Not the motivator that I wanted

My MFP friends have heard this before and I suppose that it's progress that it hasn't hit me in quite awhile like it did today. In the last 11 months I have lost quite a bit of weight (and I still have quite a ways more to go). And while that's wonderful and terrific, my motivation was the passing of my sweet, sweet boyfriend, the person that I loved more than anyone else in the world.

He and I were both morbidly obese. My BMI at the start of this journey was 60.6. His was even higher. Why couldn't we see what we were doing to ourselves? Why couldn't we figure out how much better we would feel if we just tried a little bit to care about ourselves and each other more?

Why did it take his death for me to realize that this isn't just about vanity, it's about getting to live and living well and that it's something that I can achieve?

Things that I have learned along the way: Losing weight takes time. Don't expect miracles overnight. Don't expect that every week will be a victory. Never, ever give up. Even if you gain a little weight here and there along your journey, you are still a success as long as you never give up and keep trying to move forward.

Never, ever give up.

Take a look at your life, see what small changes you can make *that you can live with forever* that will make you a little bit healthier than before and start there. You don't have to figure it all out at once, you just have to start somewhere and to keep on going no matter what.

Reach out to your MFP friends for support and if you don't have MFP friends, get some. I know that mine have been invaluable to me. Above all, take the time to care about yourself and know that it is the greatest gift that you could possibly give to you and to those that care about you as well.


(I've started this thread not for sympathy, but so that others might share in the inspiration that carries me along, may it give them strength to believe in themselves and to make their health a priority.)

I wish health, love, and happiness to you all.


Edited to add: My profile picture is the two of us sometime in 2012.

My MFP friends have heard this before and I suppose that it's progress that it hasn't hit me in quite awhile like it did today. In the last 11 months I have lost quite a bit of weight (and I still have quite a ways more to go). And while that's wonderful and terrific, my motivation was the passing of my sweet, sweet boyfriend, the person that I loved more than anyone else in the world.

He and I were both morbidly obese. My BMI at the start of this journey was 60.6. His was even higher. Why couldn't we see what we were doing to ourselves? Why couldn't we figure out how much better we would feel if we just tried a little bit to care about ourselves and each other more?

Why did it take his death for me to realize that this isn't just about vanity, it's about getting to live and living well and that it's something that I can achieve?

Things that I have learned along the way: Losing weight takes time. Don't expect miracles overnight. Don't expect that every week will be a victory. Never, ever give up. Even if you gain a little weight here and there along your journey, you are still a success as long as you never give up and keep trying to move forward.

Never, ever give up.

Take a look at your life, see what small changes you can make *that you can live with forever* that will make you a little bit healthier than before and start there. You don't have to figure it all out at once, you just have to start somewhere and to keep on going no matter what.

Reach out to your MFP friends for support and if you don't have MFP friends, get some. I know that mine have been invaluable to me. Above all, take the time to care about yourself and know that it is the greatest gift that you could possibly give to you and to those that care about you as well.


(I've started this thread not for sympathy, but so that others might share in the inspiration that carries me along, may it give them strength to believe in themselves and to make their health a priority.)

I wish health, love, and happiness to you all.


Edited to add: My profile picture is the two of us sometime in 2012.

I came here to MFP today with an angry face and hurt in my heart. You have made me snap out of it and smarten up. Your story has helped me today, so from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!! I am sorry about your loved one, but grateful that you turned it into a life lesson and have shared it with us. You are a super human!