Actually what I was missing out on, which was a huge motivating factor, went way beyond missing out on stuff from being self-concious. Yes I am a guy but I still would go to the beach and swimming but probably not as much.

But there were SO MANY things I missed out on that had nothing to do at all with my self attiutde or anyone else's self attitutde. I could not hike like I used to, I could not walk anywhere near as much as I could before, I could not play tennis as well, I could not really play full court basketball at all. I could not boggie board, I bought a board and I was so heavy that it never floated high enough in the water to work. It was kind of funny but also very sad. There are hundreds upon hundreds of physical things you are missing out on my being overweight inregardless of anything socially related or how big seats are or boggie boards or boats in parks etc. are. You are severely restricting what your body is capable of. And sadly you are probably missing out on years of life as well. Anyhow it was the realization of all these things I was missing out on that gave me the umpphhh to DO IT, it was motivation to me not a downer because I knew if I got as high as I did I was also the key to getting back down. One big motivation in particular was I backpacked through the grand canyon, down, around, and back up over the course of a week. Thinking of being able to do that at 300 plus pounds was also a kick in the pants.

So trying not to miss out on anything when you are overweight just doesn't work for anyone. Whether you want to or not you are missing out on hundreds of things your body would be capable of with less weight and more health.

[MzPen]

Some great comments here - I've really enjoyed reading them! I'm fortunate I haven't run into a lot of instances where I couldn't do something because of my weight, but I have certainly been uncomfortable sitting in certain chairs that my wide hips strain against! And for a long time, I've been depressed about not having the energy to play much with my daughter (6yo), and I feel that she's suffered from that, as she's somewhat chunky herself. I've finally gotten into the exercise habit and feeling much more energetic and competent now than I did, say, 6 months ago ...

As for swimming, I also have that devil-may-care attitude - yes, I feel uncomfortable being in public in my bathing suit, but I just don't care what others think ... but I do understand how others feel differently about that.

Jinkies, you can still send your daughter to swimming lessons without having to get in the water yourself. In fact, my daughter has taken lessons for the past two summers, and they prefer that the parents stay as far away as possible because it's distracting to their teaching.

Pen

[Goddess Jessica]

I freak out every time I go on a plane. I'm so worried the seat belt won't go over my belly and I'll have to "discuss it" with the stewardess. AHhhhhhh! Nonononono!

I am missing out on shopping at any store. Yes, I admit plus-size clothes have come a LONG way but I hate being limited. It's also too expensive.

[Sandi]

Ok Ladies....So Steve and I take Jacob to the park as often as possible. And Steve goes down the slides with Jacob and I usually stand at the bottom waiting for them. So I had read this post and decided that I was going to participate more!! Not let my weight interfere!!!

Went down the slide (by myself first) land on the ground, hands and knees and reinjured my bad knee!!

Then I climbed up on something that was too high and pulled a tendon in the back of my knee

So it's back to the bleachers for me. For the time being anyway!!

[Jinkies]

Oh, you guys are great! It's always comforting to know that others are working through the same kinds of struggles and it also helps to get that confidence booster from people who are doing what it takes to get healthy.

I've gone to the gym 4 times this week and plan to go Saturday to make 5. That will be 2 weeks in a row where I've worked out 5xs! Just this week I decided to check out the ladies only weight area. I was worried about not knowing how to work the machines but fortunately they have these little stickers that tell you step by step what to do and what muscles you're working. I'm not able to lift much weight or do many reps, but it's a good start.

I've been reading a lot of different personal stories on web sites lately and it's interesting that not a whole lot of them have had light bulb moments where there's an epiphany about weight loss. So many of them just talked about how tired they were of their weight, being unhealthy, tired, unable to do fun physical activities (like Diamondgeog mentioned).

I guess I'm in that mode of thinking now too. For years I've wondered when that "A-ha" moment would come. For me it hasn't. It's truly been a process. For years I've been sort of half-heartedly doing things for my health waiting for the "click" to happen. So far, no click for me. At least not what I consider a light bulb moment. I'll just keep plugging away and find out eventually if I ever have one.

P.S. Jacobsmommy--you made me laugh--not because you got hurt but because that is totally me! You wouldn't think a children's playground would be hazardous to adults but I know it can! I've smacked my forehead on the bar going down the slide (forgot to duck)! I hope you're doing OK though and heal quickly.

[Jinkies]

Forgot to add--MzPen, thanks for the info about swimming lessons. I'll have to check with the organizers and see what they say. I assumed the parents had to be in the pool too for young children. Definitely next summer we'll get her in lessons whether or not I am bathing suit ready.

[MzPen]

Jinkies, Abigail had her first swimming lessons through the Red Cross when she was 4 ... this summer she was 5. She still can't really swim, but she's learned a lot, she loves the water and is comfortable with it.