We’re all trying to lose weight for our own reasons. We all have our own motivation for losing weight.
Mine is survival.
When it comes to losing weight, many people can’t see the forest for the trees and use the small, overall (in the long run) insignificant benefits of losing weight as motivation to push us to lose weight. I’ve discussed these “typical” benefits before, like looking good at the beach/pool, increasing sex appeal, fitting into stylish clothes, etc., you know — the common reasons on the surface level people give for trying to lose weight.
With the exception of this latest and final weight loss attempt, I’ve never taken weight loss as seriously as I should have. I approached my previous weight loss attempts with the determination of someone trying to lose 10 pounds for the summer. If I succeed, well, great, I get to look like a rockstar at the beach! If I fail, oh well, I can live with a 4-pack of abs this summer.
Of course, the consequences of not losing weight for me are so much more.
Don’t misinterpret what I’m trying to say. I’m not trying to devalue or be demeaning to someone trying to lose 10 or 20 pounds — an attempt to lose any amount of weight is a respectable and tough journey. But really, if someone who needs to lose 5/10 pounds fails to do so — are there drastic consequences?
Probably not, no. At worst, their medium shirt might be a little tight.
On the contrary, what happens when me and the countless of other morbidly obese people out there fail to lose our 50, 100, 150, or 200+ pounds? We die. I say this without pause and without dramatic effect — our life ends and we leave this world and everybody we know because of the stupid, selfish, and (usually) countless terrible choices we made consistently throughout our life.
Personally, over the past several years I’ve received countless “estimates” from doctors, friends, and family members on how long I had left to live being obese. Not a single estimate was over the age of 50.
That’s why I’m losing weight.
I’m not trying to lose weight for the summer. I don’t have any clothes I want to fit into, I’m not trying to find a girlfriend, nor am I trying to shed some pounds for a wedding in 6 months. I’m trying to lose weight so I can see my baby girl marry the boy she ends up in love with in 25 years.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Tyler, here’s a topic request:
Tell us about the people around you, how they are supporting you? Tell us of anyone negative towards your lost, like my mom (the enabler) said “You’ll gain it all back” when I was in the middle of my weight loss.
What tools are you using too? I see you have the iphone, and there are some great tools on that for logging weight/diet/exercise.
You are so right, Tyler. It is very different when the battle of the bulge is a fight for your life. I think a lot of people who have had risks as grave as yours or as much weight to lose as you find it hopeless. I know that having this blog is motivational for you, but imagine how inspiring it is for others who have so much to gain (their lives) by losing their weight. I applaud your willingness to see the dangers as they are and encourage others to do the same. Some day your daughter will be so grateful.
That’s a perspective that will keep the pounds from returning.
Do you follow any other weight-loss blogs?
25 years, eh? That’s a nice dream. You know it’ll be less than 15 before she’s all freaked out and hormonal over a boy. But I digress. I loved this post, T. You are so right, about all of it. I believe that any addiction, whether it be food, drugs, alcohol, or any number of hang-ups we could mention, are born of selfishness. It’s all about a quick fix, with little thought for how we impact those we love and others around us. Eventually, though, when we don’t get it in check, it becomes too late. Self-destruction is always the inevitable destination if we continue on a journey of over indulgence.
And let me say again, I’m so glad you blog. You are a gifted writer. I could read your stuff all day long.
So true!
Thanks for the replies, guys. Sorry about the blog being down pretty much all weekend and Monday, my host was having trouble.
Bossymommy, if I don’t allow Natalee to date until she’s 18, then it’s all well and good — she can freak out all she wants :)
Matt, those are two good ideas for blog posts. I’ll cover them soon!
Courtney — I don’t, no. Between being a daddy/father, working, and blogging myself, I have negative time left in the day. I just keep carrying tasks over from one day to the next.
Tyler,
Your site has been such an inspiration to me; I’ve enjoyed reading it the past 3 weeks and finally started my weight loss journey after school ended. I started my diet for almost the same reasons as you did; I don’t want my weight affecting my health in a negative way and my weight is getting in the way of doing things that I enjoy (just three years ago, I was actively rock climbing; I can no longer climb comfortably as a result of my weight gain)
I’m 20 and I started at 246.4 lbs (BMI: ~36); in the past week, I’ve cut calorie consumption to 1,500/day; fat intake to 85g/day or lower; carbs to 100g/day or lower. And my results of been phenomenal; I lost 8.4lbs in during the week and its giving me the confidence to continue and succeed. I set a goal weight of 175lbs.
I also agree 100% with your post; I can’t stand hearing people who are at a healthy weight say “I’m fat; I need to lose a pound or two.”; these are the same people who treat those who are obese like they’re second-class citizens.
I will continue reading your site. I know we will both succeed.
When I started my weight loss journey I weighed 267 pounds (I’m 5′7″). I was not healthy. I was worried about dying, not immediately, but before my time. I was super worried about getting diabetes. I’m doing this so that I can be healthier for my son, teach him to be healthier, and live a longer and more fulfilling life. I’m only down 19 pounds so far (in 19 weeks), but it’s happening slowly but surely. Thank you for sharing your story.
Question – are you planning on stopping/slowing the exercise after you reach 244 lbs? Are you going to stop your blogging? Because I may go into withdrawal…
“Are you going to stop your blogging”
Noooooooo please don’t!
Keep doing what you’re doing for whatever reason, it’s obviously working!
I’d like to live to see any potential grandchildren I may have…. and I want to PLAY with them, not just sit there like Jabba. I’d also like to go shopping for clothes and have it be fun again…. shallow? Maybe, but it motivates me.
I’m not going stop blogging — just make sure you don’t stop reading :)
I’m not slowing down or stopping exercise after I reach 244 pounds, either. I have a little while to go until I reach my goal weight… not really sure what it is right now.
I’m so glad to have seen your site.
I’m near the beginning of a weight-loss undertaking. I’m not obese, but I’ve had the idea in my head that I wanted to lose some weight and get healthy for a while. In sharing my goal with my friends, I have cited the usual reasons for wanting to lose a few pounds. Look better, feel better, wearing a bikini when I go to Hawaii on a family trip next year… but this particular entry of yours struck the deeper issue that had me actually take action this time.
My father is obese. I know, he knows, and he hasn’t done anything about it. He suffers back problems and health concerns, as expected. Because of this, I worry about him and my greatest fear is that he won’t live to give me away at my wedding or meet his future grandchildren. I know that he worries about this too, and I know that there isn’t much I can do to change him or his choices.
What I can do is take care of myself while I am still young and break the habits that I already have. I may only be about 30 lbs overweight, but those are 30 lbs that I could get rid of now and be done with.
So first, my thanks to you for encouraging those of us who are grappling with our lives and ourselves to keep going. But I must give you a much larger and serious thank you for dealing with yourself so that you will be there for your daughter. That’s a fantastically generous gift.