The very simple, current and shallow reason is I need to fit back into my summer clothes by the end of May. We will still have snow by then (ok not really, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was cold), but I am going on vacation somewhere warm.

Wow. What a great thread. It was very inspirational to read what everyone else said even though I am just on my second day of SBD.

My main reason is to lessen my chances of dying young -- or living to a ripe old age in the nursing home with multiple health problems. I am only 48 so I can still turn things around.

I want to do physical activity outdoors again without becoming exhausted after 1/2 hour. I want to shop in the "regular" stores. I once lost 75lbs and kept it off for 4 years; I want to feel that sense of accomplishment again.

I doubt that I will be thin by summer, but I hope to be somewhat less self-conscious in a bathing suit. I would like to have a pool party for my co-workers and have the guts to wear a bathing suit in front of them.

#1 I want people to quit describing me as, "You know, that girl that's fat/ chunky/ overweight/ on the heavy side?" Like that's my only unique feature!!!!!

#2 When I go to a folk dance and I ask someone to dance, I don't want their first thought (although it's COMPLETELY untrue) to be, "Boy, I doubt she'll keep up. I'll have to slow down." In fact, I want people to ask ME to dance instead.

Goddess Jessica, I know what you mean about being the one "on the heavy side".

And what do you do when someone on the telephone asks you to describe yourself so that they can find you at a meeting or other event? "Oh, I'm the fat one?". Of course, I don't say that but let's face it, THEIR description would include that fact.

I am doing this because in June I don't want to be in the same shape as I was six months previously and have wasted my money on WW meetings

On the serious side, I don't want to become diabetic like my parents and brother, have brittle bones like my mother, high blood pressure like both my parents and unable to play with my kids like so many other adults I see. I want to have my doc visits be for well-checkups only, not cause I am eating myself into sickness and poor health.

On the fun side, I want to be able to turn cartwheels and round offs without worrying about whether or not I can still do them. I want to do standing heel raises and hold it for 10-seconds (I'm up to six seconds now) and full splits so I can encourage my cheer team to do the same. I want to go canoing and biking and hiking with the crew and enjoy all that Michigan has to offer since we are here for the long haul.

On the DIVA side, I want to be able to wear whatever the heck I want to wear and look good in it. I don't need to be able to wear a bikini or microskirts, etc. but I do want to be able to go to the pool, or a party or anywhere else without agonizing about whether or not I look fat.

Tiki.

I am doing this for all of the reasons you girls have posted and then some... But mainly...I am doing this for ME. For MY self-esteem and well-being. I have too...It's the one thing in life I know *I* can do and I don't have to buy it. I just have to work for it mentally and physically. Go Noodles!!

Great thread!!!!

Why I am doing this:
-to avoid becoming diabetic. My aunt passed away a couple of years ago from diabetes...and I am at high risk, and was a gestational diabetic.
-to feel sexy and confident
-to reduce my bust size to a nice perfect C cup...so I can find a supportive one that is a color other than black, white or "matronly beige." (they are a 38D/DD...but they were a 40DD!)
-to be at a lower weight for bellydancing so I look better in my costumes
-to be able to wear sleeveless tank tops....and shorts without worrying about my fat upper arms or my heavy thighs.
-I know this sounds silly...but to not spend the entire time during a physical/doctor's exam worrying about how fat and dimply I must look nude in the big "paper napkin gown" under the flourescent lighting.
-To be able to wear a 2 piece bathing suit and actually have the bra cups fit...and not have to wear an ankle length sarong over it.
-To improve my energy level
-To have chiseled arms like Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2
-To see my high school sweetheart (the one who got away) now and then and to look better than his wife!

Amy

Aphil! I had a picture of Linda Hamilton from T2 on my fridge for AGES. It got lost when I moved. She was cleaning a gun and boy were her arms great. Funny you mentioned that! Oh I also would like a Demi Moore bod from GI Jane.

I want to meet the person on the other side of this project. I don't know who she is or what she looks like, but I am coming, I will be there someday.

Hi all

Great thread!

My reasons are ALL of the above, for healthy heart and arteries etc. plus setting an example for my kids, being able to play with my kids and grand kids for that matter, not that I'm there yet tho...

Another shallow, self-centered reason is that this is the only way I can afford to look younger! I cannot afford plastic surgery AND I'm too chicken... I don't want to look like some of the gals and guy I went to school with. I saw some just recently and OMG they looked OLD... I pointed them out to the kids just saying that I had gone to school with them, the kids could not believe it, they thought I was kidding!

I hear you Lanii1!

Some things I do to fight aging:

Don't smoke
Drink lots of water
eat plenty of fresh fruit and veggies
don't suntan
don't leave the house without suncreen (at least 15 spf) especially on face, neck and decolletage -even in the winter or on cloudy/rainy days
always use lotion all over after a shower or bath to prevent dry skin
always remove make up at night and moisturize afterwards

I want to age gracefully

Man we're gonna be some HOT MAMA'S at 80 and beyond!

Yeah, we are all gonna join Ruthxxx's Purple Hat Society!