what finally convinced you to lose weight?  

my motivation was my spouse, since he is so regular and does not even miss it for a day I said to myself, if he can do why cant I and moreso whom am I doing it for? who will gain from this...the answer is myself so why wont I do something which is good for myself.

I don't know if I call myself fortunate,but I do all my treadmill work running between house and barn. I squeeze in some weight lifting when I am shoveling out stalls and my stair climber consists of mounting and dismounting horses.
I vary my routine with the saddle lift, bale throw and wheel barrow push.
That's the only way I can keep it off. The more I think about food the more I want food. I had to loose 60lbs after my last son was born....this was a few years ago and I could not diet because I always nursed. I was ashamed to leave the house without my baby because I thought that if he was with me people would know I had excuse for being over weight.
I hated that feeling. I lost that weight and have kept it off just by being active.

matlgal, you DO like to lay it on the line, lol.

I am 59, but we were probably both born in 1948 because I was born in January, so I am older than most of the people I know who were born in the same year as me.

Anyway, the purpose of that comment is to let you know that I am in your age range, so I can probably relate more to what you have dealt with or are currently going through than anyone who is much younger.

Personally, I think I am genetically predisposed to be heavy, even though I have also fought it all my life.

The one thing that makes dealing with a weight problem even more difficult is having to structure a disciplined exercise routine around working. I completely retired when I was 52, and didn't really get into exercise until after that time.

Prior to that I had started working out with weights and that made a big difference in being able to control my weight. I had started doing that in my mid 40's, and the reason it worked for me is this: I was watching a talk show in the afternoon and the guest of the day was Joyce Vedral, who was 47 at the time and looked fabulous. She is into fitness and as a matter of fact has her own website, http://www.joycevedral.com

You may want to check it out. She has some very good advice on how to incorporate fitness into your busy lifestyle.

What worked for me was buying a weight bench and 3 sets of hand weights at 3#, 5# and 10#, plus Joyce's book "The Fatburning Workout." The reason that worked for me is that I didn't even have to get dressed and go to an exercise class. I set up my own private space at home and went there and worked out on a regular basis. I found Joyce's book to be very motivating as she provides a lot of tips on how to deal with your initial disinclination to exercise, and if you are not trained to exercise from early on, it takes discipline to get to the point where it is a natural part of your daily routine.

If you look at it realistically, you are not going to start a workout program and be disciplined right out of the starting gate if that has not been a life-long habit for you.

Anyway, to continue my story, I noticed that as I was getting into my late 40's I started suffering from severe fatigue and lack of interest in anything. I guess you could call it a form of depression. I noticed that regardless of how little I ate that I was gaining weight. I finally went to the doctor and he diagnosed hypothyroidism, which he started treating me for.

I figured, okay, back to normal, but even though my blood tests said that I was getting the appropriate level of medication, I wasn't feeling any better. I figured it had to do with menopause.

One day after I had been retired for about 2 years, and dealing with not wanting to get out of bed a friend called and told me that she was taking an amino acid supplement that really improved how she was feeling. I told her that I had already tried amino acids and they weren't working for me. She told me that this one was different, and it was the only one with a patented formula to make it highy absorbable, etc. etc. Anyway, to make a long story short, after listening to her nagging at me for 6 months I finally agreed to try them. I tell you it was like waking up out of a long sleep. What a difference. After taking them for about 6 weeks, I started walking regularly with my husband, and I now run regularly every day for an hour as well as work out with weights and walk with my husband every night for about 40 minutes or more.

I don't know if it was the supplement that made all the difference, or what it was, but I have read so many stories about people on this particular supplement that are doing amazing things for their age that I find it hard to believe that it isn't at least contributing something to my continued well being and enjoyment of exercise.

The other thing is that I have conditioned myself not to get into an internal psychological battle that used to go something like this:

Me: Well, I guess its time to work out.
Myself: I don't really feel like doing it now.
I: Yeah, I'll do it later.
Me: No, I had better do it now, while I am in the mood.
Myself: I'm not really in the mood, and anyway I am too tired.
I: Anyway, that program that I like is coming on tv.
Me: Well I can watch it later.
Myself: If I work out I'll probably be too tired to watch it later.

Anyway, you get the picture.

In another post about exercise, I stated that I have made exercise as much a regular part of my life as brushing my teeth or combing my hair. I don't have internal battles over these issues, so why would I do that to myself when it comes to looking after my weight, my cardiovascular system, my muscles and my joints. If these things aren't kept in good order, then the rest of my body suffers.

Hope this helps.

i hat eto exercise but i love the way it makes me feel afterwards. that feel of Accomplishment. I have 2 kids and i havent lost the weight nearly as easy as i did with my 1st. I guess what motivated me what looking at pictures that were taken and realizing I'm not as in shape as i would like to be.

it started as a joke between myself and a friend, and then I just got into it. I got on South Beach and lost 80lbs.... and my friend was amazed that I stuck with it for so long.

I sure wish I knew. Maybe for me it would be going to clothing stores and not finding anything to wear. I'm not a large person, i'm just large for those trendy hip clothing stores. I hate that their largest size is a 9-12. Drives me nuts! You can do this! One day at a time. Don't look at the long term effects...take it day by day. Be a healthier person for YOU!

I think its when you look at yourself in the mirror or can't do stuff other people can do.

HIIIIIIIIIIIIII Jackie (all together now)..lol..
Actually when i started working out i was 167 and now im 147. Bascially first and foremost you got to be willing and have that mindset, I'm going to do it, you got to have discipline, and you have to have modivation whether its from a friend or youself. What made me continue to work out was the "after effects" people saying "oh you look nice" wow you lost weight....That kept me modivated..Now when I'm home I disciplined myself...I eat broiled, baked, or grilled meat, and veggies most of the time..except on weekends...that's my incentive to myself for a long week to treat myself to something I want.
and hey it's the weekend..Hellllooo Pizza...I also take vitamins religiously...I get GNC vitamins for women...Good luck to you and if you need more info, please contact me.....

When I open my closet and saw my clothes when I was still single, I was amazed how can I ever fit into those small clothes. I don't like to buy a bigger size coz it means I will not be encourage to loose the extra weight...so I decided to do a little exercise and cut off on food.

Hi Jacki..
Well, there is this 'thing' that I think works for me.
You might find it silly, but I guess I am the proof of living of being 'thin'. LOL
Everytime before I eat my food, I always added on my prayer like this,"Please GOD, let these foody become strength for me, but not adding my weight."Noted: EVERYTIME before I eat my food.