Survey

[JustMe28]

Hi, everyone! I was wondering.... What motivated you to want to lose weight/get healthy? My motivation, of course was health, but also, I have 2 little girls (ages 6 & 9), and I don't want them to be crazy about their weight like I have been. I want to set a good example for them & be a mom they can be proud of. What was/is your motivation?

 

[sharoncity]

I want to lose the weight because I just feel better about me. How can I describe it? I stand a little taller, I have more self confidence, I'm happier...... Its just a whole lot better feeling. I am not too much overweight, maybe about 35 lbs. I am very healthy, thank goodness. Of course, I want to stay this way too (healthy). But my whole demeanor is just BETTER when I weigh less! Does that make any sense?

 

[Laurajean1014]

I have as many reasons to lose weight as I have extra pounds.... here are a few:

To Feel Better
To Look Better
To Live longer with my son and DH
To be a good role model
To feel confident
To make head's turn
To not have to worry about health ailments
To avoid surgeries (knee, foot, etc)
To be proud of myself
To accomplish something that only I can do
To say I was there and came back
Because I am worth all this work
Because I am beautiful


Thank you for letting me share this.

 

[tiggerlover]

There were a few things that motivated me to get healthy. First I was tired of being fat, tired of being tired and out of shape and just plain tired. Also, I have a 7 year old son and I didn't want to be a poor example for him. And finally I had a friend that was doing it and she just motivated me to do the same as she was.

 

[GarrettJD]

Well, I was just tired of being overweight and unhealthy. However, one of the main reasons actually had to do with WDW!

I had been to WDW once before, in 1984, at the ripe old age of 8. I had not had a chance to go back, and since about 2000 I had been planning a trip with my GF, but due to many different issues (especially finances), it never happened. Finally, last year everything started coming together, and we planned a trip for June 2003. I, weighing close to 400 pounds, was afraid I wouldn't be able to get around the parks and fit in the rides. I started on Atkins in Feb. 2003 and I dropped to about 360 by June. I was able to ride every single ride inluding all the Mountains, RnRC, etc. with no problem. Believe me, that felt good

Anyway, it felt so good that I decided to stick with it. I've yoyoed around a lot for the last few months, mostly because I haven't been sticking to plan, and I gained about 20 pounds over Christmas. With another trip looming in June of this year, I want to banish those pounds forever and keep it going!

 

[ZerasPride]

I've always wanted to take off the weight and have tried everything but nothing worked. I think what makes it different this time or what's motivating me is having all the right elements together at the same time.

1) I am for the first time mentally ready to take this weight off;
2) I have the support of my DH and he's doing this program with me;
3) I have found the right woe (way of eating) for me;
4) I realize this has to be a "lifestyle change" and that I can't just take the weight off and go back to eating the way I used to eat;
5) I realize exercise has to be a part of my healthy lifestyle; and
6) I realize that I am serious and am willing to make whatever sacrafices I have to make to reach my goal - there will always be vacations, special occasions and such that can cause me to justify why I can eat off plan but this time I am not letting anything stand in my way of reaching my goal

The real eye opener came for me back in August when I couldn't fasten the seatbelt on the plane coming home from Disney. I knew it was time to get serious then. So DH and I started SBD on 12/1/03 and haven't looked back!

 

[JCJRSmith]

Heart disease runs in my family. My mother is in congestive heart failure. My father had a heart attack when I was in high school. His two brothers died of heart attacks, three of his sisters died of heart attacks, his father and mother as well.

I will 44 years old this May and I am approaching the age where heart problems seem to strike my family. I am a father of three (20, 11 and 6 years old), husband to one, and grandfather of one (2 years old). I want to be around to give them all a hard time for a lot of years to come.

Additionally, I have never considered myself to be vain, but I really did not like the way I started to look. I got really tired of my stomach arriving 5 minutes ahead of the rest of me where ever I went. I got tired of having to find the "fat seat" on my favorite roller coasters and amusement park rides. I also suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, which is most common in males over 40 who are overweight. And I was sick of my favorite clothing not fitting anymore, and I didn't want to start shopping at the "Big and Tall" shops.

 

[summersfam4]

Hundreds of reasons, but number one is just for me. I want to look good, feel good, wear the clothes I want to wear, and just be me without thinking that I'm overweight all of the time. Second is for my two girls. I was a victim of anorexia in high school, I got help before I got to a dangerous weight, but it is still a mind game all of the time. I don't want my girls to go through that, I want them to grow up learning that exercise and healthy eating habits are a way of life. And that their bodies are beautiful. I will not put up with ANYONE telling them that they are FAT that's what ruins beautiful girls. To me that doesn't mean that we can't go out for ice cream every now and then (it's all in moderation), or that we have to eat lettuce and spinach all of the time, just tons of enjoyable exercise and sensible eating. After all, good things come to those who wait

Kelly

 

[JustMe28]

Thanks for responding. I think every single reason you guys gave were excellent reasons. I think it helps to read what motivates other people. I know it helps me. I can really relate to everything that you all said. If anyone else wants to reply, please do. Thanks again!

 

[newholiday]

It started w/plans for a cruise Nov 02. I lost 16lbs that fall.

My brother (5yrs, 9mos older than me) scrared the c--- out of me last May! He had a massive heart attack/bypass surgery which made me obsessive about wanting to get myself healthier. Now I know heart disease is hereditary in our family as Dad died from it almost 10yrs ago. Ive cut out the fat, working still on getting my sodium intake down.

Reached goal (123lbs from 165, goal 130) right before taking that Disney cruise Nov 03

 

[gshoemate]

Until I had children, I never had to worry about my weight. I was always thin. After my first child I lost some of the weight. Then after my second, the weight just added from the first. I stopped working and wasn't as active and before I knew it, I was outgrowing my cloths. I went home last fall to visit my parents and saw a cousin that I haven't seen in years. He asked my mom if I was expecting again. Oh how terrrible that made me feel. And then just looking at pictures of myself, I relized how much weight I had gained. I am also Hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and I do not want that to lead to diabetes so I am going low carb for 2 reasons. I had gestational diabetes and had to give myself insuling shots.....I don't ever want to have to do that again!