I started typing this as a response to the why do you want to lose weight thread but thought I'd post it as a new thread.
I see so many people saying they're narcassistic for wanting to look good or worrying what others may think...
I don't think it's narcacisstic to want to improve the way you look, nor do I believe in judging anyone who cares what others think. I'd be lying if I said that didn't matter to me. Lying if I said I've never walked into a room and sized up the crowd to see if I'm the fattest one.
In my teens (I've been overweight most of my life!) that was pretty much my only motivation for wanting to lose weight. In my twenties...still pretty much my only motivation. Kids did change it...I want to be healthy for them but still...when they were babies I didn't give much thought to my mortality and how it related to my weight.
Heading into my 30's and just before starting this journey in September I had finally come to terms with my appearance. I believed "I am who I am and I make no apologies for it." I stopped worrying about if I was the fattest, if I was being judged because I was fat. I knew I was worthy of friendships, I had come to terms with me. I was funny, smart, kind, loving, pretty (even if I WAS fat) and I really did like myself. Finally!!
At 36 I realized that yes, I was all of those things BUT still...I was killing myself! How can I believe I'm so worthy and yet still choose to put things in my mouth that were slowly killing me? I understand now, that my "I am who I am and if you don't like me for it that's your problem" attitude was for me a defense mechanism and that I didn't like me for being fat. For making poor choices.
Since choosing this journey I've forgiven myself (sounds SO corny but it's true) for making those choices and I've praised myself for deciding to change. I feel better, have more energy and I can't wait to meet the woman I'll be when I reach my goal! I started to type "at the end of this journey" and I realized this journey will never end, I will reach my goal but I've changed now forever and I'm happy with that. Ecstatic with it actually!
I think this is a turning point for me, 20 weeks of this new life style and 50lbs+ down and still a long way to go but I really believe it gets easier as you go along!
How do you think this journey is changing you?