At what point did you finally decide "this is it..."

For all of my teens and twenties I was obese, but didn't mind. Seriously. It felt normal for me and I didn't have any problems with work, friends, relationships, clothes, etc. I had loads of energy and was GENERALLY healthy. I had no health issues, normal BP and blood sugar and periods, didn't take medicine, etc. But...yes I was very obese.

omg that is EXACTLY me!!!^^ except now i do care, like you mentioned further on in your post!!!!

I always like to try to keep it real! I mean, a lot of people act like every person over 200 lb is suicidal with 25 medical diagnoses ;-)

Totally agree with this, I have great friends and family. They loved me at 300 pounds, they love me now. I had a decent job and was well liked at work. I had no health issues. This is why I can't really pinpoint the moment it clicked.

I decided that by April of 2015 (the 10th anniversary of my mom's death), I wanted to be in the best possible shape I could be (or headed toward it) for myself and my family.

A combination of things...(just started this week)

1...not to be a downer, but I recognize that I've been slowly and gradually sinking further and further into depression over the last year or so. It freezes me in place where I can't do anything. I recognize that I might feel better mentally if I feel better physically

2...a former student/babysitter recently dropped 100 pounds. There's just no reason that I couldn't lose 40 pounds when she accomplished what she did.

3...a particular picture my wife took of me last summer that just kills me to look at.

So, I joined a gym and started with a personal trainer this week. I only made it a short time during the first session, but I've been committed for 3 days now and still going strong!

I am 31 years old and started a desk job from previously working retail always being on my feet and at times to busy to eat. I was about 120. I quit smoking and went to my desk job and the pounds started to stack... Now 4 years later i found myself 7lbs away from being 200lbs my cholesterol started going up i couldnt do the simple things i used to do. I had dieted and worked out before lost 15lbs gave up then fell back in the hole but after seeing myself in the mirror and taking a good long hard look and thinking about my kids and their future with out me i said "Okay enough! Get up off your lazy fat *kitten* and do something!" I started back 1st of June and happy to say last i looked i am 8lbs down.. Its a slow start but its a start... Good luck in your venture.

When I was miserable in my party dress for New Year's Eve.

Dressing up and celebrating with friends is supposed to be fun, not miserable. The Saturday that followed life changed and when I ever feel weak, I look at the picture we took that night and I NEVER want to go back there.

Oh that's easy....when I overheard someone refer to me as "the fat bald guy that just ordered a pepperoni pizza! " I didn't get angry with the person who I overheard....she was just describing me in a brutally honest moment....no different than "the Skinny guy with brown hair". But that was when enough was enough for me!!

The slimmest I'd ever been in my life was in 2011 when my husband was in training for the Army. I'd ridden my bike for an hour each day to get to and from work--and just to get around town--since I didn't have a car, so I stayed in decent shape. When we moved to his duty station, I was out of work for over a year. The stress, boredom, and lack of fulfillment (cabin fever) I felt in my life led to me abusing food and becoming sedentary. Eventually, I found work, but I still steadily put on weight. Having a desk job and being careless with what and how much I ate didn't help, either.

During my active period, I felt overweight. Now that I think about it, that was silly because pictures prove that I was practically a twig back then. I cringe when I look at more recent photos of me--especially those candid shots taken by others where you can't ensure the lighting and angles will be flattering. ^_^.

I've always wanted to fit back into my old clothes and look the way I once did, but I never took action. I'm not sure I would have even known where to start. My roommate introduced me to MyFitnessPal a long time ago, but I never stuck with it. I actually gained around 10 pounds between then and now. But slightly over a week ago, my roommate decided to make a change for himself. I asked him if I could work out with him and he agreed, so we exercised in the garage together. And I haven't stopped since. I'm so proud of myself for having lost 1.4 lbs already! And it's not even as hard as I thought it would be to eat healthier, count calories, obey my caloric deficit, and get moving.

The breaking point for me was when I went to the mall with my sister, I hadn't been to the mall in a while. I couldn't walk because my feet began to hurt so I sat down directly in front of a mirror with my girls. When I saw myself, I was like OMG I look terrible! I couldn't wait to get out of that mall and back home. I knew then I had to do something cause I couldn't hide myself forever.

My very kind doctor started mentioning that I may want to pay closer attention to my food intake. Then he mentioned that my cholesterol was being flagged on test results. Next it was my blood pressure that wasn't looking so good. Finally when I complained about my knee aching he came right out and said I was now in the obese category and if I didn't start making better choices I could end up with some really serious health problems.

During the few years I was overweight (size 16/18) I had been talking about all this to a co-worker I was close to. The usual stuff...complaining and not doing anything about it. Eventually she got tired of it, came into my office and put her arm around my shoulders. She bent down and whispered in my ear that she loved me but I was too fat. Then she kissed me on the cheek and said it's time for me to join Weight Watchers. LOL

That was the trigger for me. Seeing that someone actually cared about me. We're still co-workers 6 years later and she is quite proud of the part she played in getting me to where I am now. Just today she told me how wonderful I look and because she is so truthful, I can believe her.

It's been interesting to see all the different reasons. Great thread OP!

I got back from my honeymoon sick and exhausted because I was too fat. The extra weight caused my heart problem to escalate and my asthma. Not a good combination in another country. I was also uncomfortable in my own skin. Nothing fit right, even large cloths because I carry my weight so oddly. I sat there and realized that my dad died a horrible death and I was following in his tracks. Mom had to take care of dad and I knew that if I continued on this track, my wonderful husband would be saddled with caring for me. It is one thing when your sick and can't help it. Yet another when you know better. Now I'm 20lbs into the journey and feel like a new girl. You will too. Even if you have a set back, no problem. Just start from scratch. At the end of the day you have an opportunity to live a new life. Don't let food ruin it for you. If your upset find out what is bothering you. I'm a Born Again Christian, so I let the Lord take over. I listen to Praise Music and pray. It helps me. I've also dug deep to see what emotionally ails me. I was carrying 100lbs of baggage. Homeostasis. Moderation.. all the same.. Be kind to yourself. If you lose 5lbs, treat yourself to something pretty or fun. I just treated myself to a nice pair of jeans... Yep. They are twice the size I want to eventually wear, but much smaller than the ones I was wearing. Next 15... Pretty Nighty! Good luck my friend!!!! You can do it... one lb at a time!