I just love to see pics of everyone and their families/significant others so I thought I would start a thread to let everyone show us what inspries you. I mean, I know we all want to lose the weight to get healthy and have longer lives or to regain our self-confidence but what is it, underneath the health issues and vanity that truly inspires you? What makes you keep going everytime you start to feel down or feel like you are going to fail?. Or what keeps you from giving up and heading down the old path of head hunger and complacity with your life?

I know that my true inspiration and the final reason I made the decision to have this done is my daughter. And not so much because I want to stick around long enough to see her grow into a beautiful woman but moreso because it broke my heart to hear her start every request with "Momma, are you too tired to...". The thought of missing out on all the great things that a mother can share with her daughter was depressing. And that was coupled with the idea that my precious girl would suffer vicariously because of my weight whether it be from comments by her peers or just the idea that hers was the one momma who couldn't chaperone the trip to the zoo or coach the softball team.

And my hope is that in the end, my success will have inspired and taught her the benefits of what working hard, eating right, exercising and having a healthy lifestyle can bring. My hope is that this little girl won't ever have to know what it feels like to have a life half lived.

And so I sit here looking at the picture of my dear daughter and my loving husband and I thank them for inspiring me to what I needed to do to live my life fully, for them and with them.

Thanks for letting me share them with you.

What wonderful pics! Thanks for sharing!!!

Here are my two

Cristian is 3 and Chalio is 7 they are the light of my life.

Ahhhhh how cute are they!!! wow I love looking at pictures... I dont have any children to send pictures of... and I wont send mine Im to scared.... So thanks for sharing all of yours

Mary - Such a great picture, they are so cute! I know, I guess I should say handsome!

Thank you, Thank you

Oh My what beautiful families & ankle bitters. I must say Melissalee If I had a hubby like that & a gorgeous little gal I too would be very motivated!!! Really what all of your are motivated for is Exactly what I am motivated for. I have NO Husband yet & No wonderful little one to hold & sing to at nite. I am hoping that when I become more healthy & smaller my chances will increase because I may even want to go out again.lol

Becca, you're a doll and so is your daughter!

Here Is Me And My Gang.

Awwww Jodie what a beautiful family you have. You should be very proud of them!

Jodie -They Are absolutely beautiful! What smiles!! Everyone seems so full of giggles. Your Blessed.

These guys definatley inspire me. When I feel like quitting, just giving up, this little fellow and his dad keep me going!!

Very precious! Very cute!

Jodie your little ones are cuties..

Kyleigh your little guy sure is handsome.

I'll succeed - good luck on getting to the Band side soon

I would love to post my one & only inspiration (my pooch) but can anyone tell me how to -I am not very computer savy ;0) I do know you go to advance on the reply for this site- but don't know how to find out what the url is on my desk top for a photo. Anyone know? Thank you in advance

I have lots of inspirations I have a wonderful husband and a beautiful 5 year old daughter and a family who loves me and last... but not least... I want to get banded for my health and for my self.

My scanner isn't working right now so I can't post pictures but I will get some pictures of myself and my family as soon has I can. !!

I also want to say that you guys are a real inspiration to me also. Your stories bring tears to my eyes and a smile to my face and knowledge to my brain. I know you all are always here to talk to and that is so important to me. You all are changing lives daily with your kind words and wisdom THANK YOU!!!