Remember the day you said enough is enough?????

Mine was August 29th, 2010.

Yes I do! I was on facebook and saw a picture of myself...I was dressed cute, makeup was nice, dress was cute and I was FAT. Definitely not a good look going into my 30s! Not too long following, I bought a scale that measures body fat and started the couch to 5k running plan. I now have a gym membership and am continuing on the C25K plan and setting monthly health goals. This month's goals are to do 1hour cardio 5x per week and drink 2 liters of water per day. I'm down 7 lbs since starting my healthy living regimen.

I went to Six Flags in Vallejo when I was a freshman in college and went to get on a ride with my boyfriend at the time.. no matter what I did, the seat belt wouldn't buckle. I couldn't fit on any ride, so we left and that's when I realized I was done with that part of my life.

The Monday after last Thanksgiving I woke up feeling tired and achy as usual and thought "well I can either go on feeling like crap on my days off and doing nothing or do something about it." I finally decided to do something about it. Started slow with stretching and found MFP to monitor my food, and decided to build up from walking to running eventually...having been a x-c runner in college and starting to miss it. Unfortunately, the week before Christmas I can an accident walking an over-enthusiastic dog on my icy road and tore some ligaments in my ankle.

So, with changing the diet alone, things are still going well. Although the ankle is frustrating me. I just have to remember it's a marathon, not a sprint and keep the long-haul in mind. Still feeling way better than I did before my decision to change things.

Not really, I just knew I was fat and thought I was just not able to do anything about it and that it would just go away on it's own or some miracle would happen, I made excuses to myself and I ignored the mirror and the bigger and bigger sizes I needed to buy. I did not even manage to lose weight for my wedding because 'I had been measured for my dress!' then I was talking about my honeymoon and my daughter was telling me about the wonderful infinity swimming pool at the hotel and I said well I won't go in it! She said why not?! I said because I am NOT wearing a swimming costume looking like this!! And then I thought about it, I was going on my honeymoon to Egypt, a place I wanted to go all my life and staying in a 5* hotel with a wonderful pool that I would not go in because I was ashamed of how I looked!!

So THAT was when I decided that enough was enough and I stopped making excuses and started being acountable to myself.

I was just over 200lb when I started this journey in March last year, I have lost ALMOST (lol) 50lb and might even go on for a couple more (but these last few lbs are stubborn!!)

I DID wear my swimming costume on my honeymoon, I did swim in that fabulous pool and I am so proud of myself and am much happier with how I look too.

I don't know an exact date or really what was going through my head but I do know it was after I had a vivid flashback of my Father yelling at me for eating too much when I was way younger, maybe 11 years old. Ever since I remembered that I was going through so many moments where I'd picture my Dad's face and feel like I was going to end up like him.

6 months ago he found out he had diabetes and ever since then I noticed he was projecting his pain and insecurity of being overweight years back. His goal this year is to lose 100 pounds (he's still very unmotivated and it scares me). I really, really want to live and see my friends have kids and have kids of my own. I do not want to scare my future kids, my friends, anyone like that.

It hurts far too much to wonder if a family member is going to live to see the most important parts of my life.

And hell it would not hurt to be able to let even one person see me naked without feeling completely ashamed.

Late October of 2010. Got some labs back from the doc. I had/have high cholesterol. I'm only 24... Decided that it would only be down hill from there if I did not do something. Checked my BMI, and discovered just how overweight I am, and that was it. Never turned back. (Granted it hasn't been that long, but it's not a diet; it's a lifestyle change)

Mine was 7/4/2010, 1 day after my 47th birthday. I decided then I was not getting any younger, so I was going to get better. Best decision I ever made! Lovin' life now!

I think I've had many A-HA moments through life, where I finally got to the point of sticking with something and making it happen.... for a while. Having been overweight my entire life, and never knowing what thin looked or felt like... weighing less and feeling stronger was always an improvement.... lossof 50lbs, 90lbs.... and I was satisfied... but then there was always something that made me stop my journey and gain it all back and thensome..... Here I am today, 41, married for almost 2 years, and rather late in the "game".... Wanting so badly to have children, but know that the weight is probably keeping it from happening... not to mention being pregnant at my current weight would not be good for me or my child. Having met my now husband, someone who always accepted me as I was, was a miracle in it'self..... however, our lifestyle over the last couple of years has caused him to become a couch potato and overweight. He was not that way when I had met him, and now has approx 50 pounds to lose too. I somehow, in the back of my mind, feel responsible for this weight gain.... although I didn't shove food down his throat, or keep him from exercising.... I think my horrible example of living really grew on him..... It is with this A-HA moment, I have taken a good look at myself, as well as my husband and realize that I want us both to live highly productive lives, and be healthy..... I want to be able to do whatever I want to do... i.e. watersking, dancing in public, flying comfortably in an airplane.... fitting in all seats for themepark rides.... attending concerts and being comfy..... gonig out with confidence, knowing I look and FEEL fantastic!!!! I want to be healthy, first, and certainly in GREAT shape. AT the age of 41, I am in bad need of knee replacements in both knees..... which is quite young.... I've had numerous operations.... and that has caused most of it... however, being very overweight has caused 50% of the damage..... Getting the weight off my knees is a HUGE priorty for me.... and will most likely allow me more time NOT to have the replacements and yet still feel good. I would love to join your group... as it's finally time!!!!!
Thank you,
Nancy

That is what I have on my home page. ENOUGH!!!!!!
September 24 2010.

Been committed to this lifestyle change since then.
To date I am down 50 lbs from the start with 59 more to go.

I have lost 7 inches from my waist and 5 from my hips.
Last month's plane trip was the first I can remember that I did not have request a belt extender.