Your 'Ah-Ha' Moment

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  • Alisontheice
    Alisontheice Posts: 9,611 Member
    Mine was last summer realizing I was going to have to wear some skating dresses and have enough stamina to hold my partner up. I accomplished it and think I looked pretty good in the dress in my picture
  • kikontx
    kikontx Posts: 92 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    Looking in the mirror. That's my a-ha moment.

    a_ha___Take_On_Me_by_scorcher.gif

    ISWYDT.

    Yeah, but it was a great song and video back then.
  • kikontx
    kikontx Posts: 92 Member
    sushi549 wrote: »
    I obviously have far too much time on my hands as another question out of sheer curiosity has been nagging away at me ... so here goes. :D
    • When was your 'AH-HA' moment that made you decide, 'ahhhm okay it's time to do something about this weight?'
    • What made a difference this time which differed from previous attempts to lose weight &/or get healthy? (motivation)
    • How much impact do you feel that a correct mindset has on the level of achievement?

    Well, my a-ha moment (this time) was just being tired of trying to squeeze into my clothes. I rarely bought new clothes so in my mind up (until that point) was if I can still fit into them (albeit with muffin tops in multiple places) then the weight must not be that bad. Of course having clothes that stretch definitely contributed to my conclusion of being able to fit into them. Finally got on the scale at the end of June and saw the number and realized that was the same weight I was when I lost weight 8 years ago.

    What's different this time? Probably not relying on a drastically different diet to lose the weight. As many has said, this is something you have to do for the long haul. It wasn't that I was restricting what I was eating but rather limiting myself in food selection and eating something different from the rest of the family. So I decided to research and find recipes that would not only help me but also something that my family would eat as well. I also focused on creating a organizational system to make it easier to keep me on track - cutting up vegetables and fruit ahead of time, pre-portioning out snacks into bags or containers,etc.

    Having a correct mindset is definitely a huge part. But also understanding what made you "fall of the wagon" in the past and modifying your habits to account for that is important as well. On my past weight loss attempt, I didn't count calories or weighed my food and was able to lose about 30 lbs. But I eventually gained it all back because I didn't address those two areas once I went into maintenance. Now I use MFP as well as a food scale which I hope will allow me to maintain the weight loss once I hit goal and transition to maintenance this time.
  • nvpixie
    nvpixie Posts: 483 Member
    For me, it was when I saw a picture my husband took of my daughter and me. I couldn't believe how frumpy I looked. I'm usually the one behind the camera so I had no idea. Pictures speak 1,000 words.

    Also, my clothes were not fitting correctly. It was hard to find the right size, especially in pants. It killed me having a muffin top spilling over my jeans.

    I can't say it's different than other attempts because I knew counting calories would work as it was the solution for losing weight between having my daughter and son. I simply said I'd do it, and I did. I only had to lose about15 pounds, but on my small 4'11" frame, it's an enormous amount. If you add me as a friend, you can see how different my face pics are.

    I'm at goal weight now, and this morning I realized my "girls" have gone down a size. I'm not disappointed, but I hope my husband doesn't notice :wink: Time for bra shopping :blush:
  • 5stringjeff
    5stringjeff Posts: 790 Member
    kikontx wrote: »
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    Looking in the mirror. That's my a-ha moment.

    a_ha___Take_On_Me_by_scorcher.gif

    ISWYDT.

    Yeah, but it was a great song and video back then.

    Still a great song - probably one of my favorite 80's pop songs.
  • bennettinfinity
    bennettinfinity Posts: 865 Member
    It didn't feel like an a-ha moment at the time, but I went in for my annual checkup (which was the only time I stepped on a scale) and was up from the prior year weighing in at 265#. That didn't really shock me or even make much of an impression, but my doctor commented on it and simply told me that if I could maintain a 500 calorie a day deficit, I could lose a pound a week. It sounded easy - I bought a fitbit, found MFP and discovered it *was* easy.
  • cheslightsey
    cheslightsey Posts: 13 Member
    My Aha moment came in May of this year. My 3yo daughter and I were on a horseback ride together and the company we used took a picture of us on the horse. I knew I had eaten my way through our very harsh winter...but was blown away by how overweight/out of shape I looked.

    There was nothing that made a huge difference. I haven't really struggled with weight in my life...but I'm over 40 now and I guess my months of over indulging added up faster! I definitely was motivated by the fact that I want to be able to play sports with my 2 kids long into the future.

    Using MFP truly made this almost mindless for me. I was determined to lose the weight and get back into shape. The MFP app allowed me to easily see when I needed to stop eating:). Once the pounds started to come off, I was so much more comfortable in my clothes and felt so much better, that I wanted to keep going.

    Thanks for your post.
  • My Aha moment came in May of this year. My 3yo daughter and I were on a horseback ride together and the company we used took a picture of us on the horse. I knew I had eaten my way through our very harsh winter...but was blown away by how overweight/out of shape I looked.

    There was nothing that made a huge difference. I haven't really struggled with weight in my life...but I'm over 40 now and I guess my months of over indulging added up faster! I definitely was motivated by the fact that I want to be able to play sports with my 2 kids long into the future.

    Using MFP truly made this almost mindless for me. I was determined to lose the weight and get back into shape. The MFP app allowed me to easily see when I needed to stop eating:). Once the pounds started to come off, I was so much more comfortable in my clothes and felt so much better, that I wanted to keep going.

    Thanks for your post.

    YVW! :#

    It's REALLY interesting how something as simple as a photo can wake us up to a good dose of reality. I guess all the whippersnappers may be really on to something with the whole 'selfie' trend aye? :D
  • StephanieT0602
    StephanieT0602 Posts: 58 Member
    It was as simple as seeing the number on the scale and realizing I had gained 20 lbs in the year and a half since my wedding. I didn't have a lot to lose at that point, but I knew that if I continued on the way I was going the weight would just continue to pack on.
  • Archerychickge
    Archerychickge Posts: 606 Member
    edited October 2014
    my Ah Ha moment was on January 8th.... went to the Dr about a terrible cough I had kept for 2 years, that was keeping me form being able to hunt. He said I had a hiatal hernia that was causing reflux and the constant heartburn I had had for years, and that if I wanted surgery to fix it, I needed to lose weight. I was NOT willing to give up hunting for the rest of my life and I wanted the heartburn GONE. So I started that day and didn't look back.

    What's different this time... MFP and How I feel about myself... In past attempts to lose weight on my own, I always saw myself as being fat and ugly no matter how much I lost because I didn't have support. I focused on all of my flaws and what I thought was wrong with me instead of celebrating my success. This time, with MFP, I get support and encouragement from people who are on the same journey as I am. I get daily affirmations that I'm worthy of being healthy and feeling good about myself.

  • nancybuss
    nancybuss Posts: 1,461 Member
    When my cholestoral numbers (especially 'good' one) looked lousy. I was gaining weight for what seemed 'no reason' and I had two very little kids and I'm not young. Realizing its my Health I need to take care of, for THEM, so I can be here as long as possible for THEM that I needed to change.
  • fobs13
    fobs13 Posts: 1,080 Member
    LondonVic wrote: »
    For me it was when my mom had a debilitating stroke. That day I got off my fat bum and changed my life forever.

    Good for you!
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 8,514 Member
    Great Idea for a Thread!

    •My "AH-HA" moment that made me decide to take control of my health and weight was seeing the pictures of my granddaughter's christening. There I was: over 200# standing beside my perpetually slim husband, and let me tell you that it is hard to hide behind an 8 lb. baby. That picture followed hard on the heels of not getting a job because of high BP.

    •This time was different from my hundreds of previous attempts to lose weight because 1) I got active and I didn't go on a diet; instead, I joined Curves and vowed to workout 3 times a week and I used all the nutritional information I had gathered through those previous attempts to control portions and 2) my sister and I did it together - this made those 3 workouts per week a treat.

    •I think the correct mindset is certainly important; this time, I was concentrating on taking care of my health, but most important, I was determined to "just do it" whether I lost weight or not. I lost weight.
  • mymodernbabylon
    mymodernbabylon Posts: 1,038 Member
    Looking at photos and not being happy was my Aha moment. What has been different is that I'm not on a diet so much. I've been following the Eat More 2 Weigh Less philosophy and that's been amazing. I'm lifting weights, being active and eating (just a bit less). I feel good and healthy, versus just skinny. I like it. And it's doable for life!
  • weafrank
    weafrank Posts: 4 Member
    My Ah-Ha moment came at the beginning of 2013. I was going to turn 65 during the year and did not want to be a fat old lady. I went on the Shred Diet for 6 weeks and lost 13 pounds. My brother ran into a co-worker he had not seen in a while that had lost 42 pounds. The friend told him about MFP. I had gotten a Smart phone that week and downloaded the app. It has been 602 days now, and 36 pounds down.
    The difference this time is that my brother, 2 best friends and nephew have been doing it together. We have lost 171 lbs.
    I do have to say, Maintenance is not easy!!!! Losing the weight was not bad, but keeping it off is work!!!
  • apparations
    apparations Posts: 264 Member
    My Aha moment came around my 29th birthday. It hit me that I had spent my entire 20's unhealthy, out of shape and a smoker to boot. I was so afraid that I would turn 30 and then I would be depressed about getting 'older' and still not be able to really take care of myself the way I would like. I saw my friends having kids and having difficulty losing pregnancy weight, and I thought if I get pregnant at the weight I'm at now, it would be insurmountable harder for me to lose the weight afterward. It was enough to push me forward.

    Just over a year later and I feel amazing!! When I turned 30 I didn't feel depressed. Just excited to live another decade where I felt great rather than letting unhealthy habits run my life!
  • mrsmuckster
    mrsmuckster Posts: 444 Member
    I got Achilles tendonitis early in the year, and was having difficulty walking downstairs. That didn't do it but when I started having hip pain when I got out of a chair and walking up stairs I thought "aha". Starting on my weight loss journey, even the first 10 pounds feel much better, but still have a ways to go. I am NOT going back there.
  • LiveLoveRunFar
    LiveLoveRunFar Posts: 176 Member
    When I hit 180, when I couldn't walk to the car without getting winded, when I saw a sac hanging instead of a stomach, when size 18W pants started to get tight....I knew if I kept gaining it would be all over and possibly no coming back.
  • myfitnesspale3
    myfitnesspale3 Posts: 276 Member
    Hitting 201# naked. I thought 185 was sorta normal for my 6 feet, and the BMI said it was sorta high instead.
  • TY TheMedalist & 77Tes!

    I feel so inspired & hopeful to witness all the long term maintainers. :#

    And I agree WeaFrank I think sometimes losing weight seem like child's play in comparison to maintaining.

    A BIG thank you to everyone who responded. <3
  • 13bbird13
    13bbird13 Posts: 425 Member
    The day I realized my eyeglasses had to bow out ever so slightly to fit on my face now... when I bought them two years ago, they fit my 25-pounds-lighter face just fine.
  • Mine wasn't 'a-ha' but 'ENOUGH!'. My closet was full of clothes that didn't fit, my feet and knees hurt if I stood for any amount of time, I didn't want to see my friends because they remember me from when I was thin, my shoes were starting to be too small. I just threw up my hands and yelled, "Enough! I'm done! This is not me!"

    I started drinking gallons of tea instead of turning to carbs for a snack. Mostly, my eating was just pecking away at things until they were gone, so I stopped that. Started writing down everything. I started moving a little bit more even though it hurt. I started cooking at home and stopped going out to eat for a while - until I had a new way of figuring out my new way of BE-ing. I just started living consciously and conscientiously. And I found MFP to help me along the way. I'm so glad I did. :D
  • rand486
    rand486 Posts: 270 Member
    • When was your 'AH-HA' moment that made you decide, 'ahhhm okay it's time to do something about this weight?'
    • What made a difference this time which differed from previous attempts to lose weight &/or get healthy? (motivation)
    • How much impact do you feel that a correct mindset has on the level of achievement?

    Fun questions!

    I'm not sure I really did have an A-HA moment. My goals evolved over time. I started in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ~3.5 years ago, because I'd moved to a new city, had no friends in the area, and was quickly falling into a pattern of work, go home, drink and watch TV. Not a healthy lifestyle!

    After losing 15 lbs by accident (due to less drinking, more exercise), I started to clean up my diet; Started reading more about nutrition, which lead to MFP/calorie counting; Attempts to gain muscle (still ongoing :P)

    My weight was all over the place in the decade before BJJ, but mostly because I was a "victim" of my own circumstances. I worked night shifts at a restaurant, which was boring, so I'd eat all the time - gained a ton of weight. Lived in China for a while - lost of a ton of weight. Came back to Canada - gained a ton of weight.

    BJJ has been the only thing to make me focus on my health and diet. I never did it for its own sake, but once I started training, I became much healthier and ate better all as a goal of improving my jiu jitsu. Being healthy, skinnier, more muscular are just happy side effects :)