Honestly i don't even know if I can give you the encouraging words you are looking for because I myself struggle everyday on staying focused, encouraged, and motivated ... Tomorrow will mark my 8 weeks (2 months) since starting this journey and as of today (weigh in tomorrow) I have ONLY lost 15lbs. I know someone somewhere is going to say "only ... its a start.... its better than nothing ... the weight didnt go on quick so it wont come off ... etc etc" but for me honestly its still an ONLY ..... I work as hard as I can and I make the changes I can within my means (financially, time, single parent, no license/no car, etc) but I feel like I am getting no where ....

All I can really say is that everyday is a new day when we wake up and an accomplished day when we lay down .... In time those days will turn into the accomplishment/satisfaction/guarantee that we are seeking and we will be in a better place than we are right now. Keep up the hard work and stay focused and determined because we can do this - - -

Girlllll, your story is my story and many other women story... While I've always been heavy it appears in the past 2 years I've really out done myself. I hit 293 lbs, it got so bad that I had people wondering if I was pregnant.. Hell I had to question myself sometimes.. I even started using the Expectant Mother's parking spaces at the store (LOL.. but verrry serious). My body started to always hurt, I was becoming depressed, I didnt want to do anything with my daughters, my body magic wasn't working it's magic for me because my fat put it's own spell on it. Then I decided, enough was enough. I had to make myself do something about myself. I found that I could not work out by myself because I would cut myself short. So I joined a work out group in my area. My motivation has been the massive increase of energy, the old clothes I can wear without my body magic that has become too big and the best one yet, my daughters and I are always on the go. Yes, it will be hard at first, because I found that I was trying to just diet rather than change my lifestyle. I love pasta just like you, I just had to find a healthier way of cooking it, like using multigrain pasta which is a complex carb that is good for your body. I loveeeee pizza, so I get it with pesto sauce instead of marinara and tacos are my weakness, instead of steak, I use chicken or turkey and make my salsa. Trust me hun, you will get there and when you do.. You will feel great.

You can do it! We all can. You'll have your good days and then a few bad ones. All in all when you fall off track just get back on and don't beat yourself up over a candy bar.

It takes time to see the weight come off and don't rely only on the scale. Inches means more than pounds and clothes will start to fit differently. A 1 - 2lb loss per week is the right way to go. Remember the tortoise beat the hare. Just get started and keep going. I'm here for ya!

Tips:
Drink lots of water.
Be sure to eat 4-6 small meals per day OR 3 small meals and 2 snacks (1200-1500 calories).
Keep healthy snacks on hand (Fresh fruit, nuts, veggies and trail mix).
You don't have to join a gym to get your body moving, so just walk and walk some more.
Find an activity you like doing, put on your favorite music and get your groove on.

I am so encouraged by all of you. It is hard to get a group of people to do something like lose weight. I am on that last 15 lbs and it gets harder and harder to stay the course daily but I know that just from reading the encouraging words you have written I too can stay the course.

I really like what I read...the not denying yourself by saying "NO, to pasta" but changing up the kind of pasta you eat....Great Advice, I had to do that as well. The fact is, saying "NO" to myself only makes me crave it more. I have added a gallon of water daily to my regiment just because the 8 glasses (2L) are done before my workout so the other almost 8 glasses (2L) are consumed during and after workout.

Thank you so much myfitnesspal for groups cause honestly, I was like I am tired and will skip my exercise tonight, now I am like these ladies are doing and so can I.

I will post a before picture soon and hope to be at my goal by November 1st for the after picture but side by side I hope to see a healthier me.

KEEP MOVING LADIES -)

We can all relate to your story believe that. I look in the mirror & I'm like...really. I got to the point where I got tired of being tired. You will lose the weight. Stay focused & know you are not alone Hun. Your sista friends are here for you!