Lets' see, Q. Amarantha, if I can limit myself to
only five reasons!
1) Health! Family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity.
2) [linked to #1] Healthy for my kids, as in setting a healthy example for them. If they see me make nutrition and activity a priority instead of a burden, they will be more likely to carry on in that vein.
3) Vanity. I like how I look when I'm not overweight, or even when I'm somewhat over, but not too far gone, say 5 - 8 lbs or so. It's a mental thing, but how I feel and how I look go together.
4) When I'm in control of my weight I feel more in control of my life overall. Other worries don't seem so bad, stress seems more manageable.
5) The hot humid summers are not as hard on me as when I weighed 200+ lbs. I can mow the grass, clean the pool, rake, just go for a walk, these things were beyond me 3 years ago. If I had tried I would have keeled over in the heat/humidity. And since we have this heat 75% of the year, being able to be active no matter the weather is so liberating.
6) {see, what'd I tell ya?!} I no longer have to hide my bulk under sweaters, blazers or jackets. I don't yet go sleeveless, but I can go much lighter than I used to!
great thread, as usual Amarantha!
upandaway