What was the final straw for you?
MotherShabubu
Posts: 10 Member
What pushed you over the edge and made you start this journey?
For me, it was my university graduation. I had almost dropped out of this degree twice, but I persisted and managed to make it through to the end, so my graduation was a really big deal for me. I was really proud of myself and I enjoyed the ceremony, until I saw my photos afterwards.
I look like a beached whale in every single photo. I have a double chin in *every* photo and, even in my black graduation robes, I looked huge! I can't even bear to look at them. I'm only keeping them as "before" pictures.
I'm starting my Masters next month. It's an 18-month degree, and things will be different next time. I want to look good in my photos! I want to be able to look at them and smile. There are many reasons why I'm doing this, but that's the main reason.
What about everyone else?
For me, it was my university graduation. I had almost dropped out of this degree twice, but I persisted and managed to make it through to the end, so my graduation was a really big deal for me. I was really proud of myself and I enjoyed the ceremony, until I saw my photos afterwards.
I look like a beached whale in every single photo. I have a double chin in *every* photo and, even in my black graduation robes, I looked huge! I can't even bear to look at them. I'm only keeping them as "before" pictures.
I'm starting my Masters next month. It's an 18-month degree, and things will be different next time. I want to look good in my photos! I want to be able to look at them and smile. There are many reasons why I'm doing this, but that's the main reason.
What about everyone else?
10
Replies
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For me, it was also the photos. Realizing I didn't want to be in photos for the last 5 or so years! I finally just allowed myself to be in them, but I want to be happy with the way I look again.7
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I really didn't have just one thing like the photos. It happened differently for me.
I remember being out places and hating the women who had nice figures. I was so jealous that I would cry thinking about it
I would get depressed about my weight and then eat more. Then get depressed because I over ate. It was a vicious cycle and I was sick of it
I tried every fad diet and gimmick possible. Finally when I learned that people didn't need to go low carb or spend tons of money on fancy gadgets and products, I realized that it just came down to calories.
All I had to do was eat less then i burned. Calories in calories out
For weight loss, you need a calorie deficit.
Once I figured that out, there was no stopping me!
Now I'm lean and tight and have maintained my loss for three years now20 -
A report from my Dr. about my cholesterol having turned much worse is what got my attention. A subsequent report said it was moving nicely in the right direction.5
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After some really sad circumstances in my life I decided to change the way I had been treating myself and get healthier.4
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Health ... having been diagnosed with high blood pressure *meds*, diabetes *meds*, and now high cholesterol (dr wants me on meds) I decided weight loss is more beneficial to lose these side effects of obesity and putting years back onto my lifetime.4
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It was a couple of things. New suits that were already the biggest i had ever bought were almost to small. Then Wanting to go zip lining and finding out I was to heavy to safely go.1
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Our wedding blessing to look good in my dress. Now I realise I want to look good but also feel good for years to come2
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For me it was ending up in the ER last October with a horrible pain in my back. I thought it was appendicitis only to learn I was experiencing the pain of a kidney stone. Research revealed that being overweight can contribute to kidney stones. Never wanting to experience another again made me finally serious about weight loss.1
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Being an overweight army veteran. After some introspection I decided I needed to stop slacking and get back in shape. I couldn't even keep up with my kids. So when I hit an all time high of 269 ( I'm 5'4"), I reached out to a trainer.4
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Actually there wasn't ever a final straw, for me because I've been "dieting"; since I began gaining weight. All my previous efforts did, was prevent me from gaining without losing. Meaning that, all I've ever accomplished was losing the same pounds that I've gained; over & over again. Some'd consider that a failure but I don't because I assume that I've gained & lost possibly 100 pounds, over that course of that time & without my previous loses, I'd be 100 more pounds overweight currently & all at once. My constant "failed" diets, have ensured that I've never been more than 4 pounds into obesity (which was water weight because a week later, I lost 5 pounds; without changing my diet).
So if there was a final straw for me, I'd have to say that it was my 1st straw because especially since I've been disabled, since I began gaining weight; I knew that if I ever became obese that'd be the point of no return for me. I knew that it just be impossible for me to lose that much weight, so I had to do my best; to prevent that from happening. I didn't know anything about water weight gain, when the scale said that I was 4 pounds obese, so it was devastating/defeating. At that moment I cried & accepted that I'd just keep gaining. I also didn't care to ever use a scale again but as the week progressed, I physically began; to feel lighter. So I chose to weigh myself again & was just overweight again, so I began my "dieting" again.
Unfortunately even though I currently know what to do exactly/successfully to lose & keep off this weight. My declining health, has made it as though; I am just "dieting" again. So I'm back to gaining & losing again, as though I am just winging it; like when I was uneducated. So I fear that unless I can get rid of all of this excess weight, before I turn 40 (in approximately 4 years); that I'll be too unhealthy to try.
I know that what works best for me, is to have home cooked meals because I make them voluminous, filling & less calorie dense but shopping/cooking enough, to sustain this; is becoming increasingly impossible. So I am considering hiring someone once a month (that's all I'd be able to afford), to shop for/batch cook (not everything I buy, can be ordered online & delivered/hopefully a month's worth, of food) for/with me & help with some other tedious chores, at least until I've gotten rid of this excess weight; so that I can just focus on becoming as healthy as possible. My hope is that I gain some energy, by being healthier; to then not need help to maintain whatever I've lost.0 -
My endo offered to give me phen and diet pills for my weight. The next day, on a Saturday, I started my journey and I am not looking back. I do not believe in diet pills or weight loss surgery for myself. That is not something I would ever want to do because I know I have the strength and courage to face it by myself.3
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My doctor started talking meds for my cholesterol and high blood pressure. He actually looked at my chart and said, "Well, you haven't GAINED anymore weight since last year, so that's something." I suddenly realized that he'd given up on me turning my health around. Nobody gets to give up on me except me. Nobody!7
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MotherShabubu wrote: »What pushed you over the edge and made you start this journey?
We have a garden, it's southwest facing so it gets plenty of sun. We were eating a lot of convenience foods, frozen mac n cheese, stuff like that. We'd sit in the garden and eat dinner together. Last summer was very hot, there were a lot of days I just couldn't eat with the sun beating down on me. That opened up a caloric deficit, I started seeing progress, and decided to "make it a thing." I'm down about 85 lbs since last June.5 -
I was 300lbs, uncomfortable, depressed. I'd never go back to that again6
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I was 295 lbs and 300 scared me.6
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I got sick of myself and stopped making excuses. The only thing holding me back was myself.5
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Not being able to fit in the jeans I bought after I gained some weight. Yeah, I am not buying any more clothes until I lose the weight, if there to tight there to tight, no excuse!!!!!4
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was not confident, feeling disrespected, I knew I needed to like myself. Lost the weight,, found another job, stood up for myself more, learned to love myself enough to take care of me4
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My clothes don't fit and have aches and pains in legs when I walk. Everything is an effort so now I have to change!2
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Laying in bed each night having anxiety about getting diabetes or dying of a heart attack.2
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