A couple of questions........

1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight?

I was always consistently around 196 - 208 lbs (at 5' 6" this was overweight, but I carried my weight well, so I was relatively happy with my figure). But in my last couple of years at University I started to spiral out of control, fell into a deep depression and suffered from agoraphobia. I neglected my health completely and my weight shot up to 268 lbs. I wasn't used to carrying so much extra weight (considering how quickly I'd put it on) so my body just couldn't cope. I would get chest pains daily, I could barely walk without breaking a sweat and being out of breath and I was terrified of leaving the house. When I moved back home after University I carried on this horrible lifestyle for a while, then realised that I was probably going to end up dead if I kept on going. I'm only 24, and that thought was the wake up call I needed.

2. What was your activity level before?

When I was smaller I was fairly active, however when I reached my heaviest I had literally been doing NOTHING for about 2 years. I would sleep a lot, barely walk anywhere and did NO exercise whatsoever . I used to class walking up the stairs as a workout

3.Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both?

Now that I'm living a healthy lifestyle I have a gym membership. I've just finished my second block of personal training sessions and will be going back when I can afford it! I go to the gym at least once a week, play badminton once a week and do kettlebell circuits once a week. It's not a huge amount of exercise, but it's far more than I was doing before and my fitness has sky rocketed! I do have a few dvds that I occasionally do - 30 Day Shred, a Davina McCall one and some dance-y one that I don't know the name of! But to be honest, I made significant changes to my weight through diet alone. The exercise is now something that I genuinely want to do to boost my weightloss and become fitter.

4.When did it really click for you?

I'd kinda been half-heartedly losing a bit of weight when I had the whole 'I'm going to die' epiphany... but it only really clicked for me when I'd lost about a stone and I saw pictures of me on a night out and I realised I was still HUGE! I couldn't believe it was me, and I was so ashamed that I'd let myself get to that stage. That was when it clicked that I had to be serious about this, and that's when I decided to start the personal training/gym.

5.What NSV are you most proud of so far?

During my kettlebell circuits the other day (it's a really high intensity class) I suddenly realised I hadn't faltered once and I was actually really enjoying it! This was the girl who could barely walk up a flight of stairs without needing to rest at the top! I was so proud of myself

6.How do you keep yourself motivated?

Whenever I feel like giving up I look at pictures of me when I was slimmer. I keep telling myself how I'm not that far off that weight and if I just keep going then I can finally start to feel happier about myself. I remind myself that if I give up I'm only prolonging the amount of time that I'm going to feel fat and worthless. Also, every so often my personal trainer will check my stats. Having to weigh in in front of him keeps me motivated to lose the weight - he's been there to help me and I'd be ashamed of myself if I stood on the scales and had not lost weight/gained weight.

7.What is your ultimate goal? (weight, bodyfat%, size)

This is something that I haven't particularly thought much about yet, as I still have such a long way to go. I know that I want to get into a healthy bmi range, but that's about it. I think I'm going to play it by ear! I'll know when I'm at a weight I'm happy with and when I get there I'm going to focus even more on my fitness and strength. At the moment I do have a prospective goal of 154lbs though.

I really hope you manage to find the motivation. You've got 13lbs already so you're already on your way there! Just keep reminding yourself how much better you are going to feel when you reach your goal. And remember you're not alone! There are so many people who are in the same position and we all understand how you feel and will always be around to help encourage and support you! Good luck, you can do this!

1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight?
Travel near the end of the year and I wanted to be in better shape for it.

2. What was your activity level before?
About 20 minutes of walking a day.

3. Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both?
Neither. I walk/jog for an hour or so a day.

4. When did it really click for you?
About a month in after I started using MFP.

5. What NSV are you most proud of so far?
Going from 42 to 34 sized jeans.

6. How do you keep yourself motivated?
It's become a routine so I don't really need to motivate myself too much. I just get on with it and try to catch myself if I feel like snacking.

7. What is your ultimate goal? (weight, bodyfat%, size)
I'd like to be 166 lbs.

I am having a hard time really getting motivated and digging in. I have a couple of questions for people who are doing well with the weight loss/and or those who have reached/exceeded their goals. Please feel free to say more, here goes:

1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight?

Having issues trying to tie my shoes made me aware that I was unhealthy.

2. What was your activity level before?

Sitting on the couch with a bag of potato chips.

3. Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both?

Neither. Run outdoors, free weights at home. tabata and HIIT at home.

4. When did it really click for you?

About 2 months in I really started noticing results and finding my downfalls became easier.

5. What NSV are you most proud of so far?

Back in to my old 34s.

6. How do you keep yourself motivated?

Look at the mirror every day and know that the results can and should be better.

7. What is your ultimate goal? (weight, bodyfat%, size)

Right now my goal is pretty wide but hopefully I will realize it when I get there. 180-185 lbs and 10-15%bf

1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight?
I saw a photo (the mirror was lying to me; it had to be a photo) of myself and thought, HOLY CRAP, my face looks like the moon! I went out and bought a new scale about two weeks later, and realized that my old one had been lying to me as well. Ouch.

2. What was your activity level before?
Barely worth talking about.

3. Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both?
I started off with the gym, but between college and work I had no time to go. I started working out at home by doing cardio dance moves to music (no video), lifting 8-12 lb dumbbells, and walking a mile before work every morning (basically walking around the park by my work). Now I'm occasionally jogging parts of that walk.

4. When did it really click for you?
It's been a few times; I was all into it when I started because the lbs were falling off. There was a point where I was plateaued for over a month and started to lose hope, but I kept at it for fear that it would come back if I stopped! :laugh: I'd rather be at that weight than 25 lbs back where I was, ya know? :laugh: But, plateau broke on its own, and I am full back into the swing of it.

5. What NSV are you most proud of so far?
I went from a size 12 to a size 6.

6. How do you keep yourself motivated?
I look at my progress pictures. TAKE THEM. It's embarrassing to see yourself at your heaviest most of the time, but if you take them every 10-15 lbs, you'll start seeing the differences. I'm glad that I have a few now; they make me happy and keep me realistic that I was once that heavy.

7. What is your ultimate goal? (weight, bodyfat%, size)
My goal weight is 120-125 (anywhere in there is good), and on the low end of 6, possibly size 4. Body fat I'd like to keep close to 20%; I'm at 26.5% right now.

1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight? I was starting to outgrow my size 12's. I just felt sluggish and wanted to be stronger.

2. What was your activity level before? I've always been active, but not nearly to the level I am now. Now I feel guilty if I skip a workout. My body misses it.

3. Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both? I don't have the time/money to go to the gym and I have kiddos so leaving them after working all day just doesn't jive for me. I do DVD's (30 Day Shred, TurboJam, TurboFire, Weight Loss Yoga), elliptical, run occasionally, bike.

4. When did it really click for you? Once I started getting in shape, I could see what I could actually do. I'm exercising to a level I never thought I'd be at.

5. What NSV are you most proud of so far? I can do pushups now! Just thinking back to when I could barely do a "girl" pushup and when 10 jumping jacks winded me. I can do an hour of TurboFire now and feel good after. I ran 3 miles two days ago, after not running since last summer.

6. How do you keep yourself motivated? Knowing that this is just my lifestyle now keeps me motivated. I get sick now when I don't eat clean/well. I just can't eat the crap I used to eat. And, all MFP friends are great motivators.

7. What is your ultimate goal? (weight, bodyfat%, size) I'm 5'11", and at my heaviest ever I weighed 187. I was 175 when I joined MFP last spring. I'm now 161, but more importantly to me: I'm strong and I'm in good shape. I have no desire to be skinny. Strong is the new skinny.

1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight? I didn't feel comfortable in my skin. I wanted to look and feel great. I wan't over weight but I wanted to lose a few pounds and feel better.

2. What was your activity level before?I have always been active but put the wrong things into my body and didn't watch what I was eating.

3. Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both?I am a gym, outdoor person. I like to see the people at the gym to get me to keep coming back and I love running and rollerblading. At home workouts don't work for me. I just won't do them and get bored.

4. When did it really click for you? When I started tracking all my food on MFP. Realized what I was eating and how I needed to change.

5. What NSV are you most proud of so far? That I keep logging in and being accountable for what i eat everyday.

6. How do you keep yourself motivated? I just keep thinking about how I want to look and feel so it keeps me from eating the DQ blizzard all the time.

7. What is your ultimate goal? To feel comfortable in my own skin. I would like to be 130 but I am ok at the 140.

NOTE: I was kicking *kitten* on this journey from Jan. 2011 through Aug. 2012. I fell off track because of some significant life issues that felt like a double kick to the groin. I gained a lot of the weight I had lost back as I had to deal with those emotional issues and then work to overcome the bad habits I had formed. But, I'm 4 full weeks into the restart and feeling much, much better. I will get my good health back. Anyway, I still consider that my journey started in Jan. 2011 and I am answering the questions based on that.


1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight?

I finally looked at myself naked in the mirror and admitted that I was fat. I had been telling myself that I was "only chubby" for too long, all the while continuing to eat poorly and gain more weight. Its humbling to admit that you are fat. Also, I was going to turn 40 in 2011 and I knew health risks increased in the 40s....so I wanted to get healthy to reduce the risks of certain health issues.


2. What was your activity level before?

before Jan. 2011, my activity level was couch potato, essentially. During my "break" from Sept. 2012 through most of May 2013, I was more active around the house, but no exercise....and too much couch potato moments.



3. Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both?

from Jan. 2011 through part of April 2011, I did very little exercise. I focused primarily on my eating, did well, and lost about 22 pounds during those 3 months. In April and May 2011, I began doing cardio work...walking up and down the stairs in my building and ultimately doing some jogging. In June 2011, I began assembling a home gym and added resistance training to my routine. I had read about HIIT and sprint interval training and I did that 1-2x per week. To this day, I think the sprint interval training was the best thing I did (but I had to stop doing it when I hurt my Achilles doing a suicide drill...and then continued to re-aggravate it jogging until I finally had to rest). Anyway, at some point in 2011 and into 2012, I was mixing things up. I was doing sprint interval training 1-2x/week, riding my bike or jogging 2-3x/week, and doing metabolic resistance training with a set of adjustable dumbbells (MRT essentially involved doing supersets with non-competing muscles). 1-2x/week. I was working in 2 rest/recovery days per week....although sometimes I would do a like jog or bike ride on a rest/recovery day. Also, in Oct or Nov 2011, I started going to boot camp once per week. Everything else I did was at or around my home and was self directed. It was nice to go to a boot camp once per week to hang out with others doing fitness. After my divorce in June 2011, it became more difficult to go to boot camp so I started doing bodyrock.tv instead. Loved those workouts (new website is dailyhiit.com).

No exercise from Sept. 2012 through May 2013 (other than a few bike rides). Last week, I did tabata-style workouts. This past Sunday, I started Insanity. I am no where close to being as fit as I was in the summer of 2012, but I do what I can with Insanity. I am committed to finishing the 9 week program. After that, I will probably take a break from the cardio-style workouts and do some MRT for a month before possibly doing Insanity a second time. We will see.


4. When did it really click for you?

Sometime in April 2011, things were really clicking for me as I was eating well and exercising. I felt great later in 2011 when I was able to do a 5 mile run (even though running was never a major focus of my exercise plan). On the restart, I would say things clicked when I committed this past Sunday to do Insanity...and I know I'm in the zone because yesterday, I easily passed up birthday cupcakes for a co-worker in favor of a green pepper (see my current profile pic).


5. What NSV are you most proud of so far?

So many NSVs along the way. Probably tough to pick just one or a few...but certainly being able to run 5 miles without stopping was big. When I get through Insanity, that will be huge. Finally overcoming the life obstacles was a huge NSV as well.



6. How do you keep yourself motivated?

go to my profile page, copy and paste the link to my will power pill blog...do the activity. Basically, you have to take some time to dig deep within yourself and figure out all of the reasons why you don't like your current lifestyle. Write them down. Update when necessary. Read them often...particularly when you feel like you are struggling. If they are important enough reasons to you, then you will stay motivated.



7. What is your ultimate goal? (weight, bodyfat%, size)

ultimate goal? achieving and maintaining good health. getting a 6 pack has never been that important to me and I know I'm not going to do what is necessary for that. I want to be trim, fit and healthy. I want to be able to run around with my kids for as long as they keep me running, without being short of breath or needing a break. Anyway, I don't have a particular weight or size in mind. I was pretty happy where I was in August 2012, but I was willing to work to get a little better.

1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight?

I wasn't happy with my body, but had the "I'll do something about it tomorrow" mentality. Then, I saw a picture that my fiancé took of me and my son walking together at the park. I was huge. I had no idea I had gotten so big. Also, I could tell that my weight was starting to take a toll on my joints. I felt like an old woman and I am 28!


2. What was your activity level before?

I have a desk job. I would go for walks with my son and fiancé around our neighborhood some evenings, but my son is 2.5 and stops to look at everything so that's hardly a workout.



3. Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both?

I go to the gym 5-6 days per week. I do 30 minutes of cardio. I despise cardio so I do 10 minutes on one machine, then 10 minutes on another machine and then I take a break from it and do my strength training (40-60 minutes) and then I do 10 more minutes of cardio before I leave the gym. I hate working out at home. It's too easy to stop and plop back on the couch.



4. When did it really click for you?

In the beginning, my Mom offered to start going to the gym with me in the mornings before we both headed to work to help motivate me. Having a workout buddy is what helped me get started. I didn't want to disappoint her by cancelling so I got my butt up and went to the gym. After awhile, she stopped going and I switched my gym sessions to evenings (after work). By that point, I was seeing results and was actually enjoying the gym again and I was just into it.



5. What NSV are you most proud of so far?

My blood pressure is normal for the first time in over a year without any medication and my baby belly is on it's way to being flat!



6. How do you keep yourself motivated?

Seeing results keeps me motivated. I also don't restrict myself. If I want something, I eat it, but I stay within my calorie limit. There are no "off limits" foods. I never feel like I'm on a diet. I just feel like I'm making better choices. I also typically have one cheat meal per week. It's never scheduled, but it seems like once a week I have the desire to just eat a meal with my fam and not worry about how many calories I'm eating. Sometimes it's a bottle of wine instead of a meal. I don't go overboard and binge on everything in sight. I just enjoy one meal with no thought put into it. My motivation for going to the gym? Seeing my body change. It's awesome to see the changes from week to week and to feel better about it each day! How do you feel when you sit at home and eat a box of cookies and avoid a work out? You feel like crap. How do you feel when you get a good workout in and KNOW you accomplished something? You feel proud of yourself! Also, I set small goals. I focus on my weekly weight-loss goal, not the fact that I had 72 pounds to lose when I started this journey. I also have monthly goals and then my long-term goals, but I can't get to those without focusing on my weekly goal so it all comes together.


7. What is your ultimate goal? (weight, bodyfat%, size)
I am 5'4", but I am very curvy. I weighed 150lbs before I got pregnant in 2010 and I was very happy with my body. My current goal is to get back to that size, but I may decide to push for 140 once I get there. I'm not sure yet and will have to assess the situation once I get to 150.

1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight? High Blood Pressure, Gut hanging out

2. What was your activity level before? Very active

3. Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both? Group classes, spin, body pump

4. When did it really click for you? Biggest contest loser at work.. Thought I was in good shape till I started writing down what I ate.. I lost 22lbs in 10 weeks and have kept it off for 3 years

5. What NSV are you most proud of so far? Doing 3500 push ups a week.

6. How do you keep yourself motivated? Wake up and think how can I be fitter today.. At 56 young women still talk to me.

7. What is your ultimate goal? (weight, bodyfat%, size) 165 bf under 20

1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight?
Just getting older and realizing that my health is important to me. I had gotten to my heaviest weight and knew if I didn't do something about it now, I'd end up a chubby old lady like my mother! Plus I was losing self-confidence and always second guessing what to wear and how I looked and I don't want to live a life where I'm not comfortable in my own skin.

2. What was your activity level before?
Pretty sedentary, a lot of TV watching and snacking with the hubby. Plus I work a desk job. I would attempt to workout from time to time but it never stuck. I was notorious for giving up after 3 months when I didn't see results fast enough. It was an ongoing cycle.

3. Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both?
I run. We have a track in our city and I go there every other day. I'm doing Walgreen's Walk to 5K Cardio plan right now and once that is done (I'm on the last week) I want to work on speed and incorporate more strength training and yoga into my regimen.

4. When did it really click for you?
At the beginning of this year. I had lost 22lbs then gained it all back plus 10 more and was at my heaviest weight! I realized I couldn't lose weight and then go back to my regular lifestyle thinking I could maintain it that way. I also want to live a long, healthy life with my husband and the only way to get him motivated about his health, was to start working on mine.

5. What NSV are you most proud of so far?
My ability to run for 30 minutes with only a 1-minute walk halfway through. This week of the 5K plan is running a straight 30 minutes with no walk. That begins today. If I can actually pull that off, that will be my proudest NSV so far!

6. How do you keep yourself motivated?
I joined Tumblr about a year ago and follow other Fitblrs, runners, healthy eaters, and positive-thinking blogs. It's really helped in keeping me motivated and understanding that becoming fit is a lifestyle choice that takes time.

7. What is your ultimate goal? (weight, bodyfat%, size)
My ultimate goal is honestly to make healthy living last for the rest of my life. No more yoyo dieting or severely restricting calories. On top of that, I'd like to run a 10-minute mile (I'm slow right now) and add muscle tone to my body.

My motivation was my doctor quizzing me to make sure I knew the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Yikes! I decided to do this the right way. I don't do anything that I know I cannot continue for the long term. I don't go to a gym. I walk at least 30 min a day. I bought some hand weights at a garage sale and use those at night while watching TV. Nothing excessive just 20 or 30 reps. I try to throw in 10 or 20 squats during the day. I eat calories to equal my BRM and I eat back exercise calories if I am still hungry. I have lost 28 and have 15 more to my goal. I am averaging a pound a week. I don't freak out if I go a week or two without losing, eventually it comes off. I try not to eat junk food, but if I go to a bbq, I am going to have a burger and chips. I feel fantastic right now and have plenty of energy. Good luck to you.

I am having a hard time really getting motivated and digging in. I have a couple of questions for people who are doing well with the weight loss/and or those who have reached/exceeded their goals. Please feel free to say more, here goes:

1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight?

2. What was your activity level before?

3. Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both?

4. When did it really click for you?

5. What NSV are you most proud of so far?

6. How do you keep yourself motivated?

7. What is your ultimate goal? (weight, bodyfat%, size)

1. I got a minor sickness (some sort of stomach bug) and lost a few pounds while I was sick. I thought I looked better after losing a few pounds so I decided that I would make an effort to (intentionally) lose more.

2. Mostly sedentary, but I used to walk to and from the metro a couple times a day which was .7mi from my house and I'd walk to therapy 2-3x a week which was 1.5mi away.

3. Gym. I lift every day.

4. When I got into a comfortable routine. I fast all day (maybe a cup or two of coffee with 2tsp cream and splenda) and go to the gym around 6pm. Then I come home and eat a big, delcious dinner. It's easy, comfortable, and sustainable for me.

5. Breaking 20% body fat was nice (around 16% now, maybe slightly under), getting my arms to 12", and the other day this big guy (clearly a competitive power lifter) at the gym saw me squatting and asked me if I compete.

6. Seeing results keeps me motivated. Whether it's gaining inches, more muscle definition, or adding weight to the bar, I love seeing progress.

7. I want to be as big as possible while maintaining a low BF%. Ideally, if I could get to a minimum of 130-135 with sub 10% body fat I'd be very happy. I know this will take a lot of time though.

1. What was your motivation to start losing the weight?

On Thursday, August 2, 2012, I received a serious talk from my doctor about my sugar levels and my blood pressure. It was either lose weight or be put on medication. She wanted to put me on meds then but I refused. It was that talk that scared the crap out of me to do something about it. I have both diabetes and heart disease in my family at at 38 I don't want to be like that too.

2. What was your activity level before?

None. I couldn't even walk down the driveway to the mailbox without pain in my feet and back.

3. Do you do the gym or DVD’s or neither or both?

I work out at home. Started walking on the treadmill and worked up to running. Eventually added in squats, planks, lunges, crunches and work with dumb bells.

4. When did it really click for you?

I took a couple days after the talk from the doc to feel sorry for myself and then got to work on Monday, Aug 6. It took about 2 weeks before I finally felt like I was doing some good. Until that point is it was plain and simple fear that kept me going.

5. What NSV are you most proud of so far?

I can run almost 2 miles now and lift as much if not more then my 16 yo daughter. Glucose is normal and BP is better then it has been in 16 years. I feel great, strong and healthy.

6. How do you keep yourself motivated?

This is the toughest question. My motivation comes from determination. I have lost large amounts of weight before but gained it all back plus more. I know what my numbers were last August and I don't want to go there. I want to set a good example for my girls and that keeps me going to. What would they think of me if I did all this work and quit now?

7. What is your ultimate goal? (weight, bodyfat%, size)

My ultimate goal is to get to a healthy weight and BF%. Size 10 jeans would make me happy as I started at a 22. I want my legs to be strong and lean enough to be be comfortable in shorts. I have not worn shorts in 16 years. I want to run a 5k and eventually get to a 10K. I want to be fabulous in my 40's and beyond.

**Edited because I had the "quotes" wrong so I took them out.