Reasons to lose weight that have nothing to do with how we look

Summer is right around the corner and that means baring more skin. Whether we are brave enough to wear a bikini or we are just wearing shorts instead of jeans. Most of us want to lose a couple or more pounds before the season arrives. Although, today I am not going to focus on having the perfect beach body.

Nope! Instead, I wanted to talk about some things besides how I look that bother me most when I need to lose weight. Like I talked about when we kicked off the “Move Your Body” Challenge, staying motivated to exercise requires that I have a reason to do so other than just improving my looks.

1. Maintaining a healthy weight helps me keep up with my kids
2. It is harder to put on socks & shoes
3. Joint pain seems to increase with added weight
4. Clothes: they're uncomfortable & harder to find
5. It is harder to buckle my seatbelt & all seating feels tighter
6. Losing weight improves sleep (the higher your body fat percentage the more prone you are to sleep apnea)
7. Maintaining a healthy weight keeps your immune system strong
8. You will recover faster from accidents and illness

I asked some of the members of Hopelively what reasons they wanted to lose weight other than appearance and here are some of their responses:

HEALTH!!! Last December my dad had emergency open heart and that scared me straight to take better care of myself. Stamina!!! The fact that I can play with my son and not be exhausted after only minutes.

So I can keep wearing my prized Space Kitty leggings without ruining them. Seriously. Never dieted for a prom dress or wedding dress or jeans. I'd have a fit tho if I tore my leggings. Sad or funny, not sure!

Confidence. Feeling good about myself. Obviously, that's not the only place those feelings come from, but it does help!

HEALTH. Being overweight contributes to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, etc. The list is too long! I don't diet. I try very hard to keep portions under control and eat a variety of foods. Nothing is off limits. I love me a good brownie! ? I just try not to eat the whole batch.

Healthy. I want to get off all diabetes and cholesterol meds!! It will also help me to be able to some light exercise if I'm carrying less weight.

Longevity, clear mindedness, and energy.

I want to be kind to me. That is my reason. I have really low self-image and zero self-esteem. Exercise is hard for anyone but at 367 lbs it is a little harder. I realized tonight on my treadmill as I am huffing and puffing and drenched in sweat I was giving myself pep talks to reach walking one mile. That is the only time today I was not putting myself down. I am an encourager for everyone but horrid in my self-talk. But tonight I encouraged me telling myself I can do this and c'mon and you got this.

I hate the way clothes feel on my body. The waist is ridiculous and I'm waiting to be asked about a due date. My body does not few like a wonderland when I'm like this because I don't even recognize myself and my knees and my back hate me. But most importantly, I want to set a better example for my kids. That's the thing that I worry about. Will I be here for them? Will they make healthy choices? Will they hate exercise as much as I do?

I can.not.stand. How my clothes fit. I HATE tight things (no leggings here). I love loose flowing things – & they don't fit right now.

Increased energy, decreased pain, health benefits!