So I guess I'll preface this with a little background about myself: I've been overweight ever since I can remember, and I've been told by my family to lose weight for even longer. That being said, I was never bullied for my size, was pretty self-confident in myself and my other aspects (intelligence, humor etc.), and was actually pretty popular in high school and university. As a result, I guess I was -okay- with being the size and living the lifestyle that I was (which mind you, was not healthy at all).

My father passed away from Non-hodgkin's lymphoma and my mom is still battling breast cancer. I guess at one moment a few months ago, I really thought hard about my family medical history and it clicked that I didn't want to become like that. That's when my weight-loss/healthy lifestyle journey began!

2.5 months later and I've reached my first (big) mini-goal - 25 pounds down. I'm so happy! This is the lowest I've been since middle school.

wow congrats! that is a BIG goal!! Keep it up!

Wtg~ U Rock!

Congratulations! You are an inspiration!

That's a lot in such a short time!!! Wow, I hope I can do as well as you!!!

Thanks everyone! I hope my motivation doesn't start to fizzle out at this point...

Well done!! Definitely inspiring

Congratulations! I would love to lose as quickly as you are!

Yay! 25lbs is a fantastic number. Congrats to you and all of your hard work!

Awesome, well done!!

Think of all the hard work you've done, how far you've come, you can't fizzle out now. You are inspiring all of us to keep going!

Congrats! You've done great so far. Motivation can be a tricky one.. just remember, one day at a time, and don't let one bad decision run you off track for days/weeks. You can do this

Good job, mariam892! Awesome, the key points are never to give up and to keep going, however slow that may be!

btw: You have a beautiful face and beautiful eyebrows!

Bravo ! Keep on, you look so young and a real beauty.
and all the best for your mum

CruiseChick, mojo321, dietcokehead98 - Thank you so much!! Encouragement like that keeps me going.

TheLastStraw323 - You're completely right - and I have indeed noticed that my willpower is a lot stronger than it was in the beginning (carb cravings still rear their ugly heads, but hey, you can't win 'em all).

sunarie - It's hard sometimes, but I'm trying to be more forgiving. The reason all my previous diets always failed is because I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and if I ever veered off track even a teeny, tiny bit, then I'd quit and all-out binge. I'm trying hard to shove the perfectionist aside!

BigNomore71, LolaParis1 - Wahh, I'm blushing. Thank you!!