What was the last straw?

it was a combination of things for me. I was huffing and puffing just trying to get my shoes tied, and painting my toenails started to require contortion. I was just tired of being the biggest person in the room all of the time, and hating the way I looked and felt, always avoiding taking pictures with my 1-year old son, and making lame excuses to get out of fun things like water parks or whitewater rafting...anything with a swimsuit really. If anything was the last straw, it was the way I started feeling about myself, and the very cruel things I'd say to me in the mirror every morning. If anyone else had said those things to me, I'd straight up punch them. So I just had to do something. I HAD to. I felt like I had no choice, especially having a kid at age 41. It was about health, my spirit and having an active lifestyle. fat doesn't fit into any of that.

Suffering a heat stroke on a summer 5-mile race in 2012, being hospitalized and realizing how fast I used to be, and how pathetic I became over the past two decades.

My work clothes don't fit, and I cannot afford buying new ones as I am unemployed. If I were offered a job, I have no idea what I would do.

Also, I am avoiding everyone. I don't want to be seen like this.

I have not seen my family for months. That's the worst. It's difficult to meet people because meeting always involves eating (lunch, dinner, cocktail, etc.) I don't want to discuss my weight with people, so I have to avoid these events. That does not help the job seeking ...

It's the second time that I let myself go to that point. Will I ever learn?

When someone thought I was pregnant - and I wasn't.

I was at a party and a friend mentioned that 10 yrs (and 40lbs) ago, I had six pack abs and looked "hot." The other partygoers looked at me with polite skepticism and that was it for me. 15lbs down now, 25 to go.

Mech9 wrote: »

it all came to a final mindbogglingly stressful head when my ex began cheating on me with a fit, attractive, young girl because he was no longer attracted to me.

It made me realize that no matter what I did for anybody else, nobody cared as much as I suffered. I had to do for me. So I did.

Your ex cheated on you because he was a selfish d-bag. He used your weight as an excuse.

I hope things are better for you now.

I saw the before picture and realized how bad I had gotten

I knew I was a Big Man. My clothes barely fit and my belly pushed out on all my shirts. Whenever I could I would wear a sweatshirt of something to try to conceal it.

I had given up on dieting after many failed attempts. I figured, might as well eat and be happy!

But one day I could not even walk one block without running out of breath and having to stop and rest my legs, that was enough for me! I have a wife and kids and they deserve better from me.

I realized I hated trying to fit into booths at restaurants, or being the fat guy who sat next to you on the plane, spilling over into your seat. I was embarrassed to go to the movies because I took up not only the whole seat, but the armrests too! And don't get me started on trying to fit into other peoples cars or worrying about breaking the chair I was sitting in.

It was time to make a change!

I've always been mentally comfortable being big (maxed out at 5'3" and 250 lbs). My boyfriend of 3 years loves me to death. I've always had good blood sugar, good blood pressure, good cholesterol levels, etc, so I've never felt a reason to change. However, no matter how "fat but healthy" you think you are, your body is in a constant state of accelerated mechanical breakdown if you are overweight, or, like me, morbidly obese. After all the years of denial, I finally decided I don't want to be in pain anymore. I already have osteoarthritis in my hip due to an injury in high school, and the rest of my joints are catching up. The longer I wait, the closer I get to becoming incapable of caring for myself. These aren't worries I should be having at age 31. Enough is enough. 31 days using MFP, and 6 lbs down. I can do this!

My personal trainer looked me in the eye and asked "When are you going to get serious about this?"

In September, I had to write a paper for a health class. It was about how we would define ourselves by the six dimensions of wellness (physical/spiritual/emotional/intellectual/social/occupational health) and a health goal that we wanted to reach by the end of the semester. I took a long look at how I had let myself go in so many ways. I was 23 and didn't want to do anything when I should be having friends to go do things with. I didn't want to go out or leave my house, I didn't want to go outside and play sports. My self-esteem and confidence was at an all-time low. I felt sluggish and lethargic at almost 150 lbs being 5'0". I had always been thin/in-shape. Things like showering were becoming such a chore and wearing me out. I wanted to look better, feel better, and to be honest, be more attractive to guys. I decided that I was not meant to be fat. My health goal was to stop drinking soda because consuming the sugar, coloring, and calories is not worth it. I did for over four months before I had some again. Since I started, I've only had soda three times. The only time I miss it is when I'm eating something like pizza or a burger. I automatically go for my water bottle and that satisfies me.

The assignment made me see that my overall wellness was very poor. So, that was my catalyst for change. I'm so much more confident and happy than I was 20+ lbs ago. I'm motivated to go out and do things again and go outside of my comfort zone.

Being called Big Bertha in high school. Kids are cruel. Lost 70lbs that following year. When that boy who started it tried to friend me on FB a few yrs ago, I declined without saying a word lol Yay me for restraint of tongue! lol!!

Comparing the way I feel about myself now, and how I used to feel about myself...This past spring was the start of the happiest time of my life...I was graduating from college, engaged to my best friend, and planning a real life...but I felt terrible about my physical appearance. I decided I wanted to feel as good about myself as I did about the way my life was going.

My journey started pretty much the moment I left my Dr.'s office after receiving my type 2 diabetes diagnosis. I weighed 222ish at the time. I immediately stopped soda, drastically reduced my carb intake, greatly reduced my processed food intake and ate a LOT more fresh fruit. About 2 months in, I started using MyFitnessPal which became essential, especially when I started reintroducing carbs into my diet. I lost about a lb./week and I was off my diabetes meds after about 4-5 months.

I've lost pretty much all the weight - I'm at 167 now. In addition, I've also greatly reduced/eliminated my sleep apnea and acid reflux.

gym's* (oh yeah...I hate improper use of apostrophes) lol