Do you believe you can do it? HELP~

You get that motivation from here. This is NOT easy and it DOES take a lot of work, but if you stick to it, it can be done.

Sometimes we get stuck in a rut, eating the same things, doing the same workouts. Day after day looks the same.

I have plateau'd a couple of times already (and I am in one now). This is when I start to change it up a bit. I increase my calories for a couple of weeks (by like 300 or 400 calories), then start a new workout routine and drop the calories down again. This, so far, has worked for me everytime.

Please, Don't give up!

I've had the same problem for 6+ months now. I lost the initial 55 lbs and then just POOF. Life took over and I stopped caring as much as I used to. I've been losing the same 8 lbs for the whole 6 months.

I think it's important to just stay committed. Remember what you are doing this for and even if you have a few bad days,weeks,months you can still do this. You can still progress forward towards your goals.

I feel the same as you...if only i could even make it to 15 pounds! Mine has tapered off around 8-9 pounds. Starting to wonder if my body simply does not want me to lose anymore weight. I just keep working at it.

I had the same problem. I would lose about 20 lbs and then stop. Stuck! Then I will lose motivation and just not do it for a while. And now I am restarting again! But I know this time will be IT! Just keep on eating healthy, exercise and one of these days, we will have our success stories to tell.

My most valuable skill is learning how to give myself a "Push'. A little further, a little faster, a little longer. You get my drift. Because then I can focus on a goal that is not tied directly to my weight too. Something that is measurable and can show improvement. Like how fast you can walk a mile. Or a number of reps.

I've taught myself how to talk myself INTO something. Talk yourself into it. Not out. IN. These are the kinds of thoughts I rely on...over, and over and over.

"I can do anything for a min." which turns into "I can do anything for 2 mins, or 3 mins or 10 mins".

" My lungs will not explode." Seriously, I say this to myself. Because honestly, they won't. Although they sometimes feel like they might. LOL.

"Breathe, remain calm, you are FINE."

"Finish strong. Finish Strong. Do not quit." I may be slow, but I'm still beating everyone on the couch.

"So long comfort zone."

and my personal favorite...

"You will not die from embarrassment."

Good luck to you!! I'm sending you patience and courage!

Motivation comes and goes. You can't rely on that to carry you through.

I think the change happens when you stop seeing a particular goal as something that's optional. Some goals are things that we would like, but don't really mind if we don't get. (For me, I decided I wanted to read at least 3 books a month this year. I'm a bit behind on that - it's something I'd like to achieve, but it's not a huge priority.) There are other things that are non-negotiable, whether they're holding down a job, finishing a degree programme, getting the kids fed, clothed and to school on time...)

Some things are things that would be nice to have... other things are important enough that you do whatever it takes to get you there, regardless of whether you feel motivated or not on any given day.

I never thought I'd ever be a healthy weight, or considered "slim" by the people around me. In the end, I decided it was important enough to just do it.

I think one of the most important things is to not let yourself give up, or backslide. There will be bad days, and even weeks. There will be times when you just can't be bothered any more. The good thing about weight loss is that it is possible to tread water for a while without undoing all your good work. If you're becoming psychologically exhausted with it all, it is possible to switch to maintaining for a while, to gather your energy again. I'm a big believer in regular diet breaks anyway (like every couple of months). This is especially recommended if you are experiencing serious plateaus.

If you give up, and stop logging/counting calories, then there's a very good chance that you will undo your work and gain weight. Keep logging so that you can at least maintain the progress you have made. Too many people see this as an "all or nothing" thing, and if it's not working now then they might as well give up and get used to being fat forever. If you're not losing over several months - then something is not right with your calculations (or there is something medical going on). It doesn't hurt to start a thread here for advice on your numbers, and this group board is especially good for this kind of advice: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress-

As for believing that you're worth it - that's got to come from inside you, and is a whole other massive topic. It can be just as hard as losing the weight. For me, I had to start believing that I was worth it before I could start losing the weight. One thing that has helped is getting more active, and trying new activities. Proving to myself that I could run at all, let alone any kind of distance, was an amazing confidence boost. Lifting heavier and heavier weights is the same. You don't have to run or lift, but there are so many different things you can achieve with sports or fitness; they give you a focus outside of the weight loss, and help to change your mindset about things.

Other than that - the little tricks like taking progress photos, writing down all the reasons you want to lose weight (and sticking the list somewhere prominent), re-reading all those success stories... all those things can help too.

I've been plateau'd and lost motivation a few times. I'm still in a better place than where I started.

There are other aspects to your health other than weight. Just keep doing what you're doing!

It took me years to lose 35 pounds because I kept thinking of it as a diet rather than a life style change. I started to make my healthier ways a life style rather than getting to a number on the scale. It made it a little easier to lose weight. It became more of a routine. I still think about food all the time, but thankfully this time it's healthier food. I still indulge once in a while and have conditioned my brain to get right back into my usual eating habits the very next day. Also, if you want something really bad, you'll find a way to accomplish your goals!

Measure progress in as many ways as you can. Don't just rely on your scale, Take measurements, get a scale that measures body fat %, pay attentions to clothing sizes, etc. I've found that very motivating when the scale doesn't budge, because at least there is some progress. I dropped 4 clothing sizes in about 9 months. My trainer at the gym measured me every month so I could see the shrinkage. I focused on getting to a goal size rather than a goal weight. Those things can help with motivation,