Needing encouragment

Stevia in the Raw is excellent. It helped me do away with sodas and sweet teas.

One thing you just need to remind yourself everyday when you look in the mirror:

YOU are BEAUTIFUL.
YOU do DESERVE this.
YOU are CAPABLE.
YOU are in CONTROL.
YOU are DETERMINED & STRONG.
YOU CAN and WILL.

Every day is another chance. Don't give up. Don't go backwards. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS MOVE FORWARD. Do not let your past define you. Do not let your failed attempts tie you down. Every person that succeeds in life has failed many many many times. It won't happen overnight. But you already know this. you already know you have to work for it. And you CAN work your *kitten* off because you KNOW it is all mental. Push. Hang on to whatever is pushing you to do this..be it to fit into more clothes, to hike tha tbig trail..to get married..or have babies one day..or just to be able to walk up a flight of stairs! Whatever your goals are STICK to those. Keep them in sight. Faith my friend!

I think most have had that feeling at some point that "nothing is happening, why?" I think you need to stop being down on yourself.

And I also think if you have a bad day, don't get down. Just go right back at it the next day. I'm sure we're all going to say what everyone else has said many times, and you've probably heard it more than once, but I still say, "Don't give up!"

You watch all these TV shows like the Biggest Loser and my favorite - Extreme Weight Loss and what is it these people are doing? Yes, they are losing weight, but they are also working through some deep seeded emotional issue that caused them to gain weight in the first place. It might be sub-conscious but it's still there and they need help of someone to bring it out and work through it. Why not try therapy? I bet if you can figure out whatever that is, the weight loss should come easy.

But it all comes down to integrity. You are breaking promises to yourself. And you're the only one who is suffering. If you were breaking promises like this to a friend, I'm not sure the friend would hang around very long. Put up motivational signs around your house. Motivation is something that needs renewed daily, if not several times a day. But I promise: once you start seeing results - and that will take a several weeks to a couple of months to see it physically - you will be addicted.

Stick with it! It gets easier once you start seeing results

I weigh around the same as you.. 267 and I am 41. You being younger than me has its advantages cause the younger you are the easier to come off faster. The older you are your metabolism is slower. I loved soda so much, but gave it up and just drink water. Now if I go out I will drink it just one glass. It is a treat. Just take baby steps. Use soda as a treat or sweet tea as a treat. If you don't like artificial sweeteners mix your tea half and half. Half real sugar and half sweetener. Do this until you are totally on sweetener. Again only drink it as a treat and do water the rest of the time.

First of all, you deserve a hearty CONGRATULATIONS for realizing that you cannot and do not want to continue living this way. So CONGRATULATIONS! Losing weight becomes harder the older you get so starting out at 19 is great. I also tended to get discouraged when I didn't see results right away but eventually I came to terms with the adage "you didn't gain it overnight, you won't lose it overnight." Weight loss really is a one day at a time effort. Actually, I've found it's a one meal at a time effort.

MFP has a lot to offer you in the way of support and help -- community, diary tools, apps, etc. -- but it can't do everything for you. It was hard for me to accept but when I finally told myself that no one could fix this for me, that it was up to me to get this done, my whole perspective changed. Since my weight loss journey started in 2008, I've lost and kept off over 50 pounds. It's not always easy but it is always worth it.

Cutting out soda is a fantastic start! I love cola drinks and it's hard for me to always choose water but I do it. Everything worth doing takes sacrifice. Remember that this is your health and happiness we're talking about! YOU ARE WORTH IT!

Do the best you can every day. Don't beat yourself up when you slip. Go to others for support, advice, accountability, and encouragement. We've all been there (or are there) and we're ready to walk this road with you -- and help you celebrate when you've reached your destination. )