-worker whose dad is a surgeon basically pressured me to see him. She convinced me that he would be able to fix it. And, in March of this year I had hopefully my last surgery. He placed a 10"x14" mesh in my abdomen, stapled it to my pelvic bone and then extended it up to my ribs to cover the defects and keep my insides on the inside...and it's working!!! I'm able to do everything I want to again...and so I do! I'm slowly shedding the weight I gained, I've lost 30 lbs so far and have a lot more to go. So, I guess the catalyst for losing the weight was the surgery. I feel like I have been given a great gift in my health and I'm celebrating!

I had my 25th college reunion coming up and wanted to look a lot better. I was told by a friend that counting calories could help and found this site by accident why trying to research how many calories were in something I was eating. Once I got here, I realized that I could make this a lifestyle not just a diet, so it stuck and I stayed, and I am much healthier for it. Now trying to lose those last stubborn 10 lbs that have been on me for a decade.

A surgeon with a HORRIBLE bedside manner, but who actually cared. I was diagnosed with a condition that required me to have surgery in March. During the pre-op consultation, the conversation went like this:

Surgeon: "Look, there's no cure but it also didn't have to require surgery. The only reason it's causing you issues is you need to lose weight and you know it."
Me: "I know I need to...I've lost 16 pounds in the last 6 months."
Surgeon: "What are you doing to lose weight?"
Me: "I do an elliptical every morning and watch what I eat."
Surgeon: "The only thing you're watching is the food go from your plate to your mouth."

Ouch. Ok, he was an *kitten*, but he went on to say I needed a full on life-style change or he'd just be seeing me back in another 6 - 9 months for more surgery, which was fine by him because it's what pays for his vacations.

The thing is he was right. I needed to commit to FULL changes, not half-a$$ing it. And he was the first person to be so blunt with me, and I think I needed it badly. That and the fact that it was my first surgery ever and recovery was incredibly painful. I have *no* desire to do it again, and the fact that my condition can stay dormant if I'm healthy is all the encouragement I need!!

Edit: PS, joining MFP was an accident! I had a friend (THANKS TERESA!!) who suggested we do food diaries just to check in and support each other. Being a total techno-geek I needed an app for that and I found MFP by accident. Boy am I glad I did! I've met some really incredible people and just found the most supportive community EVER. LOVE YOU ALL!!! :happy:

A surgeon with a HORRIBLE bedside manner, but who actually cared. I was diagnosed with a condition that required me to have surgery in March. During the pre-op consultation, the conversation went like this:

Surgeon: "Look, there's no cure but it also didn't have to require surgery. The only reason it's causing you issues is you need to lose weight and you know it."
Me: "I know I need to...I've lost 16 pounds in the last 6 months."
Surgeon: "What are you doing to lose weight?"
Me: "I do an elliptical every morning and watch what I eat."
Surgeon: "The only thing you're watching is the food go from your plate to your mouth."

uhm..yeah..i dont think i would have gone back to that guy..probably because i would first be in jail for assault :laugh: what an *kitten*

My wife bought me a 2xl shirt and there is no way I was going to be a 2xl. 30 lbs down, now I'm wearing a medium and I've dropped a couple pant sizes. I'm headed for my goal weight at which point I want to concentrate more on building muscle.

I could not zip up my size 14s jeans. Started two years ago and got down to a 6.

I went through a stressful time this summer and went back to my old habits.

This week I could not zip up my 6s, so I am back.

My 35th birthday party. Loads of pics taken...what an eye opener. I knew I was big, but DANG. The following month a co-worker friend stated that she was giving away her treadmill. I picked it up the next day.

I had yo-yo dieted back and forth prior to this. What made me decide to really turn things around was a visit with my extended family. The family got to meet their grandfather for the very first time. My grandfather-in-law is SO DEDICATED to being an operatic voice technician that he practices/studies for 10 hours a day. He puts his career above ALL things. His philosophy is that if you truly think you are the best and have the willpower to be the best, then you must be the best.

I thought that if he can spend 30 years doing what he does, I can spend 1 year losing weight, and dedicating myself thereafter to a healthy lifestyle.