What changed your mentality to want to lose weight?

This is exactly me as well. Amazing, your post was the very first one that I've ever read on here and it fits me perfect. It might sound ridiculous, but the factor that has played a part in me wanting to lose wait has been love. I feel like most women want a man in shape and if there is someone I like, I try to use them as a motivator.

I was hovering at 500 lbs last March. I will never forget the day because it was my 45th birthday and I was miserable. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. I cant say that I have yo yo dieted because I have not. However, every time I seriously tried to lose weight I did. I had not even bothered for years. I was deeply depressed and had fooled myself that I was okay at that weight because I had no major health issues. I did not really have an a ha moment. I just was tired of being miserable all the time. I decided to do something about it. Once I started, it was so easy for me that I do not worry about falling off the wagon, because this has truly become my way of living now. I monitor what and how much I eat. I started out walking at home with Leslie Sansone. I have progressed from 1 mile to 4,5, or 6 depending on how much time I have.
I should tell my story more but I don't. When I do, what i say is that if I can do this then anybody can.
You have to be determined that it is what you want. It is simple, but not necessarily easy. I get up at 4 am everyday to exercise. I plan, weigh and log what I eat. If you are committed you can do it. I have had periods in the last year and a half when I have gained weight. Even when I gained, I knew I would lose the weight again. For me the mental obstacle was the biggest hurdle.
NO matter what, DO NOT GIVE UP!!! Believe in yourself. You are worth it. I am a living example. I have lost 150 lbs to date. I dont starve myself. I eat regular food. God bless you!!

After the last final of my 1L year, a friend took a picture of us out celebrating, and I was horrified. I'm planning on going into public-sector law, and while my GPA is excellent, I'm afraid that an interviewer will look at me and see an undisciplined, unprofessional person. At the same time, my husband was diagnosed with fatty liver - this on top of high cholesterol and high blood pressure - and he refused to take it seriously or make any lifestyle changes that could help us have a long, healthy life together. The thought of losing my spouse scares me. I started my own diet and exercise changes in hopes of setting a good example for him. Plus there's the fact that, um, certain parts of being married are difficult when you don't feel desirable or confident. (That's coming 100% from me, not from him - he married me when I was 30 pounds heavier than I am now.)

The other prong is that I have clinical depression and anxiety, and I'm in an incredibly academically challenging, high pressure program. There's a ton of studies that show exercise is an excellent natural antidepressant and stress reliever, plus it helps improve cognitive function. Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy, and happy people don't get Cs on their finals. They just don't!

I spent a whole week if vacation eating terrible and feeling miserable. On 8/29/16....right after my son went home to California. ...I had a little bit of time of personal honesty with myself. I decided that the next time I see my son again...hopefully March 2017....I want to look and feel better about myself. I'm ready to change eating habits. Portion control, adding more whole foods., no sweets...White bread and drinking more water. Im done feeling this way. I'm tired and so ready to make the changes.