Finding it hard!

I hear you. I find it hard to stay motivated sometimes too. A couple of pieces of advice (if you don't mind):

1) Don't let your initial enthusiasm make you try to do too much too soon. If you aren't used to working out 5 or even 7 days a week start slow. Increase your level of activity by an extra 1 or 2 sessions in the first week, another 1 or 2 in the second and so on until you're at the number of sessions a week you're aiming for. If you try to go from 2 a week (or whatever) to 7 a week your body will wonder what the hell is going on and wont be able to cope. You'll find yourself getting drained and worn out by the end of the first week. It sounds like you have quite a full life already so this will only compound the worn out feeling. Also, if you do start to feel worn out drop a session for a week or two and then try increasing the number of sessions again. Your body might just need a bit more time to adjust.

2) Find yourself a weight loss or exercise buddy. The best way to stay motivated and on track is to do things with other people. This way you know you have to go to the gym or turn up for that run as there is someone else waiting for you. If you're the competitive type it gives you someone to try and 'beat'. It also gives you someone to talk to about any problems your having and someone to celebrate your victories with. A buddy who is also trying to lose weight/get fit is more likely to understand what you're going through. Of course, there is plenty of support here also.

I hope you can find a way to keep on track. Well done on losing 5lb already!

You need to be patient. The goal is lose a pound a week. If you lose more a week, you're just going to gain it back quickly. So if your goal is to lose 30 lbs, be prepared to do this for at least 30 weeks. That's at least 7 months. Don't compare your progress to others since you will get discourage when you see others losing more per week. Stick to a routine that works for you. I know it's tempting to try what others are doing, but their goals may be different than yours.

As for meals, balance the carbs, protein, and vegetables. Try to eat 1/2 vegetables, 1/4 protein, and 1/4 carbs each meal. Set your calorie goal and try to keep close to the goal. If you go over the calorie goal, add extra minutes of exercise but don't overdo it. Moderation is key to the exercise. 4 days a week, 30 - 40 mins a day. Spread out the exercise days by taking a break or two. Too much exercise is not good either.Good luck.

I think we all set ourselves up to fail when we take on too much at one time. IF you will approach this as a lifestyle change rather than a diet and just eat HEALTHY, you don't need to purchase a meal plan. Stock up on vegetables, preferably fresh, but frozen are good too. Raw or steamed, they are the original Fast Food! Small portions of chicken and chicken, and round out your day with apples, cheese, peanut butter, yogurt, and eggs. Now I have chosen to eliminate white flour and white sugar in general which I believe has been one of the biggest factors in losing my weight, but I eat all the calories allotted and being hungry is not an issue because I eat 6 small meals a day instead of the standard three, spreading those calories out and keeping my metabolism going too. I knew I would not work out 3x a week, so I set my goal at just 2x a week and I have lost 31 pounds so far. There have been some weeks where I would work out 3 or 4 times, but my goal is only 2 and as long as I make that I don't fret it.
I would suggest you revisit your goals and how you are going to get there and make your goals realistic for who u r at this time and again, more of a lifestyle change rather than a make it or break it diet approach. Good luck to you on your journey!

It is hard. Our bodies have a game plan of their own and when we try to take them out of that game they get all miffed with us and do something we don't like!!! I have what I like to call EX-OCD-ADD! Exercise OCD, ADD....I am full-on addicted to exercise! It's my stress buster, happy maker. BUT...I also tend to get either A: hooked on a particular exercise and do that and only that...ie: SPIN and that's all I do is SPIN SPIN SPIN! OR.....I get bored outta my gourd and have to switch it up constantly...SPIN tonight, POWER-UP class tomorrow, RUNNING the next day, INTERVAL TRAINING the next day. For the most part switching it up is what works for my body. Doing something different all the time to sort of "SHOCK" it into submission! I make it sure it's something I truly enjoy doing though or I won't get in a good workout. Do you do any weight training? I'm just beginning with that journey...adding strength and muscle. It's been said that having muscle keeps your metabolism fired up. And, I love feeling strong.

As far as food goes, I don't eat meat....rarely anyway. Sometimes chicken. But lean cuts of red meat are fine....just don't eat anything that's covered in breading, fried, extra fatty or greasy...y'know? I also got myself in the habit of really paying attention to portion sizes. Most people pile up their plates or fill their bowls and don't realize that the AMOUNT of food they are eating is what the problem is. For example: I was eating grapes....red seedless are my fave...daily. And I mean I was EATING GRAPES...like massive amounts of them!!! First of all, I've read that they have a high glycemic index...WHA?? Has something to do with sugar. Second a calorie is a calorie and I was consuming wayyyyy too many calories because of the grapes. You'd think, "It's a grape...what harm can those do?" But...if a person eats too much of ANYTHING and is consuming more calories than they burn, therein lies the problem..or one of them anyway. And as "Holton" said also, cut out the "WHITE STUFF". No flour, sugar, salt etc....That's how I started. One little baby step: I took the sugar out of my coffee. (I lost fifty pounds and have kept it off.....just a little jiggly here and there that I wish would go away...but, I'm a girl...I guess we're supposed to have "jigglies"!!!

Wow! That was a ramble! Good Luck!