all the reasons I highlighted in red, are reasons for me too! Wow, you know, we're both starting in the same place. I really liked this post, and just knowing that you started where I started.. and are down by 50 lbs... is SO incredibly motivating! Thank you!

xo

My reasons:
1. My family is mostly all overweight
2. There is a family history of stroke,
3. Heart attacks,
4. Diabetes,
5. Joint troubles.

When you step on the scales and realize you are heavier and unhealthier than you thought you ever would become in your life and you realize that if you don't lose weight fast you will die young, it motivates you.

Never trust a skinny chef they say....

I got to a point that I didn't think I should be cooking for others; simply because of where I'd eaten myself to. One thing I did do well...was eat myself there on only the best! French food, German food, more French food.....cream butter and cheese hate me...as much as I love(d) them.

Some of you are aware (and the rest of you can guess) I am a high volume / high end catering chef at a major university. Who am I to cook for 2000 young people if I can't eat healthy myself.

Between that, and the fact that I let myself believe that a major knee surgery would keep me from exercising forever...I gained over 100 lbs in 7 years...

So:

I am losing weight, so that I know that I am capable of serving great, AND healthy food to others.

I am losing weight to gain energy.

I am losing weight to prove to myself, and anyone listening...that major injury is NOT an excuse not to do something.

Oh...and I am losing weight, so the muscle I gain while doing it...actually shows. (add the rest of the details in there..that's the selfish line of thought)

Chef Solon

For me, being diagnosed with high blood pressure what a huge kick in the bottom. If I haven't lost the excess weight by December, my Dr. is putting me on medication. I've never had any health problems before so this was a frightening wake-up call. I also have a wardrobe full of beautiful size 4/size 6 clothes I really want to get back into!

pictures of me being fat inspires me

Something that is keeping me motivated is thinking about Greek Week in the spring. I am really small (almost 5'1") and I really want to ride in the chariot for the chariot race but we always pick the tiniest girl obviously, because we need the weight to be as low as possible. I could definitely be light enough for the chariot by next spring if I work hard.

I would also like to be on the tug o' war team too. We have a 1000 pound limit on the rope so we try and get as much muscle on there as we can without going over the limit. I want to cut down my fat level and gain some muscle so I can do it next year. I was an alternate this year so I know I'm close.

I am motivated by many things....first, I want to be healthy,my mother is already on cholesterol medication and I don't want to be there. I am getting married in 2 years and I want to like the way I look in the pictures. I want to feel comfortable with how I look. I want to where a bikini on my vacation this Christmas, I don't want to be the fat twin anymore.....I could keep going

The reason I want to lose weight is so my lower back will stop hurting so much. I hate the way I feel. I can't move around as well, I don't like how fat feels. My clothes fit nicer and more comfortable when I am slimmer. I don't feel good at this weight. I think its my responsibility to myself to look and feel my best. Fat represents discontent for me. Its a battle especially given I take medicine that makes me gain and keeps me gaining. Kathy

My reasons are to feel better about myself. I'm turning 19 soon and have been fat all of my teenage years. Ones that I've been told numerous times are the best years of my life, ones that I'll never get back, ones that were robbed from me. I spent most of them hiding away because of how I looked. Always feeling embarrassed to go anywhere or do anything. It didn't help growing up with an older brother who would tease me about my weight almost every single day which till this day has greatly affected my self esteem.

I want to lose weight so I can go outside or to a store without feeling like everyone is looking at and judging me and without having to hold my head down. I want to lose weight so I don't screw up the job opportunity I have this Christmas which will involve working outdoors. Most importantly, I want to live. My father had a gastric bypass surgery 5 years ago when I was 13. He was severely obese and was told if he didn't have the surgery he would be dead within the year even though he was only 50. He had diabetes and sleep apnea, which both disappeared after a 200lb weight loss from the surgery.

Being so young at the time I didn't really think much of my own health even though my constant soda use was leading me in the same path he went. Now that I'm older I understand how important it is to lose weight and plan to stick with my current diet and getting down to a much lower number. I plan to finally feel good about myself and not be "that fat guy".

My family has a history of diabetes and heart problems and I don't want to develop those. I want to be healthy, that's my main goal. I want to fit into non-plus size clothes as well, but I don't care much about being skinny (a size 10 would be nice...).

Where to start?? There are some many reasons/motivations behind my weight loss.

I have a persistent knee injury since high school and I would like it not to hurt when I do activity. The Dr. also told me that my other knee looks like it has the beginings of osteoarthritis (I am only 23!). Less weight will help with both of these problems.

I see the pictures of me when I was smaller and can't believe the person I have become.

To have more energy.

To be confident in the person that I am.

Some day I might want to have children and at the weight that I am now I am afraid of contracting gestational diabetes. On top of that, I don't know how I would loose what I already need to loose plus baby weight.

Thoes are the top few.

Why? To get back my self confidence. To be able to keep up with my active husband. To show a good example to my 2 yr old daughter. Because I am ready to have a second child but I do not want to start that pregnancy over-weight. On the lighter side : because I am a vegetarian and vegetarians are not supposed to be overweight. LOL
My inspiration: everybody who has done it and tackled the weight demons and took over... LOL

I am losing weight to get back to my highschool training weight of 200lbs. I want to be around long enough to see my son get married and have his own children. I want my wife to be proud of her husband.

And yes, I ,too, am tired of my ass having its own zipcode.

To be healthier, to look better.. to buy smaller, cuter clothing. Nothing is ever cute when you are 5'2 1/2 , a size 22 and 250 pounds. I am now a size 9. I got so excited when I was able to buy a size small nightgown haha.

My reason for trying to get healthy:

The small rewards. I've only been working on improving my health for about a week now, but every time I get home from my bike commute from work, I feel great and I stay positive all night. And even though I haven't seen physical results yet, I know they're coming and it's really exciting.

I'm also saving a ton on gas and food money...