Karen, I, too, see this as a race.
I do not want to spend the rest of my life as a woman who cannot keep up with my children. I want to be in shape to play with them, run with them, and simply not be the overweight person that I am now. I want to be able to comfortably play soccer again. I am in a race with my self-esteem and self-worth. I see myself as a happier person, and in return a better person for my family when I am smaller. I commented on another thread that I am feeling really good about myself the last few days. That is because of my weight loss, even though I still have more to go, I can again take my boys to the park and play with them without feeling like I will just keel over. If I can continue to lose weight and reach my goals, I will be the better person that I want to become. I need this weight loss not only for my physical health, but my mental health as well.
I am racing to be back to where I once was, and will be again. Maybe it is determination or motivation, but I am going to make it to the finishing line, and maintain my position.

I really think that some people thrive on competition and others dont. If I dont compete with myself and have challenges and goals I lose track of dieting and slip into bad habbits.. I need these things to keep motivated and on track. If I fail it's no big deal I just start another challenge. For others competition is harmfull to their diet and motivation as if they fail then they do slip up and depression follows. Really wether or not to be competitive and race is up to the individual , just as we follow different diet plans so to we follow different ways to keep motivated, as long as it works do what suits ur personality

Funny isn't it how different our perspectives are. Competition....it never occured to me. To compete with another person for weight loss.......I know some people do it and for some it probably works. It wouldn't work for me. I take great joy in the accomplishments of others and it is great inspiration and allows me to know it can be done, even when I wasn't really sure I could do it myself. The reason I came to these boards was for the support yes but just as much to see , to hear all of you who have succeeded. It gave me the knowledge that as much as we all have much the same struggles with food and life as a large person. So many paths with so much in common. If someone else could overcome their obstacles in attitudes, in food addictions just as severe as mine then I sure could too. After all we have all been walking the same path, fought the same battles,and wanted more from ourselves and our lives. Sometimes when a fellow weight warrior lost a good chunk of weight and I was playing yo-yo, I would see the success of others and ask myself honestly ....am I doing what I need to do, am I focused on my goals. I would consider carefully what actions I may be lacking or at times just the health issues that hindered me. I have spent many long hours internalizing so many things I have learned here but not in order to compete. I know I deserve to live a fuller, healthier life. To do and be all potential that has laid burried beneath this weight for so very long. Like so many feelings we have competition is an attitude. I do not think long term competition would help you achieve rather I think in the long run it would hinder you. Perhaps I think this because as much as we all have in common, each and everyone of us is totally a unique being internally. You can never measure yourself by another person. Our personalities , emotions, response systems and even our bodies while basically the same are in reality different. What works for one doesn't for another. How one body functions does in no way mean anyone elses will respond in the same way. Our structures are different, inside and out. We can learn from each other though. Take great pleasure in the losses of one another. The losses and successes are like a lantern in the darkness showing us the way. Proving you can do it no matter what the difference. I have come to the conclusion that like quitting smoking, or changing any other habit it takes time and practice....yes...practice, until we work out what works for us. I spent a long time here practicing and leaving coming back again and again because I knew what I wanted and I knew it was worth it so if you are struggling as we all have "hard" stick with it until you get it down pat. Practice does make perfect...well as close to it as is humanly possible. Start , restart and keep restarting until the day it really "Takes". It will you know. Hang in there. No it is not a competition but it is personal dedication to our our lives and well being. Mentally , emotionally, and physically.
God Bless.
Pam

The only person I compete with is myself, I love to try to do better by beating old records, like with the 30 points challenge I am trying to beat the score I got last month, if I can then I know I have improved and moved closer to my goals. I wouldnt try competing with anyone else, it wouldnt work as we are all different. Just to be inspired by how well everyone does is enough for me

Whoo, I just thought of something, I already beat my points total for last month...I rock

I do not compete with other people in my weight loss, I only compete with myself. I try to beat myself in losing more, exercising more, and generally being more healthy. I say that I am in a race, but my race is not against anyone, simply myself and the calendar. I have a long term goal that I feel that I must make. I will get there and I will be healthier again.