When your motivation is wavering, list 15 reasons why you want to lose weight. Yes! 15

[AnFiadhRua]

Christmas is coming and there are tubs of heroes everywhere.

I saw this exercise on a thing about menopause weight gain and I wanted to read other people's lists as 15 reasons is going to bring forward more than ''I want to be thin''.

1. I want to support a healthy metabolism and now I know that sugar spikes insulin and that insulin is basically sending a message to your body to store fat, it's just harder to just settle in to that carrot cake with total insouciance.

2. I accept the ageing process up to a point, well I do and I don't! I don't want to look any more middle aged than I have to Goddammit.

3. I want to hack ageing not with procedures but with health, and show myself that weight gain is not absolutely inevitable.

4. I do not want to get cancer and when I read that cancer loves sugar I feel scared. If I'm helping myself not to get cancer, even a bit, even though I don't fully understand this and haven't researched it, then I get some peace of mind that I'm helping myself not harming myself

5. I'm already 51 and it'll be years before I have the freedom to walk the Camino. I want to be as fit as a fiddle, when I get the chance to do this

6. I'm single, I work and I need an income. If I get sick, there's nobody else's income to lean on.

7. I really have to stay healthy until I qualify for the state pension. I know there are various disability allowances but I want to be well! That is not the plan b I can have any enthusiasm for.

8. If I do lose my health I don't want to berate myself with feelings ''like I could have avoided this''

9. my teenage daughter is a bit over weight and very sensitive about it. I want to say nothing and just model eating well. So If I want to model healthy eating, I have to get on with modelling healthy eating!

10. I do not want to make it easier for employers /colleagues to be ageist. There is ageism in the work place and there shouldn't be, I know, that's a different subject, but if I can't be young, I can be a little bit more youthful than is expected from a woman in her 50s I won't shoot myself in the foot

11. I have so many clothes that fit a woman who weighs about 10lbs less than I do. They're all in colours that suit me (rust, olive, navy) and some are petite, or shortened, some I splurged big on, or had them tailored. It's stupid to keep trying to shop when I have all of these clothes. I spent a fortune on this wardrobe, ordinary though it may seem. I'd be scared to add up the cost of my clothes.

12. No matter what age you are, a waist makes the outfit look a bit better.

13. Being 156 cm, being small is part of my identity, but if I'm short and fat, am I still small?? I can't walk my tiny mind through an identity change now.

14. hate that this one's on my list but my mother thinks less of me when I'm overweight. She really judges. I have disappointed her in a lot of ways but at least I've never been overweight . Being a slim woman herself she will live long enough to see if I become an overweight adult in middle age or not.

15. I want to live forever is that too much to ask, I want to exceed the lifespan of the average woman by at least 15 years and I want to enjoy decades of health and freedom at the end of my life. I feel like I was always shut down, pressured, discouraged, fired, dumped, relocated, made redundant, ground down, abused, broke, cornered, overlooked and I want to redress that balance by enjoying so much good health and the freedom that that brings later in life when children no longer dependent on me.

1. I don't want to keep avoiding being in photos with my DC.
2. I never again want to look as huge as I did in the photo taken with Santa last night! I gave Santa a run for his money on the belly front.
3. I would like to date again but don't feel comfortable or attractive at this weight.
4. I want to be able to fit my old clothes and stop living in stretchy trousers.
5. Don't want to snore anymore
6. Want more energy. The aforementioned snoring disrupts my sleep and makes me tired.
7. Want to be able to out my hair up but need it down at the moment to disguise fat neck and double chin.
8. Don't want to be sweaty at the slightest exertion
9. Don't want to knacker my knees like Mum did

10. Want to set a good example to DD 11. Don't want diabetes... I work in healthcare and have seen some awful complications from diabetes 12. Want to feel good about my body. I've hated it for so long. 13. Don't want a bad back. 14. Cancer 15. Want to be really fit and do long hikes but the fat makes it harder.

Good reasons @msredhook

A bit late to this, but here they are

1. I want to be able to tuck my to into my jeans.
2. I want to carry on having good knees that don't cause me any grief.
3. I want to be able to run 10k in less than an hour again
4. I want to maximise my chances of a fit and healthy retirement.
5. Actually I want to do my best to ensure I get a retirement.
6. I don't want to dread my GP saying she wants to take my blood pressure.
7. It is hugely pleasurable when a size 10 is a bit too big.
8. I want to be more bendy in yoga without a big pile of podge in the way.
9. I fear cancer and want to minimise the risk, yes, that involves alcohol too.

10. I don't want to be the fat one amongst my circle of friends. 11. I want to be able to wear all the still lovely clothes I have in my wardrobe in smaller sizes. 12. I feel embarrassed if we go on a family walk and i struggle with the hills. 13. I want to enjoy catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, rather than avoid it. 14. I want to be able to look through my food diary and think "what a healthy diet I have" 15. I love the extra energy that comes with being a healthy weight. This is a bit reflective for me as I've reached my target in recent weeks, but a really good reminder about what it is all about.

Here's mine:

1. I want to remember the strength of my own volition: food does not control me, I control food.

1. I want my clothes to fit well and not dig in.

1. I don't want to mindlessly eat when I'm sad/angry/bored/tired; it's not actually what I need.

1. I want to model to my kids an enjoyment of food, within the realms of moderation.

1. I want to enjoy the food I do choose to eat, to savour each mouthful rather than wolfing it down without thinking.

1. I want to feel proud of my body, not that I've got the most elegant figure or whatever, but that I'm making the best of the body I've been given.

1. I want to feel comfortable with my weight before I hit menopause.

1. I want to stop dieting (as I have been for a year) and start working out how to maintain it.

1. I want my shoulders to have a little more definition.

10. I want to be grateful for the plentiful provision of food I have.

11. I want to enjoy hunger and the expectation of satiation.

12. I want to save money on buying crap food.

11 is a good one to remember. My daughter thinks of hunger like a medical condition i notice. She is not alone there I know.

Thanks for this, I’m on here looking for a bit of motivation and this looks a fun challenge (if that makes sense!). Let’s see if I can think of 15…

1. I want to feel better, physically, as I feel ‘heavier’.
2. I want to return to a healthy diet for me, one that is nutritious and leaves me energised.
3. I don’t want heartburn anymore!
4. I want to be in the healthy weight range for my height.
5. I want a healthy waist size to reduce heart disease risk.
6. I want to save money / stop wasting money on takeaways and treats.
7. I want to fit into my clothes and like the fit.
8. I want to be a good example to my kids.
9. I want to feel more confident professionally.

10. I want to feel well, not eating food that makes me feel nauseous or bloated. 11. I want to see my osteopath and not feel embarrassed about my weight gain (not that I think my osteo would judge me!). 12. I want a better physical basis for progressing activity and exercise, it’s easier for me to be more active with less weight. 13. I want to be comfortable with my appearance when I start seeing more people again. 14. I want to buy new underwear but would prefer to be at a more stable, lower weight first. 15. I want to feel less self-conscious in photos.

Managed 15, surprisingly, I’ll probably start thinking of more now!

This is a great idea OP! I've lost 5 kilos recently and need to remind myself not to ruin it now. Inspiring to read others' lists as well!

1. I want to stay as healthy as I am now.. forever.
2. I want to look as good as I can for my age. I'm 57 and feel that exercise, fresh air, and a goodish skincare routine are important but losing weight has improved me, so to speak, more than anything.
3. I want to be a good role model to my daughter, who needs to lose weight but I can't tell her
4. I need to look good to be the face of my new business which I started during lockdown and is my passion
5. I really, really would love to tuck a jumper into my jeans!
6. I want to be the best athlete I can be
7. I don't want my weight to be my overriding obsession
8. I want to thoroughly enjoy food without the mental gymnastics of whether I should be eating or not
9. I want a stable weight to be natural to me and that means no added sugar

10. I want to love catching my reflection . 11. I want to like finding myself in group photos 12. I want to choose my clothes to enhance my life, not just to cover up 13. Speaking of clothes, I want to re style myself now that I've lost some weight, and not put it off until I've lost the last 3 kilos! 14. I want to look as healthy that as I feel 15. Mainly, I want good health and a healthy, stable weight to be my baseline. If I eat a basically low carb diet, with plenty of protein, some fruit, the occasional nice bread, this is within my grasp. No extra sugar or junky food, it's just so unnecessary!

Good to focus on this when I was about to dive into a mince pie, as I'd treated myself to a box yesterday to get into the Christmas spirit and am in danger or ruining my hard work of losing! SO not worth it..

@averywittyusername
Same, my DD is only 18 but with about 2 extra stone. She gets angry with me when she suspects I might be thinking she could lose weight.i tiptoe round the issue.

She mocks me for trying to reach /stay at a healthy weight. It's a bit emotionally unhealthy but I guess all I can do is say nothing and keep chopping up vegetables in front of her.

I mean, I never, ever say anything to her about her weight. Never. But she still hets angry with me for what she thinks I'm thinking.

One of these days she's going to catch me at a low, tired, grumpy moment and I'm going to say "you are ordering chinese chicken again when there is chicken that isnt covered in sugar and flour in the fridge, okaaay"

I hope I haven't dragged the thread down

I will carry on being a good example.

@UserBot I feel your pain! My DD has made it clear that weight discussion is a no go area, and rolls her eyes if I say no to bread, etc, as low carb has been a godsend for me. She's mid 20's, nice boyfriend, very successful in other areas of her life. I think being a good role model is all you can do. And if you can, keep junk food out if the house ? I'm going to swerve the stocking up on Baileys and chocolate this year and put the emphasis on turkey roast dinner with a glass of fine red wine instead!

I have fewer than 15.

I want to be healthy
I want to look good
I want to have more energy and move better
I don't want to be the ' fat mum'
And this is what is really doing it for me: I have recently realised my weight gain (I've been overweight for years but gained a lot more during the lock downs) has started making me reluctant to leave the house and do stuff. I moved this summer to be in the city but have I done anything? No. I would love to walk down the streets window shopping and soaking in the Christmas vibe but I feel uncomfortable and like an elephant among gazelles. I'm avoiding social occasions especially with people I haven't seen in a while. Plus my weight is having an affect on my knees, which it never did before. I vow not to be feeling this way next year.

I want my body to be the weight it is meant to be when healthy
To feel that I am doing something positive and nurturing for my body
To minimise my COVID risk
To reduce risk of heart disease
Diabetes
Cancer
To be fit enough to do the things I love: mountain walking
To look like ‘me’ in photos, the size that suits me
To be able to wear the clothes I favour without feeling self conscious
To have the greatest choice of clothing.
To feel the full buzz and zest of my energy, not to be dragged down carrying unnecessary Kgs.
To feel free and in control, not dismal because I can’t resist a mid morning sausage sandwich.

These are the reasons that motivated me through a change to healthier eating, drop 2 or 3 clothes sizes. I am ‘maintaining’ now, and feel SO much better than before I started my adjustment. Healthier, fitter, more positive.

1. I love the feeling of clothes hanging properly
2. I love fitting back into my favourite coats
3. I love the sight of stomach and arm muscles definition
4. I feel like 'me' when my stomach is flat as it was for decades and it will only get that way again if I stay on track
5. I want to wear clothes I like and choose for their style not clothes that are limited to what fits my overweight body shape
6. I love the energy surge of being able to run upstairs or run for a bus without getting breathless
7. I like catching sight of myself in the mirror or shop windows and no longer having that sinking feeling of 'Oh sh*t. Who is that elderly, slumped creature?' The more weight I lose, the easier it is to have good posture and look and feel younger
8. People are nicer. Shouldn't be true but it is. I get treated better in shops, on transport etc the more weight I lose. I like being treated nicely by strangers
9. I like not feeling ashamed if someone comes to sit next to me on the commute. I don't want to sever pill over into someone else's seat space again. It's excruciatingly embarrassing and I was sick of it.

10. DH is over the moon that I have more body confidence. He was lovely and said he still found me attractive but he knew I didn't feel attractive and it's so much more fun to not be self conscious all the time. 11. I love having more energy to zip around at Christmas - tidying and cleaning aren't so much effort, and I'm looking forward to frosty walks instead of slumping in front of TV and checking where my inhaler is! 12. I'm well into my fifties– I want to head into the next stage of life with lots of energy, optimal health and the ability to do whatever I want, not only what my overweight body is capable of. 13. I really REALLY want to no longer be the fattest person in the room when I meet up with friends. I still am, but I'm getting closer to the middle weights. 14. I want an active life style as I get older. I love hill walking, rambling, kayaking, bootcamps. I want to try wild swimming.All of these are easier at a healthy weight. Let alone how I'd feel in a wet suit! 15. Bottom line: it's healthy. I'm not stupid. I know what carrying too much weight does to the heart and what fat fatigue does to my life. So why let it continue? I want to be healthy. That simple.

sever pill? spill Not sure where autocorrect found sever pill!

I just remembered another one. I don't want my plantar fasciitis to return. It was so painful I could barely walk. I'm one stone lighter now and though it aches sometimes, it has never returned with such vengeance. I was told losing weight helps massively.

Thanks OP, this is a great idea.

1. I want a baby and extra weight is an infertility factor
2. I need to be healthy
3. To feel more positive
4. To have more energy
5. If I lose weight now then it will be easier to lose the pregnancy weight (when I finally manage to get pregnant).
6. Losing weight helps my PCOS
7. I will start exercising again (sometimes I feel ashamed to go for walk/run because of how I look)
8. I want to wear clothes I like
9. I want my future baby to like how I look and so they are not ashamed of me

10. My asthma will get better if I am more fit 11. I will be able to do things I used to love (dancing, hiking) 12. I will have fewer chances of getting cardiac diseases 13. Longevity is something I need -can't have a baby at 40 and then go ahead and die! 14. Okay this is one pure vanity ladies: I always wanted to wear that nice lingerie and to look myself in the mirror. Nothing sexual, just look at myself and feel confident. 15. Did I mention the baby thing? 😅

What a great idea!

I want to feel confident again
I want to be healthy for my children
I don't want health complications
I want to fit back into my lovely clothes
I want to feel attractive
I want to be a role model for my children
I want more energy
I don't want people to judge me on my weight
I don't want to be the "fat friend" or "fat family member" anymore
I want to be fitter
I want to feel proud of myself
I want my self esteem back
I want my tiny waist back
I want to feel comfortable in my clothes
I want to feel comfortable without clothes!! 🤣

Wow, that was harder than I thought!

Great idea! I’ll also write this down and keep it nearby for when I need a reminder.

1. So I can take pictures with my children
2. To feel confident again
3. To be a healthy mum, I’m a single mum and I need to be healthy to care for them
4. So I can be fit and strong for when I (hopefully) have grandchildren one day
5. So I can wear nice clothes
6. I’ve been single for 9 years and I would like to meet someone one day
7. I want my children to be proud to be seen with me
8. No more knee and back aches
9. It’s exhausting loathing myself

10. I don’t want my first thought in the morning to be ‘what did I eat last night’ and ‘how fat am I today’ 11. I don’t want to be the fattest person in my workplace anymore and cringe when colleagues talk about weight or exercise 12. My bed creaks when I roll over 13. I don’t want to break any more loo seats 14. I have too many chins 15. I’m peri menopause and I want to feel sexy again

Back on the scales /wagon tomorrow

A lot of mine are vanity based

1. I look 5-7 years younger when I'm slimmer.
2. When I'm slimmer I'm far more attractive. Which makes everything easier.
3. I like the attention from men that I get when I'm slim.
4. My clothes look better. Like you OP, all my clothes are made for someone 10lbs slimmer.
5. It's easier to look good without much effort when I'm slim. Even cheap clothes look good. Or when I cba washing my hair etc.
6. I do not want to get sick. My kids are too young to have a sick parent.
7. Eating healthy effects everything else - sleep, skin, hair etc. All contributes.
8. It's cheaper to eat healthier.
9. I need to show the kids a good example by eating well.

10. More gravitas at work as a slim woman. 11. 40 soon. Ditn want to be fat in my photos! 12. I wouldn't choose to be lugging ten pounds of shopping bags around, so why do it with my weight? 13. Surely that's 15??!!!

IsabelHerna

^^

Good luck with everything

Not sure I have as many as 15, but here are mine

I want to avoid cancer, heart disease, diabetes
I want to be a good role model for my kids
I want to be around and healthy to play with any grandchildren I might have
I have a bracelet watch and it’s too tight!
Clothes will fit better
I’ll feel less self conscious
I’ll stop knocking things over with my massive arse (yes, really)
I’ve been working really hard at the gym, so underneath the fat I’ve got great arms and abs!

1. I have a medical condition which losing weight is likely to help. I certainly don't want it to get worse.

1. I want a breast reduction and losing weight first makes a lot of sense.

1. I want to think that I look GREAT in the mirror and photos, not just... That'll Do.

1. I would like to stop feeling bad that I'm the fattest out of a group.

1. Encourage my kids in healthy habits and continue to do active things with them.

1. If I don't binge, I won't make myself sick - which I do occasionally. Not good.

1. Massive sense of achievement.

1. Be able to wear things that don't look good on me now.

1. Sex is good, but would probably be even better.

10. Heels and less comfortable shoes will be more comfortable.

11. Less likely to develop health problems as I grow older

12. Better to do it now while my skin is more elastic so I look better afterwards

13. Enjoy beaches and pools more

14. Feel more in control of my life

15. Appreciate and enjoy my food rather than eating mindlessly and feeling guilty.