Feeling Discouraged.

One thing that trainers tell me is to focus on short term goals like 2lbs a week instead of a long term goal. Its very hard to stay focused when your goal seems so far away. But if you concentrate on weekly goals then you will have a sense of achievement every week. It will also make time fly by because you will be happier knowing you are doing good. You will get there before you know it. You will start feeling lighter and more energetic and the more you lose and stay with you weekly goals the prouder you will be of yourself. Stick with it no matter what. Your health matters!

I set mini goals of 5 lbs at a time - and celebrate each 5:)

I would agree with Sweets. It is all about a pound here and there. I would also say it is about inches and how you are feeling? Have you measure yourself. Do that and in one month, measure again and see how much you have lost. Mix up your workouts. Work with a friend. I have ways to help you with working out if you like help. Message me. Don't get discouraged. Each day is a new one and you will get there.

Give yourself a non food related prize for achieving a goal. Like a nice shirt at 20 lbs. lost.

I used to take the money that I would have spent on a bottle of wine and instead of having the wine, put the money in a box. I'd do it every week until I had enough cash to treat myself. If there's something food or drinkwise that you treat yourself with, take the money and save it if you can. It'll soon add up and you can use it to remind yourself of how many calories you've cut out whilst treating yourself to something non-food at the same time.

Celebrate smaller goals and it'll be much easier to reach your end goal.

I've lost my weight without a goal. In fact, I didn't start out trying to lose weight at all. I started by simply trying to take little walks outside. SLOW little walks. Like 20 minutes. I bet I didn't go a mile...I just ambled along. It was something I could do and bound to help me.

Never did I imagine I would lose 28 pounds in six months. NEVER. Had I even considered that, I would have quit before I began because I'd have said it was impossible. Heck, I had been the same weight (aound 210) for 15 years. How in the world could I hope to reach the 170's? I figured I'd be 210 forever. Nope, weight loss wasn't for me.

But slowly my walking increased. I walked a little longer and eventually slightly faster. And slowly I just ate less. I didn't announce to my friends or family that I was trying to lose weight. That would just make me feel discouraged when I failed. I just ate less and kept walking. Not a lot less...just a little less. Guess what? The weight started coming off.

My point is maybe we don't need to focus so much on a long term objective. Sure, you want to weigh a certain amount. Fine. But don't think about it. Don't even plan for it.. Like the others have said, look to each day as one day's objective. Eat right today. Get a little exercise today. Let tomorrow take care of itself.

I wish you well.

With every pound I lose it keeps motivating me to push harder. Whatever the weight loss celebrate it! Celebrate the new healthy choices. In my mind I have a picture of what I want to look like. I keep thinking about that picture and that keeps me going. I actually like working out now too, I would have never thought I would say something like that lol

It's not about the goal. It's about the constant improvement to your quality of life. The goal is where you're aiming but losing 3lbs is still a big deal, lose that 4-5 times and you've lost a stone. Just losing a stone is a life changer, trust me

Rather than looking at the end target focus on the journey. You have to have good reasons why you want to lose weight, good enough to be stronger than any negative thoughts you will have along the way. Once you have these its about being on the right diet for you.

Some swear by one others by another diet, don't worry about how you are going to adapt your chosen diet into a sensible eating plan for when you near your goal, you will have plenty of time to do this as you near your goal. Pick a diet that you are most confident that you can stick to, and provides the nutrients you require.

You will have an overall goal but as long as you are improving your health and losing weight most weeks you are doing well.

I have tried many diets, the difference this time is not to do with the food I am eating it is working because I have taken a much better mental approach to the diet this time.

take one day at a time. repeat daily, "with God, all things are possible"

I got about 80+ lbs to go and I just started out. In order to stay sane, i'm making a mini goal of 250 lbs so I dont go nuts thinking about hitting under 200 lbs...

I loved coolowl's reply. Great testimonial and good sound advice for anyone. It is all about small steps and one day at a time. Sure, it can be a struggle. Try reading the success stories on here for motivation. My motivation right now at age 59, is the estate planning myDH are doing for our retirement. We want to be around a long time so we need to take the necessary steps now to be sure we will be healthy enough to be there for each other.
Keep it up and think about your many years to live: do you want to feel and look the same in later years or make the change now?