Last January, my New Year's resolution was to lose weight, as it was every year. For some reason, though, I didn't actually start until the third week of that month, after a visit from a friend who informed me I wasn't too old to join the RCMP (she's an instructor there). I used to see the police driving around and thought, "I'd like to do that, if only I was in shape". During that visit, I had the same thought, but added to myself, "then get in shape". That has been my goal since, and a year and a half later, I have nearly 100 pounds gone, am gaining muscle by lifting weights and have started jogging (both recommended by the friend). I am hoping to be able to finally try out within a year, and if I don't make it, well, Canada has other police forces, or I can be a court sheriff. I'm following the "Couch to 5K" program, and when I'm jogging along, I picture myself in the Red Serge uniform, and that's what keeps me from giving up.

The police goal may be the straw that broke the camel's back, but several other factors caused it to strain...everyday functions were getting difficult, such as getting dressed, and even walking a few yards from the living room to my bedroom. Bending down and tying my shoe. Finding clothes that fit. Food, for me as it is for so many others, was a "comfort". My attitude was, I quit smoking, I rarely drink, I don't do drugs, I don't have a relationship with a significant other, at least eating gave me pleasure. It hit me that I didn't want food to be my only pleasure. Life is so much better now, I have more energy, I can play sports (which I always liked but felt too self-conscious to partake in), men are paying a lot more attention to me. I look in the mirror and increasingly like what I see.

Every year, in January, I made the resolution to lose weight. Every December, I used to think, "if only I'd stuck with my resolution, look how much weight I'd have gone". I'm glad I didn't have that thought this past December.

I didn't plan to make my post a novel, but typing this has been cathartic and reminded me why I'm in this new way of living. :)

1) When I weighed in at 215lbs, a 35lb gain since high school.

2) Looking in the mirror, I realized that I'm no longer muscular with a little fat. I'm fat with a little muscle.

3) Picking up that size 14 jean at GAP and being worried that size 16 wasn't that far away. Furthermore the size 16 jeans at GAP are few and far between.

4) Realizing that one day I want to have a child and adding 30-50lbs to the 215lbs I already had didn't seem ideal.

I must say that it was a series of events...

I was tired of wearing the same five outfits in rotation and having an entire closet full of clothes that didn't fit. I also didn't like when size 14's, 13's, and 15's were starting to fit snugly. I was a plus sized woman and there was no way around it.

I stepped on several scales at several different supermarkets (I avoided them for so long because I just didn't want to KNOW how much I weighed!) and they all told me between 175-180. "Oh crap," I thought, "I weigh as much as MY DAD! :(" I realized I was NOT "average" - I was 20 pounds overweight and if I gained 10-15 more pounds, I'd be obese. I didn't want to be obese.

I started working a new job around ten miles away from my house and decided it would be a neat idea to ride my bike there. Then, I realized I needed to cut my calories and make some major dietary adjustments... and lo and behold, I found this forum :D The rest is well-documented history. :)

I hated having my picture taken because even face shots were fat. I didn't want to be "the fat mom" and have my girls embarressed by me. I was tired of outgrowing my clothes and getting bigger ones. I had a hard time fitting in some of the rides at Six Flags. I hadn't worn a skirt or dress in a couple years. Then in january, while eating my healthy choice, i saw an older lady outside walking around the parking lot on her lunch break and thought, "i can do that". And so i did. I walked 2 miles everyday and ate my healthy choice lunches and started counting calories. Then i found this website and have lost 60 pounds to date. Now...if i can get my butt back in gear and lose the rest of the weight i wanted to lose....that would be awesome.

I saw myself in some wedding photos wearing a "lovely" pepto bismol pink bridesmaid dress. I can't enjoy playing with my kids. I feel horrible all of the time. I don't want to do anything social because people may stare at me and snicker. I went shopping the other day (the first in years). I saw all of the cute smaller clothes, and thought, I would love to walk into any store that I want and buy whatever I wanted because I knew it would fit.

I was aware that every year my weight was going up by 10-15 lbs. My local Dr. told me it was the prednisone (steroid) and there was nothing I could do about it. I went to see a new hepatologist and he plainly told me that yes the medicine does make you hungrier but it is what you put in your mouth that is making you fat. He flat out told me that I needed a liver transplant and that I was not eligible due to the obesity and the list of other health related problems that I had . My choice was to continue to eat whatever I wanted and die or to lose the weight and be eligible for the transplant. It was a slap in the face and a no-brainer. I still have children to raise that need and love their mother. I chose to lose weight and try to be as healthy as possible.

I'm having surgery later in the year, and one part of the surgery involves a tummy tuck, so I thought, if I'm getting the chance of this, I might as well lose as much weight as poss and make the most of it!

Also a lot of the reasons others have used are true for me too. Breaking my heart the night before my sisters wedding, as I knew I was going to look a mess and spoil her photos. Seeing photos of me where I looked about twice my age. And also I'm in love with a guy who isn't attracted to me at all, so i thought "I'll show him" lol. Since I've started losing weight though, my reasons have changed. I love the feeling I get when people notice I've lost weight and tell me I look good, so want to lose more and hear more compliments! I love the feeling I get from exercising in the gym. I love being able to buy nicer clothes, and can't wait to buy even nicer ones the more I lose!!!!!:D

The final straw for me was being severely ill with attacks of nausea, vomiting, low grade fever, chills, and vague pain in my abdomen. The doctors were not able to find a cause for it. I was unable to eat very much during that time so I went on a very clean, health food diet. And when I wasn't having an attack, I noticed that I was feeling much better eating less and eating healthy foods. My doctor eventually theorized that maybe I passed a gall stone or a kidney stone. But whatever the problem was, it went away after 2 months of misery. And I decided to stick with my diet and join weight watchers. I'm afraid to go back to bad eating, in case whatever the problem was comes back. I don't want to see doctors every month or 2! I'm so sick of going to the doctor. I just want to be healthy. Who cares about looking good. I just want to feel good and be able to do stuff like a normal person!!!

That is awesome lilybelle. I hope you get your transplant soon. I really admire your fortitude in the face of such adversity. It's really inspiring!

Two things really for me - first, my family trip to Costa Rica (my husband's family). One thing I've always wanted to do is go scuba diving, but when the time came to get in the pool for practice, they didn't have a large enough wetsuit for me. The instructor said he'd bring one to the dive, but there was NO way I was going to risk getting all the way out there & trying it on and have it not fit. So I made up an excuse about the mask hurting my sinuses and then I went back to our room and sobbed.

Then when we got home from vacation, my knee (it's been injured many times and I've had one surgery on it) was very stiff. I went to my ortho surgeon, got x-rays before seeing him - and when he walked into the room after viewing my x-rays, he said, "Had I not known it was you, I would've thought I was looking at the bad knees of a 65-year-old" (I was 36 at the time). He said I was going to have to have total knee replacement...IN 5-10 YEARS! Losing weight was the best way to have stave off knee replacement...

So here I am. 3 months & 26 pounds later.

And BTW - my "goal reward" is to get SCUBA certified! :D

There really wasn't a straw, not in the sense most people are meaning it. I didn't wake up one day and DECIDE to be serious. After decades of dieting, I pretty much thought long-term weight loss just wasn't going to be possible.

Then, unable to work because of health problems (some caused or worsened by my weight) I sat home all day - and lost weight without even trying. About 12 lbs, I think. No effort at all. Losing weight without trying, in 36 years of dieting (since age 5) that had NEVER happened to me before.

WEIRD, I though. The reasons were obvious - more sleep, less stress, eating better (because I like good, wholesome food and didn't miss the vending machines that everyone including me ate out of, out of habit).

Another coincidence helped me lose a few more pounds - a doctor suggeting I stack bc to reduce or eliminate periods (I'm a major PMS binger - no menses, no premenstrual cravings), and try low-carb for hunger control.

Having weight come off and stay off without Herculean effort, it's been a life-altering experience for me. It's now time to put in alot more effort into losing weight and exercising, and being more rigid with my food plan. My health has improved to the point that I FEEL like exercising and working towards my goals.

I kind of started putting on lbs and every-time I saw the scale I'd say 'really need to lose weight' and then would do nothing about it. Then sometime later I started having 'fat days' and they turned into an everyday occurrence till I just refused to go out anymore. It actually got that bad. Then my mum gave me a Rosemary Conley book - I tried counting calories for a week and after losing a few lbs I thought 'I can do this and I can be thin and happy again'. And here I am!

You'll get there, and you'll love it! I'm working on my scuba certification this summer! Definitely not something I could have done at my highest weight!!!! :D

I have had several moments. I just didn't listen to them as well as I should've. Mind you, I had lost 60 lbs before, but gained some back. Yesterday, well it changed everything. I am a diabetic. A type II and they have no idea why I ended up being one at the age of 25. No previous diabetes, I was checked often. I just don't want those things to happen to me that I have seen happen to others. I have already went through heart testing and everything else.

Throughout my teens, I never weighed more than 130lbs. Now i am at 217. I figure its time for me to quit making excuses and get my life back.

What did it for me: Having to buy a $75 bra plus having to make my own underwear!

I am newly married, and my husband and I were talking about weight loss the other day. He said, "Yeah, when I looked at the scale, and it said 167, I said 'Whoa, I need to lose weight.'" Internally, that just crushed me. I haven't seen that number in years, and I wonder what he would think if he knew how much I weigh. I've become moody and unhappy about my weight, and I don't want to become resentful because he is a normal weight and I am not.

A co-worker was trying to quit smoking. She asked for help staying on track and keep her accountable.

So, one morning I asked her if she was good or had that morning smoke on the way to work. She replied, "I don't know! Have you eaten yet today?" It took me a minute to realize that she had just called me fat.

It was hurtful, but motivated me at the same time.

Thankfully I don't work with her anymore though.

My moment came while scrubbing our tub. I turned to pick up something from the floor and caught a glimpse of this ginormous butt in the mirror. All I could think was who is that fat a**ed lady in my bathroom. I started crying when I realized it was me. :o

Ha ha! But when you reach goal, will you mind spending $75 on a sexxxy French lace balconette?

Two bad things and one good thing finally led me to where I am today, successfully on a permanent lifestyle change diet.

1. Last summer my fiance and I went to the Delaware State Fair for his birthday and to see Big & Rich w/Cowboy Troy play at the Grandstand. I had always had track seating, which was close to the stage and white lawn chairs, but this time we had stadium seating. I went to sit down and couldn't. I could not fit in the chairs (although, my fiance was having a bit of trouble, as well, and he is taller/slimmer than I am) and I sat down on the stairs. The security guard came over and told me I could not sit on the stairs because it is dangerous if there is a fire (um, if theres a fire, I'm not just going to SIT there) so she told me to sit in my seat. I promptly said I could not and she said I had to show her I could not. I tried again, and she just got *****y and walked away and started talking vulgarly to another guard and pointed at me (which, I was standing in front of my seat now, making the people behind me get pissed off). I walked down the stairs and said "You know what? I'm fat. **** you. I can not fit in your toddler sized seats and most people in this country probably can't either." and walked off and cried for 10 minutes. My fiance, durring this time, asked for a manager to the complex, and told him the story, and we got VIP seating and some free merchandise for our troubles. Still sucked though. The next concert we went to there (brad paisley) I made sure I bought the tickets way in advance so we could get track seating again.

2. I looked at the scale one day and it said 305. I had gone over 300 pounds. I could not believe it. *shakes head*

3. (THE GOOD THING!!) My fiance proposed to me on Dec. 21st last year. I decided that I did not want to be morbidly obese on our wedding day, and I did not want to be a fat and unattractive bride, and I also really want to wear cute lingre for the wedding night. So we both promised eachother that we would lose weight for our wedding. So far FH has lost a total of 40 pounds since the begining of the year and I have lost 25. He has about 30 more to go to be at his goal weight of 240, and then he is going to do some toning. I have another 80 or so to be at my goal weight of 200. I may wind up changing my numbers depending on what dress size I am when it comes time for my fittings. If I can comfortably fit into a size 12, I will be content for a while, at least until after the wedding which I will start to lose more. I ultimately want to be in a size 8. Right now I have a ton of muscle and I carry my weight very well, because I'm 280 lbs, 5'7" and wear a 20. Some people tell me that they're the same stats as me and wear from a 24 all the way to a 28... So if my waist gets to be a 12, I will be content!

Oh, and thinking about this thread just made me realize something. I want to be the hot gamer geek chick who is married to the hot gamer geek guy. I want to be that unavailable hot nerd girl that the boys (and girls... *grin*) just SWOON over. I will be!

Goal Reward added to list: Pair of tripp pants and a corsett.

You truly are an inspiration. I love how positive you are in your thinking. I've been learning recently that maintenance is actually harder than losing the weight in the first place, so I just wanted to tell you that I am really inspired by your story and your Web site. I hope to do as well as you are doing!

What was your "straw that broke the camel's back"?
 

So here I am fluctuating between 215-220lbs.

I've started to believe that God (or karma, or whatever higher being you believe in) has blessed me in so many other ways that my weight is intended to be my one failure in life. I have a great job where I get to travel the world, plenty of money, a handsome and smart fiance, and a great house in a great city. I have honestly started to think that maybe, people just aren't meant to have everything they want therefore I'm destined to fail at weight loss.

I have all the motivation in the world, I know I feel better with the weight off, I love nice clothes, my fiance has announced that the reason he has virtually stopped having sex with me is due to my weight (gained 25lb since I've been with him), and I'm constantly tired and feeling ugly. I also have PCOS and the longlist of annoyances that come along with that. Somehow, it's still not enough for me to get on the horse and start tackling this one goal that eludes me. When I get to a restaurant or the grocery store, I still make the same terrible choices. I still join the gym, then get bored after a month.

I'm not sure what it's going to take for me to get down to business.

I had gone to my doc for some allergy problems I was having, about 3 months later I went in for my physical, and had gained 16 lbs in those 3 months. I then went to my dress fitting for my sisters wedding, and I had to order the largest size they had, and even then, it didn't fit very good. They told me they may have to add material. I was crushed. I've lost 53 lbs since then. My sisters wedding is Sat July 5th, and I had to get it altered, but taken in. They took it in a total of 5 inches. I am happy with my success thus far and only hope I can keep my motovation up to lost the next 50 lbs.

After weeks of thinking, I just woke up one morning and decided it was time. The driving thing for me is I feel like I'm not living up to my potential. The changes I'm making now are sweeping, they aren't just limited to weight.

Jet Set, the thing you should remember is you have to make choices for yourself. Sure, it's nice to have family and friends supporting you but the bottom line is it comes back to you. You may very well need to lose weight. However, the weight won't come off (long term) until you have made up your mind that it's time AND you are making these changes for yourself. Though I don't suffer from PCOS, I do know a lot about it. I'm sure it hurt you to hear your future husband say those things to you. I won't say anything else but I will ask did he ever stop to think that maybe your PCOS (and other side effects from it) is the reason why you gained weight?

Hugs to you and good luck.

Jetset,
I can totally relate to your story. I would resolve so often to REALLY loose this weight this time. I would go to the grocery store and buy nothing but healthy foods. then go home and eat the whole weeks worth in a day. One day I finally realized that I was putting all of the blessings in my life at risk because I would not control my eating. Perhaps I didn't feel worthy of so much good and was looking to sabotage it? I don't know. But I decided that I wanted to be IN my life and the weight was holding me back from enjoying my blessings fully. I am no longer willing to missout on any blessings, no matter how small, because of my weight.

I have a pretty strong family history of diabetes on both sides (my dad, his last surviving sister and both my grandfathers have/had it), so I always knew I better get my butt in gear sometime; but for years I had a doctor-phobia. Finally I had a problem that I couldn't ignore, and found a sympathetic doctor who did much to help me get over the phobia. She always thought my blood pressure was ok, but about 3, 4 years ago she had a health issue of her own which forced her to give up her practice (she died earlier this year :cry:), so I switched over to my mom's doctor. He was not so pleased with my bp and first put me on meds, then suggested that I come back in a month and try to lose 3 # by then and 10 # in the next year. I lost 10 pounds in the first month alone and that convinced me I could do it

Okay, I'm probably the worst person to give relationship advice. However, if you've gained weight since you've been together - what is he going to do to help you lose weight. Assuming that you live together, and eat meals together, the new lifestyle you've chosen is contributing to your weight gain.

(If you live separately then there are different issues.)

I'm not sure I like the line "my fiance has announced that the reason he has virtually stopped having sex with me is due to my weight". I wonder if/when he gains 25 lbs would he consider it acceptable for you not to want to have sex? I suspect not.

So, join a gym together. Spend time cooking together (always healthier than eating out). You can make nice meals, just give him a slightly larger percentage of the dish. Find a healthy activity you both enjoy. Work on a better lifestyle together. Start your life together in a better way. If he just wants to sit on the couch eating chips and complaining about your weight gain.... well, you probably won't like the advice I'd give you.

Here's another current thread with a nearly identical title!

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144356

Sorry about posting the same thread, Glory87. I should have searched, but I'm not sure what I would have searched for and there is no way I would have thought someone else would use the camel analogy! Great minds, I suppose.

As for my fiance, he has always been a hardcore weightlifter and outdoorsman and continues to be. I joined the gym because he really wanted me to go with him and I got bored after a month and stopped making time for it. He has encouraged me to have a better lifestyle and I have turned it down.

We do live seperately and I have most of my meals alone. I took a promotion since we've been together that lessened my travel and led to me being more sedentary which contributed to the 25lbs. It's 100% my fault that I'm fat, there is just nothing giving me a big enough kick in the behind to do something about it. He was absolutely not trying to be hurtful and I wanted to know why our sex life had dwindled. I appreciated his honesty and wouldn't have tolerated a lie.

I lack motivation so that's why I wanted to see other ladies' primary motivators.

djay -- I have done the exact same thing before. I have went to the store, bought the healthy stuff, then ate it all in a day as well. It's a rotten feeling.

I LOVED my lane bryant pants... even fat I thought hey these look cute! lol But I had worn them for two years- two different pair constantly switching lol between them and my shorts of course lol and with both pairs of pants worn out... my mother thought it was nice to go get me just something to wear until she came home with rather large pair of mens sweat pants... I was like.. there's no way these will fit!!! I can't wear them I have to deal with the public... SUPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Not only were they awful but they fit!! lol That was around Christmas... They no longer 'fit' but they are my motivation :)

Rach

The final straw for me was realizing that my son is almost three months old, and there are many women on my birth board who have not only lost their baby weight, but are on their way towards their ultimate goals. I simply cannot blame this state of being on pregnancy any more :(

So I set my resolve to get serious. I'm on day 3 of SBD Phase 1 and going strong :) My husband has agreed to do it with me this time, and his support is really helping me stick to it.

My motivation though, I had him take before pictures for me both from the front and from the side (heck, I should have done one from the back huh?) and I was disgusted. I knew I'd gotten big, but the camera doesn't add 10 lbs -- the camera simply tells the brutal truth. And boy howdy was it brutal!

So I dug out a pair of size 10 skinny jeans and have them hanging in my bedroom so they're the last thing I see when I go to bed and the first thing I see when I get up in the morning! I WILL fit those jeans!

Jess

Good advice, RealCdn. It is so true that it is a lifestyle when 2 people are living their lives together. What one does affects the other. By the way, I wanted to comment that your stats are so inspiring.

The thing that led to my weight loss was a crush. I know it is the worst reason, and I know it should be done for yourself and your image. I'm not sure what started the love affair, but he was my close friend, and I ended up telling him how I felt... It didn't end well, and I felt like if he can't see past this skin than no one could. It really broke my heart, but he was really sweet about it. I was around 300lbs at the time, and I began thinking of him whenever I would reach for a snack or make a bad meal choice. I didn't want to give up on him, I felt it wasn't fair to him to expect him to take me as I was, that he deserved a skinny cute girl. Even though it was for the wrong reasons it really worked and I am down about 120lbs. We are actually best friends now, I can talk to him about everything! and I am so glad I had the guts to tell him or we wouldn't have ever gotten as close as we are.:hug:

p.s I am pretty new to this site and am not sure how to find posts, like I posted a reply to a couple of things and can't find where they were, does that make sense? If it does could someone send me a message how to find what I have posted. Thanks :^:

There is one easy way of seeing everything you posted. If you look at your most recent post, you should see your screen name on the left side. It's a link. Click on it, and a drop down list appears. Then click on "all posts" or whatever it says.

Another way is to click on "Quick Links" above, on the purple/blue bar. And then click on "subscribed threads". Because the messages you post on, or start, you should be subscribed to. If not, then there is a way to change it in your preferences so you are subscribed.

I wanted to share with you that I also lost a lot of weight once for a crush. I was in my early twenties, and my brother worked with this guy who I thought was so cool looking. He was super tall and skinny and had really pretty blue eyes. I thought he was worth having at any cost. I lost a ton of weight and then asked him to come over. I threw myself at him, and he accepted the offer. He was actually dating another girl at the time, and he told me he was leaving her for me. But the reality was that he didn't end his other relationship. He ended up dating both of us for more than a year before I figured it out. In fact, he added another girlfriend, so he was seeing 3 different girls at the same time. He broke my heart. I was an emotional wreck for a year, after I broke it off with him. It was really one of the worst things I ever did to myself, because I was willing to do anything to be with him. And it ended up being at great cost to my dignity and self worth. I think you are smart to at least have a crush on a friend who is a good guy, who won't degrade you. I hope and pray you end up healthy, happy and with someone who loves and honors you!

I have gained 50 pounds in the last year. It pains me to type that. How the heck does one gain 50 pounds in a year? And I was overweight before that. I had an ankle and foot problem that prevented me from exercising. I quit caring, I quit trying. I feel gross. I wanted to paint my toenails, and I could barely do it. I can barely make it up two flights of stairs. My fat pants don't fit. My closets are bursting, and I have nothing to wear. I weigh probably 40 pounds more than DH, and he thinks he is fat. I can barely fit in an airplane seat and do up the seatbelt. If I don't smarten up I will soon be 300 pounds!

I have one week of Weight Watchers under my belt, and I think I have finally turned the corner to getting my life back.

Judy Lynn, :wel3fc:

You've come to the right place. :yes: Many of us wonder how we gained that weight, and the answer was, one bite at a time. :( Fortunately you can lose it the same way. Choose your bites!

Good luck with WW! It's a great program!

Jay

Wow! I am new here and reading this thread really hits home. I can feel for all of you and it is reassuring to see I am not the only one thinking and feeling these things! For me this camel is seriously damaged. There has been so many straws to break it's back.

I avoid cameras and I hate that my children will look back at their baby pics and wonder what the heck I looked like. I hate that if something were to happen to me, they would not have any pictures of me after my wedding.

I realized that when I was younger I used to always double cross my legs (over the knee then wrapped behind so my ankle tucked behind the other) and now I can barely cross them once. My fat knees seem to just slide off each other.

I hate that I am no longer dealing with cellulite in the upper thigh area but all the way to my ankles. ICK.

I hate avoiding events because I have nothing to wear that doesn't make me look like I am wearing a tent.

I hate that I can't go shopping because if it fits over my thighs it is too big in the waist and gaps in the back (I am a serious pear shape).

I hate that I have bins and bins of clothes that are too small and still have the tags on them.

I hate that I refuse to go shopping because I "know" I won't be this size much longer. I hate even more that I have been saying that for 6 years.

I hate that I just went for four days to my hometown and I refused to tell anyone I was going to be there because I am too fat and I don't want any one to see me.

I hate having my family look at my butt or thighs or arms when they think I don't notice, and seeing a look of disgust.

I hate that my family looks at me sideways when I order at a restaurant, knowing they are thinking to themselves "no wonder she is so fat".

I hate that I never want to be intimate with my husband because I feel so ugly and gross.

I hate that my children have told me they don't want to get fat like me (too young to realize this hurts).

I hate avoiding business situations that could seriously benefit my income because I feel too fat.

There is more... but I think you can all see this poor camel is in need of a medic.