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What was YOUR final straw to finally make a change?

MrsDogLady

Everyone has a reason, right? What was the final straw? Mine - a pair of pants I use for work suddenly had a split in the hind end. My wardrobe was rapidly becoming more limited, putting on a bra after a shower was more like participating in a pro wrestling match. It was January 1st. So I grabbed my best GF, we are both here - and I'm down 16 lbs since Jan 1.

Replies

23MJ88DBFan

That's amazing progress, congratulations! For me, it was when my dad came over and saw on old picture of me and asked "Who's that?" I had to fight off shock, then tears. Played it off like it was funny but I was so hurt. There is a huge backstory there but the big picture is if my own father didn't recognize me, I have to at least try, yet again.

ryanlipp

My son was diagnosed with Type I diabetes over a year ago. He began showing symptoms of DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis). We were out to see fireworks on July 3rd and he began to scream in pain. He had been acting strange all day. He started getting violently sick. He was unable to hold even his head up he was so weak, so I had to carry him back to the car. He was 2 years old and weighed maybe 25 lbs. It was about half a mile back to the car. Had it been any longer and I honestly don't think I would have made it. It hit me pretty hard that I couldn't carry my 25lb child half a mile. If we had been somewhere else (hiking trip, mountains, etc) when this happened, he very well could have died.

We all need motivators to get into shape. Unfortunately, we generally wait until something bad happens (heart attack, Type II diagnosis, or sadly my scenario) to do something about it. I just wanted to share what motivates me to help those that are still lacking in motivation to know that you don't have to wait for those things to happen. You need to just keep it in the back of your mind that there are far worse things then getting up early going to the gym for 30 minutes and eating healthy.

I wish everyone luck on their journey. Don't give up!

WayLessWendy

1st wake up call was a photo of me on my wedding day. I looked huge next to my husband and absolutely hate the pictures of what should have been a happy day. Since then I made small changes (cut down on sodas, eat more vegetables, etc...) But still managed to gain another twenty pounds in three years, so the real turning point is a little more pathetic. I have a jacket, just a light little house coat really, that I bought in New York and my husband has a matching one and I love it. It's my favorite piece of clothing. Well, I noticed that the jacket was starting to get a little snug, especially around the midsection, and I really want to wear this jacket forever so I've got to lose the weight or I'll have to hang the coat up.

Dgil1975

cwolfman13 wrote: »

about 6.5 years ago I went in for my annual physical. My blood work was horrible...my triglycerides were so high that they couldn't determine what my cholesterol was...pre-diabetic...blood pressure through the roof, etc.

My Dr. was pretty upfront with me and told me that if I didn't change things around I would likely be very sick, if not dead in my late 50s or early 60s which wasn't particularly surprising as my dad passed at age 62 because he never took care of himself and I was going down that same path.

At the time I had a 2 year old and a new born, so getting my *kitten* together was a no brainer.

This exact thing happened to me on November 10, 2018. Diagnosed hypertension, and undetectable cholesterol due to my triglycerides, and a B-12 level that hardly existed. Left the office with three scripts for BP, cholesterol and B12, as well as a focus to get back to a healthy body. This scare at age 43 was the trigger I needed to cut out the excuses and crap and return to a healthy lifestyle.

I quit smoking that day, and started back on calorie counting and started my journey back to health. 6 weeks ago after much thought I switched to a whole food plant based diet. Today I am off both medicines for BP and cholesterol and have lost 30 of the 70 pounds I needed.

UnDyddArYTro

I had to weigh my children recently. Realising that my 12 year old weighs less than I need to lose to reach the fabled green BMI zone really kicked me into gear. I couldn't carry them around all day...but that's exactly what I'm doing to my poor body. I'll never be svelte but I can stop carrying an extra 5 stone around and hopefully feel better and healthier.

Samantharavenclaw84

2 cancer scares in a year. This is on top of having early cancer caught and removed in 2013. October 2017. I was told by multiple doctors I had thyroid cancer. It wasn't, thankfully. That started me on taking steps to maintain and change my mindset about food and exercise. A breast cancer scare in December of this year solidified that I need to make a change and lead me to think about how lucky I am that I don't have any issues because of my weight. I want to make sure it stays that way!

jryepin93

I went to the sand dunes with my boyfriend's family and everyone ran down the dunes except for me. I was scared of how winded and tired I would be on the climb back up and didn't want to embarrass myself. I realized that my physical condition was preventing me from doing things I wanted to do and I never wanted to feel that way again.

I started running regularly and eating less and the weight came off, but most importantly, I feel ten times better.

shan_reg

A true friend of mine I played football with in college called me after seeing a pic of me on FB. He essentially said three things - you’re not playing football anymore, you don’t have to eat like it’s a union job, and if you don’t get your crap together you’re going to be dead in 10 years. Now mind you there are about three people in the whole world that could have said that to me without risking their lives. He’s one of them. He then turned me on to MFP and the rest is history as they say. I’ve thanked him often for the kick in the seat and the tools he gave me to help save my own life.

ndargy1977

Looking like I'm 9 months pregnant at the age of 50...............YUCK!! Feel free to add me.....but I really do enjoy seeing others diaries to help me with ruts I may be in

KrisChampagne

My final straw was 2 weeks ago- I dislocated my shoulder while tubing with my kids at the ski hill. I did not fall off or do anything crazy. I simply landed into the tube wrong. I am 100% confident that my weight played a huge factor in my injury. Nope. No more. Dislocated it on a Sunday met with my doctor 1 week later on a Monday and started taking control again on Tuesday. I am 1 week in. I have tracked every day, and I am down 6 pounds (I know it's water - but it's a start)

teacherspet1

I had a massive health scare just before Christmas 2017......my sight went funny & I thought I was going blind. Doc sent me to hospital & after blood tests, a brainscan, an ECG & various other checks it was deemed I'd had a mini stroke (TIA). I was put on medication & told I had Atrial Fibrillation & needed to lose weight. I had been very, very lucky. I've had no ill effects since (14 months on) & I have lost 52lbs so far. There's nothing like a threat to your mortality to make you sit up & take notice!

rcemt320

I am a Paramedic, I was working for our county EMS and they began a program called 4th N Goal. They pay for a gym membership and personal training if you go at least 20 times in a 3 month period. My did it when it got started up and the second quarter she talked me into doing it. At that time I had HTN and severe headaches on a regular basis. I couldn't bend over to tie my shoes without getting short of breath. I was like a walrus rolling around trying to get out of bed or up from the couch. I was at my all time high of 318 lbs when I started with the trainer. I had good success and over the next 3 years I lost 90+ lbs and kept it off until the last year and half. I had some problems come up and used those as an excuse to gain back 60ish lbs. I have felt so ashamed of myself for letting myself creep back to where I said I would never go. I have gotten back into MFP this past month and keeping myself in check with logging my meals. I owe it all to the SOULCON challenge. I started this challenge by myself until I realized that it needed to be done with a partner or group. So I got my son and dad involved. SOULCON for anyone curious, is a men's ministry that not only gets you physically fit but also spiritually fit by allowing the Holy Spirit to be in control of your soul. It's 6 week challenge and as of week 4 I am down 14 lbs. Around 50 more pounds to go to get me back to where I left off and about 70 pounds for my goal. I've done it before so I know I can get there again.

wessecg

Final straw to make me get back to it . . . I discovered the other day that 5'8" me, where'd only 12 pounds less than my 6'2" husband. I use to weigh 85 less but he's lost weight seems I've gained it.

jayne7470

This

!! I want to get back on and not feel like I’m breaking his back.. I’ve not ridden for over 12 months due to piling on the lb’s, 😭

an0393na

At 21 I was sitting in hospital with blood pressure at stroke level... It's been a slow process since then

Sanriohippie

The day I had to squeeze into a booth at a restaurant.I knew that was it,no more!

stutba

Realizing I was wearing the same size of clothing my mother wore. Size 16. Our body shape very different, but non the less over weight. UGH Working at seeing size 8 again.

Silent_Soliloquy

My friend posted this on facebook:

With some not very nice remarks.
4 months later, I'm not "there" ... but progress is progress. I'm still hoping for some abs by summer:

And I'm training for a 15k race!! October first I could only run for 80 seconds. Those accomplishments keep me at it.

amandaeve

Breakup with the man of my dreams. I needed something to channel all my heartache toward. I focused on meal planning, working out, etc. to distract myself from the sadness. I had to prove to myself I was worth moving on.

AnnPT77

I was kind of working on weight loss at age 59 because of sudden-onset heartburn and reflux, something I'd literally never had before in my life. After a bunch of scopes'n'tests'n'scans, that was diagnosed as gallbladder adenomyomatosis, which is neither stones nor sludge, but an inflammatory condition that is sometimes associated with gallbladder cancer.

Since I'd already had a cancer experience (stage III breast cancer, with mastectomies, chemo, radiation, hormonal therapy), I was on board with having the GB removed so they could send that puppy to the pathology lab.

I think what sealed my commitment to weight loss was reading the pathology report, which - although benign, thankfully - included phrases like "hepatic bed surface remarkable for a transmural defect measuring 0.5cm", "mucosa is remarkable for scattered streaks of yellow plaque", "wall . . . edamatous" and other such goodies. Yikes!

You've heard of "scared straight"? I think this is "scared thin". Still maintaining a healthy weight - so far - at age 63.

Oh, and - heartburn and reflux totally gone, immediately, post-surgery.

leejoyce31

shan_reg wrote: »

A true friend of mine I played football with in college called me after seeing a pic of me on FB. He essentially said three things - you’re not playing football anymore, you don’t have to eat like it’s a union job, and if you don’t get your crap together you’re going to be dead in 10 years. Now mind you there are about three people in the whole world that could have said that to me without risking their lives. He’s one of them. He then turned me on to MFP and the rest is history as they say. I’ve thanked him often for the kick in the seat and the tools he gave me to help save my own life.

wow amazing difference

MamaKL5

Two miscarriages last year. Took me a few months to decide to change, but here I am.

shan_reg

leejoyce31 wrote: »

shan_reg wrote: »

A true friend of mine I played football with in college called me after seeing a pic of me on FB. He essentially said three things - you’re not playing football anymore, you don’t have to eat like it’s a union job, and if you don’t get your crap together you’re going to be dead in 10 years. Now mind you there are about three people in the whole world that could have said that to me without risking their lives. He’s one of them. He then turned me on to MFP and the rest is history as they say. I’ve thanked him often for the kick in the seat and the tools he gave me to help save my own life.

wow amazing difference

Thank you. It’s still a work in progress but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t pleased with the progress.

debrakgoogins

@Silent_Soliloquy First and foremost, you're doing great! Second, that was not a friend. Friends don't do that.

chrisrose9731

I was 32.
I couldn’t tie my own shoes, my kids would have to tie them for me.
My back hurt all the time and my knees throbbed.
I cried when I saw a picture of myself and I cried because I was never in the pictures.
I was only 32.
32 is to young to be so aged, so handicapped and I wanted to smile at the girl in the mirror.

tirowow12385

Being bedridden.

mk2fit

I historically have been thin. I was a heavy smoker for many years. After I quit, I gained a million pounds. OK, maybe 70 or so. OW! Being fat hurt! I carried most of the weight in my belly so bending over hurt like hell. Long story short, I hated the pain of the extra weight, complained to my doctor who sent me here and lost the weight. Kept it off, too. I guess my tipping point was the pain and discomfort of all those extra pounds. Thank God for MFP!

brenn24179

I lost 40 lbs 5 years ago and last year put 25 lbs back on, I was so depressed, I had a flu and couldnot eat for 7 days then got my appetite back and could not quit eating and adult kids upset me also and I am an emotional eater and knew I was going to doctor for physical and so got myself on low carb diet and got the weight off July-October, I lost 30 lbs. I am so much happier.

shan_reg

leejoyce31 wrote: »

shan_reg wrote: »

A true friend of mine I played football with in college called me after seeing a pic of me on FB. He essentially said three things - you’re not playing football anymore, you don’t have to eat like it’s a union job, and if you don’t get your crap together you’re going to be dead in 10 years. Now mind you there are about three people in the whole world that could have said that to me without risking their lives. He’s one of them. He then turned me on to MFP and the rest is history as they say. I’ve thanked him often for the kick in the seat and the tools he gave me to help save my own life.

wow amazing difference

Thank you. Forever a work in progress.

michael1976_ca

First i broke a toilet seat and it pinched my butt. Then my niece said she was a shamed of me. She didn't want to be seen in public. It hurt but it got me into the gym