What is your WHY?
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My "why" started after looking at pics of myself from August 2014 (not that long ago) and seeing an obvious spare tire and very large legs. Noticed I was wearing my brother's cargo shorts that even a year ago were kind of loose on me were now tighter. Also didn't help that my size 0 daughter was standing next to me with a sort of digusted look. I didn't want to be the fat mom anymore! Also my doctor is threatening to put me on cholesterol meds if I don't bring my numbers down. Already on high blood pressure meds which I don't want to be on anymore.
My family also has a history of diabetes and being overweight is par for the course. I am not going to be another family statistic.
I started right before Thanksgiving, which is probably the hardest time to try to watch your eating, but I got through it with MFP! Everyone on here is amazing
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I have lots of reasons to do it but continuing to do it is psychological effort. This is work, not sudden inspiration. Just plain old work and practice.0
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Why is your WHAT?0
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What a great thread...
My WHY... Because I finally got tired of looking in the mirror and wanting to cry because I was so ashamed of how I looked. My health was crappy, I felt crappy, and I looked crappy. I finally got to the point where I thought "What do I have to lose by buckling down and just doing it?" So I did.
It was hard at first but I was lucky in that I started seeing positive results pretty fast. My clothes looked better on me, I slept better at night (no more apnea!! Yea!!!), and the more weight I lost, the better I felt not just physically, but emotionally.
I am learning to look in the mirror and really like what I see (clothed at least, but I'm getting there!) and can see that I AM worth the effort to look and feel my best. I AM worth being able to hear and take a compliment at face value (And I'm getting ALOT more of them these days!).0 -
My why is simple, I have no end date. I am sure I would have quit "again" if I had one. Some specific event or end date would have been a finish line that I may have gotten discouraged with if I hadn't hit a certain goal. Incorporating eating better and regular exercise into my life indefinitely makes more sense to me in the long run.0
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40andFindingFitness wrote: »My why is simple, I have no end date. I am sure I would have quit "again" if I had one. Some specific event or end date would have been a finish line that I may have gotten discouraged with if I hadn't hit a certain goal. Incorporating eating better and regular exercise into my life indefinitely makes more sense to me in the long run.
That is a very good point! I am doing this to get healthy and look and feel better, but I know this is a new way of living (eating right and exercising) for me. I do have a goal weight but that is not the end of the journey....only the beginning.
I must say that it is a little discouraging to read so many posts from people that lost all the needed weight, to only put it right back on. But then it only reinforces that this is a forever journey.
I know I will probably log my intake forever. That is the only way I can see what is causing a weight change and allow me to do something about it fast.
We can all do this!0 -
What an inspirational website! So good to see positive, encouraging words from others to help boost me along. I have been a compulsive over-eater who grazes continuously, and I need to overcome this problem in my life. I remember this problem causing me great emotional stress since I was 6 years old (61 years!). When I was 7, my doctor gave me my first diet plan because I was close to having a stroke. My blood pressure was so high I hemmoraged through the nose. Since then, every day of my life I am either starting or continuing a diet of one kind or another. Some of my diets last an hour, and some last a year. In my early 20's, I binged and purged and was able to keep my weight down. Then one day I stopped purging. Since then I have continuously lost and gained weight, mostly gaining.
My whys are that I want to get in shape. I want to lower my cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar A1c so I no longer have to take 15 prescription pills a day and one injection a week. I want to lower my weight by 80 pounds so my back, knees, and other parts of my body do not hurt. I want to improve the quality of my life and the length of my years. I want to increase my energy and enjoy the life I have left. I also want to feel good about the quality and quantity of the foods I put in my mouth, and how often I eat. In addition, I want to look better. Further, I want to be able to buy clothes in the regular departments, not "Women's" Departments. I don't want to feel ashamed of myself any longer and I no longer want to self destruct.
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Who has experienced noticeable energy increases? When did it show up? I know I still have 50 pounds to go, but I have lost 24 pounds and doing better with exercising and I still don't notice any extra energy.
I am not about to stop but would like a word of encouragement. 0 -
DamitJanit wrote: »40andFindingFitness wrote: »My why is simple, I have no end date. I am sure I would have quit "again" if I had one. Some specific event or end date would have been a finish line that I may have gotten discouraged with if I hadn't hit a certain goal. Incorporating eating better and regular exercise into my life indefinitely makes more sense to me in the long run.
That is a very good point! I am doing this to get healthy and look and feel better, but I know this is a new way of living (eating right and exercising) for me. I do have a goal weight but that is not the end of the journey....only the beginning.
I must say that it is a little discouraging to read so many posts from people that lost all the needed weight, to only put it right back on. But then it only reinforces that this is a forever journey.
I know I will probably log my intake forever. That is the only way I can see what is causing a weight change and allow me to do something about it fast.
We can all do this!
I was one of those people who lost a lot of weight (not all the way to goal though) only to gain it back. At one point I figured I was supposed to be fat. Yeah, I know. When I stopped giving myself an ultimatum of, "I'll lose xx lbs by xx date," I started to get excited about losing weight. For once in many, many years, I have not been gaining. I've been losing and maintaining, and losing and maintaining since August 2013. I've never kept any significant amount of weight off for that amount of time so I think by changing my why and my process I was able to get it right. I'm still a work in progress but I'm happy that I have not had to start over... again.
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DamitJanit wrote: »Who has experienced noticeable energy increases? When did it show up? I know I still have 50 pounds to go, but I have lost 24 pounds and doing better with exercising and I still don't notice any extra energy. I am not about to stop but would like a word of encouragement.
For me the energy kicked in after about a month of working out at the gym. When I started doing more cardio it went through the roof; however, the spurts come and go.
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my why really hit me this weekend, my grandmother passed away and was thin, outwardly she looked healthy. on the inside she hadnt been taking care of herself at all and passed from a heart attack. my cholesteral hasnt been tested in almost 2 years but since then I have lost weight, gained weight while pregnant and lost again. I do not want my family to bury me until I am at least into my 80's, hopefully older.
my children are the most important thing to me, my son wants to do all of these active things and I want to do them with him. I am not going to let my insecurities scare me and tell me I can be invisible when I am heavier and be ok with that. I want to face my fears and tell them to shove it
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My why is so many things. Tired of feeling all the aches and pains of carrying around to much weight. Tired of becoming out of breath from walking short distances. Tired of sitting somewhere and catching myself in the mirror and not recognizing who I see. Tired of having a small number of clothes that still fit while refusing to get rid of all the clothes that don't... and not wanting to go by new because that would be acknowledging how big I was not to mention the humiliation of trying to find something in my size. Wanting more energy to do things with my wife and kids. Wanting to look good for my wife... I could go on and on.0
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As we close on 2014, there is no better time than now to truly think about why you want to improve yourself. HAve you given it any thought? Many of you have shared your why, but I know there are many more that have not. Even if you don't want to share publicly, at least take a moment to think about it and use that reason to propel yourself into the new year!0
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I want to be a fit mum not a fat mum.
I had my daughter at 36 yrs old so when my daughter starts school in 2016, I want to be the old, FIT mum waiting to collect her every day, NOT the old, FAT mum waiting to collect her and embarrassing her.
Also, the more I exercise, the more I lose, the more I feel like I can go out and do active things with her like swimming at the pool, going to the beach etc. Before, I would stay home a LOT more.
I also want to be around as long as I can to see her grow up and maybe even have kids of her own. I really don't want to leave her without a mum. That would be the saddest thing of all.0 -
I want to be a fit mum not a fat mum.
I had my daughter at 36 yrs old so when my daughter starts school in 2016, I want to be the old, FIT mum waiting to collect her every day, NOT the old, FAT mum waiting to collect her and embarrassing her.
Also, the more I exercise, the more I lose, the more I feel like I can go out and do active things with her like swimming at the pool, going to the beach etc. Before, I would stay home a LOT more.
I also want to be around as long as I can to see her grow up and maybe even have kids of her own. I really don't want to leave her without a mum. That would be the saddest thing of all.
Kids are our everything and probably one of the strongest motivators. Nothing is more scary than thinking that you will not have the opportunity to see your kids grow up or experience being a grandparent. My mother was fortunate that she was able to meet my children, and they were old enough to remember her, but her time ended way before it needed to. I don't want to be put in that position if I can avoid it. Keep pushing. You will reach your goals!0 -
I really needed this post today. Thanks!0
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I might write an article about my 'why'. Ah what the hell, I'll just stick it here.
Truth is, I was a 24 year old virgin (ended up being a 26 year old one) and wanted to get laid. You're not really supposed to say that. You're supposed to say health, confidence and other wholesome things. Sure I wanted to feel good about myself, I wanted to date some girl instead of just being good friends all the time.
But first of all I wanted to get laid. without paying - that doesn't count.
I lost 47lbs, then gained 20lbs of muscle, then got laid an awful lot. You get this warped idea that every other guy is getting loads of sex with loads of beautiful girls; I felt like I'd missed out while being overweight, and had to make up time. In reality I hadn't missed out on much. The real killer was being invisible to girls because I was unattractive, rather than purely sex, but it took me 2 years & 74 girls to figure that out.
As regrets go, there are worse ones to have. Eventually I met up with one of those "good friends". She'd liked me all along, I just hadn't had the confidence to ask. we got engaged this Christmas.0 -
My why is an 8 year old hazled eye blond hair boy named Elijah. I want to still be around when my son grows up. I want to be able to not only do things with him, but to feel like doing things with him! Also my mom has high blood pressure and diabetes. I don't want to have to face that later in life. Thank you for your post, it really got me thinking,0
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Excellent post! You are exactly right…. I wouldn’t think about crossing for the $10 (risking my life for money), but in a heartbeat I would cross any bridge, mountain or ocean for my loved ones! This is what I have always done. I have always taken care of everyone else but never taking care of myself.
This year I resolve to take care of ME! I know it’s very cliché but in this new year my WHY is WHY NOT TAKE CARE OF ME??!!! Why do I put myself on the back burner? Why do I think I don’t matter? The truth is if I don’t take the time to take care of myself – then who will?
I matter and being healthy matters! I deserve all that life has to offer. So if losing this weight will help me to live a longer, healthy life – then let 2015 begin. I am ready to put myself at the front of the line! Here’s to a new year and a new me!
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Why, I'm cancer free, and i have 3 kids. I don't want my unhealthy life to cut my time with them. I also don't want my kids to have to deal with this problem when they are older.0
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great post and my why...is i want to be a fun energetic mom to my daughter who is 7 months old i want to be able to take her for walks and to the park to run around and play i dont want to b a fat mom that just sits there and watches their kid play because im to fat to play with her...thats my main reason and the most important and well also to feel good about how i look0
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I NEED TO DESERVE THE LIFE I AM BUILDING FOR MYSELF.
I NEED TO BE ABLE TO PHYSICALLY HANDLE THE FUTURE IM INVESTING IN.
I NEED TO PROVE THAT I AM THE KIND OF PERSON WHO DOES WHAT I SAY I WILL DO, ACHIEVES GREATER THINGS THAN I BELIEVE I CAN, TOPPLES THE OBSTACLES IN FRONT OF ME AND MARCHES OUT VICTORIOUS AT THE FINISH, WITH HEAD HELD HIGH.
I NEED TO CONFRONT MY FEARS OVER AND OVER UNTIL THEY ARE UNDER MY CONTROL.
I NEED TO LOOK BACK AT MY LIFE WHEN I AM OLD AND BADASS, AND NEVER THINK TO MYSELF, Self, you wasted all those years just sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and saying, I don't really feel like being all the way alive today, maybe this weekend.
i had to fight for my freedom and fight for the right to my own life and I'll be ****ed if Im going to just halfass it or throw it away in favor of sitting somewhere comfortable.0 -
I love reading your respnses. keep them coming. You inspire me and many others to keep on pushing!0
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I read a post in another forum that said she had realized that the lifestyle had become second nature and no longer felt like a diet. I think that is very inspiring to know we can reach that point in our life journey. I look forward to that day.0
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Hello... New to this app and this is my first post...
My why? Cause I fractured my back in 2010 and had 8 surgeries there after due to cysts in my lower back. I was 120 when I fractured my back now.... 160 possibly 1700 -
Continued....
I'm physically in pain now and take pills to stop the pain and have a neuro stimulator implanted in my back for those excruciating days. I'm tired of it and I want to stop feeling this way.
So 2015 was the year that I told myself that I'd have to change or go back to the hospital and be hooked on morphine again, which I really don't want to do.
Today was day one. How do I feel? A little in pain but I have to keep reminding myself that its not always gonna hurt like this and have to continue for my benefit and wellbeing.
Thanks for listening and for your awesome post.0 -
mscheesy77 wrote: »Continued....
I'm physically in pain now and take pills to stop the pain and have a neuro stimulator implanted in my back for those excruciating days. I'm tired of it and I want to stop feeling this way.
So 2015 was the year that I told myself that I'd have to change or go back to the hospital and be hooked on morphine again, which I really don't want to do.
Today was day one. How do I feel? A little in pain but I have to keep reminding myself that its not always gonna hurt like this and have to continue for my benefit and wellbeing.
Thanks for listening and for your awesome post.
Take it one day at a time, eat as clean as you possibly can, and your body will start to heal itself. Good luck to you, and let me know how I can help!DamitJanit wrote: »I read a post in another forum that said she had realized that the lifestyle had become second nature and no longer felt like a diet. I think that is very inspiring to know we can reach that point in our life journey. I look forward to that day.
That is always a great feeling. While my nutrition is not 100% yet, I feel that my fitness is. I worl out at least 5-6 days a week, unless I am sick, and actually feel bad if I don't exercise. So I make it a point to everyday. Exercise is my new addiction. Stick with it, and you will get there too
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OP, that is a VERY excellent post and much food for thought (if you'll forgive the expression). I need to think about it before I define my WHY.0
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What an interesting thread.... Hmmm....
My WHY.... Hmm....
Oh my goodness, now I'm really struggling, I'm not sure I have a WHY.... I just decided on my 39th birthday (October 2012) I didn't want to be fat at 40, so here I am....
I started out weighing 321lb - 22st 13lb - 145.6kg back in November 2012 and now I weigh 162lb - 11st 8lb - 73.5kg and I'm 41.... I've achieved my WHY.
So I guess that brings me to a different WHY.... Why am I still trying to lose these last 12lb and improve my fitness....!?!
Because I have worked damn hard to get this far and I refuse to give up just short of my pre-set finish line.
I guess my WHY is because I just won't quit - I will get to my goal and I will be the person I set out to be....
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Please take your time to think about it. The stronger your why is and the more emotion you can tie to it, the more solid your results will be!OP, that is a VERY excellent post and much food for thought (if you'll forgive the expression). I need to think about it before I define my WHY.
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