101 Reasons to Lose Weight - These are mine, what are yours?
This originally came out of a challenge posted on a mailing list support group for weight loss. Many people posted as many reasons they could think of to lose weight, here are mine in no particular order. I can think of more, but this is the original list that helped to get me going. It is a wonderful thing to sit down and do for yourself, try it some time!
1. To feel better about myself.
2. To increase my feelings of self worth.
3. To be able to run and jump without worrying about hurting myself.
4. To look good in a tight dress.
5. To be able to wear shorts in the summer.
6. To be able to go swimming without being self conscious.
7. To feel I can go swimming at all!
8. To be able to run with my dogs doing agility and flyball without being winded.
9. To be healthier.
10. To not have fear going to the doctors, because he'll make me get on a scale.
11. To be able to wear a sports bra and jeans, without a shirt, and look good.
12. To not worry about lawn chairs breaking.
13. To not worry about where to sit at a picnic or on an airplane.
14. To not get "those looks" at a restaurant, even when eating normal food.
15. So my ankles don't puff up and look like there's half a tennis ball on each side.
16. To be able to use a public washroom comfortably.
17. To be able to go into any store, and buy the clothes I like, not just the ones that fit.
18. To not feel awkward about going clothes shopping, or shoe shopping.
19. To be able to order clothes from a catalogue without worrying if they will fit.
20. To be able to order clothes from a catalogue period.
21. To reduce my blood pressure.
22. So I can play basketball and volleyball.
23. So I can run on the beach in a bathing suit and feel proud.
24. So taking a bath is a luxurious thing, instead of taking a shower so I won't risk getting stuck.
25. So my pants won't wear out between my legs while the rest of them are still in good shape.
26. I want to be able to read the scale by just looking down, straight down.
27. I don't ever want to be able to rest my arm on my gut while in bed on my side, ever again.
28. So I can look in the mirror from the neck down and like what I see.
29. To feel strong and fit again.
30. So I can show off my muscles, instead of just feeling fat.
31. So I can take up riding again, without feeling sorry for the horse.
32. So I can take up driving again, without feeling sorry for the horse.
33. So I don't feel like I'm always leaning back while sitting in a chair, because of my butt.
34. So I can hike with a pack and not feel like I'm going to die.
35. So I can hike with a pack and not think "gee, I need to lose the weight of my pack and more".
36. So I can walk 20 miles in a day and stay out in the woods camping, because I can carry everything I need.
37. So I can go on rides at amusement parks again, without stuffing myself into the seat shamefully.
38. So I don't have to worry about the maximum weight an exercise machine can take before I use it.
39. I want to deprive my cats of a perching spot on my chest because its too small.
40. So I don't get that pitying look when I go to a gym to work out.
41. So I can lie outside and suntan on my front lawn if I want.
42. I want underwear that looks cute and dainty when I go to the laundromat, not something industrial.
43. So I can buy lingerie that fits, and looks good.
44. So I can buy lingerie without getting weird looks from store clerks or other customers.
45. I want to be able to at least consider entering a triathalon and have it be a possibility.
46. So I can ride my bike as far as I want to, without worrying about breaking something on it.
47. So I can ride my bike off-road, and not worry about falling and injuring myself because of my weight.
48. So I'm "that really tall person", not "that really heavy person".
49. So no one ever calls me "a big girl" ever again.
50. So I'm not embarassed to have my picture taken.
51. So when my photo is taken with my show dogs, the dogs aren't the only good looking ones.
52. So I don't get those indents on my thighs from the arms of the chair I'm sitting in.
53. So I can cross my legs.
54. So I can walk in heels without fear.
55. So I can put my jeans in the dryer, have a shower, get out of the shower, walk to the dryer and just
pull my jeans on, instead of waiting to really, really dry off and then fight to get the zipper up.
56. So I can put my clothes in the dryer and forget to check the timer, and not worry about them fitting.
57. So my bras don't stretch on the sides, or get pulled seams.
58. So I can crawl around on the floor hooking up computer cables without wondering how bad I look.
59. So I can look in a full length mirror naked with pride, instead of dispair.
60. So I can jump rope, without it hurting my feet, knees or bust.
61. So I can run and bike and exercise all week, and NOT think about weighing in on Saturday and
wondering if I lost or gained weight, because it doesn't matter any more.
62. So those stupid gowns at the doctors or chiropractors not only fit, but are too big.
63. So I can show off my long legs, instead of monster ham thighs.
64. So I can look good in a business suit or a short skirt, instead of always wearing loose clothing.
65. So my back doesn't hurt so much.
66. So I can lie in bed, look down and see my toes without lifting my head off the pillow.
67. So I don't have to worry about what fits in the closet and what doesn't.
68. So I don't have to worry about the seasons changing, and will my summer/winter clothes still fit.
69. So I don't fear the onset of summer and light clothing.
70. So I don't crave wintertime, so I can hide under big jackets and sweaters.
71. So I can say "I'm just going to run to the store" and I can, and I don't think about binging on the
contents of said store.
72. So my doctor will never say "you really need to lose some weight" to me ever again, but instead says
nothing more than "see you in a few months".
73. So no one will ever again ask me "when is your baby due", and I'm not pregnant.
74. So people in the supermarket don't look in my cart when they think I'm not looking, to see what a
"fat person" eats.
75. So I look lean, mean and powerful.
76. So I can say my weight out loud with pride.
77. So the old pictures of the fat lady at the circus don't look like me.
78. So I can say to other people who are overweight, hey, I was there once too, and maybe help them get to
where they want to be.
79. So I can pick up a bag of feed, and another, and say "wow, I lost that much" instead of "gee, thats how
much I have to lose".
80. So I don't have to worry about my bathroom scales breaking.
81. So I can buy a regular bathroom scale and my weight is within the range, not way past the 0 again.
82. So a corner shower feels roomy, or at least roomier than it does now!
83. So I can shave my legs in a corner shower without gashing myself because I can't see around my fat.
84. So I can get a tattoo on my shoulder and wear outfits small enough to show it off with pride.
85. So I can go out sailing with friends, and not be scared to walk across the floating dock because I'm
so heavy it will sink below the waterline.
86. To be able to go canoeing, and my end doesn't sink real low while the other person is almost in the air.
87. So when I go hiking, the moose everyone is looking at is really a moose, instead of me.
88. So I can stand up in a boat again, with balance and grace, instead of hanging onto the sides and
wondering how I'll get back in if I fall out.
89. So I can boat out to the middle of a lake and go swimming, and be able to pull myself back in the boat.
90. No more "beached whale" comments, anywhere.
91. So I can go to a bar and get looks of appreciation, instead of the looks that I get now.
92. So I can sit on a bar stool and I'm actually sitting ON it, not on it and around it too.
93. So a regular towel goes all the way around me, and maybe even looks cute.
94. So my socks pull all the way up.
95. So I can hug my knees to my chest again, and its comfortable.
96. So I can sit on a chair, and have my feet on that chair too, and not be sitting on them.
97. So I can wear a low cut sweater and my collar bones show.
98. So I can wear a light blouse or sweater, and there aren't dents where my bra straps are.
99. So I don't have to worry about arthritis or joint replacement when I get older.
100. So furniture doesn't groan when I sit on it, or wear out long before it should because I'm too heavy.
101. So I never have to look at someone else with envy again, thinking "Wow, I wish I was that thin".