Why do you want to lose weight?

people are so shallow these days, i am trying to lose weight so that i don't end up with major health problems. but it is amazing how many people  who once wouldn't give you the time of day are now flirting , and when you go out people notice. i think that is cool and all but i really am doing it for my health

Hi,

I want to lose weight for a variety of reasons.

People are sometimes shallow, that is our nature ;)

I think losing weight will be good for my physical health as well as my mental health (Self-esteem etc).

Everyone has different reason's for weight loss, but I think deep down inside it isn't always (meaning necessarily) s hallow if they are doing it to "look better". Society puts pressure on people to look a certain way which after some time for some people takes it's toll on emotional and mental well being. To look good on the outside is to feel good on the inside and vice versa. :)

Tink

i'm losing weight for me. some people think i look ok but i don't like being this weight. i also want to get active and fit and to love my body

I am losing weight for many reasons. The primary motivator and what started me on the road to healthy living was health though. My blood pressure was high, and I was on the road to developing major health problems. My mother died to similar problems, so it wasnt so much a choice as it was a do or die type thing... at least in my eyes.

That being said, I would be lying, terribly, if I didn't say vanity has some level of influence and motivation. It was not a primary or even initial motivator... in fact, I dare say this side motivation came along after I made considerable progress in weight loss.

As you said, I noticed people treated me different. Waiters and waitresses alike were more polite.. considerate and service was better. Not just wait staff either.. store clerks are more talkitive, other people are generally more friendly. Of course, I am more outward as my confidence returns to me.

It feels good to be treated well, to be admired, smiled at, flirted with.. complimented.. what have you. I cannot imagine anyone doesnt feel this way. By that end, of course appearance is a motivator... A strong one. I personally havent even made the halfway point yet. I have over 90lbs to go... but I have seen amazing changes in the way people treat me. I have been flirted with, considerably... Though, I am still sure it has less to do with my looks, and more to do with my attitude, posture and outwardness.

For me, it started out just being about weight loss and looking better. Now, not only do i still want to look good (and love the fact that people notice), but i like the feeling of being FIT and healthy. More than anything, I'm overwhelmed by the fact that i can actually run, that I'm getting fitter by the day - something i never thought I could do (or at least, never WANTED to do).

So, initially it was about my looks, not being happy with my body etc. That is slowly changing, and not only do i look better, but i feel SO much better. At the end of the day, this will be about how healthy and fit I am - not how much weight I have lost.

Okay so I didn't tell the whole truth, I do like the way i look better, and i also like the attention I am getting. But I do agree, it probably not because of the way I look but the way i feel, I am now more outward and more cheerful than when i was heavier.

Btw dhm1983, you have a nice family, I am sure they are behind you 100%. I can tell by the smiles the would be devasted if something happened to you so keep up the good work

I decided to lose weight, mainly because I was fed up with having no confidence and not liking the way I looked.  Enough was enough and I lost a lot of weight and people now tell me I look an awful lot better for it.

Medical health reasons were an added bonus really.  It's good to be healthy and my doctor reckons I've never been healthier.

Mainly though I did it for a confidence boost.

Granted, I'm just a little overweight (10 from normal at the start of the diet, 15 from my goal), but I'd rather handle it now while it's fairly manageable (I'd be so overwhelmed if I had more than 30 to lose, and I am so amazed by those of you who do and the inspiring persistence you show). My family has a long history of heart problems, diabetes and thyroid issues, so I'm aware that if I don't take care of myself I will suffer major issues later. I might still have a certain genetic proclivity towards developing these problems, but I'm going to do what i can to avoid them.

Secondly, at the moment I can't fit into some of the cute clothes I bought last year, and I'm too cheap to buy new ones.

I want to lose weight to feel good and improve the quality and longevity of life. I spent too many years of my life abusing my body with cigarettes, alcohol, and food. I want the rest of my life to be full of energy and vigor. My ex husbands Grandmother lived to be 94. Just days before she passed away she was out in the yard digging up dandelion weeds for her dinner. When asked if she wanted help, she said "no thank you, I'm ejoying myself. I havent had fresh dandelions since I moved to Florida 30 years ago and I am going to dig myself a fresh meal." She is my role model.

I dont want to exist, I want to live. I dont want my body to break down before my mind does. So, with this "diet" I changed my lifestyle. I began researching foods and exercise. I formed a regime that supports weight loss while improving the quality of my complete health profile.

I know the weight isnt going to come off over night, but research tells me that this plan gives longevity to not only my success, but my life as a whole. 

I wanted to lose weight because I was belittled by a man I met and went out with once.  It bothered me so much that after a good cry I started to diet. But then I decided that my girls had already lost one parent to cancer and they were not going to lose another one because of being over weight.  The first day after I started to diet, I met, a wonderful man who accepted me just for being me and today we have been marred for 2 1/2 years.  When we met he couldn't put his arms around me and touch his fingers but now he can over lap his arms.   Now, hard as it is I am doing this for myself.  The draw back is that all of my sisters and brother are also overweight and since I have lost what weight I have they have nothing to do with me anymore.  When we do get together they always start a big fight with me.  I know it is just jelousy but family are suppose to act like family it shouldn't matter what size you are.  Another good thing that has come from me dieting is that my daughter who is 23 years old now phones me for advise on how to lose the weight and she has joined a gym to help her..she is now losing weight and not as depressed as she was..she is starting to feel good about herself.

I'd say my reasons are evenly divided between looking good in my clothes (and out of them) and health reasons.  When my size 6's didn't fit I told myself that maybe my body wasn't meant to be a 6...but then when the 8's got too small, I knew I was headed the wrong way... I have an incredible wardrobe of 6's and I wanted to get back into them.  Well, since 7/10 I've dropped 9lbs. and I feel healthy... in fact with the last pound I lost, I moved into the "healthy weight" category of BMI... and best of all I've taken back the sundress that my daughter was wearing because it didn't fit and I'll be wearing it in 2 weeks when I leave for vacation in Thailand!!!

I have a couple of reasons. When I eat healthy and excercise I feel better overall. I don't feel tired or anything like that at all. I also want to look better too. It will give me confidence.

One reason only, to improve my health.  I have chronic, congenital medical problems that are not weight related, but being thinner and carrying less weight will help all of it. Losing only the first 27 pounds has made my sleep apnea disappear!  My heart won't have to work as hard and my lungs will work better too.  And I expect it to help with the usual aches and pains of ageing.

well, ive wanted to lose weight for years.  I used to be on a swim team and now i cannot even swim one lap. It made me feel really bad about myself that I couldn't swin one lousey lap.  Then I started to get some pains in my chest when I wasn't moving around. My mom had a ton of health problems and everyone in my family is diabetic.  My mom died at age 54, her mom at 59.  With all of this, the chest pains pushed me to lose the weight, I want to live to be older than 60.  I want to go to the park with my kids and play and have fun without having to sound like a train when i breath.  I want to enjoy my grandkids after my kids grow up and have kid (they say they wont..lol)

I guess basically I want to be heathlier. I hate thinking that I might be at half point in my life. :S

Another less important reason is the "shallow"aspect of it.  I want to look better, I want to be able to go into Walmart or any store and buy a pair of pants that fit.  There are other way more personal reasons I want to lose weight, but those are the major ones.

i just want to see what I look like skinny.....i just want to know how it feels

i want to be fit and strong and be a good role model for those out there...show that it IS possible to change and be healthy.

I lost weight in the 90's (went from 180 to 130) and then gained back 35 of it.  But I remember how great it was before I gained it back.  I've been dating a guy who I think is pretty wonderful, and I'd like to feel more fit and be more healthy and also be more attractive for him.  I don't look my age due to good genetics, so I'd like to really take advantage of that by not looking older due to extra pounds.

to feel comfortable in my skin...example: not worrying about fat creeping out of my clothes and I like the feeling of taking care of myself.

I'm losing weight because I'm shallow. haha

I go to the gym because it is something my husband and I can do together.  Having "healthy eating" conversations is one more thing that we have in common.  Being more active and not gorging on junk clears out my mind and boosts my moods.  Losing weight is simply an added bonus that I, of cause, remember to enjoy.

 I want to be a "fun grandma" who can keep up with the grandchildren.  My mom is in her 70's and can dance rings around me because she has remained trim, fit, and strong.   All of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren know she is wonderful.