My feet started to swell, not just when it was hot, but all the time. That had never happened to be before and it seemed like something was really not going right if my body was doing that.

Then I weighed myself (something I'd stopped doing a few months before) and was 20lbs heavier than my heaviest weight. That was it, I knew it was time and that if I didn't do something now I probably never would.

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. That day everything clicked and I haven't looked back. It may have been a cumulation effect as well. We lost my son's soccer coach to a heart attack. He was only 2 yrs older than me and not an unfit guy. It really scared the crap out of me. So - here I am. For once I feel like I am really going to make it to my goal. I really have no choice!

The "light-bulb" moment came at my teenagers orthodontist appointment. She had two top teeth that were sticking out very badly like fangs and for the last 6 months the braces were doing the work of making space for theses two teeth to start being brought into place. The orthodontist said, "I'll see you again in 8 weeks. You will be so surprised at the difference you will see. It will be uncomfortable but it will be worth it." It really made me think about myself, I could be back here with my daughter in 8 weeks either just the same or I could make some changes and be different. It changed the way I'm looking at my health, now I'm looking at daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals and my overall goal to get to a healthy weight and stay there for life.

I would have to say my light moment was when a stranger asked when the baby was due.

I realized that my mom wasn't just taking pictures at "a bad angle" of my daughter and myself when I weighed in at 248lbs... That was at the end of May. Now I'm almost to my first 50lbs lost -- then another 50 to go!

When I went in for a check-up and realized that I'd put on 6.7 pounds in one year.

Before then, I could attribute the gains as whatever excuse seemed feasible/believable at that moment--there were sooooo many to choose from after all! However, when I looked back after that appointment, reflected on the fact that I weighed more than I ever did while pregnant, I was appalled. It was sort of official...I was one of 'those' moms. Ya know? The ones that had a kid and totally let themselves go, got lazy, was [insert assumptions here]. There was an immediate understanding that if the weight/health wasn't handled...it would only get worse (and harder to get back where I was) the older I got.

I settled on the fact that I wanted to be an active mom for/with my girl, not just a supportive one, and a mom who doesn't/didn't defer when activities happen because I was unsure if I could even DO said activities (running around a park, playing tag, etc.). On a more shallow level...I want to be and feel attractive (to myself) again...I don't want to be the 'fat' mom on the playground with all the Judgey McJudgersons out there raining down shame and disgust. I want to be a fit mom.

I want to inspire and motivate others to be healthier... but I can't do that until I am healthy... and be a continuous role model for my daughter--promoting overall health, rather than skinny.

MFP USW: 216.7 (late Aug, 2015)
CW: 193.0 (weigh-in tomorrow; so I hope to drop another pound 'officially')
UGW: 125 (ish)
Pounds to go: 65+
Goal date: (projected) January 2017

There have been a lot of them! Trouble getting my shoes on, sore hips, unable to find decent clothes in my size, avoiding photographs for more than a year now... I think the last straw was returning from a trip to Mexico this summer. I didn't have one picture taken of myself, was sweating like crazy the whole time, felt like a giant, exploding tomato, couldn't enjoy the trip to its fullest because of my weight (got tired quickly, always felt overheated). Then on the plane home I could barely fit in the seat and my ankles swelled up like giant balloons. The weight was getting in the way of my freedom, health, and happiness in too many ways to ignore any longer.

I 'd like to buy clothes I like, not ones that fit. I'd like to look in a mirror, and like what I see. I'd like to be able to catch my 2 year old grandson when he's running. I'd like to get off pills that I take for being overweight. I'd like to be a hot 64 year old!!!!

I've lost 10 lbs so far, but I'm still the heaviest weight I've ever been (217) What can I say? I just let myself go. My life felt like a disaster, so I just ate my emotions like a fiend to cope. Finally when *kitten* hit the fan (my relationship ended, I moved back home, was forced to start over) I said ENOUGH. I decided to take a go at this weight loss thing for the millionth time, but really take it seriously this time. No shortcuts, no fads, no diets.

My happiness and energy are coming back, and it's nice to see the scale move and my clothes getting looser. I take responsibility for what I've done to myself, and I'm working everyday to change it

Greenline, you are so right about how much happier you can feel just by starting to take care of yourself. I'm only 3 weeks and 8 pounds into this, but I've been walking, doing yoga, and eating better - and I've been in such a good mood.

I feel like I'm appreciating everything more. I don't know if I had an 'aha' moment, but I knew I was getting tired and grouchy and apathetic about life, and I knew my weight was dragging me down. I'm feeling more energized and more optimistic, and more confident too.