The Stakes

I want to put down in print my reasons for losing weight, so I can refer back to them in any moments of weakness (and I'm anticipating a few!) Maybe some of you might be able to relate to them too.

I want to look good in photos
I'm tired of avoiding cameras, or worrying about how fat I look when I do get snapped. Unfortunately I haven't yet perfected the art of posing in a flattering way. I want to be able to look back at photos of the good times and enjoy the memories rather than cringing at how I look.

I want to look good in clothes
It seems like slim people can wear any clothes they like, in whatever fabrics they like. When you're overweight, you put a lot of extra thought into the clothes you buy, and your choices aren't so much about accentuating your good bits as hiding your fat bits. Last year I won I gorgeous dress (thanks more! magazine!) and asked for a size 12, with the intention of losing just a few more pounds to fit into it, but I never quite got there. When (not if) I reach a size 12 this time around, I'll post a picture and have a night on the town.

I want to look good out of clothes
As much as all the women's magazines might say "he loves your wobbly bits", I'm not so sure. More to the point, I don't love my wobbly bits, and it's very hard to feel or act comfortable naked when you, er, aren't comfortable naked. My partner has never once made me feel self-conscious about my body, but I know I could have a much better body with a little work. Hell, I'll be downright sexy when I reach a healthy weight; I have big boobs, curvy hips, and I have no intention of getting skinny, just slim.

I don't want to feel like "the fat one"
My friends are really slim and gorgeous, and I'm terrified that I stick out like a sore thumb. I'm even more worried that I might be one of those people than strangers describe as, "you know, brown hair, medium height, fat."


I want to jog the race for life this year
I entered this last year, then hardly did any training and chickened out. It would mean a lot to me to complete it and raise some money for cancer research as my mum is a breast cancer survivor. 5km is nothing to some people, but having never been a runner, completing this would give me a huge amount of confidence in my own abilities.


I want to save money
Currently, I consume an obscene amount of takeaways and convenience foods, and it's costing me a fortune. Ironically, I work in a health food shop, so I will soon be making use of my staff discount, as well as paying a visit to my friendly local greengrocer.


I want to feel better about myself
It doesn't feel great to know that I'm overweight and I got myself this way. I over-eat and under-exercise, and it really shouldn't be so difficult to turn that around; for good this time.


I want to have a healthy BMI
Yes, I know BMI isn't everything, but I also know that having one that's edging into the "obese" range is not a good sign, nor is it healthy.

I want to be complemented
When I first lost weight last year, I had people telling me how well I was doing and how good I looked. A lot of them were people I barely knew, such as customers at work. For some reason, a lot of those compliments began with, "I hope you don't mind me saying, but..." Take it from me, no-one will ever mind you telling them they look good, we should all do it much more often.

I'm sure I'll think of a few more as I go along, but for now I'm feeling pretty motivated and looking forward to getting started. I just hope it lasts.

Lara x