When was it that it hit you?

When I was sitting at my desk at work, wearing a dress.. and I could feel my belly resting on my legs.
NO MORE! I am going to get TONED and healthy and who knows.. maybe rock a real swimsuit at some point.
But for now, I will settle for not having my legs rub together when I walk and feeling my gut rest on my thighs!

When my doctor said "you almost died, because you're too fat" exact quote right there

My highest ever was 230 some years ago. I found out I had PCOS, got on metformin, dropped to around 200. I fluctuated there at 200-205 for several years, but in the last 18 months went up to 225 again. This past Xmas my doctor (who is on me every year about my weight) told me he wanted me to join WW and lose 20 lbs by next xmas.

I've done WW before w/ no success and had no intention of doing that again. I've read books, I've worked out, I did the gym, I've had trainers. Nothing worked except if I either really limited carbs, or upped my exercise. However, I've only been good at doing one OR the other - never both.

It got to be May & I realized that I had 1 year to lose only 20 lbs - not like the doctor gave me some impossible goal, but I frittered away nearly half that year already. So, with summer comes walking, swimming, bike - I figured if I was going to make any progress, I had to start now. Joined MfP on 5/26 w/ a goal to lose 10 by my July 22 vacation and another 10 by Xmas. Small, achievable goals. Obviously, I've already passed the 20# mark and am looking forward to seeing my doctor's reaction this December!

When I was turning 40 in April it really hit home. We were looking at family photos and I realized that I have very few of my, because I was never comfortable in front of the camera. I kept missing out on adventures and fun that I wanted but was too embarassed to try at my size. I realized that I want to have fun and enjoy life, not have one full of regret. My health has always been "perfect, other than being obese". Tough word to swallow. I am now so focused and determined to make my outside reflect who I am on the inside. Thanks for sharing your story, and best of luck to you on your journey!

I had a Dr. visit & I was at my HIGHEST weight ever in my life. 219lbs & I'm 4' 11" NOT A GOOD LOOK!!! I felt the same embarrassed & saddened at the same time. Sad for myself that I ALLOWED myself not to CARE about ME, because I was so busy caring for others around me.

when my size 10 AE jeans that I bought a couple months prior didnt fit me anymore

id been yo yo dieting since the summer before 6th grade, but it really hit me in 8th grade. i dont remember how much i weighed but i was a size 2 in jeans and i freaked out!

When I turned 40 ~ I finally caved and walked into a WW meeting. (Before that, I REFUSED to pay someone to tell me what I already knew from years of growing up with a diabetic.) I had lost 10# on my own (following the WW plan a friend of mine had given me) AND because I was only accountable to myself I stalled there. I NEEDED to be accountable to someone and in doing so, I lost the additional 20# I had set out to lose under a GREAT leader. Soon after I reached my goal weight, I didn't think I needed to track anymore ~ I knew what a serving size was, duh! nor did I feel I needed to go to the weekly meetings. But....slowing falling back into old habits and being laid up with a herniated disc in my lower back 2 yrs ago, I gained 10# back and have struggled on my own to take it off (the WW plan was getting boring...points, points, points....) Joined MFP nearly 30 days ago and have found the support & motivation I've been seeking to take it back off once and for all!

I was 180 when I got pregnant, and here I am at 225 just 2 years later... I feel disgusted with myself and I have never been this heavy. I just got lazy after my son was born and used having a baby as an excuse to not do anything physical and sit around all day. I am wearing size 20W pants when just 4-5 years ago I was in a 13 Juniors... I am embarrassed and don't even want to get undressed in front of my husband anymore. Also, my dad just told me recently that he was concerned about my weight and said he wanted me to be around to see my son grow up. I am tired of seeing all the toned women in bikinis as well... while I come up with reasons why I can't go swimming because I refuse to wear a swimsuit. All those things are why I finally said enough is enough. I started my journey 6/22/11 and I'm only down 13 pounds, but it's a good start!

For me, it was the Facebook tags. I spent all night getting ready for a bachelorette party and the next morning I was tagged in several pictures where I hardly recognized myself. It seems like self perception varies--but the camera doesn't lie in 10-12 pictures of the same party, in the same dress. I don't want to feel that fear when someone wips out a camera anymore. I want to be able to smile and be confident that I will recognize myself when the photos develop or surface.

The day i picked up my 4 year old from school and another child said to another child "Your mommy is here" The other child said "thats not my mommy, my mommys not fat" I could not imagine my child having to grow up to defend her "fat mommy" SO that day will probably live long in my memory. Today, I thank that other child. That 4 year old helped me change my life and she will never know it. A true blessing!

Awe that is so sad I know your baby just sees her beautiful mommy Congratulations on becoming a healthier you!!!!

A few years ago I was taking some college courses and this girl and I were apparently in position for the same parking space so when I pulled in she called me a “fat b*tch” and I was so hurt because I had never been called fat by a stranger. I’ve called myself fat as well as some friends and family but a stranger??? So for years I’ve watched all the weight loss shows such as “Biggest Loser” and I see the people on the show and I say “she is the same height and weight as me, do I look like that?” I reached my highest weight in August 2008 (234lbs) and decided there was no way I was going larger than a size 18 so by February 2009 I had lost 30 but then just stopped working out. I decided in January this year that I was tired of fluctuating from 203 to 218 and seeing my double chin in every reflection I passed. I haven’t taken a picture in forever because I hate the way I look. I wanted to take family pictures with my children but I wanted to wait until I lost weight and now my son is 22, my daughter is 15 and I am still waiting to lose weight so I can take that picture! I want that picture!!! I am back on track now and I haven’t weighed less than 200lbs in 8 years but I’m ALMOST there!!!!