What was your 'I finally need to lose this weight' moment? (And was it as bad as mine?)

Cellulite. I see it on my legs and wouldn't dare to wear shorts or a dress in public. It is hot and summer now so I have to lose weight to do it or risk being really hot and uncomfortable. & to look awesome in clothes!

Uni. I finally had the freedom to control my eating, my sister used to give me grief over my weight before, she was one of those girls who had a naturally flat stomach and all the right curves, so it was really difficult. I think I subconsciously gained weight to spite my family, they wanted me to lose weight and tried to get me to do so by saying harsh words, so I ate more to piss them off, haha.
In Uni I got into my first relationship and all of my flatmates were thin, I was once again the biggest friend in the group and eventually all of the night out pictures started to take its toll on me, I hated seeing my belly button showing through some of the shirts we had to wear on themed nights out and just knowing that some people were ignoring me simply because I was bigger than them, by like fifty eight or more pounds. Just the fact that I was finally "free" and able to just do what I want motivated me, plus I've always wanted to look good for someone so that helped too

I've also seen pictures where I thought I was looking pretty good and realized I looked so huge. I had a few health problems crop up and I've been suffering from depression and fatigue. My doctor always mentions my weight and needing to be proactive about it. But mostly, I lost my younger sister to cancer last fall and for many months I barely moved from my couch. I finally realized how sad she would be that I am not taking care of myself and doing everything I can to be more healthy and enjoy life as much as I can, because she didn't have the chance. It's rough still but I finally felt able to get out and try.

I saw pictures of myself at one of my son's hockey tournaments and was so embarressed. I was the fat mom in the stands. I lost 30lbs about 2 years ago. Then stopped half way to my goal. Needless to say, I gained it all back and a few more. I again saw pictures and realized what happened and I am back. I am down 40lbs and almost halfway to goal. I refuse to be the fattest, most out of shape mom on the team. I am happy to say I can now almost keep up with my son, and when we run he can't go as long as I can. We can go to Cedar Point Amusement park and I can go all day and fit on everything without worrying he will fall out the other side. I can fit in cute clothes again and I feel better about myself. I have set myself up for success this time with a better support system so I gave myself no choice but to succeed.

I knew overtime, really, but the first big push was when the massive stretch marks I had accumulated over a couple years of continual gain finally began to heal...

The bigger one, though, was when my husband and I went with some friends to a huge neighborhood event that so many ppl go to, parking is backed up for at least 7 blocks. We thought we parked fairly close, but we took a turn and there was this massive, steep, uphill walk. It took us at least 20 minutes to walk this whole thing. I was okay for a couple minutes, then I started panting... my asthma acted up, which isn't made better by being obese... Then my heart started pounding as I tried to keep up with everyone. They seemed to keep up decently with conversation but I couldn't even talk. Fortunately there was enough traffic around to where I'm sure no one heard me panting. Finally, my heart was pounding so hard that I could hear it loud and clear. My head felt pressurized. I heard a ringing in my ears... THEN my heart felt like it was going to explode. It went past pain and turned into this frenzied fluttering... It wasn't just like pushing yourself during a workout, I can't fully explain it. It was genuinely the closest in my life I felt I was going to have a heart attack.

That was when I knew.

1. Knee/back pain - I was never obese or even that close but knee and back pain runs in my family. I love love love being active, hiking, yoga, and dancing, and want to be able to do what I love for years and years.

2. And this one because I'm apparently 14 and shallow: consistently not feeling pretty, seeing cute guys and thinking that they were wayyy out of my league. I'm the perpetually single friend, and tired of feeling left out when people are talking about engagements, romantic trips, etc. One night about six weeks ago I tried so hard to flirt with a friend of a friend and he wouldn't give me the time of day. Rejection happens to everyone and I have no idea why he didn't like me (for all I know he's married, gay, etc) but it stung and I want to rule out my weight as reason why I might not be attractive, especially because I'm quite shy with a mean case of resting *kitten* face, average looking features, picky with personality and the dating pool where I live isn't huge. Rationally I don't know that being a size 4-6 is actually much different/attractive than an hourglassy 10 (there are certainly lots of super attractive size 10s and above with lovely and hot SOs, and I know some men actually prefer that) but making sure that I'm trying my best and not choosing cheetos over having a boyfriend gives me peace of mind. I also just want to look in the mirror and be happy about what I see, and I think I look better a bit smaller than I was/am.

(I'm not actually 14 - I'm approximately twice that, chronologically speaking)

There was a Facebook posting about a woman who felt fat shamed at Old Navy. I would think when you have an experience like that, rather than make an issue that the world is "mean to fat people", really own that experience and use it as an opportunity for change.

I am not excusing fat shaming, or making fun of her experience and reaction.

But, realize if you have a situation where you felt shamed because of weight, you can change your weight. It does take work and motivation for change. Or accept the fact that the world won't change. Only you can change. Lose weight or get tough so you won't cry when someone makes a rude comment.

I went through a few starts. I'm 6'8" and not a small guy, i never will be in the low 200's, my body isn't built like that. A few years ago it was when the scale hit 310 and i looked at pictures of myself from over the years. It was the last straw. Did lots of exercise (gym and p90x), ate better, etc. Got down to 270 and was much better. Stayed like that for a few years.

Fast forward a few years, i moved cross country and my wife was pregnant. I was eating the crap she was craving with her. All the good bye parties with terrible food and lots of drinks merged with new place eating out a lot until we got settled, new job that required more social hours, etc. Got back to 295lbs and hurt my back playing with my kid. I decided that i wanted to be healthier for my son so when he grows up I can still do things with him. I bought a fitness tracker, started using MFP, playing basketball for 2 hours twice a week and am training for a triathlon. I'm down to 274 now and my goal is to see 25x on the scale, which would be the lowest I can ever remember seeing on a scale.

Fivefarthings wrote: »

I'm 5'7 and was 12.1 stone (down three pounds so far, go me!). I'm about a stone and a half overweight and unfit and have been for the last couple years and I've promised myself time after time that this year will be the year to lose the weight, and it's never happened... Until now

This year in June my boyfriend and I were at the Le Mans, France, 24 hour race (the bf is a massive car geek). He has a nice car, convertible, and this year we took it to a car show so he could show it off. So there we were, driving slowly through the crowds, when we stopped in the traffic, and two guys came to admire the car. And as they were stood right next to me in the passenger seat (roof off) one of them said, really loudly, 'That's a really stunning car, though you definitely need a more fit bird sat in the front.' And they walked off before I could think of anything to say in reply. Needless to say I was utterly mortified.

And that my friends, right there, following a cruel remark from a total stranger, was my 'moment' when I said, no more! I am going to get fit and healthy and look and feel fabulous from now on and damn any strangers who say otherwise!

What was your moment?

First off (excuse my French) - but what a couple of d!cks!! Sorry that was your catalyst!

Mine was putting on deodorant and realizing I had fat armpits! Weird - but that's what did it for me

I was doing things as usual at work, when one day, I bent down to pick something up and my belt snapped. It was already on the biggest notch too. That was when I finally decided I needed to change my life.

The moment my sister asked me to be her maid of honor. I wanna look nice in a dress lol

Love this threat!!
For me was trying on clothes and struggling to find anything that fits (im a 14/16). I'm the big girl in our group and was tired of being that girl.

shakeirawhitney wrote: »

Confirmation was the next day when I was at my cousin's house and both her and my sister asked if I was pregnant.

Oh my God what is wrong with people who do this? A: if you're not pregnant, just overweight, its *incredibly* rude and insulting, and B: if someone IS pregnant, they will announce it when THEY want to, you don't just ask! Jesus Christ....

Every year, I go through my wardrobe and either donate or throw out (only if quality isn't good enough to donate) the clothes that I don't want/wear/fit. Last time I did this, I realised that I didn't fit most of my clothes, and then once I put it in a bag I realised that it was equivalent to me giving away approx. $500 worth of clothes. So, I made the decision to keep the bag, and put it on top of my bookcase with a note that says if these don't fit a year on 16 September 2015 (a year after I put the bag up there) that I'd have to give away the stuff. And so, that's really helped get my butt into gear!

Going to size 18 and it is still did not fit. I have been a 14 for years. Being so uncomfy in my fat jeans that I was so uncomfy during my whole work day. The doctor put me on hormones and well I gained 15 pounds in like 3 weeks. I have since gained a total of 20 but just eating.