Hi everyone! I'm new to posting but not to reading! I really could use a pep talk!

First of all, a little about me: I'm 27 years old. I've been married for 7 years and have 5 kids, aged 6, 5, 3, 2, and 7 months. I have been obese all my life-I've never known any different. When I got married I was 275 lbs. after #5 was born I weighed 333 lbs.

Seeing the scale at 333 lbs was a wake up call. I've tried to lose weight several times in my life, but I've never lost more than 27 lbs before going back to my bad habits. This time is different-this time I have the drive and determination and this time I WILL do it! This time I know that one mistake, one binge, one day of not working out, does NOT mean I've failed and forget it all I'll just be fat forever. It just means I hit a bump in the road-and I need to get back on track and keep going.

My struggle right now, though, is that I have lost 25 lbs (in 2 months-usually it takes me 3 to do that) but I don't feel proud. I don't have a sense of accomplishment. I don't feel like, "Hey, look how good I'm doing!" I think it's because this was my highest starting weight ever, and even after losing 25 lbs I'm STILL in the stinking 300's!! I feel like I won't be proud until I hit 292 (292 is kind of a magic number for me-whenever I'm over it I feel awful: tired, sore, achy...just yucky. But when I'm below it I feel so much better: more energy, and stuff.).

Shouldn't I feel proud of myself? I mean, yes, I have a long way to go, but 25 lbs in two months is good! Why can't I make myself understand that?

Also I'm realizing I have a bit of a mental block so to speak. I've never lost more than 27 lbs at a time before giving up, and I'm at 25 lbs right now. Even though I'm committed, even though I know I can do it, I have this fear that I'll hit 27 lbs and give up. I've done it twice before, so why should this time be any different? *sigh* I know it's just a stupid mind game, but it's driving me crazy. I can't wait until I blast past 30 lbs and can just move on...

Girl, you have done awesome so far! Every pound lost is a victory in itself no matter what is your starting weight. Every pound lost is something you do for yourself and for your future. You have to learn that every pound counts as much as the other one. The one pound that separates you from, say, your final goal, is as important as the very first one you lost or one right in the middle. You have to modify the way you look at it to make sure that you see that each pound is a victory for which you should be proud.

As for the mental block, you say you are determined this time around, that you have hit the wall. Let this determination help you in the mental block. Let it drive you through that block. You have not made the efforts you did in the past two months just to stop and, deep down, you know it. You have to push through, no matter how hard it is. Take it pound per pound. Stop seeing the total amount if it helps. Instead of saying I lost 25 pounds, tell yourself "I lost 5 pounds this week". By not thinking about that total number, you'll focus less on the 27 pounds. By all means, stop thinking negatively! You can do this, you know it and do not plan for failure!

Keep up the good work!

Hi, you should be proud of your accomplishment. Don't look at it as a number. I went from 350 to 164 over 2-2.5 years, and I know I had to take a different mentality than I was used to in order to be successful.

For one, that's 25 lbs that could be gone FOREVER. 25 lbs of flesh no longer part of you, gone to the wind, only a memory.

Starting weight loss is often the most difficult part. Once it's routine, things are easier. Successfully starting and sticking with weight loss is an accomplishment in itself.

When you think about giving up, think about the months of hard work you've put in. Giving up wipes that all away. Stay dedicated, and always, at worst, maintain. Don't go backwards. Good luck.

I'm in the same boat; I've been overweight my entire life, and through countless diets, pills and plans I've never lost more than 20lbs. Considering how high my weight is, I also find it difficult to celebrate a loss because some little voice in the back of my mind is like "You lost 10lbs? What's that when you have to lose 150?" When I start thinking like that, it gets easy to stray off plan. But like everyone else said, be proud! It's weight you'll never see again if you keep at it! I don't remember the exact wording, but I saw a quote here on 3FC not too long ago that really resonated with me, hopefully it'll stick with you too!

Weight loss is like climbing a mountain. If you slip and fall a few feet, would you just give up and toss yourself to the ground? No, you would get up, find your footing and continue climbing!

The reason I love it so much is because it's so, so true. Every time you go off plan and settle for gaining weight, it's like you've thrown yourself from a mountaintop - you're theoretically fine in the fall, but it is inevitable that you will hit the ground. We all know what obesity does to our life span, so which do you choose? Letting go of the mountain, or climbing to the top? I think it's pretty clear.

CONGRATS on the weight loss. you are on your way to a healthier you!!

Instead of thinking..."What if I can't...lose any more weight, get to my goal, maintain my weight loss, etc?" Think "What if I CAN (or DO) lose more weight, get to my goal, maintain my weight loss!" Think of how good you will feel. How good you will look. How healthy you will be. How much easier you can move. All the fun you can have with those five kiddos. The list goes on! Then figure out what you can do at the moment to get closer to that goal.

EXAMPLE: You're stressed, one kid shaved the dog, another painted the bathroom in nail polish and lipstick, and the baby needs a diaper change....You want chocolate and lots of it! Stop and think, Will that chocolate help me reach my goal...NOPE. But NOT eating it will! Will eating the chocolate get the baby changed, the bathroom cleaned, and the dog hair cleaned up...NOPE. Change the baby, sweep up the dog hair, wipe up the bathroom walls then go for a walk. Exercise will relieve stress and get you closer to your goal.

Another suggestion that comes to mind...and I don't mean to overstep my boundries here and I definately don't expect a public answer. But you mentioned a 7 month old baby. Could you be experience some post partum depression? It might be helpful to talk to a doctor. You have a lot on your plate right now. PPD is not uncommon, it is nothing to be ashamed of, and it is treatable.

Hey, 5 kiddies, 6 y/y & under -- geepers, you deserve to feel good about yourself for accomplishing that. Just looking after them well is a full-time job. Did you mark down your measurements? I would recommend making a list of some NSV's (non-scale victories) that you can keep track of so you see your success more clearly in mini-goals like this ...

1) first 5 lbs -- done /
2) first 10 lbs -- done /
3) first 15 lbs -- done /
4) first 20 lbs -- done /
5) 25 lbs gone forever -- done /
6) month one -- done ?
7) 10 % mini-goal -- ?
8) inches lost ?
9) sizes lost ?
10) 20 % gone ?
11) 25 % gone ?
12) 1/4 way there ?
13) how many on plan days/weeks/month?

and so on ... keep track of this each week/month and soon you will see lots of accomplishments right before your eyes. You can also take pictures for every 25-50-75-100 lbs and so on. You will be able to see a visual difference as well ...

BTW, here's the PEP TALK I give myself when I need a boost ~

Today is a new day. Today is the beginning of a new healthier lifestyle. Today is what matters. Today, we can correct the mistakes. Today, we can start fresh. Today, we can make better choices. Today, we can learn. Today, we can do better. Today, we can succeed.

In order to succeed, you need Determination: be decidedly, decided on what you want. You need to be Committed: ever loyal to your dream. You must be Persistent: keep digging, keep fighting, keep going; and you have to Persevere: never give up, no matter what!!!

Congrats on losing 25lbs so far! It IS a big deal and you should feel very acomplished about it! I agree with a previous response, set up some small goals for yourself. Don't just look at your overall goal. This will make it easier to see the changes you are making and the awesome results! I set up a 10% weight loss goal for myself. This time around I'm really in no hurry like all the other times I have attempted to lose weight. I also just took my measurements today. Really excited to see how much they will change in time! We are in this healthy change for life! You can do this - stay focused!