What are everyones motivations for losing weight

misstcrosby
misstcrosby Posts: 14
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
Good Morning (im in the uk)

I want to know everyones motivations for losing weight and how they stay on the wagon?

I am a good 7 stone overweight and am conscious that I need to do something about it as some days I feel really down and I struggle to buy clothes in normal stores.

Its not that I dont want to do it but I struggle with motivation and the confidence in myself to do stick to things.

Any advice appreciated

Thanks in Advance
«13

Replies

  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    Good Morning. Londoner here.
    My motivation was for my summer hols two years back. I didnt want to be the largest out of the three mums. Once i lost weight I kinda liked it so stuck with it. My mission was also to be able to walk into top shop and jane norman and buy what i like. I can now but bit too old for most of the clothes.

    If you like food like me dont do anything drastic just eat your normal foods just less of it. And find some type of exercise to do each day. fitnessblender.com and you tube has all sorts.

    Log each day and it will just become part of your everyday. Dont think about the overall weight just maybe stick to small goals. You can do it x
  • HippyDippyGoatLady
    HippyDippyGoatLady Posts: 1 Member
    Good Morning. I'm in Ohio, USA.
    My motivation is that my husband of 25 yrs and I had a rather lengthy and heated spat this summer. I was nearly ready to walk out on him. Instead, I decided that I needed to start doing things I liked, and stop catering to him and three adult children. Since I was raised on a cattle farm, I naturally decided to buy some cattle. I started attending livestock auctions where many friends whom I had not seen in decades are still regular attendees. How could I let an old sweetheart see me this heavy?? So, I decided to start taking back whatever "sexy" I could find. I have bought some cattle. A couple of them are nice enough for competitions. However, it's going to be even nicer when the judge can differentiate between myself and the cow. LOL B)
    30 pounds lost since the first week of September. 35 pounds to go! :)
    I will be going back to the cattle sale this week. We'll see if "sweetie" notices the new look.
  • Kayzia_M
    Kayzia_M Posts: 97 Member
    Greetings from Ghana! :)
    What helped to keep me motivated when i started was thinking about how much easier certain things would be if i lost a little weight...(climbing stairs without feeling like I'm about to die, finding clothes that fit right and look good etc.)
    Once I lost the first few kilos, and started noticing the little changes,(how different I looked, how slowly the folds are disappearing, how i had more stamina) it became easier to stay motivated, and my goal weight didnt look so impossible.

    -log in everyday even on the days you eat rubbish, log it in and move on
    -don't let a setback stop you from trying again
    -weigh everything! It would surprise you how much stuff actually weighs when you're no longer eye balling it.(you can stop once you get the hang of it, but for accuracy sake I'd say weigh everything
    -Take progress pictures, it helps to show that there HAS been a difference, when you feel like it hasn't.
    Hope this helps. :)
  • Local_Atlantis
    Local_Atlantis Posts: 262 Member
    Morning! Scouser here. :smile:
    I have always struggled with my weight, and all of the diets I have attempted in the past have been for a specific event. My best friend’s wedding, holidays etc. This time it is different. I put on two stone in the space of two months, and I am now 3 stone overweight. I had a moment where I was getting ready for work, and I had accidently put the only bra that fitted me in the wash. After trying on several of my older ones, and nearly getting sliced in two, I settled for a neon pink sports bra, that was clearly visible through my work uniform. I was mortified. That was the trigger for me to say “enough is enough”. I use that negative experience to motivate me. I never want to be in that situation again. And I am feeling so positive for the first time in a long time (nearly 8lb lighter) and I have no intention of giving up.

    My weight loss started with a negative feeling towards myself and my body, but now that I am 4 weeks into it, I am in love with the body that I will have once I have reached my goal. The difference? I am doing it for me and for no reason. I have no big events coming up, I don’t have any holidays booked. I am doing this indefinitely until I get the body I deserve! And the weirdest thing of all…. I am enjoying it! I have not missed anything. I have refused cake, chips, chocolate and biscuits, and I have done it each time with a smile on my face!

    You need to be in the right frame of mind to do it. Weight loss is as much a mind game as a physical one. If you are not ready, you shouldn’t diet. I don’t like the word diet. I am not on a diet – I am changing my life.

    I wish you all the luck in the world. If you want to add me as a My Fitness Pal (ha!) then feel free :smile:
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Feeling healthier, reducing anxiety, stabilising moods

    I love the looks and compliments I get now too

    I feel a decade younger and more confident in myself and my ability to keep up with my children

    I'm no longer passing up on things because I think in the back of my mind I can't physically do them or I'd look stupid

    Life's more fun when you're healthy and strong

    My 10 year old daughter needed a better role model, and my 13 year old son now has a press-up challenger
  • jamesblood13
    jamesblood13 Posts: 175 Member
    My motivation is so I look good for when I marry the girl of my dreams in 19 months time.

    I also play a lot of football - and enjoy it. But with putting on some weight in the off season I'm struggling, and not enjoying it as much. So I want to lose some weight to help me enjoy that.
  • reginastiffler
    reginastiffler Posts: 75 Member
    I'm motivated by a desire to either save my relationship or get sexy enough to say "hey, butthead..." after the relationship ends. Also, I want to have a baby and I want to give it the best chance I can... which means not being obese when I get pregnant. :)
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    Honestly - my husband is severely overweight and shows no signs of any kind of want to change, so my motivation is the desire that at least one of us survive as long as possible. He's a heart attack or stroke time-bomb and I wasn't much better, but I have no desire to leave my children orphans so here I am making sure to the best of my ability that it doesn't happen. (and yes I know, I could get hit by a bus, but at least I'm taking charge of the factors I *can* control)
  • nicsflyingcircus
    nicsflyingcircus Posts: 2,899 Member
    For me, I have four kids ranging in age from 14-9. I want to be more active with them and also I'd like to live a long, healthy life and my obesity put me at a much higher risk for alot of things that would interfere with that.

    Also, I just got sick of being fat.
  • misstcrosby
    misstcrosby Posts: 14
    Thanks Guys - you have all really helped motivate me... Started back logging today :smile:
    - Feeling good and excited about the future!!!

    Am at my biggest presently
  • CJsf1t
    CJsf1t Posts: 414 Member
    I want to look good in pics and not be the only gaint blob in them! Also I want to set a good example to my son. He thinks a world of me and I don't want to let him down.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    More dates more laid
  • cw106
    cw106 Posts: 952 Member
    misstcrosby wrote: »
    Good Morning (im in the uk)

    I want to know everyones motivations for losing weight and how they stay on the wagon?

    I am a good 7 stone overweight and am conscious that I need to do something about it as some days I feel really down and I struggle to buy clothes in normal stores.

    Its not that I dont want to do it but I struggle with motivation and the confidence in myself to do stick to things.

    Any advice appreciated

    Thanks in Advance

    at 7 stone overweight, i would urge you too see your GP asap.

    they will give you factual advice relevant to you,and help you with correct nutrition and exercise plans.
    there is even health referral schemes nowadays they can hook you up with to get real help from the correct sources.

    3 years ago i was 6 stone overweight,diabetic and morbidly obese.

    the doctors warnings were great motivation for me.

    now, i am 6 stone lighter,pre- diabetic and a lot happier/ healthier.
    - g luck.



  • CatLady1309
    CatLady1309 Posts: 59
    When I was bigger I had health problems,so my motivation is my health :) I lost four stone but sadly gained 11 pounds back so once again I'm trying to get it off. You've made a really good start coming on here,feel free to add and good luck! x
  • silverteacup
    silverteacup Posts: 46 Member
    Hi Everyone, my motivator is anger. Anger with myself for letting my body get this way in the first place. Anger is a strong emotion and I have used it to my advantage to catapult me forward when nothing else will.

    When I don't feel like exercising I remind myself not of how I will feel when I am smaller but of how I feel when I am larger and I feel angry about that so I get up and move.

    Exercise with ATTITUDE!
  • ccrdragon
    ccrdragon Posts: 3,374 Member
    I have a 12 year old daughter that I want to see grow up, a wife that I love and want to grow old with and several meds to get rid of (all meds are do to weight issues - lose the weight, lose the meds!!)
  • EMTFreakGirl
    EMTFreakGirl Posts: 597 Member
    Good morning from Montana.
    I have the normal motivations; be healthier, able to wear that bodycon dress (or whatever I want to wear), keep up with the granddaughter, do my highly physical job better and longer, etc... BUT my biggest motivation is my yearly vacation. I vacation at the end of each summer with my best friend of almost 30 years. We were Army buddies and he's stayed in "fighting shape" while I've let life go to my waist. While on vacation, each morning he brings me breakfast in bed and then heads out for his workout/run while I laze in bed. NEXT vacation I am going to go running with him (AND WOW him with that bodycon dress!!!)
  • Beanogirl
    Beanogirl Posts: 97 Member
    edited October 2014
    Good afternoon from Yorkshire.
    A man I was very much in love with, told me I was fat. He was right. Ditched him anyway and started the diet. I want him to ask me out again so I can turn him down! :D
  • EMTFreakGirl
    EMTFreakGirl Posts: 597 Member
    Beanogirl wrote: »
    Good afternoon from Yorkshire.
    A man I was very much in love with, told me I was fat. He was right. Ditched him anyway and started the diet. I want him to ask me out again so I can turn him down! :D

    GO you!
  • hannah6109
    hannah6109 Posts: 20
    Good Afternoon...Ottawa,Canada
    I want to lose another 5 kg...to have more energy
    and to feel healthier...I am slightly anaemic
    I also want to lose weight to feel good about myself
    And to look good as age..and get older..like
    when I am a Grandma..LoL


  • draco25000
    draco25000 Posts: 28 Member
    I have always pretty much been an 'average' weight until College where I put on almost 8kg (I know, don't kill me.) Then I went abroad, became sick, lost a lot of weight, and felt a lot more comfortable being thinner. But I knew I hadn't lost the weight healthily sooo I joined MFP to make sure I could maintain my weight whilst choosing healthier options. Happily I've lost 10kg since College and I'm nearly towards my UGW!
  • ViolaLeeBlueberry
    ViolaLeeBlueberry Posts: 182 Member
    Good evening from Kathmandu,

    I like mountains, but mountains don't like me when I'm huffing and puffing.

    I like clothes, and when I say "clothes" I don't really mean "sausage casings."

    I want to eat my cake and not have it too. At least not on my waist. Which is where it is now.

    I keep having birthdays, which is of course a good thing, but they come with things like "increased risk of _____" (Fill in the blank.)

    And so on!

    Incidentally, I love how people are weighing in from all over the world. (Uh, no pun intended.) Today on this board, thanks to UK folks, I just learned what a "stone" is. I think that may be the most sensible term for a whole lot of weight that has ever been invented. So here's another motivator: I do not like the idea of walking around carrying a whole bunch of stones :smile:


  • rachelbragg
    rachelbragg Posts: 4
    Kayzia_M wrote: »
    Greetings from Ghana! :)
    What helped to keep me motivated when i started was thinking about how much easier certain things would be if i lost a little weight...(climbing stairs without feeling like I'm about to die, finding clothes that fit right and look good etc.)
    Once I lost the first few kilos, and started noticing the little changes,(how different I looked, how slowly the folds are disappearing, how i had more stamina) it became easier to stay motivated, and my goal weight didnt look so impossible.

    -log in everyday even on the days you eat rubbish, log it in and move on
    -don't let a setback stop you from trying again
    -weigh everything! It would surprise you how much stuff actually weighs when you're no longer eye balling it.(you can stop once you get the hang of it, but for accuracy sake I'd say weigh everything
    -Take progress pictures, it helps to show that there HAS been a difference, when you feel like it hasn't.
    Hope this helps. :)

    Kayzia,
    Thank you for posting, your message is inspiring me. You're right that I should still log my food even when I didn't have a great eating day. I often skip the bad days in an effort not to get down on myself. But that is probably just what I need so that I can see how much better I feel when I am sticking to my plan.

    I am attempting to lose the weight from my 2nd baby (4 months old) and it is very hard to find time for myself, keep enough calories for effective breastfeeding and not just eat junk food on the run.

    My boys certainly are my motivation and I need to practice more self control and find the time to eat better. Thank goodness that this app keeps me honest and has worked for me before.

    Best of luck and thanks again.
  • AskTracyAnnK28
    AskTracyAnnK28 Posts: 2,817 Member
    Honestly? And this sounds stupid ....but my motivation is to be attractive to the opposite sex. I've been single for over 2 years and I'm hoping that having a nice figure will help my cause.
  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    Good morning! I started this journey when I realized that I gained 20 lbs after moving to Florida from NJ. I have never been overweight except for after I gave birth. Lost all that weight and maintained at 145 lbs at 5'3 tall. I am now 162. I am less active here then I used to be. My clothes fit tight and I can barely put on most of them.

    I cannot stand to purchase new clothes, so I started this journey. I struggle, because I am not hugely overweight and am curvy, I make excuses to not give it my all. I have only 17 lbs to lose and only have lost 3 so far. So that is one motivation.

    My other motivation is living in FL. The beaches!!! I want to rock that bikini with confidence. Stretch marks and all I want to go to every and all beaches here with not a doubt in my mind that I look good :).

    My last motivation is all these fit woman look bomb! I want to look like that too! Fit, curvy and sexy.
  • misstcrosby
    misstcrosby Posts: 14
    tracyannk28 wrote: »
    Honestly? And this sounds stupid ....but my motivation is to be attractive to the opposite sex. I've been single for over 2 years and I'm hoping that having a nice figure will help my cause.

    A guy shouldn't be with you for your figure, they should be with you for you :smiley:
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Health came first. Then all the rest of the good things that come with being thin. :)
    tracyannk28 wrote: »
    Honestly? And this sounds stupid ....but my motivation is to be attractive to the opposite sex. I've been single for over 2 years and I'm hoping that having a nice figure will help my cause.
    That is NOT stupid. It's natural, normal, and a lot more common than I think many people admit!! If that's you in the picture, you're so pretty. A good figure and the men will be throwing themselves at you!

  • misstcrosby
    misstcrosby Posts: 14
    This thread has made me feel so much more positive about the journey I am beginning - Thank You all for your input! Keep it going :blush:
  • JeriAnne84
    JeriAnne84 Posts: 543 Member
    It started off as knowing my boyfriend and I would be getting married here in the near future and I wanted to be able to have an easier (and less expensive) time finding a dress. Why wait till you get the ring to start losing weight? Plus it would be less stressful trying to drop all this weight in a short amount of time. Anyways then I started feeling better and my knees wouldn't hurt as bad so now it's morphed into I want to be healthy and able to kick butt.

    Plus I want to be in great shape when the zombies come.
  • AskTracyAnnK28
    AskTracyAnnK28 Posts: 2,817 Member
    misstcrosby wrote: »
    tracyannk28 wrote: »
    Honestly? And this sounds stupid ....but my motivation is to be attractive to the opposite sex. I've been single for over 2 years and I'm hoping that having a nice figure will help my cause.

    A guy shouldn't be with you for your figure, they should be with you for you :smiley:

    I live in New Jersey - the land of doucherockets. 'nuff said lolol
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