[NSV] I've lost 12 lbs so far, and it's giving me some much needed confidence.

I'm 23 years old, 5' 11.5", and a primarily estrogen-based life form. I've always been overweight or obese, and felt awful about it.

My highest weight was about 265 lbs a few years ago. When I started keeping track of my portions and making small efforts to exercise early last month, I weighed 243. And now I weigh 231 lbs! It's not a huge loss, but it's a lot more than I thought I could do.

Especially considering my history of mental health issues and the fact that I'm newly single, I've been feeling pretty low recently. But it's a real boost to my confidence to know that making smart changes -- even if they're pretty small -- and keeping with them means that I can make real, measurable progress.

I have a long way to go yet to get to my goal weight of 165 lbs, but I truly do think it's possible, and that's a lot better than things have seemed in a long time. I know that if I keep working and making good choices, it is well within my power to achieve that goal.

For me, getting started was as simple as keeping track of my portions, drinking lots of water instead of juice or pop, and moving just a little bit (really, like doing basic life stuff instead of staying in bed depressed). It wasn't easy but it got easier every day. It's still not easy, but it is SO worth it, because it helps me feel better. And I know that every day that I feel a little bit better, I can do a little bit more, and that will make me feel even better.

EDIT: I guess losing those pounds is a scale victory, strictly speaking, but I was so excited about how much better I feel about myself that I didn't think to tag it [SV]. Sorry!

I guess it sounds a bit cheesy, but I know it's really easy to get stuck in a cycle of feeling crappy and not doing anything and eating for comfort. It's definitely possible to change, even when you don't think anything good is possible. I'm doing it, and you can do it too. Really, you can.