You "ah-ha" moment

mablesyrup · March 2009

I always read weight loss stories to help get me motivated! And everyone always has this epiphany, where it just clicks and then they loose 100lbs. (or whatever). I feel like unconsciously I feel like I can't lose all the weight I want to, until I have the ah-ha moment and since i've yet to have it- I don't stay serious with changing my life around.

Can anyone help me? lately I'm starting to feel scared though- i'm almost 30 and I'm reading things on 38 year old women having heart attacks etc.. and that scares the living daylights out of me. I have 3 young children and I'm really starting to realize how my health could end my life early early.. and I want to be a healthy and happy mom and be around for as long as God allows.

Have all of you who've lost a significant amount of weight (or are in the process of doing it) had the same "ah-ha" moments? and what were they? Have any of you not had them, but still been able to lose the weight?

*Subject should read YOUR- not you. sorry

mablesyrup · March 2009

I always read weight loss stories to help get me motivated! And everyone always has this epiphany, where it just clicks and then they loose 100lbs. (or whatever). I feel like unconsciously I feel like I can't lose all the weight I want to, until I have the ah-ha moment and since i've yet to have it- I don't stay serious with changing my life around.

Can anyone help me? lately I'm starting to feel scared though- i'm almost 30 and I'm reading things on 38 year old women having heart attacks etc.. and that scares the living daylights out of me. I have 3 young children and I'm really starting to realize how my health could end my life early early.. and I want to be a healthy and happy mom and be around for as long as God allows.

Have all of you who've lost a significant amount of weight (or are in the process of doing it) had the same "ah-ha" moments? and what were they? Have any of you not had them, but still been able to lose the weight?

*Subject should read YOUR- not you. sorry

marisol7649 · March 2009

I have only lost 6lbs, but I started this a month ago. This is a way of life to be healthy and make wiser eating choices. Do not look at this as a diet you are making a lifestyle change. Do not be scare about heart attacks and the decline of your health. Granted some comes with your family history but the majority of folks like myself (used to be) would rather eat fatty foods, drink calories, no exercise and with that kind of lifestyle of course you are more incline to have poor health. How can our body function when we do not take care of it?
You are on the right track, you are trying to do something about it, please be aware that the weight will not come off as easy as , we put in on it is a slow process so be patient with yourself.
Keep us posted and Good Luck.

PS. I forgot to mention I started working out, eating better, drinking water and I feel GREAT. I have more energy I work better and I am a happier person it is a plus I am losing both weight and inches.

wilted6orchid · March 2009

I don't know if you'd consider mine a significant amount of weight, but since I'm barely 5 foot tall I do. I think for me it just came to a point where my boys were growing (or not growing in the middle one's case) and I really started analyzing what I was feeding them. What does he eat, and how much the doctors always wanted to know. To give them (all three) the opportunity to grow to their full potential they needed to eat healthy. Now, I'm short, and mom and mom-in-law...together I don't think we even average 5 feet, but I think it's not all genetics.

I know that doesn't sound like it has anything to do with weight, but that's how it started for me. I wanted my boys to eat healthy to grow. I had to model eating healthy for them. I think that put me on the path to weight loss. I ate a lot of crap before, and did a lot of mindless snacking. Put on the tv and grab something to munch. But the new way of thinking, I need to spend more $ on healthy foods, made eating healthy more important than (renting movies or some other things we spent on). Everyone in my family (mom and dad's side) is obese, and I didn't mind it so much. Until I realized how unhealthy it was, and how it was being past on to the boys. I don't want them to be condemned to short, fat bodies and it be my fault. If I do everything I can, to do right by them, and they are short and fat...God knows I will love them and accept them completely. But I couldn't live with myself if I thought that it was my fault.

I hope that makes sense. I wouldn't dream of judging someone else or trying to guess why someone else is overweight, but this works for me. So I'm gonna stick with it.:flowerforyou:

mablesyrup · March 2009

I TOTALLY AGREE!

It just dawned on me - i think my ah-ha moment happened! and it happened saturday. My 9 year old daughter did a jump rope for heart thing with school and then we stopped and got subway afterwards to bring home to dad and her sisters for lunch afterwards. Because they are $5- i just got 3 foot long subs to share between the 5 of us. If I hadn't stepped in and made her save it- my 9 year old would have eaten an entire foot long meatball sub! She was a healthy weight for her age up until she was in 1st grade (I was a single mom back then) and when i worked she would stay with my grandparents- well to them- eating a lot still means you are well fed and thats a good thing- anyways i would hear how she was such a good eater and had eaten 2-3 cans of ravioli while i was at work etc... Now my daughter is having issues- (not her fault at all) but she will be 9 next month- is in 3rd grade and she already weighs 112lbs. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy- to have to grow up how I did and deal with the negative crap... but i see it happening to her now- she doesnt have friends anymore- she wont come out and say kids tease her- but i was in her shoes once- i know they do.....

so anyways- yeah - i think i did have my ah-ha moment yesterday- which is why i'm back on this site!

marisol7649 · March 2009

I TOTALLY AGREE!

It just dawned on me - i think my ah-ha moment happened! and it happened saturday. My 9 year old daughter did a jump rope for heart thing with school and then we stopped and got subway afterwards to bring home to dad and her sisters for lunch afterwards. Because they are $5- i just got 3 foot long subs to share between the 5 of us. If I hadn't stepped in and made her save it- my 9 year old would have eaten an entire foot long meatball sub! She was a healthy weight for her age up until she was in 1st grade (I was a single mom back then) and when i worked she would stay with my grandparents- well to them- eating a lot still means you are well fed and thats a good thing- anyways i would hear how she was such a good eater and had eaten 2-3 cans of ravioli while i was at work etc... Now my daughter is having issues- (not her fault at all) but she will be 9 next month- is in 3rd grade and she already weighs 112lbs. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy- to have to grow up how I did and deal with the negative crap... but i see it happening to her now- she doesnt have friends anymore- she wont come out and say kids tease her- but i was in her shoes once- i know they do.....

so anyways- yeah - i think i did have my ah-ha moment yesterday- which is why i'm back on this site!

ohhhhhhhh That is so sad about your daughter. This is going to be a great journey for both of you.

pixiestick · March 2009

I saw a picture of myself in early in October last year... I looked like a marshmallow and I thought "That can't be me." It really tore me up, but unlike the hundreds of times like this one in the past (girl sees picture of self, girl gets sad, girl eats to not feel sad), I felt motivated to actually do something.

26lbs later...
:happy: :happy: :happy:

amymeenieminymo · March 2009

I guess I had my ah-ha moment last april. I don't recall the exact moment, but I started thinking of different exercises I could do that I would enjoy more and a time when I could do them. My dad had been suggesting for a while that I should go for walks on my lunch break, so one day I decided to bring in gym shoes and just do it. I kept a spreadsheet to keep track of my progress (which really helps to want to keep progressing). I found that I really enjoyed my walks because it was nice to get away from my desk, get some fresh air and walking with my Ipod often let me get lost in the music and made me forget I was even working out.

About a week later I decided to start watching what I ate too, which is when I found MFP. At first I thought it was going to be difficult to log all of my food, but I lost a pound my very first week and was pretty successful at losing each week....I was hooked. It also really helps to set yourself mini goals.....to think from the start of losing 70 pounds would have seemed like too much and like I would never get there. So my first goal was to lose 20 pounds (which I did) by my friends wedding in October in which I was maid of honor. The idea of looking like a cow in my dress really made me stay motivated to keep losing. Since that goal is long past, I have set new goals, like the 10K walk I am doing in April, my 30th birthday in May, me and my boyfriends anniversary in July and reaching my goal by halloween.

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter, but just remember that it's never too late to teach her healthy eating and exercise. Encourage her to get outside and play rather than sitting in front of the TV or playing video games or something....see if she is interested in any team sports. Keep lots of healthy good treats in the house like fruit and veggies, get rid of all of the bad snacks in the house, limit pop to special occasions and insist she drink milk, water or a healthy juice at meals. Instilling healthy habits in her now will increase the chances that she grows into a healthy adult who makes good food and exercise choices. Good luck!

MissResa · March 2009

Before getting pregnant with my second daughter, I was in the best shape of my life. I had all the time in the world to work out, and eating healthy was easy. After having her, I managed to lose 46 pounds. Then I moved to Alaska... Then I started helping my mom take care of my bedridden grandfather... Then I stopped going to the gym... Then my eating habits went down the toilet...

I ended up gaining everything back. My 8 year old takes dance classes and is very athletic, and my energetic 4 year old is absolutely tiny-tall, but very slender. My husband is military(now non-active duty)and he's slim, too. My ah-ha moment was when I realized my beautiful daughters and my hubby looked like they belonged to a completely different family than me... Last December, I would have loved to take Christmas portraits to send to extended family, but I was too embarrassed to be in a family photo. I didn't even bring the subject up to my hubby, because I know he would have wanted to do it, and thinks I look great the way I am. That's when I decided to make a change.

One of my inspirations is to get Christmas portraits with my family next year. I set my goal to be a year from now, because it took me 3 years to gain the weight, and I want to give myself time to do this the healthy way. :drinker:

arewethereyet · March 2009

For me it wasnt a moment where I say No MORE! With drugs or alcohol, you have this moment then choose each day,hour, minute not to take the drug.

You HAVE to have food each day. We are full of our parents upbringing, our own thoughts on food and all the pain and issues that are associated with an addiction or bad lifestyle choice.

For me I had an AHA moment many times, followed by a what the hell moment.

This time I changed over the past 7 months and am still evolving. Believe me, my 60 pounds is no different than someones 20 or 120 pounds. It must be a commitment............ a commitment to make your body healthier, to raise your children in a healthy way.

Good luck to you!:flowerforyou:

arewethereyet · March 2009

I TOTALLY AGREE!

It just dawned on me - i think my ah-ha moment happened! and it happened saturday. My 9 year old daughter did a jump rope for heart thing with school and then we stopped and got subway afterwards to bring home to dad and her sisters for lunch afterwards. Because they are $5- i just got 3 foot long subs to share between the 5 of us. If I hadn't stepped in and made her save it- my 9 year old would have eaten an entire foot long meatball sub! She was a healthy weight for her age up until she was in 1st grade (I was a single mom back then) and when i worked she would stay with my grandparents- well to them- eating a lot still means you are well fed and thats a good thing- anyways i would hear how she was such a good eater and had eaten 2-3 cans of ravioli while i was at work etc... Now my daughter is having issues- (not her fault at all) but she will be 9 next month- is in 3rd grade and she already weighs 112lbs. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy- to have to grow up how I did and deal with the negative crap... but i see it happening to her now- she doesnt have friends anymore- she wont come out and say kids tease her- but i was in her shoes once- i know they do.....

so anyways- yeah - i think i did have my ah-ha moment yesterday- which is why i'm back on this site!

So this is for both of you! There is nothing like our children to bring us around and give us motivation. My family had a fit when only apples and oranges where in the 'bowl' and no chips or high fat breakfast bars. They got over the fact there is no soda and lots of water and juice. They rebelled but then accepted 2 veggies and no starch at dinner. They found a way to eat whole wheat bread in place of white. I know it is hard but you ARE the boss!!

I feel for you and pray you will make wise decision today! Marla has 9 kids...at one point she had them doing the push up challenge with her...........even little dude............so cute. They will follow your example, but it doesnt happen over night!!

Islandgirl74 · March 2009

I have lost weight before - 40lbs to be exact, and kept it off for 4 years. Last year, I was really having a tough time, and I just pretty much stopped caring about what I ate, and I gained 30lbs back. My aha moment came on Christmas day 2008. I should have been happy, b/c it was the best Christmas our family has seen yet. Everyone was happy but me, my kids, my hubby - not me. I couldn't get out of the bad mood I was in because of the way I looked. I also realized that I was taking out my unhappiness on my family, I was grumpy all the time, I was yelling. I was just not being a nice person. None of them deserved that, and I realized it had to change.
I am not a person that usually makes new years resoulutions, but I did this year. I started on Feb 1st (Jan 1st seemed too cliche), and I am in it for the long haul.

TamTastic · March 2009

For me, it was waking up one day....and really paying attention to my life. I had no energy and no confidence. I snored because of the weight on my body and I hated shopping for clothes and hated doing certain things with my son because I was embarrassed.

I got angry one day when I realized I was letting food control me. I used to hate the thought of "missing out"........and to me that was going out with friends or doing something involving food and feeling like I was missing out when I ate salad and everyone else was eating nachos and buffalo wings. Then I started to think that I was TRULY missing out on so much more by allowing food to be numero uno.

I decided then and there to be in control of food and to me that meant understanding that it doesn't have to be all or nothing. If I am in control, I can enjoy outings and still be healthy and on the ball the majority of the time. And honestly, I love how I feel now. I can honestly see and feel a difference in the "fuel" I put into my body now and will never go back to that old lifestyle.

YOU are in control of it. Don't ever let food control you again! :flowerforyou:

jessmomof3 · March 2009

My first *a-ha* moment was 5 years ago this month. I had a 9 month old dd (and 3 and 5yo's) and was still not fitting into my pre-preg clothes (which were a size 14 at that time!!). It was at my middle dd's 3rd birthday party at McDonald's. I remember eating greasy McD's food, cake and ice cream, and then later we went out for pizza. I felt SICK that night. I was sick of being overweight and out of control with food. I knew we were done having kids and I decided that was IT. I was not going to be the typical Mom blaming my weight gain on having kids...

chrissyh · March 2009

My moment was a few things together - Last spring - we toured Fenway park (Boston Red Sox) and had to walk up ramps-It seemed like 7 stories but probably only 3 or 4....I had to keep stopping we were the last ones up there - I couldn't breathe. My husband kept telling me we could jump on the elevator. How embarrassed I was...Last fall, I was thinking one day about how wonderful my husband had been to me over the past almost 3 years - pampering me, never complaining about my aches and pains....and I realized how much longer was he going to accept my moaning and groaning over something that happened almost 3 years before-not once has he ever griped when I was tired or hurting or blah blah....2nd thing- I was asked to tell my boss as a part of job review 2 things I wanted to improved in my life-self goals....well it came down to being healthy...eating better and exercise (weight loss would come naturally with that) So if I eat better, exercise and lose weight - I'll feel better overall - right?! RIGHT!! My boss started a challenge and assigned me as the leader (I work with all men) to see who could lose the most weight from Sept 1 - Dec 19 - we all set goals...I set a goal of 25#....I lost just under 40 in that timeframe--I kicked all the guys butts. Well a challenge is what started me off and I don't like losing unless it's weight that I am losing! I had always been very outgoing and bubbly but when I was 51 pounds heavier than now, I wasn't me - I was insecure, didn't want to go places, would sit quietly in groups instead of being the center of attention.

I am gaining back my confidence with every pound that goes away, with every pound I lift, and with every step I take...

I don't have half the aches and pains I use to have - unless I've worked out real hard but then I laugh it off and keep going. No pain no gain!

havingitall · March 2009

I was watching the show "You Are What You Eat" and a woman onthere was 40 lbs overweight mostly from eating breads and cakes. They showed her 40lbs of bread dough. It was a large nasty lump of dough and it grossed me out thoroughly. I thought of my own body and how much dough I had on it.

Now I watch the show for a kick in the pants. The people on it always end up with clear skin and a sparkle in their eye after following her diet and exercising for 8 weeks.

I know that is me now. My skin is better, I have more energy and I feel great!

MyaPapaya75 · March 2009

I always read weight loss stories to help get me motivated! And everyone always has this epiphany, where it just clicks and then they loose 100lbs. (or whatever). I feel like unconsciously I feel like I can't lose all the weight I want to, until I have the ah-ha moment and since i've yet to have it- I don't stay serious with changing my life around.

Can anyone help me? lately I'm starting to feel scared though- i'm almost 30 and I'm reading things on 38 year old women having heart attacks etc.. and that scares the living daylights out of me. I have 3 young children and I'm really starting to realize how my health could end my life early early.. and I want to be a healthy and happy mom and be around for as long as God allows.

Have all of you who've lost a significant amount of weight (or are in the process of doing it) had the same "ah-ha" moments? and what were they? Have any of you not had them, but still been able to lose the weight?

*Subject should read YOUR- not you. sorry

My ah-ha moment was when I heard "Eat to Live dont Live to Eat" It made so much sense to me and I didnt want to be a prisoner of food anymore...I got to thinking how much I depended on it...doing things like packing coolers full of junk just to go to a park....when I could have just packed a sandwiches and fruit , water bottles......I also think about how much money was wasted doing those things..Blah

You "ah-ha" moment

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