What was the last straw to make you lose weight?!

What was the last straw to make you lose weight?

I am at the point in my life that if I do not do something about my health and weight now, it will never happen and I am going to die. I am 30, still young enough, but 150 pounds overweight. I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have tried everything and the only thing that works is eating well and exercising. I just can't stick with it. I make it a couple of weeks, then give up. I have hired personal trainers and the whole deal. What needs to happen to make this happen. Help please, I am on my last leg.

Well, that's a healthy attitude. You obviously aren't committed enough if you feel that you are going to die but still won't stick with a plan for more than a couple of weeks.

Okay, in all seriousness, here are my suggestions:

1) Ditch the personal trainers. Those are for thin people. If you want to get regular exercise without exerting yourself too much or causing yourself a lot of pain, just take half-hour walks three times a week. As you get used to exercising, you can up not only the number of times you go out, but also how long you walk. It's easy, low-impact exercise which can make a surprising change in your lifestyle.

2) Start cutting out greasy, high-fat foods from your diet, including any kind of fast food (especially burgers, fried chicken, and pizza), chips, and rich desserts.

3) Start including things like delicious fruit (watermelon and pineapple in particular are in season right now), and a salad at least once a day. They will provide you with the nutrients you need on top of helping you to feel full and satisfy your need for munchies.

4) Also, drink things like bottled water, diet soda, fruit juice, and nonfat milk instead of high-calorie sodas or beer.

5) Try joining Weight Watchers. More and more men are joining these days, I've noticed. The new Flex Plan teaches still teaches portion control but with the added benefit of personalizing your eating plan by gender, height, age, and physical activity as well as weight. Moreover, you'll be in a group setting, which will help you to remember that you're all in it together.

6) Finally, if you can, make a friend who can help you with your weight loss; a man or woman who is also dedicated to shedding extra pounds. You can reinforce one another and share your experiences.


I'm actually a Weight Watchers member myself. Though it is important to admit that this is my third time back, this is also the heaviest I have ever been (I am about 70 pounds overweight, give or take). I'm tired of not fitting in my favorite clothes, and that's why I decided to really commit myself this time.

The truth about losing weight is that it has to be YOUR decision. YOU have to decide to make the changes that are necessary for a long, healthy life. It's one thing if you slip -- we all make mistakes. But it's quite another to give up completely.