What SPARKED you to change this time??

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SparkPoints: (27,038)
Fitness Minutes: (13,461)
Posts: 1,172
8/28/10 9:28 P

My father-in-law passed away in June after a very brief battle with pancreatic and peritoneal cancer at the age of 57. When we went to say our final goodbyes to him, he talked about regretting not taking better care of himself and eating better. It was a life changing moment for me and sparked me to change.

Pounds lost: 0.6

0 12.75 25.5 38.25

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SparkPoints: (47,760)
Fitness Minutes: (7,335)
Posts: 3,832
8/28/10 9:15 P

My cholesterol

current weight: 139.0

157 149 141 133

125

Posts: 267
8/28/10 9:09 P

I was tired of not feeling good. I knew I needed to change the way I eat and place exercise back into my life.

current weight: 262.5

265.5 234.125 202.75 171.375

140

Posts: 5
8/27/10 2:15 P

I started to feel really bad, no energy and feeling like I could go no further.I felt so much better before when I ate healthy. I decided I've got to feel better so that I can do what I need to do for myself on a daily basis. Great decision. I feel great! It's like medicine for me.

Posts: 844
7/5/10 2:43 P

Finding out how bad my heart is and knowing that all the other things wrong with me could be reversed by a lifestyle change.

Pounds lost: 22.6

0 23.25 46.5 69.75

93

SparkPoints: (13,220)
Fitness Minutes: (11,787)
Posts: 12,559
7/5/10 2:35 P

I've been making excuses for too long.

current weight: 233.0

248 228.5 209 189.5

170

Posts: 1,049
6/14/10 4:59 A

finding this website

current weight: 272.9

309 273 237 201

165

SparkPoints: (28,139)
Fitness Minutes: (21,061)
Posts: 1,975
6/14/10 4:49 A

I regained most of the close to 25 lbs. lost previously due to loss of work and parent in the same timeframe.....now, it's time for me to make this work once and for all.....I feel Mom would be more than pleased.....she noticed my last loss and was happy to see that.....Ma, this one's for you, and for good!

Pounds lost: 20.0

0 10.25 20.5 30.75

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SparkPoints: (25,055)
Fitness Minutes: (23,400)
Posts: 2,051
6/13/10 10:02 P

Thought I was had a heart attack last November. Found SparkPeople that has changed my lifestyle.

current weight: 217.0

277 255.25 233.5 211.75

190

Posts: 1,069
6/13/10 12:11 P

My husband, kids, parents deserve better. I am better than this.

Pounds lost: 44.4

0 20.25 40.5 60.75

81

SparkPoints: (5,896)
Fitness Minutes: (4,285)
Posts: 124
6/13/10 9:48 A

All my health issues. They were spiraling out of control. I felt I had lost control. I felt bad. I made a commitment to myself to do something about it. I then was introduced to Spark-people . I am hooked. Its wonderful.

Pounds lost: 52.0

0 13.5 27 40.5

54

SparkPoints: (43,811)
Fitness Minutes: (33,038)
Posts: 2,938
4/6/10 1:05 P

The spare tire around my waist.

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 3.75 7.5 11.25

15

Posts: 7
4/6/10 12:40 P

Knowing that as I get older there are more chances of illnesses that come from being overweight. Being overweight runs in the family as does diabetes and heart issues. I am to be 49 in July and by my 50th I plan on being at muy goal weight of 140-145 and much more fit. I also have two daughters teen and preteen that want to spend more time at the pool and beach. I want to be able to at least sit on the side line, pool or beach and get some sun and enjoy the atmosphere with my girls. Feeling better in my swimsuit, heck, just in shorts or capris would be better then the way I feel now.

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 9.25 18.5 27.75

37

SparkPoints: (59,645)
Fitness Minutes: (76,474)
Posts: 13,421
4/6/10 7:48 A

The mirror and scale.

current weight: 175.0

197 189 181 173

165

Posts: 612
4/5/10 12:44 P

Two heart to heart talks with my therapist and my yoga instructor. One said, "you must lose weight because you love yourself not lose weight in order to be lovable." The other said, "You need to make yourself a priority and stop putting the needs of others before your own." Then on 2/17/2010 I made a pledge to myself to embrace both messages. Here I am now...10 pounds lighter. I've lost weight physically and psychologically

Pounds lost: 18.6

0 17.5 35 52.5

70

SparkPoints: (25,055)
Fitness Minutes: (23,400)
Posts: 2,051
4/5/10 12:36 P

Hospital stay for a week and several test later. Hit my highest weight 277 lbs last Dec. 2009. Now down 32 lbs and healthier.

current weight: 217.0

277 255.25 233.5 211.75

190

SparkPoints: (4,118)
Fitness Minutes: (3,363)
Posts: 339
4/5/10 12:35 P

It finally dawned on me that if I stick with it, that I can be at my goal weight in less than 2 years. (losing 1.5 pounds a week)

current weight: 292.0

315 275 235 195

155

SparkPoints: (27,896)
Fitness Minutes: (15,580)
Posts: 4,518
4/5/10 12:34 P

God! And so I'm trusting Him to bring me along this time for good. :)

Pounds lost: 53.8

0 16 32 48

64

Posts: 4,468
3/28/10 4:12 P

I realized the only reason I was not getting anywhere was bescause of me and I hate me being the reason for me feeling bad so , with determination I decided that this was going to be it , I was going to do it no matter what

Pounds lost: 8.0

0 12.75 25.5 38.25

51

Posts: 50
3/28/10 4:08 P

I just turned 23 and I feel afraid that my chance to be young and beautiful is drawing to a close. I know this sounds crazy, but I can't help what I'm feeling. I feel a stage of my life quickly coming to an end and a new, more adult one is looming....

I suppose I'll still be young in my late 20's, but it will be a different kind of young. I just want to be attractive now while I can still pass for 19. I missed out on high school socially - I would spend lunches alone, hiding in the library, because I felt so inferior to everyone else. I want to mix and socialize, be one of the attractive girls at a nightclub.

I am very much in love with my boyfriend of 5 years, and we plan to get married when we can afford it, but I can't deny that it would feel pretty good to get whistled at or flirted with. This sounds incredibly snobby but I would love to have guys tell my boyfriend that he is lucky to have me. Right now I feel lucky to have him. Attractive girls get that sort of attention all the time, and if it's okay for them, can't it be okay for me too?

Has anyone else ever felt this way? BTW I am a gamer and quite geeky (which I have no intention of chaning), and I don't wish to ACT like a snob, I just want to be... really hot.

Edited by: MISSMOONROCK at: 3/28/2010 (16:10)

current weight: 145.0

156 148.25 140.5 132.75

125

Posts: 797
3/28/10 3:35 P

i have a set goal of weight that i do not wish to exceed but the past year was tough with the loss of a loved one and health crisis for another. as a caregiver, my healthy routines were significantly disrupted and i gained about 10 pounds. now that life has settled into a new normal, i'm determined to become more fit and drop a few extra pounds.

current weight: 127.5

134 130.25 126.5 122.75

119

Posts: 241
3/28/10 3:30 P

It was a biggest loser competition at my work. It started over a year ago and lasted 12 weeks (I think). I lost 15 lbs during, and just kept on going!

current weight: 144.0

191 177.5 164 150.5

137

SparkPoints: (3,986)
Fitness Minutes: (785)
Posts: 121
3/28/10 1:42 P

I needed to get stronger. I'm taking a long journey. I hope it will be the last time. I plan on staying on it the rest of my life. blessings to you and yours this beautiful Sunday Morning Nancy

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 12.5 25 37.5

50

Posts: 569
3/28/10 6:13 A

Not fitting into my clothes.

current weight: 143.0

163 154.75 146.5 138.25

130

SparkPoints: (10,002)
Fitness Minutes: (11,405)
Posts: 454
3/25/10 9:50 P

I have a pretty good work wardrobe and suddenly I can't fit into any of it. I don't want to buy new clothes and I want to look and feel better.

current weight: 146.6

158 151.5 145 138.5

132

SparkPoints: (39,954)
Fitness Minutes: (34,726)
Posts: 2,989
3/25/10 9:47 P

cancer

current weight: 135.0

163 156 149 142

135

Posts: 462
3/25/10 9:43 P

Huffing and Puffing going up one flight of stairs! I used to run stairs for fun! Ugh!

Pounds lost: 10.4

0 11.75 23.5 35.25

47

Posts: 8
3/25/10 9:29 P

I have never been so proud of myself. I'm usually successful at most things I try, but losing weight just never mattered that much to me. Maybe because I had failed so many times. This time I'll take all the help I can get. Without a good support team, quitting would be so much easier. Congrats to us all.

current weight: 243.0

302 263 224 185

146

SparkPoints: (59,645)
Fitness Minutes: (76,474)
Posts: 13,421
3/25/10 7:31 A

The mirror.

current weight: 175.0

197 189 181 173

165

SparkPoints: (13,220)
Fitness Minutes: (11,787)
Posts: 12,559
3/24/10 9:01 P

Not wanting another prescription due to my poor health. Tired of being TIRED...

current weight: 233.0

248 228.5 209 189.5

170

Posts: 718
3/23/10 6:48 P

Trying on swim suits for my upcoming cruise. They all looked aweful on me and the size I had to put on was larger than I had ever had to wear before. I had a melt down that day, 3 weeks ago. I have since lost enough weight to return the suit I bought for the next size down.

SparkPoints: (7,581)
Fitness Minutes: (7,474)
Posts: 379
3/23/10 6:40 P

I was just OVER IT!! Know what I mean?

current weight: 133.5

154 146.75 139.5 132.25

125

Posts: 250
3/23/10 6:11 P

Looking in the mirror and realizing that what I 'see' in my minds eye is very different than what everyone else sees. I want to let everyone else see the me that I have hidden under all this extra weight. Maybe then I won't be so self-conscious all the time.

Pounds lost: 14.0

0 15.25 30.5 45.75

61

SparkPoints: (1,458)
Fitness Minutes: (2,150)
Posts: 47
3/23/10 4:55 P

It all happened when I went to the Mall and past a scale next to the cafeteria bathroom. That scared me to death and here I am sparkpeople.com.

current weight: 190.0

210 197.25 184.5 171.75

159

Posts: 89
3/23/10 4:48 P

wow, umm. i guess i'd have to say it was at a family gathering.. i dont see my moms side of the family very often..
and a fmaily member told me i looked just like my mom at my age, only a lot bigger.

i about died from embarrasment!

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 36.25 72.5 108.75

145

Posts: 37
3/23/10 4:30 P

I am a very social person and I skipped going to my college homecoming in October because I have gained a lot of weight since I graduated 9 years ago. I regret that because of my insecurities my husband and I missed out on seeing our friends. So I want to get back down to the size that I was in college because I do not like feeling that I "let myself go." I want to ready so that whenever an event pops up I am ready to go! Additionally, I use to love taking pictures and now I hide from the camera.

current weight: 215.0

232 219 206 193

180

SparkPoints: (3,928)
Fitness Minutes: (1,132)
Posts: 211
3/23/10 12:29 P

This time it was the scale reading of over 300. I had made a vow to myself that I wasn't going to get over 300 again, but I have so I need to do something about it and I am going to use this site to make me be accountable.

Pounds lost: 3.8

0 47.45 94.9 142.35

189.8

Posts: 521
3/23/10 12:26 P

My health...I'm borderline high on cholesterol and I already have diabetes and high B.P...so it's time to get cracking..

Pounds lost: 7.0

0 6.25 12.5 18.75

25

Posts: 7
3/23/10 12:12 P

Someone at work asked me if I was pregnant. I knew I had gained weight, but until that point I did not realize that other people were noticing as well. That was a big wake up call for me.

current weight: 149.6

151 147 143 139

135

Posts: 16
3/23/10 11:15 A

I'm getting married on October 2 and I realized I needed to start doing something now if I didn't want to end up being a "fat" bride.

current weight: 270.0

270 252.5 235 217.5

200

SparkPoints: (59,809)
Fitness Minutes: (86,668)
Posts: 4,094
3/23/10 7:51 A

this time?

current weight: 149.4

198 185.85 173.7 161.55

149.4

SparkPoints: (36,287)
Fitness Minutes: (25,491)
Posts: 2,159
3/23/10 7:49 A

Tired of failing, wanted to prove to myself I could do it and I have :)

current weight: 156.0

246 221 196 171

146

Posts: 775
3/23/10 7:47 A

I have put back on most of what I lost...

current weight: 174.8

192 176.5 161 145.5

130

SparkPoints: (64,261)
Fitness Minutes: (50,600)
Posts: 4,243
3/23/10 6:35 A

The weigh in at the doctor and that keeps me from gaining the 25 lbs back.

Pounds lost: 30.0

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40

Posts: 9
3/23/10 5:59 A

during prep for a recent operation The nurse told me I had to use the BIG scale because I was so heavy!

Pounds lost: 7.0

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Posts: 32
3/23/10 5:51 A

A couple years ago I got on the scale one morning and was 190 pounds... Said I would never let myself weigh that much. I worked my way back to 175, then gradually gained more Well, last week I got on the scale and it said 192! Got to do something! Tired of fighting off those extra five pound gain every year.

current weight: 170.0

192 186.5 181 175.5

170

SparkPoints: (6,132)
Fitness Minutes: (9,090)
Posts: 56
3/23/10 4:44 A

Being half way towards my goal and getting additional motivation from friends who've seen my weight loss and want to change their life style.

current weight: 164.0

205 187.5 170 152.5

135

SparkPoints: (8,539)
Fitness Minutes: (8,196)
Posts: 458
3/23/10 2:38 A

Photos of myself - looked awful in it!

Pounds lost: 2.0

0 9.25 18.5 27.75

37

Posts: 9
3/23/10 2:03 A

I love traveling, I am passionate about it, I think it's one of the greatest things you can do in life. BUT every time I go South, I feel awful on the beach, too self-conscious to enjoy it. I kept postponing serious weight-loss. Now that I finished college, there's no more excuses.

current weight: 352.0

374 352 330 308

286

Posts: 607
3/23/10 12:33 A

Hitting over 200 pounds - made me realize that if I didn't change what I was doing, I'd just get bigger...and Bigger...and BIGGER....

Pounds lost: 18.2

0 15.95 31.9 47.85

63.8

Posts: 100
3/23/10 12:33 A

1. Son finally healed from surgery.
2. Taking care of him, I let myself go. Looked in the mirror & saw I ballooned!
3. Took control, & made some ME time
4. The Spark book gave me confidence and learned not to be hard on myself. Just keep motivated, focus, and stay the course.

Pounds lost: 4.4

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40

Posts: 35
3/23/10 12:10 A

My friend's perfect fitted beautiful wedding gown. I really want to look gorgeous as my friend did.

Posts: 6
3/22/10 11:51 P

The little lady got me motivated to do this and now I'm down 23 pounds...got to like it.

current weight: 197.0

234 223 212 201

190

Posts: 1
3/22/10 11:37 P

I don't want anyone to mistake for a beached whale this summer! haha seriously I just want to feel better about myself.

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 12.5 25 37.5

50

SparkPoints: (32,233)
Fitness Minutes: (43,258)
Posts: 1,958
3/22/10 11:33 P

Getting older....and Sparkpeople keeps me on the straight and narrow.

Pounds lost: 62.0

0 31.25 62.5 93.75

125

SparkPoints: (59,474)
Fitness Minutes: (30,173)
Posts: 3,629
3/22/10 11:20 P

simple...sparkpeople.com what else. duh.

current weight: 199.0

221 208.25 195.5 182.75

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