Your 'Ah-Ha' Moment

a-ha moment…

Earlier this year after a routine health-check the results showed that I was carrying some excess weight, had a BMI in the “Obese” category, raised blood pressure and yet again that I had a high cholesterol level, but this time the Dr was ready to prescribe Statins. I refused, reasoning that I should be allowed six months to remedy the situation with a change of diet, as I was too young at 54 to become dependent on daily drugs.

Previously when I have wanted to lose weight I started running but continued without changing my diet. I was always proud of the fact that the weight would fall away whilst I continued to eat the same things. Then I would get injured and, over time, the weight would come back. After an accident that required ACL surgery, the weight returned as usual and the prospect of running it off seemed a distant dream.

After reading some literature on dietary changes that help reduce cholesterol (e.g. whole grain, non-processed foods, vegetables, etc.) I found MFP and started to record what I was eating and set a Target to lose half-a-stone (7lbs) and walk 6,000 steps. After three weeks the Target was met and a new Target to lose another half-a-stone (7lbs) was set and 8,000 steps. With that also achieved after at the end of the first month, the new step was set at and remains at 10,000 (minimum).

Just before the six months was up I was retested for cholesterol and the result was found to be within normal limits, which was a massive relief. Additionally, as a consequence of the dietary changes and some exercise, blood pressure and BMI were both within the normal range too. Most impressive of all was that my Doctors response was “Wow!”. I have managed to maintain this new weight for more than three months and having lost 60 lbs feel happy and comfortable at this weight, back where I was twenty years ago. Now without the excess weight I am back running, but faster and longer than at any time in my adult life…and just for pleasure/pain.

So when was the a-ha moment? Well, obviously the realisation that without changes I would need Statins for the rest of my life was the turning point, but along the way I discovered that:
• Porridge for breakfast every morning is a rediscovered joy
• Vegetables, fruit, whole grains and pulses are really very tasty after all
• Cooking from scratch actually takes no longer than cooking packaged foods
• Daily tracking Steps and what you eat in MFP really helps you achieve your Targets
• Replacing your whole wardrobe is an unexpected yet pleasant expense

RaspberryTickleChicken wrote: »

• When was your 'AH-HA' moment that made you decide, 'ahhhm okay it's time to do something about this weight?'
• What made a difference this time which differed from previous attempts to lose weight &/or get healthy? (motivation)
• How much impact do you feel that a correct mindset has on the level of achievement?

My biggest Ah Ha moment happened in the doctor's office of a liver specialist. I had some blood work done with my rheumatologist (they suspect I have an autoimmune condition) that came back signifying liver damage, they were worried my immune system was attacking my liver (which basically meant I would need a liver transplant someday soon), so sent me to the liver specialist who basically said I was just fat and needed to lose weight which would correct the problem. WHAT A RELIEF! That was in January 2018...

I had a few ah ha moments up until then, mainly seeing myself in the mirror and seeing new stretch marks on my under belly and inner thighs. I hadn't developed stretch marks since puberty, so seeing new ones let me know my weight was getting out of hand. I rarely weighed myself, was clueless as to a healthy weight but when I saw 200 lbs. on the scale I knew I was tooo heavy.

Knowing my health was on the line was a huge motivator, I started looking at before and afters and getting excited about the possibilities for my body. I tried calorie counting for the first time after many restrictive diet attempts and the scale went down steadily, I felt as if I had finally figured it all out. Once people began commenting on my weight loss it made me all the more determined.

I was tired of being unhappy with my body, my health, and not achieving things. I'm down to 140 lbs. now.

You have to be ready in your heart and mind to lose weight, it takes a lot of discipline, and if you don't really want it you won't get it. My mindset and determination to make better choices and keep going day after day after day was the key. Consistency is key. I wouldn't be consistent if it weren't for my willpower to break bad habits and instill healthy new ones.

You have to know your WHY and want it more than any temporary gratification of food and laziness. It has to be important and meaningful and personal to YOU. Then and only then will you force your way through any obstacle on your path to your goals.

My "Ah ha" moment was building for 16 years till my labs came back last April and Doc told me I was pre-diabetic. AH HA! I already had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, was 100 lbs overweight, depressed, and just SITTING around waiting to die an early death in my mid 50s. I never looked back from that day and reversed every bad lab number in 6 months time and now am in Normal BMI range from Obese Class II.

My AHA moment came as I said in a detailed thread in Success Stories when I went on a cruise and I realized the heavy restaurant manager ( correctly) saw us as the same size.

As some said a “ switch” went on. I tried WW and loved the tracking on their app ( I had done WW after I had my youngest but found the then paper tracking cumbersome). But I didn’t like how they made you “ pay more” ( in points ) for eating “ bad” food. I felt like that made it a game. Also I am never not hungry. Never except in the morning. And my WW leader was insistent that you had to eat breakfast which set me up badly for the whole day. Also “ free” bananas on the current program was not good for me. “ you wouldn’t eat 10 bananas anyway would you” seemed to be the thinking. Oh yes, oh yes I could.”

So I looked for a better for me way to track calories and found MFP. I also used 16/8 IF. And a smidge of WW by not tracking plain green veggies.

I knew this was going to stick when I went away for my birthday and took a holiday from tracking and ate quite a bit. I enjoyed it but found myself also looking forward to getting back to MFP. I came home, did a week of 5/2 IF (500 calories 2 days that week) which helped me reset.

I lost 73 pounds in 10 months. I track 1200 calories a day with another approximately 100-200 most days in plain veggies. IN maintenance for the past 9 months I allow an extra 500 calories on Saturday nights. I have gone on a few vacations where I don’t track but as soon as I’m home do what I did after my birthday. This is a way of life.

When was your 'AH-HA' moment that made you decide, 'ahhhm okay it's time to do something about this weight?'

I've had a lifetime of failed "Ah hah" moments - usually born of clothes shopping and finding my size had increased yet again. Once when a lavatory attendant asked when my baby was due (I was not pregnant).This time is different and it started in 2016 when I hired a personal trainer. The reason I hired him was because I was approaching my 50s and since females are at particular risk of osteoporosis I wanted to lift weights and learn how to do it safely. Much to my amazement I enjoyed the sessions and then discovered boxing. I was very overweight but the trainer was forbidden from discussing the subject (bad history with weight). However my shape started changing and the weight started to go so I decided to harness the fitness benefits and address my diet too.

What made a difference this time which differed from previous attempts to lose weight &/or get healthy? (motivation)

Discovering the joys of feeling stronger and fitter and the sense of achievement when you've tried to master something for ages and finally do it. You can't keep me out of the gym, and I still use a personal trainer once a week. I am now mindful of my eating habits because I don't want to jeopardise my fitness and I want to get stronger. Plus it will be easier to achieve a pull up if I weigh less!

How much impact do you feel that a correct mindset has on the level of achievement?

It's massive. Trying to lose weight for the sake of vanity did not work. Too slow and ultimately chocolate and wine felt more rewarding. Trying to lose weight for the sake of health alone did not work. My weight did not really adversely affect my life and my health was OK so there were no tangible rewards there. Changing my lifestyle to further an activity that I utterly adore and feeling the increased confidence that being stronger and fitter brings - it's a no-brainer. I am also very glad that I discovered this before I lost my two dogs. They were my life and had I not been able to let my emotions out on the punch bag I would instead have dissolved in a heap on the sofa and mainlined chocolate.