What Made You Want To Lose Weight?

[Mrs jk]

This time round I gained nearly 2.5 stone due to depression. I have been trying unsuccesfully for months and on day two of the diet I am on a friends wife turned around to me a gushed 'Oh my god is that a bump!!'she was all excited as she thought my tummy was a baby bump. I've never felt as humililated as I thought that was an urban legend that anyone would be so stupid to say such a thing!! Well it's spurred me on and I'm 23lbs down!!

 

[Miami Brown]

This time round I gained nearly 2.5 stone due to depression. I have been trying unsuccesfully for months and on day two of the diet I am on a friends wife turned around to me a gushed 'Oh my god is that a bump!!'she was all excited as she thought my tummy was a baby bump. I've never felt as humililated as I thought that was an urban legend that anyone would be so stupid to say such a thing!! Well it's spurred me on and I'm 23lbs down!!

I can definitely relate to that one Mrs JK. And the thing is I was only 18 at the time and it was two family members who asked me if I was pregnant. I believe that many people don't realise the severity or the effect these sort of comments have on a person. And it's not just the overweight. Slim women get it too.

Thank you for sharing and well done you for losing 23lbs! Phooar! How long you been doing this diet for?
You sound really proud of yourself so I hope for your sake that you keep it up until you reach your desired goal.

Best wishes

 

[Miami Brown]

Very interesting thread. I just wanted to add, I have two boys three and two, and my three year old already calls people fat (they are not fat people I should add, he doesnt know what it means really, just that it is not a nice thing to call someone). I have no idea where he is getting this as he's not in nursery or anything yet, I'm thinking he saw it on tv somewhere. Image is everywhere, its really sad how bombarded they are from so young, my friends kids are really fussy about what they wear already - at 3, ie no shoes only trainers etc.
I had an eating disorder for years and my mum was always unhappy with her body, I'm determined my kids will never hear anything negative about anyone's body ever in my house.
Good luck in your journeys, in looking forward to getting back to mine at sone stage.

Children at your boys' age are very intelligent. They're like sponges. They soak in everything like "One sheet Plenty".
He may well have picked it up on the tv, whilst cruising in his buggie, at a relatives house. So there's no way he could've plucked that sort of language from the air. The important thing is to educate them and explain what it means.
It is sad. Really sad because you don't want anybody but you, teaching them.
It all comes down to education because if you leave them to think certain things are ok to say or do? Then you're gonna have a tough time once they get older because they won't want to listen to you. Just their mates. So it's best to instill life's lessons whilst they are easily influenced

 

[honeybee1711]

I've fluctuated between a size 20 and 28 (mainly closer to the latter) all of my adult life. I even got married in Las Vegas to avoid the trauma of what I would look like in a wedding dress, photos etc. I have lost at least 3 stone on 3 occasions - but have always put it back on. I know that my weight gets commented on at work (I'm the only female in the management team) and feel that I have to prove myself more to compensate for the critical first impressions others make. I have a wonderful husband who has never made a negative comment but, I know from the way he supports me when dieting, he would like me to be more healthy.

However, my determination this time comes from somewhere other than wanting to improve my appearance and self confidence.

Last July, a year to the day that I started this lifestyle change, my mum passed away. She was 64, very inactive and had always been a size 30/32. She became seriously ill very quickly and passed away from multiple organ failure. Over the last few months I've thought long and hard about the days and nights I spent sat in ICU watching her body gradually stop working. I don't want this to happen to me and know that she would tell me the same. So, I made the decision to start on the anniversary. This is the first time I've 'said' this and it's made me realise how important success is to me this time.

 

[Miami Brown]

I've fluctuated between a size 20 and 28 (mainly closer to the latter) all of my adult life. I even got married in Las Vegas to avoid the trauma of what I would look like in a wedding dress, photos etc. I have lost at least 3 stone on 3 occasions - but have always put it back on. I know that my weight gets commented on at work (I'm the only female in the management team) and feel that I have to prove myself more to compensate for the critical first impressions others make. I have a wonderful husband who has never made a negative comment but, I know from the way he supports me when dieting, he would like me to be more healthy.

However, my determination this time comes from somewhere other than wanting to improve my appearance and self confidence.

Last July, a year to the day that I started this lifestyle change, my mum passed away. She was 64, very inactive and had always been a size 30/32. She became seriously ill very quickly and passed away from multiple organ failure. Over the last few months I've thought long and hard about the days and nights I spent sat in ICU watching her body gradually stop working. I don't want this to happen to me and know that she would tell me the same. So, I made the decision to start on the anniversary. This is the first time I've 'said' this and it's made me realise how important success is to me this time.

I always make fun of the fact that I have 4 different sized clothing in my flat like I'm living with 4 housemates

So before you made your life changing decision you were a yo-yo dieter. Do you think a lot of the time you were gaining the weight back was because of emotional distress? Because if it is, from personal experience, it'll be good for you to address the things that make you overeat.

A lot of the time I hear women describe how much their partner love and accepts them just the way they are. But most women also have that paranoia that their partner would perhaps prefer them a lot smaller but they use "health" as a nicer way of saying it. However? I really don't think that is the case for most men. I think what they're saying is, they just want you to be happy and confident and not miserable all the time because of weight related issues.
Most men are not afraid of curves. They love it. They love it if it feels good. And yes, they love holding and cuddling up to something other than flesh and bones.

But anyway. I cannot imagine the hurt you must've felt seeing your mother like that. I think for her to reach as far as 64, considering her deteriorating health, is freakin' amazing quite frankly.
Any mother would be proud of her child if they'd decided to change their life for the better rather than use them as an excuse as to why they won't progress.
Be proud of yourself because you're not letting your mother down. You are trying your best and that is all anyone ever expects. Is that you try your best.

I hope to see your before and after photos soon! honeybee! All the best in your quest for fabulousness!

 

[polly_pepper]

For me I just don't want 'this' to be my life anymore. I've been overweight my whole life pretty much and ballooned from a size 18 to a size 26 when I left home. I lost a bit and maintained around a size 20, then that crept up to where I am now at size 22/24. I use sizes because I didn't weight myself for years!!

I sortof put my life on hold and always said I'd do things when I lost weight - be it boyfriends, holidays, or whatever. Then I woke up this year and realised I've been wishing my life away since I was a teenager. I hit the big 30 next year and I'm stuck in a an unhappy place that I don't want to be anymore. I've watched guys I've been interested in meet and marry their wives and go on to have babies, all whilst I was sitting at home chomping my way through a box of donuts or chocolate cookies.

Also, being slimmer is something I've thought about EVERY day for the longest time, and it really is now or never for me. I don't want to wake up 39 and wish I'd done it ten years ago because I already feel that way at 29 Losing weight is a choice I make every day and I choose a better life for myself

 

[Wii-Gym-Bunny]

Oh bless you Polly Pepper, what a heartfelt post. I am sure you can do it this time and coming on these forums will help too. Slowly but surely I say, you keep yourself motivated and if you're feeling like giving up, come on here for support. We're all behind you! And GOOD LUCK!

 

[Miami Brown]

For me I just don't want 'this' to be my life anymore. I've been overweight my whole life pretty much and ballooned from a size 18 to a size 26 when I left home. I lost a bit and maintained around a size 20, then that crept up to where I am now at size 22/24. I use sizes because I didn't weight myself for years!!

I sortof put my life on hold and always said I'd do things when I lost weight - be it boyfriends, holidays, or whatever. Then I woke up this year and realised I've been wishing my life away since I was a teenager. I hit the big 30 next year and I'm stuck in a an unhappy place that I don't want to be anymore. I've watched guys I've been interested in meet and marry their wives and go on to have babies, all whilst I was sitting at home chomping my way through a box of donuts or chocolate cookies.

Also, being slimmer is something I've thought about EVERY day for the longest time, and it really is now or never for me. I don't want to wake up 39 and wish I'd done it ten years ago because I already feel that way at 29 Losing weight is a choice I make every day and I choose a better life for myself

Don't you just hate it when you finally realize you've put the weight back on? Like you wake up one morning only to discover that you've become the incredible Hulk overnight. Like, when did that happen?

When I turned 24...25? I really did put my life on hold. My friends kept telling me that I should try being on my own so I could grow and develop such as lose weight and find a hobby. Like, learn a new skill or something. I've been doing that for a while now and still the weight remains the issue. I'd lose weight then soon as I become emotional be it happy or sad, I'll continue to snack on biscuits, crisps, ice cream and homemade bagel sandwiches with salad and meat slices and cheese. I was out of control and I would do this every week. I'd stop for a couple months but the viscious cycle happens all over again. I ask myself why I can't get it together. Why can't I just be an ordinary, normal person who eats to live, not live to eat? And there were a lot of low times when I just didn't care because I thought well, since no one finds me remotely attractive now? I might as well just carry on with what I'm doing.
However, nowwwww??? I finally have a reason to clean up my act because I'm going away to a special wedding next month and I want to look the best I've ever been in a long time. Usually I don't go out at all because I'm paranoid and scared of people staring at me which makes me very angry, so I refuse to go out unless its impetative that I do. But because it's my brother's wedding and it's out of the UK? I hhhhaaave to be out socialising and talking to people and that freaks me out. And people are going to be looking at my family and if we're all fat and fitless? I'll be upset from all the talk of the way we look, especially me. So we've all stepped up our game. My mother moreso. I do hope that when I get back, I will continue with a diet. I'm just so excited that so far I've lost 20lbs even though I messed up yesterday. It's a great step in the right direction, I just have to keep it up. I'm worried that the time spent abroad will mean I regain it all back. I just have to learn a lil self control and not eat everything that's handed to me. Hopefully the cuisine won't all be greased up and in large portions ^L^

ANYWAY! lol Thank you Polly for sharing. Keep your eye on the prize and hope to see your picture posted in the success news stories

 

[gina_b]

for me it the fact that my clothes were getting really tight, i was bulging over the sides of my jeans, saw a photo of myself and it was awful to look at. while i wasnt that big, i had bits bulging over the sides, my face was quite round only thing i liked in the pic was that i actually had a good size chest. otherwise it wasnt very nice to see.

i had a ctually had comments about my face before that, a few said ive gained weight in my face but i didnt seem to see it for myself.

took hard work, but im happy with my body now, i could gain a few pounds without much damage being caused but i dont think i want to lose anymore now. for now my concentration is on building up muscle and strengh so im expected a gain from that

 

[FatmanSlimming]

There were a few reasons for me. The doctor telling me because of my blood reading and dodgy knees, my self esteem, I've become a bit of a hermit, hating the way I look, even though I'm losing I still feel crap about it, and lastly, boobs look so much better on women than us blokes.

 

[Miami Brown]

for me it the fact that my clothes were getting really tight, i was bulging over the sides of my jeans, saw a photo of myself and it was awful to look at. while i wasnt that big, i had bits bulging over the sides, my face was quite round only thing i liked in the pic was that i actually had a good size chest. otherwise it wasnt very nice to see.

i had a ctually had comments about my face before that, a few said ive gained weight in my face but i didnt seem to see it for myself.

took hard work, but im happy with my body now, i could gain a few pounds without much damage being caused but i dont think i want to lose anymore now. for now my concentration is on building up muscle and strengh so im expected a gain from that

And you look absolutely amaaazing from what I can see in your photo. I bet you don't shy away from the camera now, huh gina

That's where it mostly starts, doesn't it. A photo being taken on a day when you must've felt your best only to discover you looked a right mess (speaking from personal experience).
The first place that gains weight for me is always my face, but it's so gradual that you don't realise it. Cos who has time to look at themselves in the mirror all day looking for these things? You know.

I hope we all get to reach that point where gaing just a lil bit here and there won't matter too much as long as we don't overdo it. Just to make sure we at least stay inside a bracket range so if we do step out of it, you can always draw it back.

 

[Lovingbeingslimmer]

Fed up of always being the "big girl" made me do it! Used to be an air hostess and at size 18 was never really included on things whilst away with the other crew who thought they were off the cat walk! Now I'm at goal I just wish I never gave the job up!

 

[Miami Brown]

Fed up of always being the "big girl" made me do it! Used to be an air hostess and at size 18 was never really included on things whilst away with the other crew who thought they were off the cat walk! Now I'm at goal I just wish I never gave the job up!

Hahaha Unlucky. But at least you achieved what you wanted in the end

 

[gina_b]

And you look absolutely amaaazing from what I can see in your photo. I bet you don't shy away from the camera now, huh gina

That's where it mostly starts, doesn't it. A photo being taken on a day when you must've felt your best only to discover you looked a right mess (speaking from personal experience).
The first place that gains weight for me is always my face, but it's so gradual that you don't realise it. Cos who has time to look at themselves in the mirror all day looking for these things? You know.

I hope we all get to reach that point where gaing just a lil bit here and there won't matter too much as long as we don't overdo it. Just to make sure we at least stay inside a bracket range so if we do step out of it, you can always draw it back.

ive never liked my photo being taken but i dont feel i need to suck in my belly anymore and pretend to to smaller! i noly do that now when im bloated from drinking- water does that alot!

first place i gain is my hips and stomach, last place it comes off too!

i have noticed a difference since doing heavie weights, my calves are quite big but they dont wobble anymore. my arm muscles are more defined at the top too, that was my aim to get more muscly arms, i hate the skinny scrawny look and i was unfortunate to get naturally tiny scrawny arms.

 

[twirly09]

I want to lose weight because 1. my doctor said i was fat but 2. i went to take that in june and one of the photos, my i never knew i had a stomach like that!. I must be doing something right tho as the top i was wearing now fits comfortably!

 

[Miami Brown]

I want to lose weight because 1. my doctor said i was fat but 2. i went to take that in june and one of the photos, my i never knew i had a stomach like that!. I must be doing something right tho as the top i was wearing now fits comfortably!

Good for you twirly

 

[Wii-Gym-Bunny]

I feel like a big fat bloater tonight, going to go onto a strict diet and exercise regime as from now
I am going to get myself really motivated instead of sitting half dead not being bothered with stuff - thats my trouble how I got fat in the first place, by getting down in the dumps and then sitting about not being bothered to get my workouts done Well it all changes from NOW!

 

[debc88]

I decided that I had to loose weight as I get married in 14 months and I want to be a slim bride not a fat bride! When I come to look back at photos from my big day I want to be happy with them!

 

[Miami Brown]

I feel like a big fat bloater tonight, going to go onto a strict diet and exercise regime as from now
I am going to get myself really motivated instead of sitting half dead not being bothered with stuff - thats my trouble how I got fat in the first place, by getting down in the dumps and then sitting about not being bothered to get my workouts done Well it all changes from NOW!

That's the spirit! What action have you taken since typing this post? What diet are you on and what sort of exercise are you doing?

Hope you're well!

 

[Miami Brown]

I decided that I had to loose weight as I get married in 14 months and I want to be a slim bride not a fat bride! When I come to look back at photos from my big day I want to be happy with them!

Aww, congratulations on your upcoming wedding.
Getting married is a very common reason to get fit and lose the extra pound or so. But you gotta stick to it. You gotta be in the zone and remember what you're losing weight for. But you already know this lol

Well I wish you best so hopefully you won't have to look back on photos of you not looking the way you wanted. Take care