The simple answer is to become healthier and live longer. I have been overweight as long as I can remember. I can't really say when I crossed over from "obese" to "morbidly obese." That's a description that you really don't want attached to you. My weight has plagued me my entire life. I cannot remember a time when I would consider myself "skinny." I want to, I need to, lose weight so I can live longer. This year I turned 36. The older I get the harder it is going to be to lose the weight. Being this overweight can lead to so many diseases and complications: heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea just to name a few. According to the Biggest Loser book, "If you are overweight, losing even a little weight can help you be healthier. Medical experts generally agree that losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight reduces your risk of serious diseases." For me, 5% - 10% would mean losing 21 - 43 lbs. Those are not such big numbers, and they are very attainable numbers.
Another reason is to expand my wardrobe. I recently counted all the articles of clothing in my closet. The total came to over 100. This includes blue jeans, slacks, t-shirts, pullover collared shirts, and button-up shirts. The sad part is I only feel comfortable in and wear out in public less than 25% of all those clothes. Why? Because most of them are a bit too small and fit me very snug. As you can see from some of the pictures I've already posted, they fit VERY snug. When I lose this weight my wardrobe will increase so much. I will be able to wear some of my favorite shirts again. The other sad part about that is they are all way out of fashion. But who cares. I never worried about fashion, only if it fit.
Finally, to be more appealing to the ladies. Let me be honest here, that's what it's all about. As with most stories of the world, it's always about a girl, and I know my girl is out there somewhere. What I need is the confidence to go up and talk to her. And I don't have the confidence right now because I feel my weight is holding me back. It's always a mental game with me. Yes, I've heard it before that "it's what's on the inside that matters." Well, I've come to realize that it's not my "inside" that people first see when they look at me. It's also about attitude and I do not have the confidence to back it up right now. When I lose the weight and if I'm still the shy guy and lack confidence, I can cross the weight off the list and know I have to work on the other issues. But for now, the weight is the first and foremost issue I need to get under control. Hopefully then everything else will fall into place.
