need some motivation to keep going. Ok so I've ben following this plan since March 15th and from than up to now: sw: 174 cw: 161. Although I'm happy with this weight lost I am finding myself almost giving up because its almost summer and I still don't feel ready to wear skirts, shirts, or bikinis. this is starting to discourage me because at 174 I thought I would look good once I hit 161 and still don't feel that way. how much can I realistically expect to weigh by summer? It seems like this weight loss thing is never ending when will I ever reach my goal of 135. I'm 5'5 by the way.

Here is my advice.

You have lost 13 pounds so far and that is a huge achievement. I honestly dont know your eating habits, calories per day or your workout habits so telling you what you can expect to lose by summer is not possible.

What I can tell you is that you may not be ready for summer this year, in less than 1 month till June. But you will be ready for summer next year and the year after. This change though its not what you had hoped by June/July it is however a change that will better yourself for the years to come. Was this weight loss so you could look good in a skirt for summer 2012 alone? Did you have one year as your aspiring goal or is this change for you and for your future? I gave up after losing 7 pounds, starting on march 6th and ending roughly mid april/ early may. I am not proud of myself and I wish, even with a minor plateau that I had stuck with it bc who knows where I would be now, maybe up to 13 pounds. I think you need to give this time to come around. you might not feel a major difference at 13 pounds lost but there is one and in 10-20 more pounds to get to your goal weight of 130 you wont feel it but you will see it and until you have fully accomplished your goals and you allow yourself to see your success you wont feel anything. Give it time, see it through and you will get to where you want to go.

I hope this has helped you , its words I needed to wear a month ago and I am now telling myself them to cut through my own crap.

Do not be discouraged! In a little over 2 months you have lost 13 lbs. If you keep it up by july you will have doubled that number and be only about 6lbs from goal and by Aug for sure be at goal. But if you get discouraged now how easy it will be to go back to old habits and have the weight come back on. Fun fruits are soon to be in season.. watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges,strawberries.. all great low calorie foods to add to your meals. And grilling season is coming for grilled asparagus, grilled salmon or walleye, or chicken.
Play up your great assets. Perhaps you have lost weight in your face and neck ...wear a v-neck with a cute necklace. Or perhaps your calves are smaller... cute sandals and a pair of to the knee shorts or capris. Seeing those areas looking better will make it easier to feel better about yourself. I think at your weight a cute sundress which are all the rage would look great too. Try to see the positives in your body with your weight loss and praise them every day!
Remember this is a journey not a race to a lifetime of weight loss! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Hang in there.