Losing weight can make you feel better physically, and feel better about yourself too.

But for some people, it's hard to do by yourself.

It's easier to lose weight when you have the support of friends.

That's the idea behind the Mission Meltaway program promoted through Steps to a Healthier New York.

Sticking together to shed the pounds.

But learning how to eat right is just as important as getting enough exercise.

"Food truly is the number one appetite supresant, it's just America's forgotten how to use it," says Registered Nutritionist Helen Battisti.

She's teaching how portion size in America has grown over the past twenty years.

"Our muffin has gone from a 200 calorie muffin to a 500 calorie muffin. Our bagels have gone from about a 160 up to over 300 calories and our plates have grown and glasses have grown. So people are many times accidentally overeating," says Battisti.

That was Jennie Brown's problem.

She worked out but still ate too much.

Her doctor told her she needed to lose weight to lower her blood pressure.

And she's not afraid to tell you, she lost the weight, but never lost the motivation.

"I went from a size 18 to a size 8 and the 8 is getting a little bit large. So I feel happy, and my blood pressure is starting to go down," says Brown.

The 8 week mission melt-away program has been going on in Broome County for the last 4 years.

More than a thousand people have lost a total of 7000 pounds.

"It's helped people lose on average 5 to 7 pounds. It jump starts them into a healthier activity, a healthier lifestyle a more active lifestyle and they want to keep it going," says Mary McFadden of Steps To A Healthier New York.

And each week, different classes help to teach different ways you can make healthier decisions.

For more information, log onto www.broomesteps.org.