Talking with a client the other day made me think about the “AHA” moment. You know that moment I’m talking about – the one where you finally said, “I’ve had enough of this.”
As I shared with my newest friend, my moment was on the scale at the doctor’s office. I remember the embarrassment I felt as the nurse let the scale settle itself. I remember waddling down the hall after her, barely able to keep up with her quick steps. “Why was she walking so fast?” I wondered. I remember pulling myself up onto the exam table, but most of all I remember being frightened as to what I might become. After the appointment, I sat in my car and cried. Once I had calmed down I realized that I was scared. I got myself together, drove home and for the first time forced myself to acknowledge that I WAS FAT. I WAS UNHEALTHY. I WAS DONE.
Over and over I’ve read other people’s weight loss stories, and been struck by the different experiences they had that caused them to make an 180 degree turn. In the interest of honesty here, I have to tell you that over the decade I struggled with obesity, there were many times where I thought I had made the turn around, but hadn’t quite turned all the way. Sometimes I’d turn halfway, but then it was really easy to return to my original direction, and original bad habits.
That day on the scale really marked the beginning of a new life for me. I even remember what I was wearing. Here’s a picture of the lovely blue jumper I wore to the doctor that day. Fortunately now it’s a bit too big!
Although I was scared that day, I do remember a feeling of excitement and anticipation when I got home. Could I finally do it? Could I really follow through. What plan should I use?
Beginning my plan the next day was the easy part. The hard parts soon followed, but for once in my life I didn’t let the hard parts stop me from pushing forward. The “AHA” moment that finally kicked me into gear was seeing my weight. What was your “AHA” moment, or was there a series of events that made you desire to make a change in your life.
Would you care to share your “Magic” moment with us? It’s so great to hear other people’s stories so we can all encourage each other on our own personal journey. Diane
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I can totally recall as if it were YESTERDAY the moment I tried on a suit (from my closet. huge interview coming up for a job I coveted) and I couldnt zip it.
and I had no money for a new suit.
In that moment I plopped down with a pad of paper and a pen and mapped out my plan and 16 + years later Im still working that plan.
where that red suit is I HAVE NO IDEA!
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Sad to say I’ve thought several times I had finally had that aha moment, but am still finding myself struggling and deeply disappointed with myself. But this gives me hope not to give up until I find the right way for me and the strength of sustainability.
I needed to read this post. We all start somewhere. I have also been disappointed that I haven’t done better during this past year. Yesterday I had a significant moment on the scale. I hope it’s my “aha” moment. Time is flying, and haven’t been moving enough–yet! But it’s time. Thanks for sharing!
The Day That Changed Me
That day in the karate studio when my sensei told me with sharp simplicity that, ” J, you are getting FAT!” That’s all it took. I realized he was right, and I began to make changes that corrected the problem. It didn’t happen overnight, but I then began a series of new behaviors that changed the direction of where I was heading. Establishing these new habits have kept me on track to this day.
So nice to see you blogging again
My “aha” moment is when someone saw me in my bathing suit and this person looked disgusted by how I looked. That was my “aha” moment.
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Diane, thank you for this post! I know it will help people.
I was in high school when I first lost weight so it was more an immature decision. In my early twenties though, I was not fat but I had put on some & just the tightening of clothes made me take stock… I was fooling myself!
I say & continue to say that I am always a work in progress!
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I smile every time you show one of your old jumpers
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For me it came early in November last year. I had just waddled through the mall with my husband, looking for clothes. In many cases, the largest plus sizes didn’t fit me. It scared me. Furthermore, I was exhausted and in pain. When we got to the car I had a complete meltdown. I told my husband that if this was life, I wanted no part of it anymore. I was done. That day I started on a road to recovery that initially led me into deeper and darker waters (I had a breakdown) and profound changes (I left my job). Now I am consciously building a better life for myself and getting healthier and thinner to boot.
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Thanks, Diane.
I lost 70+ lbs. in 2009; I thought I had my ‘aha’ moment that April, but apparently not, because I gained 40 of it back. That said, when I went to the doctor in February this year, with the 40 lb back on, blood pressure elevated again, too big for my weight loss clothes, THAT was another aha moment. And this time, the attitude is much improved about my ability to stay at this permanently.
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You look amazing in that photo! What a transformation. I’m glad you saved that dress to see the change.
My “magic moment” was when my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic. The idea of being insulin dependent at 25 years old was horrifying to me. It woke me up from my denial and “fat coma” and I got my butt in gear!
I had an “AHA” moment this week-end reading about intuitive/mindful eating … it made so much sense to me and clarified so much of what I knew but didn’t understand.
Honeymoon pictures. I saw what had happened in college; it’s funny what you see in pictures that you can hide in a mirror.
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Once again you amaze me with your words. I love that picture and story!
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Someone — and smack me for not remembering who — said that that magic-moment was like being in love. You think you’ve felt it a lot more times before you actually do, but when you do, it’s unmistakable.
Wow, Diane, you look great and that’s quite a contrast with the dress!
I had three “magic moments”–the first was that I had horrid headaches daily and realized I had stage 2 hypertension–and didn’t want to go on drugs so I tried weight loss as my first resort (and it worked–I’m slightly over “normal” and have to watch it but I didn’t have to go on medication.)
The second was that my being “plump” and only “overweight” in terms of BMI was a case of denial. My highest adult weight was 1 and 1/3 times my lowest adult weight (and that lowest weight was 10 pounds heavier than what I weighed in high school). No wonder I had elevated blood pressure! I’ve taken off all but five pounds of that extra 1/3.
And the third was when the lady at the car wash asked when my baby was due… I have never been pregnant and although I admit that I carry more weight in front (even now, I can see my ribs from the side but definitely not the front and I have a tummy, not a flat belly) that was a rude awakening that someone could think I was pregnant and another motivator. But really the blood pressure was the primary motivator for me.
Diane, I’m mostly a reader these days, but you continue to do good work. I think this topic is FASCINATING. Like you I had many “moments” that I thought were “the moment” before I started losing weight. It turns out that starting my blog was “the moment”, and the sudden loss of people close to me and clothes not fitting and experiences at the doctor’s office and waking up in the middle of the night were necessary, but not sufficient, not the moment. I’d like to see someone do a serious study on this issue. If you could find ways to surface the moment for people, it seems people could get healthier sooner.
Funnily enough 2 blogs ( yours included) gave me an ‘aha’ moment – although it completed a process that started yesterday.I am not into major workouts, portion control or calorie counting. I am currently recovering from surgery to remove my thyroid and have 3 issues I am worried out. The speed of my recuperation, my overall journey to physical mental and spiritual health including losing weight, and completing some study.
Yesterday I had several clear indications that I was trying to do things too fast at the moment and that slow and steady is the best way to climb my particular mountain. The first indication came in a clear image I got when I was meditating, and was reinforced twice in the next hour by unconnected pieces of advice I got from regular sources. The re-inforcement was the ‘aha’ moment and as a result three things that have always been been a problem suddenly slipped into place. I have been able to increase my water intake, I have been able to start eating much more slowly consistently, and for the first time ever I was able to imagine myself being thinner in the future.
This may not be the type of ‘aha’ you were considering when you wrote today’s post – but for me it is a VERY real ‘aha’
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My Magic Moment was seeing the photos of myself after our trip to Europe. I had been in denial about how I looked being almost 50 pounds over weight. I was actually shocked at how bad I looked in those photos and it made me cry. I didn’t want to show them to anyone and I didn’t either.
Then I got mad at myself and decided to take action. Joined WW and lost the weight. Kept it off for a couple years, gained 20 back and struggled for a few years until I turned 50. Then I had the realization that I need to eat well, lose the 20 pounds and improve on my health. When I took the focus off the weight and made it be about being healthy and being kind to my body and my mind everything changed for me.
I don’t necessarily have one big “moment,” but it’s kind of a gradual one. I honestly don’t quite know how I did it, and it almost feels a bit like a blur to me. I had moved, was starting a new teaching job, and somehow it started clicking of putting it together. I still remember the first time I tried on my size 6 jeans, and jumping around in the dressing room, b/c I had NEVER been in that size before!!
Sadly, I think I’m still waiting for my AHA moment. I’m trying to force it to happen!
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