Tell me about your moment ....when things got serious....

[wiskband]

Hi all, been gone for a few days......... interent issues anyway, quick update after 2 weeks, I got back on the TM one day this week! My pair of pants that were hanging over the door ( as a reminder, I need to get into them) finally did fit last friday. Thats the good news.............heres the bad, Once I got into them, I think my mind starts thinking I can now eat whatever I want. Sure I got even smaller pants that are now hanging onthe door but it seems that once I get a step closer, I take two steps back! A pattern it seems have formed, I do good for a few days then I screw up! I know getting back OP is the hardest thing but, to put it simply, I am getting back OP like twice a week! and in between screwing up big time.
I am smart enough to know that this needs to be a life changing thing but just cant seem to apply it and live by it.
I am just so frustrated with this struggle! Really just feeling at my wits end. Think I need a good smack!! I know we all have our little tricks and tips but, nothing seems to be working for me these days. I would love to lose about 30 more pounds, I am just beginning to think that this is the way, I was meant to be. I know have posted what I am about to say but Ill say it again............
I need something to click! I mean what was it for all of you that made you change permenantly? Someone say something to you? Did you see something? Was there a moment that you knew you had to do something that made you become very serious about this journey you are on? Of course, that something may not do it for me but, at this point, I am desperate..........any little thing that sparked you may help get the fire under my booty!
If it's at all personal and don't want to post here, please IM me, I need some guidence, I feel like I am slipping!


thanks all
renee

[Beastlover]

Okay, for this journey, I noticed in the pictures that were taken of me. I could see the bit around my chin. That was something that happened last time, before I lost 55 pds. I noticed every picture I took was bad. I finally realized, not all pictres are bad...you are just really overweight!!

So, in recent pictures that I start saying that to myself, I figured it was time to get back into check with my eating plan! I had settled into a mindset of, "oh, I'm working out now, so I can eat whatever I want!" So, up 20 pounds, and ready to kick them away!! :cool1:

Great thread!! :goodvibes

[wiskband]

I do that as well........ if I am working out regularly I notice I begin to slack on the eating plan. I mean I lost 60 pounds before ( gained 20 back) so I must have had a "moment" myself, I just cant remember my mind set back then. Its frustrating because, I know I can do it because, I have just having a tough time. The only thing, I am NOT doing now is curves. and the reason I stop going ( after a year) is because, the workout just wasnt intense anymore. I wasn't sweating etc. Perhaps I was wrong to think that just because, I wasnt sweating and it was getting easier, that it stopped working. Anyway, I am off to look at some old pics.......ones of me heavy and the ones of me when I was at my lowest, perhaps, I will find inspiration! thanks


renee

[Figaro1]

Wiskband

For me it was not one single event. I have been taking small steps towards this journey, some forward and some backwards. But always towards my goal. I also had the 'okay, now I reached a small goal' and went back to my old habits, poor food choices and no exercise program.

For the past 6 months or so I have been motivated by TV shows that followed folks losing weight, reading all of Dr. Phil's book and watched Opera's weight loss show. And during the lent season I set the goal of cutting out sweets and exercising 6 days a week it really helped me to start this weight loss journey. I had a set period of time and goals. Of the tools I have used, Dr. Phil's book really helped me and hit home. I had to change my habits to change my results. And I had to really want to change, not just kind of. I set goals, realistic goals and set up a work sheet on Excel. I record my weight, I only weigh myself once a week, more than that and I would drive myself crazy. I also record my exercise on an Excel worksheet the time and miles for each month with totals. I'm a numbers person and this is a motivater for me to 'see' progress in the right direction.

I want my weight off now, but I did not put this weight on over night. I understand that this will take some time, small steps towards a bigger goal, my improved health. I have habits to change, then and only then will I see the results that I want. I am my only manager of my life and I have taken control.

Best wishes to you on your Journey.

[wtpclc]

OK. Here's mine. I'll try to make a long story short. (Famous last words)Last year I joined Curves and started going LC right before I did land sea WDW/DCL. Just something to kick me in gear.

We me my parents for a day at Epcot. Boy were we commando. My mom was 62 adn dad 65. Dad's had diabetes for ~5 years, but does REALLY well with his diet, is not on insu,in, and takes half of the lowest dosage of glucophage. Most of it was controlled by diet. Mom and dad exercise 3 to 5 times a week by walking 3 to 5 miles on hilly terrain.

So we commando this day. My thril buddy dad and I went on M:S together. Great day. I get back to the room and tell my dh how much I love that I can still barely keep up with my dad and how great it is that my parents are so young (in the sense of being in shape).

Fast forward 1 week, exactly. Been back to work for just over a day. Mom calls. Dad's in the hospital. He had some pain in his shoulder, went to the clinic, now in the hospital awaiting a bypass (not sure iof 3 or 4 needed at that time).

Dad never had high chlesterol or bp, although his triglycerids were high. Had a stress test about 6 months ago, all ok. Scariest thing I ever had to deal with.

Dad's now fine and doing great. He never actually had a heart attach, just warining signs. However, everyone told him that he would have had a heart attack 10 years agao if he weren't in such good shape. DId I mention that the worst blockage was in teh "widow-maker" artery?

I have low-ish blood sugar, like my dad pre-diabetes. I have high-ish triglycerides, although my cholesterol and bp are low. Ihaadn't exercised in years. So, this really made me kick it in gear.

That being said, I just started training for th emarathon. WIth all that I've been buring from the walk/runs I've been doing, I've given myself a license to eat (Easter did not help). My pants are tight today and I'm disgusted with myself again... Time to watch those eating habits again. At least I'm going big time on the exercise.

Hang in there Renee!

[kathmzh]

I totally feel your pain, Renee. It's such a hard thing to do, and without any results, it's even harder. I've been on SBD for three weeks, with only a 5-pound weight loss (goal of 20). I just try to keep telling myself that the weight didn't come on in a month and it won't come off in a month, either.
I do recommend you try something different to re-kindle your interest: a new exercise, new plan. SBD was new to me, and the common sense approach of it did spark some incentive for me.
Try to make long term, but manageable, goals taht you can reach and feel good about. Good luck, and kudos for trying to make yourself as healthy as possible!

[newholidayx2]

I lost some of the weight in 2002 right before I was suppose to go on a cruise
May 03 my brother had massive heart attack/triple heart surgery - this made me seriously get myself back under control - watched the fat & sodium intake - lost the remainder of the 45lbs I had to loose - got myself healthier.
Ive managed to maintain (up now a few lbs) - I use fitday.com to maintain

good luck

[Badger Brent]

I did the atkins before in 2003 and lost 55 pounds. Then stress with a business partner put me on depression and anxiety pills. It slowy came back on and I gained it all back plus. We got a new scale and it peaked at 300 lbs. I started 7 weeks ago, quit drinking, drink more water and veges. Do my own version of atkins. This time around I feel better doing it this way. I've lost 25 lbs so far. I want to hit 230 pounds by october's trip. I'm doing more walking and working with my kids with ball practices. I saw a picture and didn't like it. I drank too much and scared my family. Finally I scared myself and did some deep reflection. Don't miss the booze, am just fine with me diet, and work is more tolerable. I have a friend who is having her first baby. She saw me drinking soda and asked if it was long term. I said I'll keep off the alcohol and lose weight during her pregnancy, while she stays off beer and gains weight. My kids said to me what about after the babies born, I said I'll cross that bridge when I get there. Right now, I'm not too worried. By the way, I own a sports bar and bowling alley, not really a great place to diet and avoid alcohol. So far so good, I do shots of water and everybody supports me. Good luck to all.... :wave2:

[TXBelle]

My moment came when several people over the course of a few days asked me if I was pregnant. I still had not lost the weight from my last pregnancy. I was just tired of constantly looking 6 months pregnant. I went on SB in January after the WDW 1/2 marathon. Yesterday, I bought a pantsuit in a size 10P! I may never be able to completely get rid of that extra tummy that comes with having had 4 kids (including twins), but I do not want to live my life looking pregnant. Been there, done that! :rotfl:

Wiskband- I know that this journey can be very difficult and discouraging, but look at all that you have already achieved! 1/2 marathon, fitting into your smaller pants. It may take some time, but you will achieve your goal. :cheer2:

[pjynx]

I have a couple contributing factors....

Noticing that I am currently only 1 pound away from reaching my highest pregnancy weight.

And, I recently flew to visit some friends and the airplane seat was a tight squeeze for my butt/hips (between the seat arms). Since we are flying to WDW this summer, I don't want to be uncomfortable on the plane, nor do I want any embarrassing "I can't fit on this ride" scenes.

[Tiger Lily 03]

I guess for me it was watching and thinking. I was seeing all the difficult medical journeys my DH had to face. I was thinking of the small painless journey of trying to make healthy choices for me so I could be there for those I love. I just do what I can and hope I am able to continue. Yup some days are sure tough. Others have it tougher and they do it.

Renee, you are so right. It is difficult. Please never give up. It is the best thing you can do for you. It is the best you can do for those you love. It is a journey of love. If you fall, get back up and keep on keepin' on until it becomes who you are.

[luvmy2sams]

I've had problems with my back since giving birth to DD 6 years ago. In the beginning it was my lower back going out of alignment, which led to muscle spasms. I'd spend a few days flat on my back and then be back to normal again. I had a recurrence of this once a year for the following 5 years, each one a little worse than the time before. I can remember being in the chiropractor's office and vowing that I'd get back to normal and lose the excess weight I'd been carrying since before becoming pregnant with DD. I'd get back to normal, though, and nothing would change. After having DS in 2003, and with no back problems for over a year, I thought all that was ancient history. Last October, though, I'd feel a little crooked in the mornings, but it would work itself out within a few minutes. The first day of Christmas break at my mom's (out of state and away from doctors) I couldn't get out of bed without lots of pain. I had to walk for 20-30 minutes. This would straighten me out, and I'd have no pain until it was time to sit or lie down. By the time I could get to into a doctor, I had really messed myself up. I was eventually diagnosed with a herniated disc which caused sciatica down my left side and bursitis in my hip and thigh. It's now April, and I'm still seeing doctors and doing physical therapy. It's only in the past week that I've had any significant improvement. Losing weight will go a long way towards healing my body. In the midst of my depression over this, I promised myself and my family that I was going to change my lifestyle. I'm down 17.4 pounds since January, and I refuse to look back. I've hated missing out on the day to day things with my kids and DH.

[gshoemate]

I went home to visit my parents and I ran into a cousin that I haven't seen since my skinny years. He asked my mom if I was having another baby. Talk about embarassing. A few weeks later I joined the Y and have been exercising ever since. I have also fallen off the wagon many times but I am determined to eventually stay on it.

[Twinkles6892]

When the scale hit 216 and I held my pants up and said "Dang it girl....". I was tired of having my hips hit the desks going down the narrow path way. Or having my stomache hit the desk when I sat down. Or feeling self concious. So here I go, getting healthier!

[goofyshell]

Renee- Don't give up! Being discouraged is normal, just don't quit! The one thing that really helps me is to tell myself "just for today". As in "just for today" I will eat healthy, will not have dessert, will get on the tm, will skip the soda, etc. Sometimes when I look at the big picture of how much I have to lose and how long it will take, I give up because it's such a BIG goal. But I can do anything for one day. Not that I don't have lots of bad days-but it's easier to make good choices for one day than to commit to a lifetime of no soda!!

Hang in there-you'll make it!! :cheer2:

[ZerasPride]

Renee - you have been giving such great advice and everyone's stories have really helped me to see the benefits of sticking with my healthy eating plan and daily exercise. I hope their stories have helped and encouraged you.

As far as my situation goes, as another poster mentioned, there was no light bulb moment. I feel funny even admitting that. So many people that have lost weight just "knew" this was it or had some defining moment that crystalized the weight loss journey for them. I feel almost like a fraud because that never happened for me. I witnessed my sil drop 70 pounds on a low carb diet and thought if she could do it then so could I. But I've said that before about other diet plans. I do think as another poster said, this was a culmination of every other time I had tried to lose weight and failed. Each failure I learned something, even if I didn't know it. The biggest factor that helps me stay on plan with South Beach/Atkins is that this is a program I believe in. I truly do believe I cannot eat processed/refined sugar and flour. I truly do believe I must work out 6 or 7 days per week without fail to lose this weight and keep it off. There is no other alternative. I have had in the last 16 months like most people have, celebrations, parties, unexpected mishaps, depressed days, car problems (someone stole a tire off our SUV and left it on blocks 2 weeks ago), health issues, money problems and the list can go on and on for each of us. So there are always lots of reasons and/or excuses to go off plan including the dreaded "I just don't feel like doing this anymore". You know what? I go on anyway. I keep plugging away whether I feel like or not.

I have come to the conclusion that I don't have to like this weight loss process every day. I just have to do it! Just to go through the motions and fake it til I make it through that particular day. There are days I sail through and wonderful how I could think this is so hard but there are just as many days that I don't want to eat different from everybody else and days I want that french fry instead of a salad but I don't give in. I'm stubborn that way. I also love love love the results I'm seeing and know that if I don't stay vigilant that I could gain this weight back. Well, I've given away all my fat clothes, if I start to gain this weight back, I'll just have to walk around nekkid. Not a pretty prospect I can tell you. So I stick with it.

I look at it like a marriage. Do I always get along with my spouse? Is everyday like a honeymoon? Of course not, but just because we don't always get along and see eye to eye does not mean that I'm leaving him. It's the same with my way of eating and exercising. I might not always like it but I do it. One day and hopefully soon, I'll be at goal. Maybe at goal, I'll only have to work out 4 or 5 days per week and maybe, just maybe, occasionally I might have a fry or a sugary dessert (but I doubt it) but I'll be at goal and make those decisions as I want. In the meantime, I (we) have to get busy. The sooner we buckle down and do the work, the sooner we can reap the benefits of all that hard work.

You can do this! It won't be easy but it is doable. Someone recommended Dr. Phil's book. Have you read it? He really helps you get to the crux of why we sabotage ourselves. I think I read somewhere that losing weight is 10% physical and 90% mental and I truly do believe that!

We are here for you and I know you will reach your goal and take off those last few pounds!

[wiskband]

WOW! what great responses!
I have4nt been on the boards for a few days but I have been doing good. I had a few slip ups but I also saw the numbers on the scale go down! I have this wicked pattern when thigns start to go good, I slip up!

Zera, I have read Dr phils book. I began to understand things but its so hard to understand some of the things he is saying. My life is hectic, I barely get a chance to read. But perhaps, I will pick it up again being that so many people have found it useful.

thanks again
all.

renee

[TPCShauna]

I'm not sure if OP will be on here again to even read this but I still want to share.

My original reason for starting this is pretty stupid. DH and I are planning our first long trip to WDW and I want to be pretty certain that I'll actually fit on the rides. My biggest fear when we started planning this trip is that I wouldn't fit on Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Mission: Space. The last time we went to DL, I fit on everything but some rides were a tight squeeze. I've gained weight since then. For me, there was no telling if I would still fit. So, I started a diet. It was that simple.

My challenge is that I think about something for a super long time before I make up my mind to just do it. It took me three years of buying progressively larger sizes and finding myself limited in the types of clothes I can wear to get fed up and just say that I was going to stop it and go on a diet.

So now I am on a diet. I'm doing OK. I've lost 16.6 lbs. in 6 weeks. I have my moments where I want pizza so I eat pizza. But the next meal or snack, I am right back OP so I'm not too hard on myself. I've probably not lost as much as other people who have been 100% OP the whole time. But I can live this diet and I'm still losing so I'm OK with it.

You're doing great. You're moving in the right direction. Keep your chin up, have a bad day and then get back OP. Love yourself enough to say that you are human, you make mistakes and then forgive yourself for making them. You're worth it!!

[TPCShauna]

Sorry. Duplicate post!

[Figment1964]

For me "the" moment came last weekend when I was downloading photos from my digital camera of my son's 7th birthday party. I kept seeing this heavy mom in the picture and I didn't like being seen as a "large-sized" mom. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and I gain weight, especially around my stomach, really easily. I see a doctor every 6 months to regulate the medication I'm on for it and to watch my cholesterol/triglyceride levels. He always asks me what exercise I'm getting and I always honestly answer him that it really hasn't been happening.

So...seeing myself as heavy and knowing that I really, really need to do this for my heart I went and joined Curves last week. I absolutely love the workout and the women that are there. I was astonished to find out my body fat level and that even inspired me more.

I'm hoping for a slimmer me for our summer beach trip and our WDW trip next March.

[Purrrrfecta]

I am scared of dying- plain and simple. I look at my dad, who is 78 with Congestive heart failure from blockages in his heart. I DON'T want to be like this. I have to say to myself, yes I used my fat as a way to keep people at bay, but now is the time to get rid of the fat so I can see my children when they are grown.

[mking624]

For me there are a few reasons.

1. When visiting some family not too long ago, several kept commenting on the weight that I gained. Now I'm nto a big person, but at one point I was in really good shape and pretty thin (I had been a dancer for many years)...so when I gained weight, even though it was only about 15 pounds at that time, it was pretty noticable. It humilated me...even though they actually thought I looked good. I felt physically horrible though because the weight I gained was not muscle, but fat.

2. Looking at pictures from before my weight gain and after myy weight gain. I hate it. It truly embarrasses me. We usually send out a picture of my and my DH in fron of the castle for our Christmas cards, but this past Christmas I was too embarrassed to send them out because I convinced myself that people would be comparing previous years and seeing how much I gained....it was that noticable.

3. I can't fit into most of my shorts or pants. I have one good pair of shorts and one good pair of pants...and we can't afford to keep on buying more clothes. My husband even brought that up to me because he got concerned because we had to keep buying more clothes that would fit me. I'm glad he brought it up though, because I needed someone who loved me enough to be honest with me about it.

4. And finally, it's because of my family history. My grandmother was morbidly obese and died in her 50s. My mom is overweight and it destroyed her back and her doctor ordered her on a diet or she faces back surgery. She's only 44. My aunt is younger than my mom and more overweight than her. She doesn't seem all that interested in doing anything about it.

Add all these together and I finally realized I needed to do something. I don't want to keep letting myself go, I don't want to die young, I don't want to be ORDERED on a diet because I've destroyed my body. I'm young, I'm 24 and I want to enjoy life. And I'm willing to exercise a lot more self discipline in order for me to change the trend.