What One thing Motivated you to loose weight?

[wtpclc]

I had been saying a was trying to lose weight for a couple years. My pants just kept gettign tighter, though. Then, my DH & I booked WDW and DCL for the last week of Feb. I had 3 weeks to do something before the cruise that gave me a jump start. I started Curves and low carb. I did ok. Then, 2 days after I got back from the cruise, I got a call that my father (65) needed by-pass surgery. His "widow maker" artery was only lettign a trickle of blood through. His cholesterol was never high.

My father had been diagnosed with diabetes ~4 years ago. His diet is so good that he only took 1/2 of the lowest dose of meds. He and my mom excersize and were in better shape than me. One week before, teh 4 of us were at EPCOT together. I could barely keep up with my dad. When DH and I got back to our room, I said how great it was that my parents were so young.

My dad is fine, but they told him he would have had a heart attack 10 years earlier if he hadn't been in such good shape. His sister had bypass surgery about 10 years ago. My mom has high cholesterol, even though she eats right and exercises. Her father had bypass surgery and eventually died from heart failure. So, I've got it from all sides.

Anyway, the phone call from mom was my light bulb. Sorry to ramble, it just really changed my outlook on life.

 

[kelscross]

I have been struggling with weight since puberty. I thought I was so fat in high school but when I look back on the pictures I wasn't fat. After my second child I ballooned to almost 250 pounds! I got a divorce and 30 of it fell off. I joined WW and lost another 20 pounds. I stopped WW due to financial problems and I have gained 10 pounds back.

The lightbulb that put me on the road again was over July 4th weekend I went to King's Island amusement park with my family. While I was waiting to get on a rollercoaster I kept telling my cousin I hope I fit into those seats I will be embarrassed if I don't. I kept saying it over and over. Well I fit into the seat but I thought if I have to ask myself that, then something has to be done.

Also that night when we were driving through the parking lot some punk kids yelled out "Hey big girl!" to me.

So now I've decided to try again. I'm getting started on the slimfast.com plan. It's not just drinking the shakes they design an eating plan for you as well. My goal is to try and work out at least 30 mins a day.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

This is a great thread! Lots of inspiring stories.

For me, I have tried and tried again. I have all the incentives in the world. My kids and DH, my health, my family health history, wanting to be around for grandkids...

But mostly just sick and tired of being sick and tired and embarassed ALL of the time!

It is now MY TIME to shine!!!

 

[perfectmatch300]

Mine was just realizing how uncomfortable I was feeling all the time. My size 20 pants were way too tight, I couldn't sit on the floor because it was too hard to get up, a few stairs exhausted me, I had a hard time getting off the tram at WDW, airplane seats were getting smaller, my skin just didn't seem to fit me any more, & I just couldn't stand the way I looked or felt. I'd had enough! I still have a way to go, but I feel way better with the progress I've made so far!

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Well, for me there are several factors. I had joined Physicians Weight Loss Center a few years ago (when I was in a size 14). I lost weight really fast and w/in a few months I was in a size 6. I felt better than I ever had and (not meaning to brag) looked great. But of course, I stopped going to PWLC thinking I could handle it w/o a plan.
I knew my weight was getting higher everytime I would buy new clothes. But not too long ago I discovered I had gone up 2 sizes (I knew my clothes were getting tight, but man, not that much!) into a size 20!!! I have never been this big in my life. I will admit I ran to my DH and just cried. Did I mention that I have the greatest husband ever? He loves me no matter what...but anyway that is besides the point.
Another factor was that around the same time that I discovered my clothes getting tighter, I ran into an old co-worker that I had not seen since my "skinnier" days. She grabbed my stomach and said, "What's this?" I said, "What do you mean?" She said,"Are you going to have a baby soon?" Talk about an awkward, depressing moment.
I was also afraid that I would not fit in some of the seats at some of the theme parks. I did, but some of them were tight squeezes.
I also worry a lot about my health. Diabetes runs in the family, and my dad has had heart problems in the past. I am only 23 and get out of breath far too easy. Something's gotta give, don't you think?
I also (I know this might sound vain) like the feeling of knowing my husband finds me attractive. He says he does, but I know he must have liked seeing me healthy and vital better than seeing me like this.
So, for all of these reasons I have recently just decided to get on track. I am just joining WISH tonight. I am going to start exercising tomorrow and eating better. I plan to start a WISH journal either tonight or tomorrow. Please feel free to read it and comment in any way. I know I could always use support and tips.
BTW, DH says he wants to "get back on track" w/me. Told you he was great!

 

[maciec]

My lightbulbs:

1) 4 months after having Nicholas I was still wearing my maternity pants

2) I felt horribly insecure

3) I desperately need a new wardrobe and who wants a wardrobe full of fat clothes....bring on clothes with shape and fit

4) I wanted to wear a bathing suit this summer

 

[disneysnowflake]

I got my Christmas photos back and saw myself. I hadn't been on the scale, but I was on the scale after I saw those pictures. Ugh!

I started low carb on January 5th. I decided enough is enough.

At the end of January I thought about going to Disney World in December of 2004. DH told me we could go. That was an even bigger incentive to lose the weight.

I'd much rather see myself thinner in WDW photos then to always regret seeing my heavy self in those treasured photos.

I'm over 40 pounds lost now since January. I have about 20 more pounds to go. I will never go back to my former way of eating. While I'm not firm like I was at 18, I'm happy.

 

[hlane]

I decided it was time to do something when none of my clothing fit. All I could wear was a pair of size 20 pants that were getting snug, a pair of XX-large sweats & one of DH's XX-large tee shirts. Even the backside of my X-large scrub pants for work started to split from being so tight.
I had no energy. I was so tired, I got winded walking, & I hurt all the time. I am only 26 but I felt about 76.
I was always ashamed & embarrassed of how I looked. I did not my kids to feel the same way about me once they got a few years older.
All this was bad enough but the final straw was when DH asked me to do something about my weight. He said he loved me no matter what but he was worried about me, he knew I was miserable & it was affecting our "relationship" (if ya know what I mean) because I was so self-conscious & had no energy. That was in Jan, I weighed 238. On Feb 14th I started WW weighing in at 232.6...now I am 199.8.. I still have a ways to go but I feel better everyday & I finally realize this is the one thing in my life I am in control of & I have to do this & I can do this!!!

 

[wdw4us]

I had been working out daily on the treadmil. Expecting to have lost a lot by the time I went to the Dr's April 16th I had not lost a thing.

I just about died. She told me to try SBD. I left her office went to Walmart got the book.

I went on vacation (Vegas) and started to cut back on my carbs quietly for the week. I lost 3 pounds. Go figure!

The family started together. My DH lost 25 so far, My DD lost 25 and I've lost 20. It works, we look good, we feel good we're very proud and it's really not that hard.

I have more to go but slow and steady wins the race.

Back into a size 10 pants and I'm loving it!

denise

 

[*Flower*]

DH and I had gone home to CA in 2002 and treated my DB and his family to 2 nights at DLR. He'd been under a lot of stress with trying to take care of my Mom and Step-dad's affairs due to health problems.

I'd been telling them about WDW, and how even though DL is my fave- WDW is something to see. I convinced them to start saving for a trip that I would plan, and I'd do my best to find something affordable for all of us. We agreed on a 12/03 trip, and although I was excited about the possibilities- I also tipped the scale at about 236.

Well, I wasn't happy with myself (I took a plane trip to NYC for our anniversary in 07/03, and also had to set my seatbelt at the maximum size. AND suck my gut in to get it latched!! ) That got me thinking about how I'd be guiding my DB and gang around WDW, and stopping to rest every 100 feet or so because I'd be out of breath.

I didn't want to prove just how unhealthy I was, so I signed up for WISH and started Atkins on 7/20/03. I now weigh 156, and am only 6 lbs from my original goal of 150. Depending on how I feel once I get there- I might set a new goal.

What a great thread!!

 

[neverlandclub]

Simply put, my butt. I could feel it when I walked. That was enough!