Healthy Living

There's something about the Manzo family on Real Housewives of New Jersey that I simply adore. I think it's that despite all the glitz and glam of becoming Bravolebrities, they're all seemingly still down to earth. Either way, some things aren't exactly easy to deal with on national TV. For Lauren Manzo, daughter of Caroline Manzo, it's been showing the world her struggle with weight.

After being overweight for years, the 24-year-old underwent lap band surgery this past September. Now, she's down 30 pounds and recently told Us Weekly about her journey saying, "So many fans related to my struggle. I didn't want to feel like I was letting them down."

I see where she's coming from. Let's just note she also said that getting the lap band was the best thing she's done in her life and wants to be wearing a bikini by summer's end. I just hope she's not doing this to please everyone else. Weight loss is a personal thing. If you're not looking out for yourself it won't stick, believe me.

I've been there. Heck, most women have. You lose weight, you put it back on. It's a vicious yo-yo dieting cycle that is pretty much inherent if you've got lady parts. Which is exactly why if you're going to put in the effort to shed pounds, you need to be in it for the right reasons.

With my personal experience losing weight, I learned that you have to want the results to better yourself. Sure, it's nice to have other people telling you that you look great and whatnot. However, if losing the weight makes you miserable and you're not happy in your own skin -- then what's the point?

Kudos to Lauren for kicking weight loss booty. She says her goal is to drop another 35 pounds. To that I say you go get 'em girl, just keep smiling.

Watch Lauren talk about her battle of the bulge, here:

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What do you think of Lauren Manzo's slimmer look?