Why are you trying to lose weight?

Both of my parents have diabetes so its safe to say it runs in my family and I have decided that I need to do everything I can to help prevent it.

I'm trying to lose weight to bring down my total % body fat. I'm currently at 38% and need to get down to 34%.

I honestly first started on my weight loss journey because I want to have a healthy pregnancy when we start TTC. I'm a nurse so I know all of the bad outcomes that can occur in overweight women during pregnancy and in general. I've been obese for awhile and I've finally fallen into the overweight catergory. I;ve always wanted to be a mother and losing weight is the start for me. I try to keep pushing through to my goals. Imagining myself able to see a baby bump as my pregnancy develops. I also just want to feel better about myself and less self conscious, Health, fitness and wellness is such an important aspects of life.

So I posted my original reasons back in 2013 wow 4 years ago.

One thing that has definitely changed is that doing a 1 mile sea swim is no longer a dream I have actually accomplished it more than once and I want to try a 5K sea swim which is crazy but hey.

My self-confidence has definitely improved since I first shared my reasons but I am still not where I want to be (I'll get there though!).

I want to feel stronger.
I want to feel attractive.
I want to be happier.
I want to have more energy.

To be a better version of myself

I want to feel like my best self and be as fit and healthy as I can be. I also want my summer clothes from last summer to fit!

You can do it and you'll feel even better because it will be in your control and you'll do it the healthy way :)

I was sick last summer and lost a bunch because of it. I wasn't healthy, but I was more comfortable in my skin aside from that. Now that it's back I'm not satisfied with the way I look currently, so I want to prove I can do it myself.

Those are great reasons

I want to lose weight so that I can maintain my health. I have scoliosis, so carrying around extra weight carries extra risk. Also, diabetes runs in my family. I want my husband and I to be able to have kids, show them healthy habits, and be able to do fun things with our grandkids someday.

I want to lose weight to be able to remain healthy and look good. Most importantly I know that if I stop my weight loss journey I will go back to my dreadful eating habits :)

Hello everyone! I am trying to lose weight because I have a great guy who keeps hinting at marriage and I want to look my best for the big day! I also would like to get some healthy habits that way I can keep them off!

I lost 40 pounds over a couple years time. I have PCOS, which causes weight not to come off easily- insulin resistance- ect ect. In the past 2 years i have gained back 10 and i really want to get down to my goal weight and keep my symptoms in check so when i am ready to have children so is my body!! And i love lifting weights it feels so powerful when you are done with a session

Hey all!
I'm trying to lose a couple of pounds that I gained while I was writing my thesis. Unfortunately that was a very stressful time and I did not pay much attention to what I was eating and I neither had the time nor the power to do sports. Before that I was a very active and healthy person. Now my goal is to get back to that feeling. I just want to be healthier again and feel better in my own skin. :-) Good luck to you all reaching your goals!

I'm trying to lose weight because I want to feel more confident in myself. I hate going shopping for clothes because of unhappy it makes me. I'm trying to reach my goal weight by the start of next summer. I have plenty of time to reach my goal, so I am no longer giving myself any excuse to not go to the gym.

Also, breast cancer and diabetes run in my family and I have decided that I need to do everything I can to help prevent it.

I want to feel good about myself! I had a daughter in March of 2012 & a son in May of 2014 and I want to look good not only for them but in pictures as well. I love having pictures, but hate being the whale in them. Looking back at pictures from my daughters 1st birthday party, I am disgusted at what I see. I hope that in my son's 1st birthday pictures I am at my goal weight and a lot happier.

I also want to look good for my husband. He tells me I am beautiful now, but I really want to feel it myself.

My health. I was a gestational diabetic, therefore at a higher risk of getting diabetes but with losing weight I have a lower risk of developing it. (Pretty sure I understood that right from my doctor).

Hey Everyone!

I am trying to lose wieght for several reasons...
1. I know that going back to the weight i am supposed to be will result in me feeling better and having more energy!!

2. Would love to tone up adn go back to prebaby size.

3. Look good for my husband and be able to feel good in my own skin

4. THere are so many different sicknesses in my family, i know i can help prevent alot of them by being healthier.

Hi everyone!

Here are my main reasons:

1. I want to feel better in my own skin, and get back to my pre-babies body. Of course, the stretchmarks won't disappear, but at least I can tone up what I am able.

2. I want to be as energetic as possible so I can keep up with my toddler and pre-k sons!

3. Look great for my hubby.

4. Prove to myself that I can use willpower to accomplish something difficult.

This is a great question. I've now been working on weight loss for almost 5 years. I've taken maintenance breaks and gone up and down here and there, but I've generally maintained a downward trend, or at least a maintenance trend. My motivation has changed over the years, which I think is good.

1) My wake up call came when I was shopping for a bridesmaid's dress for my sister's wedding and none of the dresses fit. Initially, my motivation was based mostly on my negative body image. (Turns out, getting comfortable wearing a bikini regardless of my weight was probably one of the best things I did for my body image. This was a key part of my motivation changing.)

3) My motivation changed about the time I started using SparkPeople. I also started running. I was inspired by the idea of starting small. I also bought motion control running shoes, which honestly changed my life by allowing me to run without pain. I went from not running at all to a 10K trail run! I was hooked. Next, I did an 8 mile run, then a half marathon! I was motivated by meeting increasingly difficult goals and I was extremely proud of myself. I lost about 15 lbs during this time.

4) Since starting law school, my weight has gone up and down some, but I have maintained my fitness level. I ran another half marathon and I do more strength training. I am also considering training for a triathlon. I've learned to enjoy the stress relief and "me time" that I get from exercising--so that's a big motivator.

5) My sister and brother in law began losing weight and running. They said that I inspired them. That was a huge honor and is motivating for me because I don't want to let them down. I love the fact that I can help inspire my family to be healthy.

6) My latest motivation is my wedding! I feel like this is the catalyst I need to finish the job and finally get down to the weight I should be. I want to be as healthy, strong, fit, and confident as I can as I head into my marriage and a new stage in my life.

I was starting to feel bad about myself and felt really lazy; I have a desk job and just sat around all day and night (I play video games), and I was tired all the time, not to mention my stomach hurt constantly. Eventually, I started exercising and eating right because I got tired of feeling sorry for myself. I wanted to be in a healthy BMI range, and to be an inspiration to my best friend who is also trying to get down to a healthy BMI. I was eating emotionally beforehand as well, and I knew I had to curb that before it took over my life. I wanted to be healthy yet not deprive myself of food. I used to be really fit, and this time I don't want to waffle up and down 50 lbs every five years. On the superficial side, I don't want to cringe every time I saw a picture of myself. We can do it!!

Edited by: KIRASDREAM at: 6/16/2014 (22:53)

Great question!

1. Feel better from a digestion standpoint - I've noticed decreased problems as I've reduced my carbs (not eliminated) and my dairy (lactose intolerance)

2. Look good for my future engagement and wedding, be healthy to have babies when the time comes.

3. I desperately want smaller breasts (maybe that sounds weird to other people but right now I have to go to a specialty store for my bras and each one costs upwards of $125. I can't afford these suckers - I just want to be able to spend less than $70 on a bra). So far it looks like these might be permanent features destined to get even bigger after babies based on the non-shrinkage from the first 20 lbs and "family history".

to look better! simple as that, haha.

I want confidence. I don't want to buy more fat clothes. I never thought I could weigh this much. It all started when hubby and I got comfortable with each other - well, not wanting to spend time away from each other. We both stopped exercising. I want to be in shape before babies.

All throughout high school, I weighed 113 pounds and wore a size 0 or 00 jeans, size 2 dresses. Now, I'm a senior in college and 22 years old. Since I left for college 4 years ago, I gained MUCH MORE than the "Freshman Fifteen". I gained 20 pounds! I'm disgusted with myself. I now wear size 3-5 pants and I'm only 4'11. My goal is to get back down to what I weighed in high school, or at least close to it! I will literally jump up and down and rejoice once I get below 120!!!!! :)

I want to lose weight and tone up to feel sexy and confident! I don't want to feel fat or have to "suck it in" in my bikini this summer. I want to be able to fit in my old jeans and I don't want to have rolls in my stomach when I sit down. So far I've lost 8.2 pounds and cannot wait to see what I look like once I shed another 8 pounds!

Good luck everyone! Stay positive, don't give up, and the results will come. Slowly but surely.

I want to look better in my clothes and I want to feel confident about my body.

I want to look better in my bikinis and summer clothes.

FIt into all my summer shorts & then honeymoon in Aug!

I want to enjoy hikes with my friends and fiancee instead of feeling weak, exhausted, and frustrated. I want to fit into some old clothes again that I used to look amazing in. I want to establish good habits for the rest of my life, and get to the point where I actually enjoy exercise and it's something that relaxes me instead of stressing me out.

I understand how you feel, ETOYEBLIKK. My boyfriend does not actually look at other women, but I have had previous guys I dated do that and it made me feel insecure. I am still insecure even though my boyfriend tells me I am sexy all the time.

I do not want to try to keep up with my boyfriend in any way. He can eat 7000calories a day and not gain a pound... he has those lucky genetics. I do want to get interested in doing more things with him, and to feel sexy again for him.

I am trying to prevent heart problems, but I recently learned of two family members diagnosed with lovely things... one with cancer, another with MS. I do not think I would get either of those, but it adds to me trying to set up a healthy lifestyle to try to prevent or at least postpone future health problems.

I want to be one of those people who glow from the inside out and just look really beautifully healthy. I want to age well. I want to have more energy to get through the day. I want to develop habits that last the rest of my life and share them with the people I care about. I want to keep pace with the man I am interested in and feel sexy again (wonderful guy and just crazy health oriented - runs marathons all the time, etc).

Edited by: GETTINGFIT88 at: 11/10/2013 (10:28)

Right at this second I want to lose weight because I don't want to feel so bad about myself when I catch my boyfriend looking at other girls #feelinginsecure

I want to fit in my clothes and do not have to go buy new clothes.

I want to feel better about myself, and look good.

I want to be healthier for if I start a family one day.

I want to create a healthier life while I am young so that I have time to set up the habit before health problems kick in.

1. I want to fit comfortably and look good in my clothes. I hate the feeling I get when I try on 3 pairs of jeans in a row from my own closet (clothes that used to fit me) and they are all too tight. Its quite frustrating and disheartening.

2. I want to be fit. I want to be able to run for 30 minutes, accomplish a 5k. Do a mile sea swim. People keep saying your 20s are the best time of your life and I want to be able to do all I can while I am still 20 (there is no guarantee that you will reach old age and as you get older things get harder). I also want to carry on my stamina and endurance into later years.

3. I want to feel confident in my own skin. I've always had trouble with this even when I was a skinny teen so this is both a physical and mental barrier I need to over come.

4. I want to set an example for my little brother and show him that it's better to focus on being healthy and not on what weight you are.

5. I want to be able to go shopping and find cute clothes for my size in more than 2 stores.

To not hate my body when I look in the mirror....I hate having those moments where you feel really good and cute and then you walk passed a mirror and it's like "oh,yeah,I'm still over weight..." Plus with my medical history being in shape can really help!!

Think of the health benefits alone... .I'm changing my goals from wanting to "lose" weight to wanting to better wear the weight I have. The scale isn't as good of a measure as the mirror. I've been 250 and jacked, and 250 and ... less..so. I guess my goal is to see the definition a little more clearly. Any advice on what in addition to cardio I can do? I need variety or I get bored with workouts.

I am for multiple reasons just like everyone else. To age well, start a family, energy, pain management, confidence, and of course mental health. The more I work out the more mentally aware and refreshed I feel.

Really shallow but I'd love to fit in my favorite clothes again, as well as see definition in my abs again. Even more shallow... who care's about looking good with clothes on when you can look better with them OFF???

Seriously though, besides the superficial reasons, it does come with mental and spiritual healing as well. We can all benefit from all the positive energy that revolves around wanting to lose weight and be actively healthy!

I want to look good in the buff! I'm a little bit of a nudist when I'm at home and I'd like to get a little crazy and visit a nude beach on a hot Bahamas vacation (Or something along those lines).

I want to lose weight to look good, and to be able to wear dresses without feeling awkward. I live is Singapore, where 99.5% of the girls of my age are between size 0 and size 6, so I feel very self-conscious.

Me too I want to look good in a swim suit

I want to lose weight mainly to have more confidence, but also to be healthier and to set a good example for my future children. And dammit, I want to look hot in a bikini.

I honestly thing I look utterly disgusting when I am naked!

I have a short term reason and a long term reason to lose weight. In the short term, I am going to Miami to see a friend who moved there not too long ago. I'm excited for our reunion and I know we are going to check out the beach. I'm not really beach body ready by any means! I'd feel more confident in a bathing suit if I lost a little weight. In the long term, I want to be more healthy and more active. I work two jobs and go to school so I don't have much time for anything. I will be graduating soon so I will have time to go to a gym and cook healthier meals. I'm looking forward to my lifestyle change.

I want to feel less jig when I walk. I have been noticing it alot now. I want to be healthy, happy, and way more confident. I also really want to follow through with something.

My weight has slowly been creeping up and I am determined to get it back in control. I also want to be a better athlete. I love playing ultimate and I want to improve, and being in shape will get me there.

I can't lie; most of the reasons that I want to lose weight are completely superficial. I have more confidence when I am not worrying about how my clothes fit. I don't want insecurity to prevent me from going swimming with my nieces or hiking with my friends. I want to feel good wearing shorts and dresses. And I know that small changes now can save me from big consequences later in life.

I'm sick of having excess fat weighing me down. I want to get slimmer to improve my running and to look good!

I'm trying to lose weight for a few reasons:

First, I'm 20 and I've been struggling with weight since I was in the second grade. Growing up with weight issues is hard, and I want to prove to myself and the people who were mean or made fun of me, that I can do this.

Second, my sister is also overweight and I want to inspire her to get healthier too. She's my best friend and I want her around for a long time.

And third, I just want to feel better about the way I look and feel better about myself.
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Starting Weight: 132 lbs.
Goal Weight: 110 lbs.

I want to lose weight for a few reasons:

- To take control of my life and my mind. Making things happen and accepting responsibility for things. I am the one who made me overweight and I am the only one who can change that. It's a hugely mental thing and if I can change my thoughts and how I view things I feel that I can reach my full potential in all other areas of my life.
- Feel better about myself. I don't want my weight to hold me back from doing things b/c insecurities. I want to take advantage of my youth, being active, wearing anything I want, and feel confident enough to date!
- Health. I don't want to develop serious health problems in the future. I want to have a healthy relationship with food and myself. I want my body to feel strong and energized. Ready to take on all the ups and downs. Stress management. & so much more.

I would really like to have more energy and feel better overall. My weight is something that I have struggled with my whole life and it would be nice to be able to function without constantly having it hang over my head. I am looking forward also to setting a goal and then actually reaching it. i feel like once I achieve one major goal, all the others I have will seem more do-able and attainable.

I want to be able to wear whatever and still look good, instead of having to worry about rather or not the clothes I pick will make me look bigger. I would also like to fit into the 4 pairs of 'skinny jeans' I bought before gaining weight, I love the feeling of being healthy... I am much less fatigued and stressed when I am working out and eating healthy. I also want to look good in my bikini this summer, I know that I have to start now if I want to make it by June.

I am trying to lose weight so I can get an ounce of confidence back so I don't continue hating myself.

To feel good about myself! Also to be able to look nice for my friends wedding and my trip to Hawaii.

For me! I want to prove to myself that I can get back into shape. I was my most fit after my 1st son. Now after having my second son and my daughter, I want to now, more than ever, get back into shape. I'm 30 and it gets more difficult as you get older. I want to feel great about myself again. Plus, shopping for cute clothes is a close second :)

For me... because I want to prove to myself that I CAN get back to the shape I was in before I had my kids. I did it once after Baby Boy #1... now I need to prove to myself that I can do it again.

For me.

for my health
for pain management
to create life patterns
to learn portion control
....and use it

and to feel sexy.

I want to develop healthy habits of diet and exercise now while I am young so that I stay healthy and fit well into old age. All the females on my mother's side are very overweight, and diabetes runs in the family. I don't want that to be me! I also have discovered that I just LOVE the feeling after a good, sweaty run or a super healthy dinner. I want to live a life as an example of good, healthy living for all my friends and family. It's also nice to feel hot!

I am losing weight because although it was a few years in the making, I heard the words "you need to lose weight" for the first time last year. I am losing the weight to gain back the confidence/healthy body image I had not that long ago (2006), as well as reducing my risk for diabetes and cancer (which I have a family history of) and heat disease.

ive been on this road a long time. ive been over weight, underweight and everything in between. i finally want to be healthy and toned. im tired of being skinny fat when i do get to my goal! being doughy is not sexy no matter how thin.

my reasons have changed based on what season of my life im in but im to a point where i want this for me. not to look good to everyone else, but to be healthy and get my body ready for pregnancy. i plan on having children in the next couple of years and i want my body to be in good shape for it so i have an easier pregnacy, labor, and recovery.

i dont want to be fat everywhere. i WILL be all belly and love it! and carry well. ive seen so many girls my age during pregnancy with a gut/muffin top over their belly bump. thats not going to be me!

Edited by: STELLA12408 at: 7/13/2012 (12:42)

I've never known a time I wasn't overweight!

I want to be a skinny bitch who can wear whatever she wants
I know it gets harder as you age
All the women in my family are obese and I don't want to be!
I want to be totally confident that my fiance is satisfied with my body.

That last one will prob cause an uproar but health and fitness is very important to BOTH of us...for whatever reason though, my feeling of being full does not allow for losing weight!

I want to love my body when I'm naked! :)

I have been trying to lose weight since I was probably 12 years old. When I was younger I always wanted a quick fix, and it wasn't until college that I really understood how to do it right. Even though I've now known how to do it about 5 years I haven't succeeded. I've always seemed to fall off and give up.

1. I want to prove to myself that I can lose weight, get to my goal, and stick with it.
2. I want exercise to be a part of my daily life
3. I want to feel good in my own skin
4. I want to know that I am preparing my body for a long and healthy life.

Hi! I want to lose weight for many reasons. Among them...

1. To feel healthy
2. To set a good example for my 4 year old son
3. To look great and feel great!
4. To have better habits (exercising, not overeating) that will last me a lifetime

:)

Aside from struggling with my weight for practically my whole life and wanting to looking good, I saw my best friend go through similar struggles and lose 20kg. She looks fantastic now and has really encouraged me. If she can do it, so can I! xD

1. Daily Confidence - I want to feel good about how I look every day. This is both a physical and mental goal.
2. To feel good - I like how much better my body feels as I get healthier
3. To be healthy - I'm in my 20s now. It's the easiest time going forward to develop good habits.
4. To look good in engagement and wedding photos.

I want to enjoy getting dressed in the morning, instead of worrying if this fits or that looks ok. I want to feel comfortable about my body no matter what situation occurs.

I was devastated my freshman year of college when I gained forty pounds. I want to be happy with my body again, and look as healthy as I once did.

I also really, really want girly muscles! The kind that are super strong but look great on a woman.

I want to be fit and healthy. I also want to boost my confidence. I go back into Fashion Design in january, and I refuse to be among the chubby design students. I want to be healthy and fit into the things I am designing/ making.

I just want to be healthy. I just got engaged and I refuse to get married until I'm in the best shape of my life. It's going to take a lot of hard work but I'm going to do it!

I want to loose weight to be fit and look the best I could .(reach my full potential , look wise) and I want to be healthier and get in to the habit of making better choices and always eating healthy food...Exercising makes me feel good..even though I don't exercise regularly :/

Everyone on this spark team is trying to lose weight. The question is why are we trying to lose weight? To lower our chances of sickness and disease? To be a healthy role model for our children? Or maybe to raise our confidence. Share your reasons for losing weight and becoming a healthy person.