Why is everyone doing LT?

Determined Girl

Here's hoping
Hey everyone... obviously I'm new to this (but not to dieting sadly!!) and I was just really interested in hearing the reasons why others have been motivated to lose weight.

This forum is a Godsend to me- it's really helping to motivate me and I don't feel 'alone' in my efforts. It can be really hard when the people in your life don't really 'get' a) why you're big in the first place b) how hard that can be and c) what guts and will power it takes to embark on something as strict as LT.

For me I just have so little confidence when I'm bigger. Even today I was stood outside the gym after a great session and I heard this man walking past saying "Not a great advert for a gym is she?" to his wife. They both laughed. It really hurt. Cut me to the bone. I felt so glad that, unknown to them, I never intend to be this big again. Ever in my life.

Food has, at times, seemed like a 'comfort' to me. I've piled on 5 stone since my Mum died a year ago (I wasn't skinny before by any means) but bingeing down junk food was just one area of my life I could control.

I was bullimic a few years ago and, unsurprisingly, lost a lot of weight. It seemed ideal....only now do I realise how terrible it was to think that something like that was a logical, good solution. I think it's taken til now, aged 28, to realise that I sometimes use food as a weapon against myself. Far from my 'treats' being a comfort they take me further from happiness. I know that being 'thin' isn't everything in life, but I really think that if I can feel healthier I will be happier.

I would love to hear from some of you guys about the reasons you're losing weight...it just makes it that bit more comforting to know that other people are in the same boat...and that we're all being really brave and strong by changing our lives for the better.

Keep up the brilliant work you're all doing and thank you all so much for your support. It's made it a million times easier for me and I'm incredibly grateful

Love Luce xx
 
Ouch. That's such a horrible thing for someone to say about you outside the gym, I mean, isn't it admirable that you're going & trying to change it? That's how I'd see it...

The main reason I'm doing LT now (because, I suppose the timing is as important as anything) other than the obvious fact that I'm not happy with my weight & how I look, is that in February I was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. I just woke up the day after Valentines & half my face was paralysed (it's a bit like Bell's Palsy, but the recovery rate is only 40% & I was also deaf in one ear, had vertigo, nausea, etc.). I'm really quite vain & I was absolutely terrified it wasn't going to get better & that I'd missed my chance to look my best because now, even if I was thin, I'd still only have half a working face. I couldn't really diet while I was recovering as I was too concerned it would have hinder the recovery. Furthermore, I fell out with all of my flatmates over it (they pretty much blanked me the whole time I was ill) so ended up leaving the flat & pretty much abandoning all my university friends.

So, yeah, it was a pretty horrible time, but, I think I realised that I've had this idea that I've still got a long time to be young & then it occurred to me that could be ripped away from me at any point & I don't want to be looking back thinking about the youth I missed out on. Haha. That was really long-winded, but, it was an incredibly stressful, depressing, lonely time & I really wanted to take something positive from it & make the best of my lovely face now it works again ;-)

Good luck, missy :)

Hannah
 
I was told i was heading for diabetes which was no surprise as i have a big family history of it.
Ive alwasy been "chunky" but since i had kids i got into a routine of lose some but it back on etc..
I want to be healthy for my kids and myself , i finally feel in control of my diet on L.T. as food is off the scene for a while , and once i start the refeed, i know i need to re-educate myself about my food choices. i was an avid gym bunny for ages and carried on eating exactely what i liked but , my eldest daughter was diagnosed with autism and mobility problems so i dedicate all of my time to her , and used food as a comfort to mop up the shock, so the weight came back on with avengence.
Its great tp know , whatever our reasons , we are all in this together.
Big hugs everybody xxxx
 
Great thread Determained,

My reason is to be able to concieve basically. I need to lose weight to have fertility treatment. I am not going to go into it as this was topic earlier so many would have seen it or know of the situation.

All I can remember is a doctor making me cry all the way home. That keeps me going.

Also my dad has diabetes and I dont want to follow that.
 
I want to be healthy for my kids and myself , i finally feel in control of my diet on L.T. as food is off the scene for a while , and once i start the refeed, i know i need to re-educate myself about my food choices. i was an avid gym bunny for ages and carried on eating exactely what i liked but , my eldest daughter was diagnosed with autism and mobility problems so i dedicate all of my time to her , and used food as a comfort to mop up the shock, so the weight came back on with avengence.
Its great tp know , whatever our reasons , we are all in this together.
Big hugs everybody xxxx

wow!thats like reading about myself!
when my daughter was diagnosed with the same,i ate loads for comfort.her dad was of the opinion that she was just lazy and would do it when she was ready.he really didn't understand so i turned to food.
i want to be healthier to carry on looking after her coz she's gonna be with me for the rest of her life.
kids!cant think of a better reason to lose the weight x
 
Oh so many reasons! Vanity actually is a big one. i want to look good and have the rewards that that brings -feeling good, confidence etc -cus then the knock ons are excellent. I dont want my kids picking up my bad habits, be they bad eating habits or constantly beating myself up habits.

I'm also very aware that life really IS too bloody short and luckily I'm nipping in on time before I wake up, like Hannah did, with a very sharp reminder that no one knows what's around the corner.

I have my health but I've been throwing it away, and health only goes so far when you're so unfit.

I just think it's time to be happy.

And...to give a big middle finger to people, like the a55 holes outside the gym(they'll die horrible deaths, and they'll be fat, courtesy of me btw) who have no understanding of what it's like to be here. Oh I know there are ppl who've just LOVED me getting fat!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE -NO MATTER WHAT YOUR REASONS ARE!!!
 
Hi Determined

:massmoon: to people outside the gym for starters!!
My reason is just to be comfortable in my body. I have already lost nearly 3 stone on LT and am feeling a lot better already. I found it difficult to get into a bath. I have avoided every Xmas do, birthday bash for the last 5 years as I hate going into 'fat lady' shops to buy drab fat lady clothes. My doctor said my cholesterol was off the chart and my liver is functioning below par. I have avoided any swimming situation as I didn't want to frighten any small animals or children in my big fat swimsuit...ha ha!!
LT has honestly been the only diet I have managed to lose weight on, its the discipline I need for a consumate food addict...and of course this forum is so great, I never feel alone. ;)
 
Thanks so much for sharing girls- it's really good to hear your stories...and I think you're all fantastic for doing this

xxx
 
HI All,
I was always the big girl in my family and continued to be the big adult. I married and have 3 children, 7, 6 and 3 and last year something just clicked in my head that it was now or never to finally lose the weight. My husband was due to have a kidney out and I knew I would have to be strong and do for him for the 6 weeks of his recuperation so I lost 1 and a half stone by diet and exercise. My husband kept complaining of pain unrelated to his diagnosis and unfortunately he was diagnosed with cancer in June '08. Sadly we had only another 4 months together as he died in October '08.
As you could understand I reeled from shock for a while and ate what I wanted but then I looked at my 3 small children and felt they had already lost one parent and they did not deserve for their remaining parent to be so unhealthy and at 20 stone 5lb, be a liability to herself. There is diabetes, heart problems, cholestrol and cancer in my family and sugar is a friend to all of them. So I had some friends who started LT and I saw how it worked for them and took the plunge.
I have reversed a lot of the possible outcomes for me by doing this diet and have in no small way probably saved myself from some nasty disorders. I don't know what lies around the corner for me but I am determined to be the healthiest I can be for the boys.
The other good thing about LT is that emotions are real and not ruled by sugar, I no longer have the highs and lows you get from over eating. A more even personality helps the healing process.
I wish everyone the very best on this diet, we all have our stories and they are what have made us unique.
Take care.
Doirin
 
Doirin-

thank you so much for sharing that. Wow...you are an amazingly strong and brave woman....having to go through such a terrible ordeal and somehow finding the strength to be strong for your boys.

I have a real lump in my throat after reading this- I'm so sorry for your loss and you have my complete admiration

xxx
 
Doirin, I'm moved by your tale, you are so strong to be able to copy with such tragedy at sucha precious time in your lives.
Also, Han, to be lumbered with such a disease and then to lose your freinds because of it muct have been terrible.

Bottom line is evident right through this thread : you only get one body and one life and you gotta look after it. Dragging around 30 or 40 kilo of excess baggage does it no good.
There are also some great other perks for being fit!
Good luck all.
 
I got comfortable in my relationship for 2 years and went up a stone so joined LT in april 2008. Not realising when I reached my size 8 that my fertility would soar (Not concieved in 5 yrs so thought nothing of it, never assumed it was because of my weight) to cut a long story short I conceived my precious baby. Now after giving birth am shedding my baby weight.
 
Some amazing stories on here!!! When I first read the question, I thought the answers would be pretty straight forward, to look good, feel better etc, but it goes a lot deeper than that.

My reasons are I have tried every diet in the book, fair play have lost weight but only to put it back on, and more.... A few months ago, I split up with my husband, and weighing at 17st 3lbs, my confidence, self-esteem hit rock bottom, and below. Through emotions etc, I didnt really have much of an appetite, so I actually found the diet this time round surprisingly easy. I now feel so much better in my self, and realise, I may not be so bad after all. I can now look in the mirror without cringing, and feel so proud for achieving what I have done. The next hurdle is to keep the weight off this time round, something that I feel so determined to do. Like others have said, life is too short! And I too want to set a good example to my boys (age 8 and 5), and want them to be as healthy and fit as possible.

Well done to all of you for sharing your stories, they are so inspiring and unique.
 
Like many of you I have battled with my weight for years and tried every diet going. I'd lose then put it all back on and more!!!! My GP mentioned LT 2 years ago but I dismissed it thinking I could never go without food or find the money to do it. Then last January a friend of mine started LT and lost 5 stone, when another friend started I really began to seriously consider it myself. I was going on holiday in April and decided to postpone any decision till after it.

While in the US I measured my BP in a chemist (we all did it as a family) and was shocked to discover my normally low BP was high! I spent the rest of the holiday worrying I would have a heart attack (I know it was a bit of an over-reaction!) and vowed to start the day after we came back. Sure enough, we landed on the Sunday and first thing Monday morning I was at the chemist and started that day.

I originally only planned to do 7 or 8 weeks but, thanks to the inspiration of many people on here, Monsoon, Nicki and Gary in particular, I stayed on and here I am!

x
 
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at those people outside the gym! GRrrrr I'm so angry reading that! If that happened to me I'd have wiped the floor with them. Well done on not saying anything Luce, you're a better person than me. I have a vicious tongue and do not suffer fools gladly, I loathe ignorant people. I so respect people who can turn the other cheek. I guess that's why I'm a chubber! The more comments made, the more I thought F you, I'm not going to get skinny just because I don't conform to your ideal person! My own worse enemy!

Oh I've been there in regard to comforting yourself after the death of your Mummy. Me too. :( It hurts so much and to find food comforting, it's is so sad. It's not control at all, it's reckless and it's the last thing our Mummy would have wanted us to do.

It's great that you've brought yourself out of your bulimia and you now realise how wrong you were in that stage of your life.

I'm losing the weight for many reasons:

I'm sick and tired of my Daddy telling everyone how beautiful I am but I spoil it by being fat. Nice parent eh!
I'm sick and tired of being told I have a lovely FACE and personality, shame about the rest of me!
I'm sick and tired of feeling breathless over the simplest of tasks.
I'm sick and tired of having to be careful where we go incase I'm too big for the seats, benches, fairground rides etc
I'm sick and tired of not being able to buy the clothes I really want! I love to be fashionable.
I'm sick and tired of not being able to look at my reflection from the neck down.
I'm sick and tired of having no bath water at the front of the bath and a flood at the back.
I'm sick and tired of nearly being sick bending down to put shoes/boots/socks on.
I'm sick and tired of not being wolf whistled at anymore! I love the attention!
I'm sick and tired of not being able to find my mojo. I love sex with my Hubby.
I'm sick and tired of the bloated falling asleep sitting up like an old man after I eat a load of crap.
I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired and fat.

But........

My main reason for me losing weight is the most important - My beautiful children. Especially my little gorgeous 4 year old angel who has high functioning autism. She's a bright spark who requires your 100% attention 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I'm such a bad parent by not looking after myself in order to give her the best of me, it's what she deserves. I need to be here fighting fit forever as I can not imagine life without her. She is my world.
 
Ouch. That's such a horrible thing for someone to say about you outside the gym, I mean, isn't it admirable that you're going & trying to change it? That's how I'd see it...

The main reason I'm doing LT now (because, I suppose the timing is as important as anything) other than the obvious fact that I'm not happy with my weight & how I look, is that in February I was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. I just woke up the day after Valentines & half my face was paralysed (it's a bit like Bell's Palsy, but the recovery rate is only 40% & I was also deaf in one ear, had vertigo, nausea, etc.). I'm really quite vain & I was absolutely terrified it wasn't going to get better & that I'd missed my chance to look my best because now, even if I was thin, I'd still only have half a working face. I couldn't really diet while I was recovering as I was too concerned it would have hinder the recovery. Furthermore, I fell out with all of my flatmates over it (they pretty much blanked me the whole time I was ill) so ended up leaving the flat & pretty much abandoning all my university friends.

So, yeah, it was a pretty horrible time, but, I think I realised that I've had this idea that I've still got a long time to be young & then it occurred to me that could be ripped away from me at any point & I don't want to be looking back thinking about the youth I missed out on. Haha. That was really long-winded, but, it was an incredibly stressful, depressing, lonely time & I really wanted to take something positive from it & make the best of my lovely face now it works again ;-)

Good luck, missy :)

Hannah

Hannah *big big hugs*

You are so brave. Those so called 'mates' are not worth a sh*t. You're are a much better person than they'll ever be and totally gorgeous to boot.

I applaud your courage and determination and I'm positively sure your future will be so fabulous because of the person you are today.
 
I have always been big - the normal stereotypical jolly big girl who always had a smile on her face but down inside spent most of the time crying or in pain because of her size. Always being ridiculed by boys/men and only being asked out for a dare or a bet.

I'm not sure what has happened this time but maybe with my dad having Diabetes, and recently being diagnosed with pre-cancerous tumors in his bowels (and about to have an op to remove them in the next month and then be fit and well again :) ), a very close friend having a major heart op earlier this year (he is the same age as me 42!!), and other friends and family being ill - I thought that the time has come for me to do something about my weight so that I don't become ill. Also I would like to sit on a plane seat without my hips touching the sides of the chair. I would like to be able to ride on the fairground rides without the fear of getting stuck or worse not being able to fit the safety belts on at theme parks.

My Gp "threatened" that my last option would be for surgery - and I really do not fancy that at all.

So up popped a story on Radio 2 about the welsh man that lost 10st in 6 months a few weeks ago and here I am. A girl from my office is doing LT too so that helps a lot. The cost of the programme would be the only reason to stop - but if I stop then I will carry on losing weight as I will do Slimfast/WW or SW. LT has given me such a brilliant head start I would be a fool to throw it all away now.
 
I was told i was heading for diabetes which was no surprise as i have a big family history of it.
Ive alwasy been "chunky" but since i had kids i got into a routine of lose some but it back on etc..
I want to be healthy for my kids and myself , i finally feel in control of my diet on L.T. as food is off the scene for a while , and once i start the refeed, i know i need to re-educate myself about my food choices. i was an avid gym bunny for ages and carried on eating exactely what i liked but , my eldest daughter was diagnosed with autism and mobility problems so i dedicate all of my time to her , and used food as a comfort to mop up the shock, so the weight came back on with avengence.
Its great tp know , whatever our reasons , we are all in this together.
Big hugs everybody xxxx

wow!thats like reading about myself!
when my daughter was diagnosed with the same,i ate loads for comfort.her dad was of the opinion that she was just lazy and would do it when she was ready.he really didn't understand so i turned to food.
i want to be healthier to carry on looking after her coz she's gonna be with me for the rest of her life.
kids!cant think of a better reason to lose the weight x

Sunny and Taff Lass You sound like me!

I too have a Daughter with high functioning Autism! Such a blessing, as it has made me re-evaluate my life and things which seemed important before are now worthless. I knew from the day she was born that she was different from the norm, (I now hate the word normal and think it should be banished!) so I was well prepared for the challenge ahead, and what a challenge it's been.

I cherish every minute with her and in a way wish I lived in her world as everything is so black and white with no grey areas. She says what she sees with no bs.

If you ever need a rant or to let of steam I'm here to listen because I know how much it helps to have someone who understands.

*Hugest hugs* X
 
Sunny and Taff Lass You sound like me!

I too have a Daughter with high functioning Autism! Such a blessing, as it has made me re-evaluate my life and things which seemed important before are now worthless. I knew from the day she was born that she was different from the norm, (I now hate the word normal and think it should be banished!) so I was well prepared for the challenge ahead, and what a challenge it's been.

I cherish every minute with her and in a way wish I lived in her world as everything is so black and white with no grey areas. She says what she sees with no bs.

If you ever need a rant or to let of steam I'm here to listen because I know how much it helps to have someone who understands.

*Hugest hugs* X
awww thanks x
same goes for you mind if ya want a chat x
i knew charys had probs when she was born too.she was a big baby(nearly 11lb,ouch!).she was very quiet too.never reached her milestones til,sometimes,years after other children.
she has just started to say a few words which is amazing!:D she's 9 this year.
i think at the time she was being assessed and just coping with everyday life,your just so busy looking after them and your head is all over the place.
meals were quick and easy,fattening or not.now i understand i need to be healthier to look after her properly.the sleepless nights may be easier to cope with too x
as sunny said to me the other day,it does affect boys more and its amazing to have found 2 other ppl in the same situation as me x
 
Great thread Determained,

My reason is to be able to concieve basically. I need to lose weight to have fertility treatment. I am not going to go into it as this was topic earlier so many would have seen it or know of the situation.

All I can remember is a doctor making me cry all the way home. That keeps me going.

Also my dad has diabetes and I dont want to follow that.

Jesi, I really hope you get to your desired weight and bmi soon so you can start your journey into parenthood as I'm sure you'll be a fantastic Mummy.

So many people take their fertility for granted and don't realise the suffering some people have to go through to conceive a child.
 
Back
Top