It was all worth it for "this"... (sharing those unexpected "WOW" moments)

[pjlla]

Most of us use an upcoming EVENT to motivate us to lose weight (a wedding, vacation, class reunion, etc). And those reasons are certainly good motivators, at least for me. But I think if we can find other daily or weekly situations or moments where the weight loss really pays off, it will help keep us motivated. I will share my recent WOW moment that came up totally unexpectedly. I hope other will feel inspired to share their moments as well.

I was taking DD (almost 13 y/o) to a soccer clinic earlier this week. I could tell she was feeling insecure, not knowing who was going to be there. She made a few comments as we arrived like "It will probably be just the populars" and such. But she is a determined girl and she wasn't going to let that stop her.

When we arrived her first reaction was to tell me to NOT walk her up the hill to the field.... but I explained that I needed to sign the release form and hand over the check, so she consented to allow me to walk her up the hill. I could literally feel her nervousness as she approached the small group of kids, not knowing if there would be friends or mean girls in the group.

I caught a glimpse of my shadow as I walked up the hill and spent a second reflecting on how much leaner my shadow looked than it would have at this time last year and I was SOOOOO grateful that my weight would not give the other kids a reason to pick on my DD. I wasn't huffing and puffing walking up the hill, I looked decent (not thin but not huge) and I would NOT be fodder for any mean girls to pick on my DD.

I was so glad that my weight wouldn't embarrass my kids! And at that WOW moment I realized that it was worth every missed dessert and every mile on the treadmill. This was not a moment I could anticipate, but it was a great moment.

(BTW, DD had a fine time at the clinic and apparently the mix of girls was okay... nobody too bad)...............................P

 

[momto2girls]

Good for you! That is a great feeling, isn't it?

I found this post interesting because I have to say that my vanity in regards to my children is the ONLY thing that is motivating me to lose weight. I don't need to lose a lot-- only about 15 lbs.-- but I feel like I am "bigger" than that. My kids are getting a little older now (8 and 5) and I really don't want to be a source of embarrassment to them. Their friends' moms are thin and fit and I don't feel great standing with them. So, I'm trying to get motivated to do something about it. I absolutely HATE exercising and dieting though so it will be super-hard. But I don't want my kids to view me negatively.

I kind of wish we lived out on a farm somewhere so this wouldn't be an issue.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

One of my "WOW" moments was when I found my old Halogen jeans - my last pair of "regular" jeans before I went into plus size. I put them on and they fit!!! My next one will be when I feel good enough to go out WITHOUT my spanx on!!! After 2 kids, it seems like no matter how much I lose I will sill need it!

 

[Mary Anne]

I had one today and it was totally unexpected but boy did I feel good about myself.

Yesterday, I was eating my lunch at my desk (I'm in HR) and one of the managers came to me (with one of her staff) to ask a question about a hire I am working on for them. We were talking business and I guess she noticed the WW web site up on my desk.... I was tracking my points. She said, are you doing WW -- does it work? I said, well I guess it doen't work as good as I think it does as I've lost 26 lbs and you can't even tell In her defense I have not changed any of my business suites so while I can tell they've really started to get far to big, if you're not really paying attention it is hard to tell. I told her that I was planning on wearing something very different on Friday (today) and I would let her see if she could tell the difference. Anyway, today I wore a suit that is 3 sizes SMALLER then the one I had on yesterday and I stopped by her desk and said, "Can you tell today that I've lost weight?" OMG, she goes, how the heck did I miss that, you look fantastic. I'm so proud of you!

It just made me feel so good that someone saw the hard work this journey is and has given me the will power to keep moving forward.

 

[pajules]

I don't know that I've had a "Wow" moment yet, but I have had one where I knew all my diet and exercise has been paying off.

I just started my "transformation" in march. I try to work out 5 days a week and I've changed my eating habits. I'm not doing WW or counting calories but am using a plan made up by nutritionist at my gym. So far, everything seems to be working.

Okay, so here is my moment.

I have a pair of denim capri's that I bought last summer, nothing special but they're comfy. This summer when I tried them on for the first time, they were definitly bigger, especially in the waist, but my "ah ha" moment came about a week ago when I was able to slide them off while they were still zippered and buttoned. That's when I knew not only had my waist been shrinking, but my hips had finally decided to join the weight loss party.


I haven't had the pleasure of buying any new clothes yet. Because I still have a lot of weight to lose, I don't want to buy too much new stuff and the have it be too big in a couple of months. When the weather starts to cool, I'm going to buy a few basic pieces that I can mix and match with a bunch of stuff, but until then I'm going to keep tightening the belts on my pants.

 

[ohMom]

thanks for sharing your moment, i'm trying hard to relose some vacation weight so that my WOW moments feel real again

before I went on vacation I did some shopping for new bermuda shorts and had to be convinced by the lady at the Limited dressing room that yes the size 6 fit me better and the 8s were too big. friends, i have NEVER in my life wore a size 6. i'm short, keep that in mind too. size 8 is my realistic goal, i still think Limited sizing is generous but WOW! i'm wearing them snugly now to remind myself to get it in gear and take off these darn 5 lbs so they'll button easily again. right now the thread holding the button is pulling..know what I mean?

i read with pride how everyone who made the choice to get fit because of their children and their successes along the way. that is KEY you guys, you are modeling healthy habits for your children so they will be healthier too! and i know we all want to spoil our grandchildren one day.....they need us to be around!

 

[pjlla]

Okay, I'm bumping up this thread for two reasons. Number one I think it is a worthwhile thread and it needs some more contributions. Number two... I had another WOW moment. I'll try to be brief.

We met DSIL and her husband this weekend at a camping resort here in NH. It was supposed to be a quick visit just to hand over my DD to them (she is spending the week with them at the Cape). But I didn't realize that there was a nice beach there and that they intended to make an afternoon of it, so except for DD, none of us had any swim gear. DSIL had made "reservations" for the kids and adults to use this "water park" thingy in the afternoon. Well.... DD had a swimsuit and DS could swim in his shorts. The men begged off (mostly because DH didn't have a suit with him). Out of her bag DSIL pulls a size 14 tankini that I had given her last summer. It had been given to me by a (skinny) friend and when I tried it on (last summer)I could not pull the top down past the top of my bustline.

Lo and behold, it not only fit, it was a bit large!! I wasn't really comfortable in it, as it barely met in the middle (and we don't want to see any of THAT hanging out!), but it was doable for a short time. And we had fun in the water with the kids!

Anyone else out there have any new WOW moments to share??................P

 

[pjlla]

Shameless bump of this worthwhile thread, plus I am adding another WOW moment.

Not once, but TWICE this week, I wore a jersey TUCKED IN to my pants! I haven't worn anything tucked in for YEARS!! And I had to tuck the jersey's because they were so large they hung like bags on me! So not only are my pants getting larger, but my tops are too.

AND.... I bought a top on clearance at Target about a year or so ago. When I got it home I discovered it was waaay too tight, but I didn't get around to returning it within the 90 days so I was stuck with it (we live pretty far from the Target). It sat in a pile of "stuff" in the bottom of my closet until I did some cleaning out recently. I tried it on today and it not only fit, but is definitely heading into the soon-to-be-too-large category. I wore it to work today and got some nice comments.

All I can say is WOW!

Please feel free to share your "WOW-I-didn't-realize-weight-loss-felt-this-good" moments!.....................P

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I am so proud of you when I read your WOW moments.

I've recently slipped after getting the moment and am trying to dedicate myself to getting back at it. Your moments help.

I'd love to know if there is anyone else who has something to offer.

 

[windwalker]

I am so proud of you when I read your WOW moments.

I've recently slipped after getting the moment and am trying to dedicate myself to getting back at it. Your moments help.

I'd love to know if there is anyone else who has something to offer.

Tiger dear, wait till you see Erica when we go to ToT. She has gone from the size 16/18 that she was when you saw her at the Marathon to a size 10. She has so far lost 8 inches off her waist. You just might see a bit of a change in me to.

Leaner Panda

 

[Julylady]

My WOW moment happened last Saturday night when I went to a performance at our area arena. When I was last there in February, the seats were a little tight and uncomfortable. Last Saturday, they were nice and roomy. (I have lost 70 pounds since February!) I remarked to my Mom, "Its nice that they have widened these seats since the last time we were here." We both had a nice chuckle over that!

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Congrats on all the WOW moments y'all.

I have to say that my vanity in regards to my children is the ONLY thing that is motivating me to lose weight.

We got a Wii and a Wii Fit at the end of last week (it was a belated birthday present for me from DH) and I can't wait to start losing weight. I don't want to embarrass DS with my weight either,even though I'm not terribly huge. I'm big enough.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

One of my "WOW" moments was when I found my old Halogen jeans - my last pair of "regular" jeans before I went into plus size. I put them on and they fit!!! My next one will be when I feel good enough to go out WITHOUT my spanx on!!! After 2 kids, it seems like no matter how much I lose I will sill need it!

O-M-G​

THIS is my WOW moment! I remember being so excited about my Halogens..... I found them, and I could only pull them up to my knees.... then a month or two later I could get them all the way up, but couldn't button them, then the day they finally fit..... now they are so big on me I can pull them on and off without unbuttoning them!!! That is so awsome!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Hey y'all! I had a WOW moment today.

I stepped on the Wii Fit balance board like I do every day to do my daily body test. I am down 1.1 lbs!!! I was also able to do the Island Lap today without stopping to catch my breath, which is a huge accomplishment for me.

 

[PaulaSue]

I missed this thread when it started but I wanted to add my moment.

A few weeks ago I went home for my childhood best friend O'ma's death. I haven't seen her and her family for a year and then it was a half an hour in the hospital with her O'ma there sick and my Dad's knee replacement. Needeless to say everyone was shocked at how good I looked. My best friend's brother didn't even "know" (I was heavy ever since I was born, LOL) who I was and I grew up with him as thier mom was my baby sitter and we have been close ever since.

I was sad why I was there but so happy that everyone noticed my weight loss and was proud of me.

 

[pjlla]

So many great moments. Thanks to you all for sharing them! Keep them coming. I find them so inspiring!.....................P

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

My last "Wow" moment was at the time the pic for my avatar was taken. I was on vacation in California and for me I looked really good! I am working on getting back to that point for my April vacation and then back to my Army weight for when I run the full marathon in 2010.

 

[PooksMom]

Great WOWs, I like this thread.
I had a wow moment a few weeks ago, my 3 year old son was looking through a photo album and kept saying "mom, who is that?" over and over. It was me two years ago. Thank God I am back to normal. It was so difficult after my second was born, I have no idea why
Thanks!

 

[mytwoboys]

Thanks all for sharing your moments, can't wait until I have one.

 

[::Snow_White::]

I haven't really had one besides a lot of people commenting on how much weight I lost and how much skinnier I looked.

My wow moment will probably come this summer after I get back from Disney and compare those pictures to when I went 2 years ago.