I've finally accepted the fact that the Diet Fairy isn't going to come and zap away all these extra pounds. I want to feel better, to have more energy, to get rid of the aches & pains of carrying all this extra weight. I want my kids to be proud of me. I want to live to be an old grandma. I want to be able to enjoy life with my husband, who now looks 10 years younger than me and has far more energy (and funny, when we started dating in 2001 people thought I was so much younger than him!).

I think if you asked me this question two months ago you would have gotten a different answer. Back then I'd have said "I'm doing this because I no longer want to live the way I had been living" or "I want to be around long enough to see my Grandchildren" But now, frankly I want to be athletic. I want to run and hike and swim and kayak and play tennis and rockclimb. All the things I've put off until I lose weight.

I want to buy clothes because they fit well and I look great in them instead of buying clothes because they fit and I don't look terrible in them.

Mostly I want to live every single day I have left. I don't want the limits imposed on me by being fat.

David C

WHY?

Well, I have a rather unique name and whenever people ask where it's from, well, I confess my parents named me after a Bond girl and when you're a size 14US/16UK and you want to say this it is SO utterly humiliating! *sighs* I want to be able to say it and look it, as shallow and silly as all of this may sound. And yes, it does include the bikini... I'm going to a place w/warm weather and beaches for spring break so I really DO want to make the most of it!

Another reason is the clothing, I LOVE fashion and shopping but when you can't pull off some really cool stuff, it's disturbing.

Then there's obviously the health reason - I'm a foreign student studying in the US and having the temptations of trying out all these chocolates and whatnot here that I have never even heard of before is definitely a biggie. If I adopt a healthier lifestyle I'll hopefully no longer be as tempted!

Oh... I want to cosplay too! Guess I'm a fandom geek and you can't pull off half those costumes without the proper figure.

So overall, wacky weird reasons but hey, I guess they're still reasons. The bottom line is I don't want to blush or mumble the next time somebody asks where my name came from!

While overall health, family, etc are certainly somewhere in the mix, I think for me, there are 3 factors that stand out:

1)In a way, to say 'I did it'. I was always a fat kid, even though I was a standout athlete. I've cut down to a healthy bodyfat percent, but I want to have a six pack to say that I did it.

2)Change my relationship with food. This is probably the toughest one for me. Even after college and going from 300lbs to around my current weight(230-235 range), I still don't think my outlook on food is where I'd like it to be. I eat good during the week, but when I give myself a 'break', I take a mile despite my best intentions. I want to get to a point where I take a break(aka - eat something not as healthy), keep it within reason on a regular basis, and not feel guilty about it - all the while keeping my weight in the 210-215 range.

3)Improve self image and then meet a new girlfriend with similar values, who believes in being fit as much as I do.

what motivates me?
Having energy to run after my kids and fit into my jeans. Plus an extra 10 pounds on me feels like 50 and i don't cope well and I become miserable.
I walk and run and lift weights so i can feel good about myself.

i want to lose weight because i want to prove it to myself too..
i dont wanna be stressed everytime when i go shopping to find i have to wear the largest size in the store or sometimes i dont even fit into those..
eventhough i know that weight is not the ONLY important thing in life..
but i want to prove to myself that i can be the one who everybody stares back
when i walk by..
good luck to us all ^^

Trying on wedding dresses. I'm sure many of you girls know what I mean. The store carries only so many sizes of samples. Then they wedge you into one several sizes too small, clamp the back shut with extra fabric and spring clamps, so you can see what is looks like. As if you can really tell. I'm a size 14 in regular dress sizes and I can only imagine what it must be like if you're bigger. The saleslady gave me this one gorgeous dress to try on in a size 8. She thought that I could manage to fit in with it untied. Oh was she wrong. Needless to say I was stuck with the dress midway over my boobs with the crinoline all bunched up. LOL!! I'm frantically trying to get it off quickly without damaging it, before she wonders what the heck's taking so long. Now, imagine trying to un-wedge yourself from a thousand dollar wedding dress, in a tiny change room, while killing yourself laughing. LOL!!! I think this was the turning point for me.

is there video of that?

Thank god there isn't a video. However that would be great motivation to keep going. And it sure would bring some humor into my stormy days! Heck I'd probably have posted it on youtube. I have very little pride when it comes to something absolutely hilarious.

Me?
I want to fit comfortably in my clothes. I don't wanna buy a shirt or a pants because it's the only thing on the rack that'll fit me, while there's another item I'm dying to have but can't, cause it doesn't fit.

I love running. I love the feel of it; the whole idea. But, it's hard for me to keep up a steady jogging pace for more than 10 minutes.

I live in the Caribbean, and I'm tired of having an awkward tan, thanks to the tankini's I wear. I wanna get a wonderful tan and look and feel awesome in a bikini.

I want my mother's rings to actually fit me. My fingers and wrists are so fat, I don't even bother buying rings and bracelets.

I want to wear a normal medium blouse for school. Not a XXL one, that's even too tight for me.

I guess these things are my motivation.

I want to lose weight because I want to be the best person I can possibly be. This means being healthy and confident, so that I am able to pursue my daily life to the best of my abilities. Ofcourse, it would be great to look beautiful, and to be able to dress nicley as well... but I think it's really about putting 100% of my efforts into having a great life

My motivation for this is to feel better about myself. I love having to hitch up my pants because they are getting too big. I love the way my mom keeps calling me "skinny bitch". I know she means it in a loving way

I want to be a father.
I don't want to be limited to shopping at a Big & Tall store.
I want to enjoy the outside world with my wife.
I want to stop having knee and back problems.
I want to live longer.

I'm losing weight to feel good about myself. I was never happy with how I looked, and I was always uncomfortable with just being seen. I'm already feeling better, but ultimately that's what I'm working for. Fitting into a sexy swimsuit and not having a hard time finding clothes for spring break and summer is also a plus :P

Why am I doing this?

Because I know underneath all this fat I am damn hot.
Because I want to be a mum.
Because I want to enjoy where I live by the beach and actually go there and swim and wear a swimsuit and be active.
Because I want life to be an adventure not a chore.
Because I have food issues and my relationship with food needs to change.
Because the way I am at the minute and my current journey is scarey - I need a different path.
Because I have the best clothes and I can't wear them - and I have equally hot shoes that DO fit me, but sexy heels are so damn uncomfortable when you are huge. Somehow they ain't sexy no more.
Because I can and I will and I want to surprise everyone.
For me.