What is driving you to stick with your diet?

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Replies

  • Brans34
    Brans34 Posts: 599 Member
    I began my journey for my health and to set a better example for my kids. I don't eat "clean," but I do stick to my calories, and I don't hardly ever have days that I'm hungry by the end of the day.
    Now that I have had a 22 lb loss, what is driving me is the results. My reasons now are mostly vanity. I really want to look good in a cute little sun dress on spring break. I want to rock the dress for prom (masquerade theme this year). I want to look good in a swimsuit without me or my kids being embarrassed by the size and jiggle of their mom. The fact that I haven't had a plateau of more than a week at a time with the same 2 lbs coming and going before the scale finally started moving in the right direction again gives me the drive I need to keep at it. I have just over a week of February left, and my goal is to lose 2.4 more lbs by the 1st. After that, 10 lbs in March. That will allow me to be amazing in a cute prom dress, because those pictures in the yearbook last forever, and then only 5-10 lbs after that to goal range.
  • noobletmcnugget
    noobletmcnugget Posts: 518 Member
    Vanity, pure and simple.
  • breannemarie1993
    breannemarie1993 Posts: 161 Member
    My cousins wedding in July and figuring out how to live properly with a high gluten intolerance!'
  • I want to be at my healthy weight before getting pregnant.
    Kicking PCOS's *kitten*
    Finally fitting into my clothes
    Not being the chubbiest of my friends

    HOORAH!
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    Me.

    This is the first time I'm losing for me! Not at event, occasion or person.

    I stick with counting calories because I want to do this for me.
  • fit_chickx
    fit_chickx Posts: 569 Member
    I have lived in the shoes of a significantly overweight person and healthy person. I've been at my goal weight for two years. I understand the struggles.

    What motivates one person may not motivate you. Find your reasons! I waited until I had a health crisis and my heart stopped in the emergency room. I get a second chance. What has me sticking to this is I make myself and my health a priority. We only get this one life...... use it well.

    The work does not end after your weight loss goal. You still have to maintain it. This app has been key. I had to learn how to eat and hit my macros. I'm not on a diet...I eat to fuel my body correctly. This is my healthy lifestyle that has become my new normal.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    Vanity, pure and simple.

    Nothing wrong with that. :)
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    Me.

    This is the first time I'm losing for me! Not at event, occasion or person.

    I stick with counting calories because I want to do this for me.

    Love this one!! I'm doing it for me this time too! I've had other reasons in the past I have to admit- which didn't make me want to stick with it long term.
  • Rhody_Hoosier
    Rhody_Hoosier Posts: 688 Member
    Truthfully... broken heart. :(
    I have tried every diet and for one reason or another I quit. My wife says I can only stick with a diet for a week!. So I was talking to my son-in-law and we challenged each other to lose weight. If I lose I cannot go to the casino. If he loses he has to put his mother on speed dial and call her twice a week plus no going to the movies. The competition really seems to be helping me. I am committed to not losing and making my 180 pound goal by the end of January 2018. What is driving you to stick with your diet?

  • BABetter1
    BABetter1 Posts: 618 Member
    Competition works for me too. Currently in a couple of diet contests. After they end, I may do another one. Don't know yet.
  • adamb0575
    adamb0575 Posts: 8 Member
    The thing that drive me to change my lifestyle and diet in the first place is still the driving factor for me to continue today. My kids not being able to do stuff with me because I was too heavy, 42kg latter and I can now do stuff with them that is all the motivation I need.
  • risberg96
    risberg96 Posts: 118 Member
    A healthy BMI of 24. After four kids I've been in the overweight category for over a decade. This is what ultimately motivates me!!
  • Fallfrenzy
    Fallfrenzy Posts: 118 Member
    I needed to lose 25 pounds prior to having a health scare. Once that happened, I made a commitment to myself to be fit and healthy and shed most of those pounds. I find that changing to eating whole foods and being on MFP and logging daily helps to keep me honest.
  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    Rocknut53 wrote: »
    Up until yesterday it was all about finally being a normal weight and feeling much better. Last night I found out my sister who is 10 years older than me and has for the past 15 years had multiple health problems is dying from stage 4 lung cancer. Gave me another bump in the motivation department.

    A quick followup: My sister passed away yesterday, just a few days after being diagnosed with lung cancer. I'm still in a daze wondering how someone could be that sick without knowing. I will strive from here on out to live the healthy lifestyle that allowed me my success over the past 13 months with a new determination to not falter.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    Rocknut53 wrote: »
    Rocknut53 wrote: »
    Up until yesterday it was all about finally being a normal weight and feeling much better. Last night I found out my sister who is 10 years older than me and has for the past 15 years had multiple health problems is dying from stage 4 lung cancer. Gave me another bump in the motivation department.

    A quick followup: My sister passed away yesterday, just a few days after being diagnosed with lung cancer. I'm still in a daze wondering how someone could be that sick without knowing. I will strive from here on out to live the healthy lifestyle that allowed me my success over the past 13 months with a new determination to not falter.

    My condolences. Take care of yourself and your family.
  • Bluwaves1
    Bluwaves1 Posts: 191 Member
    I just turned 49 and I want to be in great shape when I turn 50. Then I can maintain my fitness as I start my second career. I am not sure why people like me tend to be 50 pounds over weight and seem to 'live' in that zone. I lost about 70 pounds 5 years ago (using this site) and I am hoping to keep using it in the future, and not stop this time. My main motivation is feeling 'awesome'! rather than feeling bloated...
  • JeanieWww
    JeanieWww Posts: 4,037 Member
    I have wanted to lose weight for a long time, but i had no faith in my being able to do so. I let my fear keep me from even trying Then i figured out, if I don't try, I automatically fail. If I try, at least I stand a chance.
    So I wrote down reasons why i wanted to lose weight/ get fit, so that I can reflect on them when i feel weak.
    1. To feel unashamed about myself
    2. To look better (think of those before and after photos)
    3. To fit smaller clothes. ( non-plus sizes)
    4. I want to be happy with who I see in the mirror. (yes, I know it goes deeper than my size, but it's my size i'm referring to. I like me!)
    5. Slim down the bubble badonkadonk (supposedly not a good enough reason)
    6. Don't want to become diabetic. 
    7. To finally be able to say, " I did it!!!" (wont that be nice!) 
    8. So I don't feel judged by others. (or at least less judged. Someone always has to be an *kitten*)
    9. Not to cringe when loved ones want  to take a picture that includes me, or feel disgust when I see the offensive photo.
    10. To gain a little more confidence and not as self conscious.
    11. I feel embarrassed saying this, but yeah, to feel a little sexy at times. 
    12. To be ok with wearing a swimsuit. 
    13. BECAUSE I AM WORTH IT
  • fightingweight155
    fightingweight155 Posts: 90 Member
    Rocknut53 wrote: »
    Rocknut53 wrote: »
    Up until yesterday it was all about finally being a normal weight and feeling much better. Last night I found out my sister who is 10 years older than me and has for the past 15 years had multiple health problems is dying from stage 4 lung cancer. Gave me another bump in the motivation department.

    A quick followup: My sister passed away yesterday, just a few days after being diagnosed with lung cancer. I'm still in a daze wondering how someone could be that sick without knowing. I will strive from here on out to live the healthy lifestyle that allowed me my success over the past 13 months with a new determination to not falter.

    My heart goes out to you and your family.
  • shandy82165
    shandy82165 Posts: 184 Member
    I have no choice. My weight is causing me health and mobility issues that are exacerbated due to my age (51). My feet hurt, my knees hurt, high blood pressure, mildly depressed and I was in the ER in January with Diverticulitis. If I don't do something now, the latter part of my life will be painful and miserable, if I last that long.

    So, I made a decision, finally. That was 7 weeks ago, and 17 pounds lost so far. So this is it, this is my journey from here on out. There is no try, there's only do.
  • hhof
    hhof Posts: 26 Member
    I have no choice. My weight is causing me health and mobility issues that are exacerbated due to my age (51). My feet hurt, my knees hurt, high blood pressure, mildly depressed and I was in the ER in January with Diverticulitis. If I don't do something now, the latter part of my life will be painful and miserable, if I last that long.

    So, I made a decision, finally. That was 7 weeks ago, and 17 pounds lost so far. So this is it, this is my journey from here on out. There is no try, there's only do.

    That's where I was too just shy of 51. I didn't have diverticulitis but I did have blood pressure issues, sleeping problems, depression alcohol problems nd overall I hated myself. Now about 50 lbs later, life is so different and I am happy.

  • jroy1999
    jroy1999 Posts: 27 Member
    3 1/2 years ago I was in the best shape of my life. Then I ended up with a surprise pregnancy! Pregnancy has always been very hard on me, so the good habits started falling by the wayside. Shortly after my 3rd baby was born, we had to move and healthy eating/ exercise wasn't a priority. I ended up 30lbs over prepregnancy weight, high blood pressure, low iron, anxiety, depression, and self image issues. My mom has high blood pressure, diabetes, fibromyalgia and a host of other health issues that I do not want to have if I can help it. So I am doing this for me and for my family, so when I am 70 I can rock that water slide, roller coasters, and hike on my travels around the world!
  • mbanks123
    mbanks123 Posts: 117 Member
    I want to look nice in my clothes and not worry about having to cover myself up or having fat poking out anywhere. Small but important :) gives me a hell of a lot of confidence
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    edited February 2017
    Me.

    This is the first time I'm losing for me! Not at event, occasion or person.

    I stick with counting calories because I want to do this for me.

    Love this one!! I'm doing it for me this time too! I've had other reasons in the past I have to admit- which didn't make me want to stick with it long term.

    Every.single.time I went on a "diet" I did it for something/one else...a vacation, a wedding an anniversary or my husbands fit so I thought I needed to lose weight for him (although he never said anything). I resented every.moment.of.said.fad.diet at the time. I resented when my husband had french fries when I was on a "no white" diet. I suspected he was sabotaging me or he was thoughtless. Wow I had to apologize to him lol poor guy just wanted french fries:).

    Now I give zero "you know what" what he or anyone else eats, friends family order desserts and I have a bite or two but resolve stays pretty strong. Its in my hands now. I get CICO and I now am armed with TDEE to help me maintain.

    Between now and goal weight I just have to sort out the personal stuff like not eating when boredom sets in, how to stay motivated to continue to workout to improve my TDEE. How to tweak things when diet fatigue sets in. And right now how to get more protein in when I don't eat meat and rarely eat fish:( I had chicken I think 3 times on my diet break last month and I'm just not a fan of meat anymore (I think Atkins broke me lol).

    Any rate OP as I mentioned this is the first time I can "get right back on track" if something goes sideways.
  • kq1981
    kq1981 Posts: 1,098 Member
    edited February 2017
    To teach my kids to live healthy and happy lives with confidence, have energy to keep up with them and especially eliminate my health issues. So over being sick!!! and..... To show my ex what he's missing... jokes.... not really:-(
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    For me?

    46466-Because-This-Feeling-Really-Sucks-300x294.jpg
  • GemstoneofHeart
    GemstoneofHeart Posts: 865 Member
    I would say the progress I've made and the health benefits I've already gained from losing 10% of my weight is motivating me.
    Oh also side by side progress pics. Seeing the before keeps me motivated because I HATE how I used to look.