[Moni28]

In my teens I found myself fixated on scale results, how much I ate and crazy diets. Now i'm 26 and none of that really matters. Of course I like to be aware of what goes in my mouth but its more healthy things as opposed to half a carb bar and gallon of water.

I don't know about the rest of you (esp those in the mid to late twenties area) but when I hit 26 it really was like an ''A HA!" moment. It is weird but I suddenly became comfortable with my body and skin. My weight loss attitude changed and I now strive for HEALTH(!) and not the numbers on the scale! I try to make better decisions and have thrown the starving myself program out the window.

Also, just yesterday I actually realized how fat I am. I also saw pictures and thought "do i really look like that?" What I felt like and what I looked liked never really matched up...I always felt smaller than I was. Well that all changed when I caught a glimps of myself in the mirror and poof it was like "hi you need to lose weight" but didn't freak me out. I want to lose weight just as almost anyone else, but not so much for vanity reason *of course who doesn't want to shop for CUTE clothes at ANY store!* but more than ever for my health! Last April I was deemed diabetic and my life has been a constant rollercostaer! So on this long winded note, my point is.....

i'm not happy being fat, but i'm not obsessed as much as before. I take the gains and loss in stride. Numbers on a scale don't flip my wig and my health is most important. Has anyone else exp this "a-ha!" moment or anything similar? Has your weight loss attitude changed through your journey?

[asweetchicagogirl1]

I'm with you on this completely. I'm 28 and used to be fixated on the scale as well. Now, I'm more or less focused on getting fit again, feeling good and eating healthy (though I kinda screwed up this weekend a little). I think your attitude is the right one to have and more sustainable, honestly, if your primary concern is being healthy.

[junebug41]

I absolutley understand!

I have been fighting with a certain number for years now. It almost takes away from the weight I HAVE lost because I can't get to my original goal. I finally just threw up my hands and decided that I'm in a pretty great place. Maintenance is still a conscious decision every single day, but I've sort of re-prioritized my goals and expectations. For example, my clothes need to fit. Comfortably. I still need to make a point to work out (I've set a goal of 4 times a week).... stuff like that. I also need to keep my weight in check to keep my pcos (and fertility) in check.

So yeah, this has definitely been an evolutionary process

[ValentineNicole]

I'm with you on this! I'm 24, and now for the first time, I'm more focused on the right foods than the right calories. I used to be a firm believer that a calorie is a calorie, and I could lose weight on a bag of m&ms as well as apples. I like the healthy way much better - and I feel better. Little mishaps don't get me down anymore because it's the big picture that matters.

I also just miscarried due to unhealthy habits before I knew I was pregnant, so the health issues hit me hard. I may not be hugely overweight, but the amount of junk food and caffiene in my diet was disgusting. It's no longer just my health I'm concerned for. I'll never forgive myself for ny first pregnancy being like that.

[Little JJ]

That's such an awesome attitude to have.

I am 22 and am trying very hard to stop myself getting fixated on the scale-I am doing this for my health but I sometimes lose sight of that and focus on the numbers which can be discouraging. So thanks for your post, it was very inspiring to me

[Moni28]

Thanks everyone! I'm glad i'm not alone on this new feeling. It is rather liberating and while it took me a hour, I motivated myself to go for a walk! I'm looking forward to my new journey and new attitude.

@ValentineNicole~ I'm so sorry to hear about your pregnancy. I hope that you can continue on a healthy path and when the time is right you'll have a lil monster rolling around the house! good luck!

@Junebug~ I just rewrote some goals last night but made them a lil more loose like work out most days of the week instead of x amount of days. I found that putting "at least 3 or 4 days a week" felt like it was chore! Does it ever feel like that to you?

Good luck to all of you and thanks for the response!