What made you lose weight?

[Fatty321]

Please no discussions about weight loss drugs. I don’t want that and don’t wish to open this thread for discussions on my reasons why. I want to know what made people want to lose weight? I just don’t feel motivated to. I don’t have loads to lose. I want to lose 2 stones to be in healthy weight range. Could definitely do with more but just want to focus on getting healthy

I didn't want to die at 48 like my father. If I had to choose a single moment where I realised I needed to do something it was walking up a hill from the beach and having to stop 5 times to catch my breath. I've lost 9st since then and can do the same hill without stopping. Still have about 4st to go.

I have about the same as you to lose. I am thinking about how clothes will fit better and how many lovely clothes I have that don't fit currently. I'm thinking about a family wedding in May how nice it'll be if I can wear a nice dress and feel confident. I'm looking forward to not dreading people taking photographs of me or cringing when I see myself in a mirror or my reflection in a shop window.

I had tried on and off for a couple of years, but was just getting larger during peri, as the motivation wasn’t there.
One New Years Eve I was sat with family quaffing fizz and stuffing snacks in my mouth, my buddha belly all bloated and uncomfortable, and it just hit me.
I didn’t want to end up obese like DM, on hypertensive meds and statins struggling to do activities.
New years day I logged on to My Fitness Pal, worked out my TDEE and stuck religiously to my calorie target. 4.5 stone off, and maintained for just over 6 years. I still log everything on MFP so I keep on track, but now just track my maintenance calories.

I want to lose a stone. Having always been slim, medication made me put weight on and this coupled with menopause and greed means I’m now a big size 14, which is bigger than I’ve ever been.

Having seen photographs of myself in my bikini this summer, I really want to do something about it.

I’m going to do a dry September and aim to be more sensible about food. Not a diet as such, but more self discipline.

I had a dr tell me the reason for a certain medical issue was my weight so I said give me a year and i will lose the weight and if this problem still exists I will say I told you so and you will actually have to help me. I lost the weight and he was right I apologised but I was happy to be wrong. I owe that dr a lot and he was so happy for me

I thought I was fine the weight I was, my clothes were getting tighter and couldn't wear some of me favourite trousers anymore. But when I saw a picture of me at a wedding wearing a dress that used to flatter me, I looked like a whale (in my opinion) and from that moment I've been calorie counting and lost 1 stone so far. I've got another to go and I'm still feeling positive at sticking to my calorie allowance.
If I need a reminder I just look at that hideous photo!

Health and wellbeing, realising that my weight was actually shrinking my life down to very little, whilst also being desperately unhappy. But that's probably not relevant to your circumstances, I was 22 stone when I made the decision that enough was enough, so I had over 10 stone to lose to get to a healthy BMI.

In my early 50's and started getting some pre diabetes signs and was generally unhealthy. I've been overweight for 25 years and always felt unhappy with my weight, I'm only 5'1". Downloaded a calorie counting app at Easter and lost 2 stone so far, another 2 to go.

I had a lot more to lose than you (have lost 7 stone over the last 18 months and am at my goal weight with a BMI of 21) so my motivation may have been stronger than yours, but for me it was 2 things - health - I have 2 young DC and had no energy or ability to keep up with them. We live in the Peak District and like to walk as a family, but I would dread any sort of incline and really struggled to get up even the smallest hill. I had also had my 40 year health check and was on the cusp of being pre diabetic and that was the kick up the bum I needed.
The other element was vanity. I love clothes and make up and dressing well and looking nice. I saw one too many photos of me looking puffy faced, double chinned and, just, well, fat. None of the clothes I wanted to wear would look nice so I spent my life wearing shapeless sacks in an attempt to hide my figure. I wanted to be able to wear what I wanted.

Now my fitness levels are excellent, I can hike and actually look forward to hills. I have so much more energy. And yes, I have a new wardrobe full of beautiful clothes and can pick up and wear whatever I want without worrying if it will fit or be flattering.

Those were the drivers for me, but honestly, the reasons were always there, it’s finding the right timing and the method that works for you, as well as motivation. You need all 3.

I need a major surgery that has a pretty gruelling recovery. So I have to be in my healthy BMI to have the op. So I suppose being in pain everyday until I have the surgery is my motivation.

I had four stone to lose and I’ve lost two now since April

I'm needing to lose weight. 7 years ago I was 11st 7 still overweight at 5'4" but looked quite good. (Met my now husband 7 years ago today so have just seen photos!)

I gradually put on 2 stones in lockdown then another 2 when my mum died.

Have lost 8 pounds, it was 11 but fil just died so food planning has been erratic as we have been away.

I've also just realised I'm pre diabetic as I had a glucose monitor in the house. So I really need to do this. I also look awful despite my husband telling me I still look gorgeous.

Like OP I have no interest in using WLI though I would support anyone who did I think they have a huge part to play in the fight against obesity but feel that psychological support is needed too.

Good luck OP

I put on about 2 stone post covid and felt completely depressed by it all. Sad really, how much my mental state was affected by my weight. But I decided I needed to do something about it. I know I have no will power of my own, so I joined a PT body transformation thing with a private gym. It was fairly expensive, but was only for 9 weeks. And turns out my willpower is directly linked to amount of money spent! I mean, what's the point of not following a diet when you are going to have to get weighed and measured by someone who you are paying good money to?!

Lost the weight and have kept it off. Now motivated to keep the weight off, partly remembering how miserable it made me feel. But also, I do a hobby where my weight has a large impact on my ability.

Getting a Pre diabetes and hypertension diagnosis made me realise that my weight was affecting my health, I did really know that already but without the diagnosis happily ignoring it.

5 stone down and both pre diabetes and hypertension resolved.

My Dad had a heart attack two weeks after he retired and he has always been fit and healthy and normal weight.

It scared me and made me realise I had to do something. I’ve lost 6 stone since. (Did use WLI).

Put on a bit of weight over the past 14 years or so as I had some serious family pressures. I knew I should lose weight but wasn’t getting round to it. You sort of get used to yourself! I could dress well and look nice for my size, and wasn’t unfit: walking my big dog every day and going to the gym and swimming.
Well. Suddenly, at 55 things started being a problem. High blood pressure kicked in. Have developed various problems with my feet and ankles. Had a few gynae issues which were likely exacerbated by carrying extra weight. Things which had stayed taut but plump, started drooping…

I’m down 1.5 stone now and looking forward to looking and feeling better as I lose more.

I lost 24lbs during lockdown 1 and 2. I really got into home exercise videos and did 20k steps plus a day plus calorie counting. Biggest thing was I wasn’t eating out much due to covid. I regained it all though once real life resumed. I am currently on a mission to lose 8lbs in 8wks as i have a cruise booked, but do already have a few meals with friends booked but going to have to work around that. I find having something to work towards helps, plus small goals. I always calorie count and move more. Works for me but isn’t easy. Good luck.

I had a health scare which led to bloods being taken. Turned out my cholesterol level was 8.75. My body composition was 75% Lurpak.

I was 13:7 at 5ft 4 and obese. It made me feel sick to think of all that fat around my heart and other organs. I was also fed up of being the “fat one on the end” in group photos. My joints were painful.

I have lost over four stone this year so far and my BMI is 22. I feel bloody fantastic.

Good luck 💐

A few different things - my oldest friend being upset when she realised she didn’t have a single photo of me (I avoided the camera like crazy), the sudden realisation that I’d unconsciously spent years trying to hide, either by avoiding social events or dressing in loose ‘sacks’. And then finally while looking through old family photos, realising I was following the exact same weight path as my mum, my grandmother and three of my cousins - all of whom had/have significant health problems which are either caused by or made worse by being overweight.

I’ve lost nearly 2 stone so far (a few more to go) and even with that amount, I’m more confident and slowing feeling like I’m getting myself back.

Sleep apnea and poor blood test results

Intermittent fasting. I don't eat til about 2/3pm and not after 9pm. I lost 2.5 stone and feel so much better, heart palpitations went away. I started going to gym again.
I never ate breakfast anyway so just pushed lunch back and make sure I start lunch with veges/salad/soup. Main thing is it stopped me starting on the odd biscuit/carby snack which led to more of that all day rather than eating good food. Now I eat much more healthily & enjoy it but can still have chocolate/sweet things after dinner.
It stops the insulin spikes and sugar/carb cravings. It just feels normal now don't think I'll go back.
And if you have a special event you can adjust for the day and it doesn't mess everything up.

I’m waiting for results of genetic testing following my mothers cancer diagnosis. The thought of being told I was genetically predisposed to cancer but too overweight for surgery (or for there to be delays because of my weight) made me act.

According to the scales I’ve gone from 12st to 8 and a half but at 5”2 I still look chunky. I’d like to loose another stone to ensure BMI is lower.

I do not feel fantastic. I feel blydi awful most of the time but I’m perimenopausal, and life is generally quite stressful.

I’ve gained weight over the years whilst pregnant but never really lost the baby weights. I would lose some and get used to how I looked and was fine however on holiday last year July which is like our first fancy holiday in a while and when we got home, there was no single picture of me that I was proud to post. I know that might sound vain but I felt sick looking at how big I felt I was. I’m 5ft4 and a size 16 and weigh 13 stone, BMI just over 33.
That was the kicker for me. I was done being big. I told myself I would lose enough weight to feel good by the time of our next holiday which was just last week and I did. I’ve lost 3 stone and feel so good. I don’t hate exercises anymore. I gained 5lbs on holiday but I’ve already lost 1lb this week. I will keep at it because i’m not going back to the way I looked because I love all pictures of me this holiday.

To be around for my kids, and to stop editing myself out their lives! A look back at photos and its like i dont exist!

I really don’t think you will look chunky.

Want to look pretty and be liked. My only motivation really. Health doesn't come into it, but it rarely really does when people talk about weightloss. Not saying never, but rarely.

It's all about being pretty and fitting in.