What is your reason?

I was overweight for my whole life until I lost 70lbs in 2006, only to gain a lot of it back last year. A lot of diseases run in my family and being overweight only ups my chances of ending up with them. I already have high cholesterol, so being healthy is a big reason for me, though not the only one!

I'm getting married in May and I will admit that that is a big reason why I want to do this now. We're getting married on a cruise ship and I know I'll be in a bathing suit for the whole of the 8 day cruise, which both of our families will be on. I'd rather not be a chubby bride and later be sitting on the beach next to my two thin gorgeous bridesmaids.

I also want to set an example for my 11 year old brother, who has been gaining weight recently because of all the bad foods (and bad examples) that flow freely in my parents' house.

I wanted to lose weight because I was uncomfortable in my own skin. I didn't feel good about my body and would cringe when I'd see myself in pictures.

I lost 60 pounds (kept off 50) and became much healthier and educated about nutrition and exercise, and perhaps my skin is no longer uncomfortable - but unfortunately I still hate my body and cringe when I see myself in pictures.

I have been heavy all my life. It started back in elementary school when my mother went to work and we had babysitters who allowed me to eat whatever I wanted. As I got older, the habits stuck. About 6 years ago, I was a junior in college, going through nursing school (which happens to be VERY stressful!), and I had what I would like to call, my breaking moment.

I woke up, hated the way I looked in the mirror, so I tried to avoid them. Took a shower, and then it was time to get ready. I put on my jeans, size 18 at that time, and they wouldnt fit! I broke down, all the emotions I had been holding in came out, and I cried for hours. I have to say that it was an absolute miserable experience but it finally opened my eyes and allowed me to see that I needed to do something, for me. No one else. I started on my weight loss journey that day, and in less than a year I lost over 100 lbs. I worked hard but I was active at that time. Going to school full time, and had 2 jobs. Plus, I was coming into my own and having the time of my life. I can honestly say that I felt amazing. Was I the smallest I could of been, no. But I was finally comfortable in my skin, something I had never been before. I was in shape and I was healthy. I was able to wear whatever I wanted and I loved going shopping because it was a fantastic experience to see your body fitting into smalls and size 6's!! (Through high school I had always been at least a 12)

Well, during that time about 4 1/2 years ago I met the man I KNEW I wanted to be with (he didn't know it at the time, but he was mine!) Since, I have become a nurse and life has started to shape itself. And I have started to reshape myself, not in a good way either. I've put on 30 lbs in the past 3 years or so, by becoming lazy, and eating like the man does. I have moments where I am so good, but then I go and splurge on dessert. I can say that even though I didn't gain all my weight back, which I am very glad about, I am very disappointed in myself. I know that I have failed myself but I also know there is a turning point and only I can decide to change. I have decided to make that change- because I feel more horrible about myself now than I ever did. :sad:

I let how I feel about my body and insecurities get in the way of life. I don't do a lot of things, and I'm missing out on lots of opportunities because of my lack of self esteem and my hatred for myself. I know that its not good. I work in a field where I see horrible things happen to people, and I realize every day I need to snap out of my funk, because you never know when its gonna be your time. One of the things that bothers me the most, is I have a wonderful man who loves me for me, but I can't seem to get past how I feel about myself to let him "see" me. Its not because I don't feel comfortable with him, or because he doesnt make me feel beautiful, it's that Im not comfortable with myself. I know I'm not going to be perfect- the ups and downs of my weight has left their marks, BUT- today, I am making the change.

I got all the junk out of my house, I stepped on the scale and start today as my day 1 of the rest of my life. I will lose this weight, I've set short term goals for this year, and you bet your bottoms I will meet them. Best of luck to you all... and I know we all we do it.

xoxox

Hi, I have read all the stories so far and can relate to each one. I was always skinny, they called me "Twiggy" in school. Everyone said I was "pretty", yet I never felt that way. I was 19 years old when my mom and dad went through a bad divorce after 30 years of marriage, and I felt an obligation to kind of watch over my mom because my dad had said and done some terrible things to her. I finally got married when I was 28 years old. I had three kids in 5 years, which I think totally effects your hormones and changes your entire body and out look on life. After you have kids, it seems like you focus your life around them and kind of let yourself disappear into the background. It is easy to fall into bad habits of getting something from a fast food place for supper, in between getting the kids where they need to be. I always tried to have "good" meals at home too, in between the bad ones, but somehow I think portion control got thrown out the window. You never know what is going to happen in life, and a few years ago I got hit by a speeding car, which swerved onto my front lawn, to avoid hitting the school bus stopped in front of my house. The driver hit 5 of us, Me and 4 children, two of whom were my own, and my dog got hit also. Miraculously we all survived. I was the worst hit, since I had tried to get the children out of the way. The car hit me and severed every ligament in my right knee/leg. I ended up having nerve and back damage too. Our lives totally changed in that moment. I have had three knee surgeries, I am able to at least walk the right way now, but still can't bend it all the way, and I have a constant throb of pain in that knee. We are all lucky to be alive. Unfortunately, the driver didn't have enough insurance to cover everything so I was left holding the responsibility for the bills, since he didn't own anything to sue for either. I ended up totally depressed, which , if you have ever suffered from depression, you know it is totally debilitating. I think with all the medication, the depression itself and the change of not having my life in my own control, took it's toll on me. I got fatter and fatter. I hated to look in the mirror and fell into wearing old comfy clothes too. When I had finally had enough of the self pity and realized I was the only one who could change myself, I took back control, and tried to lose weight. I ended up losing 46 lbs by doing the "low carb" diet. It did work, but as soon as you ate a piece of bread at a family get together, you gained 6 lbs. I ended up gaining all that weight back, plus about 10 lbs more. I feel totally disgusted with myself, and again, I know that only I can control my own eating habits so, on January 18th I started watching my calories. On the biggest loser they say "Calories in, Calories out" . I got on "Google" and wrote in "free calorie counter " and here I am on mfp. I think it is great, and so very easy to use. I write in what I have eaten, I write in my exercise, and then I have a percise count of my days progress. I know it will take time, but I am determined to win the battle of the bulge! I totally love to read every post and the replies, and to know that there are others out there, in the same boat as I am, makes me feel even more confident that I can win this battle! Thanks for reading and please stay inspired by other people's stories, you are not alone, we can all do this together and thanks for your support!