Recently I was asked the question: "What started you on your journey?" After hearing the question I had to sit and think for a minute causing the person to ask another question, "Was it so you could find a significant other?" Well the second question produced an immediate response. No I did not start my journey in order to obtain a boyfriend, for I already had a boyfriend (now my husband) who has always loved me for who I am. He was not scared away by my size, and when asked how he could love me back then he typically shrugs and says easily. So no, becoming more attractive to impress the opposite sex was not my main reason. Perhaps the vain part of me did want to become more attractive for him, but I did not do it solely for the purpose of vanity.
I think the most underlying reason for why I began my journey is because I wanted to live. I no longer wanted to be the girl who was slowly killing herself with food and piling on the weight. I want to live to be old enough to have great grand children. I want to live long enough so I can enjoy the world and travel. I want to spend my whole life with my husband, without worrying if my obesity was eventually going to kill me. I was tired of being tired. Walking up stairs winded me, sometimes even walking from my car winded me. I worked with children and I could not play duck duck goose with them without sweating and needing a break. It was mortifying, and I realized I could no longer lead a life where living was not my priority. Food had become my comfort, but this comfort was slowly killing me. I had to change my ways so I could truly live.
So there you have it, the reason I started was because I wanted to live. Simple as that. Before this I was on the road to death. Slowly dying with every bad thing I ate and every elevator instead of the stairs that I took. If you think about it living is a pretty big motivator. Especially when you realize how much you actually have to live for.
