is it really worth it?

It is worth it. I have more energy and I am healthier than I have ever been. I have cut out some of my medications and others cut in half. I still have my treats, I just exercise more that day to make up for it. I hope you can find the motivation to get into it.

When you restrict your cravings, they just become stronger. I don't deprive myself of anything - if I want a candy bar, I eat one just only 1/2 of one. I still have steak, cheeseburgers, sweets, etc.

Only you can decided if this is worth it. I can tell you for me it has definitely been worth the trials/tribulations I have faced. I am much more healthier now than I have ever been, and I am being a good role model for my babies. I am the only parent they have, and I need to be around a very long time.

As for exercising, find something you like to do - if you like to dance, do zumba. If you want something less intense, try pilates or yoga. I know several people who do the Wii as exercise, and are doing just fine that way. If you aren't ready to incorporate exercise in yet, just focus on your eating (that is what I did for the first 5 months of this journey). Once I got my eating under control, I started doing workout dvd at home.

Again, this comes down to your decision, but I can tell you it is so worth it. YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!

It is so worth it. Getting on the scale in the morning and seeing that those numbers have fallen feels amazing. Comparing side my side bathing suit pictures and seeing noticeable change feels amazing. Those feelings beat out feeling bloated and disgusting after eating too much any day! You can still eat what you want, just in moderation! No need to go cold turkey on yummy "guilt" foods, life's too short for that, but eat in moderation.

No it's really not worth it!... If I had know the hate I would have over how I look now vrs when I was +84 lbs.. the fear, anxiety, and general "oh god I can't eat that ".. I would have STAYED bigger!!!...
I could find clothes that fit better when I was larger, I liked my body image back then.. yeah..

The only reason I keep logging is if I stop (like I did about 18months ago) I'm afraid of the gain I'll have.. I was down 105lbs but then I fell in love and stopped logging for 6 months.. and guess what!.. I gained 40lbs back!!!!! ><

And it's not like I 'went crazy' just ate 'normally' (1600-2200/day 3xweek walk or something active)

So yeah TURN BACK WHILE YOU STILL CAN ..!

I can honestly say no I don't.

In fact I have become fascinated by how easy it is when you have the right information and support network. The excercise is the hardest but I know that even if I didn't excercise I could still lose weight.

My body is changing becoming stronger, firmer and smaller who could get fed up with that. I wish I had stuck with it years ago so I could have been enjoying the benefits for longer.

But at least I am doing it now and if it gives me an extra few years of life it is worth every counted calorie, every drop of sweat, every sore muscle and every hard food choice.

So yes it is worth it, a hundredfold.

I wanted to also add another reason all this has been worth it for me is, I ran into my ex a few months ago, and he took a double glance at me and said "Man I was stupid to ever let you go." to hear those words, was more then worth it. I'm happily married with 2 kids now, but still that felt really good! Especially since he broke my heart.

I just joined this web site and Iam a little sad for you to feel like you do. But we have all been there at one point or another. Those are the days you need to stay strong and focused. It will all be worth it. And for not having any friends to keep you focused you will have to find them, for me I found some great friends through parks and rec.and volunteering at the local school. The more you are out the more you will find people with the same intrests as you. Seems you like your dog(s) find a dog park. That gets you out and your dog. It would be great for both of you.

does anyone else get sick of watching what they eat? I mean is life to short to just drink water eat meat and veg and excersise? Today i am feeling like well this is me and so be it. I enjoy my food i like a drink and i am too lazy to excersise so if i am meant to be this weight well there it is.

My dad had a similar view. Mine changed big-time when a stroke that resulted from his uncontrolled diabetes took his mind, his personality, his ability to pursue any of his hobbies, his ability to sleep on any kind of schedule that would allow my mom to keep her sanity, his ability to control his bowels. This happened when he was 58. He'll be 64 in August.

It's a good question. Only you really can answer that. It depends on your priorities. Longevity has been touched upon - do you want to be alive long enough to see your grand children? Of course, obese people do live into their 90s (I know of one) but it's about probability. But then as you suggest, it can be a miserable existence having to watch your food. Or perhaps, the fact that you need certain foods suggests inner "misery"?

For me, I find it interesting, a challenge and a desire to look good. I've always been interested in health and fitness to varying degrees so for me, losing weight/getting fit/getting lean is an interest much like someone might enjoy chess!

In your shoes, I would weigh up the pros and cons and consider what you gain and lose from each outcome. :-)

I really could care less about a long life or any of the other reasons people have put out there. What makes it all worth it is the look of shock on people's faces when they see me after a long time away, and I've lost about 1/3-1/4 of my total weight to start with. that and the jealousy I get from some of them because I've lost so much and they haven't lost anything. I have never been a junk food junky. Can't stand fast food, don't really have a sweet tooth, and don't have any ridiculous cravings. All of my weight came from eating seconds, thirds, and fourths of "healthy" food. Portion control is way more important than fad dieting.

I think it's worth it to track everything in the short run. It lets you know what's in everything and gives you a basic knowledge of portion sizes. However, I don't want to spend the rest of my life tracking calories. I think of this time as an investment for a healthy future without having to be anal about counting everything!

If you have a dog, take a walk with him/her. Dogs make great friends and walking buddies. That's what I should do too. Walk with my dog. I think I will do that tonight after it cools down some.

It's worth it to me every time my body responds to whatever challenge I set it --- I'm old enough now to not be so concerned about how I look (though I'll admit - I do still care about it, just not enough to drive myself nuts) but I am totally aware of how I FEEL. I feel good after a workout, my mood and sleep are better without all the junk food. It's about smart choices - and I am worth the effort!

Of course it's worth it. If you feel like you're depriving yourself of things you enjoy, then you're doing it wrong. You shouldn't be on a diet...you should be making healthy choices for the rest of your life. Have the things you like in moderation, and find excercise that you enjoy doing (then it doesn't "feel" like excercise!). You can do this!

does anyone else get sick of watching what they eat? I mean is life to short to just drink water eat meat and veg and excersise? Today i am feeling like well this is me and so be it. I enjoy my food i like a drink and i am too lazy to excersise so if i am meant to be this weight well there it is.

I can totally relate to how you are feeling, but I also have to remind myself that when I didn't focus on what I ate and what I didn't do for exercise I lost track of how I looked, and felt. So yes there are times where McDonalds or a Snickers Bar or whatever my craving is at that time I have to tell myself why am I feeling these things? Is it because I am bored, frustrated, mad or just too antsy to do anything? If any of these apply then I just pre-plan my meals and drink that water and say there is no real reason because those emotions are why I am here today. But if none of those emotions apply and I just want it, then I get it just enough to satisfy not to binge out of control. And that doesn't mean I try to workout extra, I just log it and keep my calories where they need to be. I recently did that and I was fine with just a little bit so that I could say I had "Fun Food". Interesting though, today I don't feel like doing anything. But I know me... I will still push past tired or bored and do some sort of cardio, or strength training.