I know this seems like a stupid question, but sometimes we all really need to be reminded why we're changing our lives to become better people. A lot of you are doing it for your health (a very respectable reason) but I've noticed lately that everytime I weigh myself and everytime I count up my calories I find myself simply thinking "soon I'll be skinny!" I've never felt unhealthy as far as being out of breath or unable to participate in activities I've wanted to do (148 at 5'6), but shouldn't I be at least a little thrilled at the idea of some newfound energy? It just seems odd to me that my main goal here is simply to look good in a bikini again. I think vanity is enough to keep pushing me.

I'm a sad soul.

But anyway, what are your reasons? Are you doing it for your kids? Your husband? Your size 6 pants?

That makes 2 sad souls

I want to look good in that bikini. And I want to look good for my husband, I want him to desire me, and think that I am sexy. Though he says that he would love me even if I were covered in shit!

The energy, health, and over all feeling good is just a bonus

We're so Vain!!!!!!!!

Hahaha!

I know exactly what you mean. Looking good for my boyfriend is like my number two reason for doing this. I know I don't look awful now, but I could look a lot better.

My dad's family is riddled with heart disease-his brother had a heart attack at 33 and died in his mid sixties of heart disease. His mother had quadruple bypass surgery in her sixties. Dad had bypass surgery in his mid 50's and his sister had a heart attack in her mid 50's. Their father died of emphesema, as did my maternal grandmother and one of my maternal uncles (at only 63). My mom's family is also rife with cancer.

My ex, with whom I have two teen age sons in addition to my daughter from a previous marriage, is 21 years older than me and in extremely poor health. I don't want to leave my sons orphaned as teens or even at college age. I have a 1 and a half year old grandson I want to see grow up and torture his mother the way she did me.

So, yes, vanity has alot to do with my desire to better my health and lose weight. But equally important to me is living longer and without cancer, heart disease, emphesema, etc.

My mom is only 58 but has already had to hire out lawn work, etc, for a decade. I want to be able to cut my own darn lawn in ten years!

I'm doing it for vanity reasons--I'd love to be able to wear a miniskirt this summer! I'm also doing it to halt the process of weight gain--it's been a steady 3 to 4 pounds a year for the last four years and I'm sick of it. I want to also become a better runner. I want to be a good example for other people too. Wow, lots of reasons!

Nice 'reminder' thread! As for myself, I'm losing weight to be a healthy mom and wife. Isteading of hiding from life, I want to be a part of the action. And of course, I want to fit into smaller clothes. No more buying clothes to hide my flaws -- I'll buy clothes to flaunt my healthy figure!

Well of course I am doing this for vanity..but I am also doing this for health reasons. My grandma passed away when I was in the 3rd grade due to strokes. She was only 60 years old. I don't want to end up like that. My grandparents missed out on a lot in the past few years. I wish I still had them hear because there is just so much I want to talk to them about, but I can't change the past. I can change my future though. I have been heading down this path towards a stroke and death at 60 (like my grandma) since I entered high school. It's time for me to change my path to where I die of old age...not of bad health because I was overweight.
I would kill to beable to wear a bikini this summer. I haven't been able to wear one since jr. high. I want to beable to wear jeans that fit. And to beable to try on clothes when I shop with friends and buy those clothes and look good instead of feeling like a tagalong that holds the bags.

I'd be lying to myself if I said I wasn't doing this for vanity. Of course I am. I want to feel completely beautiful and sexy on the outside. It will also help with a lot of self esteem issues.

But also, I see what bad shape my parents are in because they didn't take care of themselves at a younger age. They have diabetes, heart disease, and problems with their bones/joints. That could have been easily prevented at a younger age with diet and exercise. And I know that if I don't change my life now, that I am going to be exactly like that soon.

I would love to be able to say it's for health, but it's not. I've never felt that out of shape or anything.

There's two reasons for me, and the second is connected to the first...

1. I want to be sexy. I don't feel it right now, and I want to.

2. I want to do some things with my kids (and by myself) that I've held back on because I've been self-conscious about my appearance, like swimming at the beach, etc.

I HAVE to do it for health ... diabetes is only the 1st on my list of poor health. If I don't do this I might not have children which I really want in the future.

I however WANT to do this for vanity reasons, it would be nice to turn a few heads and have my sweetie want me more lol

Well, of course I want to be sexy, lol. I want to look great and feel great. But another reason is so I can set a good example for my daughter. She is only 6 months right now but if I slowly change the way my husband and I eat and exercise then by the time it starts to rub off on her then we will be doing good. Also, I want to inspire my husband to be healthier. He is 22 years old and has been on medication for high blood pressure since 18 years old. He is not overweight, it is a genetic thing but he does not exercise or eat loow sodium like he is supposed to in order to keep it under control. I just want us to be healthy. Both his and my families have so much heart disease and diabetes and young deaths. I want us to rise above all that.

oh there are so many reasons to list here, but my top 5 keep me going...

1. Good health.
Don't want to get diabetes/heart disease which runs in my family. Also, tired of my own aches and pains.
2. Do cool stuff again!
Being out of shape is boring. I want to ride horses, learn to surf, run a 5K, enjoy skiing, etc, etc.
3. Get the jobs I deserve.
I work in a competitive, male-dominated industry. The honest truth is I'll be given some favor is I lose the fat. 'Nuf said.
4. Pure vanity.
Want to look like a million bucks in whatever I wear.
5. Screw the haters.
because they don't think I can do it, but I can... and I WILL!

1. Hopefully ease the psoriasis.
2. Health
3. Vanity...don't really like using that word, though.

1. good health
2. hubby likes it like that

Same, except that I am a guy, so just flip everything around.