Several things:

- I was gaining about 5 lbs a year for 3 years since I left college and started working in the IT environment

- I was sick and tired of looking chunky and hiding behind baggy pants

- recent pictures taken of me made me realize I was going on my way to 130lbs if I didn't do something about it

- I'd been wanting my bf to lose some weight and get back in shape... the only way I can set a good example is to successfully lose weight myself

- I don't want to be one of the very few fat Asian

- even though I wasn't overweight (I was still in the borderline "healthy" weight area), I wanted to get back in shape and feel better about myself physically, mentally, and emotionally