[tleef]

I agree, I'll think I look great in something and then I'll see a picture of it later and it's horrible. I avoid camera like the plague! I think seeing photos of myself has probably helped to define my weight loss goals.

I went to Morocco last fall and went on a hike to the bottom and back up of the second highest waterfall in Africa. I about died on the way back up! We were supposed to have lunch after in the little village and I was so nauseous from the hike I couldn't eat a bite. And still even after that it took me until two weeks ago and not fitting into my summer clothes to realize I'm hurting myself and I want to be healthier. My SO of 16 years says he loves me if I'm 100lbs or 300lbs, but I don't love myself and so I project my crap on him and don't believe him. He's been in the field a lot lately but was home this past weekend (I didn't tell him I was dieting) and he told me my face is thinner and I look great. I can't wait until we can go hiking together (he loves to and I'm scared to) and I don't feel like I'm gonna keep over after a hill! It's coming...that moment when the weight will be lifted and I'll be 2/3 of my former self and I can't wait!

[seranab]

For me... like a couple of you it was a great number of things that finally pushed me to change my lifestyle -

1. Feeling unattractive. That was a very big factor I used to question my husband asking him whether he would prefer me skinny all the time. He would try and try to make me feel better and tell me how much he loves me and how attracted he was to me, he would get upset because I wouldn't believe him.
2. Puffing and panting going up the stairs... or walking fast was BAD NEWS and I knew that I was getting bigger and that my heart must of been feeling strained.
3. When I came back home from my second semester my aunty said in front of everyone "Yasmine, you've put on a lot of weight and I'm worried... especially around your hips" I can imagine some of you are hissing right now but I am SO GLAD she said what she did. That absolute humiliation is exactly what I needed - it was that boot I needed. It was said at a party in front of all my friends and family. I have to say I'm so greatful that she said what she did sometimes tough love works.

That was the major combinations! Thing is i've been feeling unattractive since i started putting on weight - but when my health was being affected I knew I had to do something about it. And I've been most successful when losing weight for my health and not for looks. I'm happy now and not feeling guilty.