HELP ME!!!

I can't give the "success" help yet because I just started this journey but would be happy to help you with motivation.

Baby steps..

Add me..

Try to think like this: "Are my actions (even ones you are contemplating) HURTING or HELPING me to achieve my goal?" Then answer yourself truthfully and go forward.
Here is the only equation that equals success. Diet + Exercise + Willpower = Success.

Good luck

Hi Matthew. You have to want it enough to take ownership and commit wholeheartedly to making the necessary lifestyle changes. I've just snuck a quick peek at your diary and I'm seeing next to no logging going on so the first thing I would say to you is to start filling out your diary every day. Rather than going at it full tilt, you might want to start off by making some minor adjustments to your intake - swap sodas for water, cut down on fried foods and increase your vegetable, fruit and lean protein intake. I would also recommend breaking down your weightloss goals into manageable chunks of, say, 5lbs or 10lbs - ticking off the small goals will hopefully give you a sense of achievement and motivate you to keep going. Also, check out the Success Stories - there are some truly inspirational stories in there that prove anyone can turn their life around if they want it enough. Good luck!

The most important thing here is to find an exercise that you really enjoy doing, one you find it, get out and go do it and afterwards when your done and you have that just worked out feeling... Remember that for days that you are having motivational problems. You can do it just keep pushing through and eventually it will become routine!

My name is Matthew and I am really struggling. I have a desire to lose weight and get stronger but I find myself falling into the pitfalls of snacking and overeating. I have gained so much weight during the course of the last year and I want and need it off. I find that on days that I get my butt into the gym I tend to eat better that day but when I struggle with my food I don't have the "energy, desire, time" and any other excuse that I can think of. What have you guys done for yourselves to help overcome these obstacles? Any help would be SO appreciated!

Today is my total rest day... and mate - it really just comes down to one word: DISCIPLINE.

I find pre-logging in the morning for the day is what helps me the most - I then know how much I have left for snacks.
Try having low cal snacks, and fruit in the house or look for lunchbox things that are usually low-ish in cals as your snacks.
This is the first thing I do in the morning now, without fail.

I flip to maintenance on the weekend and actually find I tend to stay within my deficit range anyway... but I have that leeway to go as far as my typical maximum intake and ... you know... ENJOY myself and live my life!
It also keeps your metabolism guessing as it can get used to reduced intake and lead to stalling.

It all comes down to HOW MUCH you want this.
This is a lifestyle change, it's not a race... it takes time.
It took me two weeks to even get to grips with logging and how many calories were in things!
It took me a couple of months to get used to MFP's process... and once comfortable with that, I did some further research on my actual daily energy expenditure, and working out my calorie deficit based on that.
All this TOOK TIME - I found it when I was ready... and now I am consistently losing. Even though I am set to 1lb a week, it has been coming down in 0.5lb increments - and you know what? It is moving in the right direction, and inches are coming off my waist. Half a pound off a week is better than nothing/something added and THAT is what drives me to continue.

Stick at it though.. you will gradually give in less, and feel more comfortable in yourself... but really it starts WITH YOU.

First off, congrats on trying to make a change. That is a big step, and your on the right track!

Whenever I was feeling down or unmotivated, I just dragged myself to the gym(or for a walk, or any other physical activity) the motivation came after I started working out, and I always left feeling great. It's the first step of getting up and doing it that's the hardest, but once done, you'll never regret that workout!

If you're feeling this after you've worked out, try looking at something motivation..Seriously, it really works! I have a visual board at home, and one on Pinterest, whenever I felt like snacking on stuff that wasn't healthy for me or didn't feel like working out, I looked at my pin boards.

Good luck!!

^ That pic is AWESOME. Win, right there. Win.

Don't worry about it too much. The key is to just keep logging honestly, every day, every meal. Your food and fitness diary are going to provide you with very valuable information.

You won't know which direction you need to go in until you understand fully where you are when you begin.

Read on the forums a lot. Most of the advice here won't sound like it will work for you, but you never know when you may stumble upon the key to your own success.

Read your friends food diaries for ideas for your own meal plans. I'm so inspired to see what others are eating, and it gives me ideas to keep me from falling into a meal rut.