That 'Aha!' Moment
Hi everyone,
Over the past 2 - 3 weeks I've been having trouble staying focused/motivated on being healthy. I started a new job and for the first time I'm working 40 hours a week, up from 20 - 25 hours for almost the last whole year. Long story short, both my workplace and my boyfriend's workplace began doing weight loss challenges this week. We both signed up, and I had a renewed sense of hope and motivation.
I have been trying to do C25k on and off (more so off thanks to the rain rain RAIN we've been having) and since I didn't have a good pair of running shorts I decided yesterday to get some from Old Navy. As I was browsing the clearance aisle I spotted a pair of size 20 jeans. Old Navy used to be my go to clothes place in high school, and I've missed being able to shop there (aside from a few shirts or tank tops). I just looked at those jeans and realized... I am SO not that far away from being able to wear that size again! And it made me want to push so much harder.
So my question was, do any of you have a similar story? That one moment where you were kind of feeling low, but then *BAM* you were given this boost of motivation to continue?
Hi. I had an "aha" moment too. Not so much because I finally saw myself as fat (though there is that too), but because of something the physio told me (it's in my profile). Something had to change...forever...
It is true that we don't really see ourselves as others do. When I look in the mirror I don't see myself as big as I am...it is just that my head is smaller. All an optical illusion. I find that I have to squint at my reflection - or better still, look into a hand mirror with your back to the other mirror and you see yourself as you really are.
I haven't had one specific aha moment but rather a series of smaller ones. One event I clearly remember was trying to bound up the stairs to get another beer from the fridge. I've always taken stairs two at a time and it's never been hard for me. But this was when I was at my heaviest and I did the first two stairs quickly and then slowed waaaaaaaaaaaay down...I was like, "What is wrong with me!" Oh yeah, I'm overweight for the first time in my life...I've always been athletic...anyway, it really got me down and I just wanted to be able to MOVE like I used to.
There were a few other moments, like when the kid in Walmart asked me if I was going to have a baby, and when my dad asked if I was thinking about a fitness plan.
:)
Keep remembering those moments. They will motivate you!
My "AHA" moment came when I was sitting down in my favorite chair at home with my pants unzipped, I looked down and realized how much belly fat was sittting on my stomach and how big my breast had gotten! OMG! It was a rude awakening.
Not to mention none of my cute clothes fit right anymore.
Since then my goal has been to reduce the amount of belly fat I have and hopefully the breast will follow.
I do realize that I am older now and may never have my old body back, but that doesn't mean I have to carry extra fat on my small body frame!
I'm on it!
I need this 'Aha moment' now!! I've lost about 45 pounds and have 9 left to lose. Today and yesterday I have had ZERO motivation to get up and work out. I keep telling myself I deserve a break and should listen to my body. But tonight I ate chips and candy. I haven't done that in WEEKS. I'm scared if I start these excuses now that I will be back to square one.
I NEED MY MOMENT NOW!!!!!
I jumped on CC and lost twenty pounds within about 2.5 months but the last five weeks have been hard... Barely lost any weight I'm going to have to up the ante with working out!
I was just thinking about my Aha moment last night. My husband took a picture of myself and our two children (twin 2 year old at the time). One was sitting on either side of me and I was leaning a bit to the left and that twin was totally engulfed by my left breast (poor little thing - lol), I know he was ok, but it was a horrible picture I was slouched and looking HUGE. Another picture I was laying on the floor with them and I was shocked! that was me and how big I let myself get.
That moment was January 10, 2012, I'm just short of 40 pounds lighter today and am going to lose 48 more before my TADA!! moment - then maintainence of course.
Yes, those will be my before pics in November when I reach my goal - and I will reach it!
Mine was when my size 24 pants were getting tight and I knew the next step was elastic waistbands. At 31 years old, I wasn't ready to go there. I re-started CC (I had started in the fall and made it about a week) and started walking. In 8 weeks, I have lost 36 pounds, and I have about 100 more to go to get down to under 150. I know that the weight will be slower coming off now, and that is okay. I would rather have it come off slow and stay off than melt away only to come back. For me, it's not a diet, it is a lifestyle change.
Congratulations on the 40 lbs. Keep at it. Befor eyou know it, exercise will be like eating and sleeping. ....it's just part of your life.
After just 5 laps in the pool, I felt significantly better. Then the next time I did some stretching and a short 7 min easy walk on the treadmill and I felt even better. But the "Aha" moment came after many months of doing this simple routine and adding weights to my workout. It happened when I discovered that I was lifting heavier weights than the buff young guys at the gym and realized that I was stronger now at age 42, than I was at 22...and it definately showed.
Now all it takes is an ache or a pain anywhere to remind me to get back to the gym...though I take care not to go if I am sick or feel I have overstressed a muscle. But even in those cases, a simple walk and/or swim will do wonders.
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