I could really use some help/motivation/tips.

Well this probably isn't the ultimate solution because at some point ya gotta deal with whats causing you to eat. However in my case it's nothing other than a LOVE of food. I guess it can be emotional at times but I pretty much think always is a good time to over eat. I'm just starting out but what has really helped me this time is not changing everything all crazy. I've found a bbq sauce I love like I'd eat even if I was thin and I put it on veggie sandwiches instead of doing pb&j and that saves me 200 cal....I make the no butter popcorn but spray some I can't believe it's not butter spray ona dn douse it in kyan pepper and love it!! It seems like the magic solution is small doable changes. In the past I go wild and I'm eating 1000 cal a day and working out 5 days a week and cut out all soda sugar and carbs and I'm miserable. I'm trying to eat what I like but less. Move a little more but not killing it so I'm unable to attain it. I'm giving it a solid 12 weeks and ill see if it works. I've heard it takes like 6 weeks to really start a diet change...10 weeks for you to notice a differance and 12 or 13 for other people so I'd say just make changes you feel you candor now even if you don't lose your on the right track to lose

Wake up everyday and tell yourself you are FABULOUS!!! When someone asks you how you are doing respond with fabulous. Pretty soon you will feel as fabulous as you really are. Dont think of a healthly lifestyle change as a diet. Just like most other 4 letter words, diet is a bad word. Set small goals for yourself and soon those goals will add up. Take one day at a time and one good decision at a time. Don't give food control over your life. Eat to live, dont live to eat. You can reach your goals!!!

Hey there Kristin, My name is Christiana and if you want to add me we can chat as I had the same problem you are currently facing. I was 380 pounds when I started MFP and therapy and now I am 227 pounds with 87 to go and still in therapy and so much happier. For me the food was comfortable, and never rejected me and was always there for me, that is why I ate all the wrong stuff all the time. When I found MFP I was still eating all the wrong stuff but this time I was writing it all down and was like "this is nuts, look at the empty calories" I started doing other things when I needed comfort. I bought a stepping board, like in aerobics and I would listen to music that got me all fired up and I would work out stress and frustration through exercise instead of eating. Sometimes I would watch t.v. and step just to keep my mind off of food I am not saying it will work every time because I do back slide sometimes depending on my day, but I do everything possible not to. I realized through therapy that I had just gotten so comfortable even though I didn't know it with the way I was and how my like was going, that I was sorta afraid to change it so I was self sabotaging. After meeting my husband we decided to get rid of everything "junk foodie" from our house and start fresh. We were married almost a month ago now and I am proud to say I have not had any soda, chips or take out and I feel so so much better. Drink Green Tea, hot, it is very good for you and it is nice to sit and read and have a warm drink and not think about food. Mainly we just need to stay busy and if the junk isn't in your house, you can't eat it. If you want to talk, add me and we can work together to feel better All the best to you, You can do this!! Good Luck.

Emotionally I'm in the same boat as you. Last year I went from 189 lbs to 157 lbs, hit a rough patch emotionally (a few months of depression) and got back up to 181 lbs. Food is my comforter. I've been trying new ways of dealing with stress, but with two small children it's easier to grab a snack than it is to find someplace quiet to chill. As of now I'm back in the 170s and have been bouncing between 170 and 178 for about 3 months. It has helped me mentally to set small 5 lb goals instead of my overall 35 lb goal. For me it's a lot better to see 1 lb down 4 to go instead of 1 down 34 to go. I've lost 3 lbs since doing that and instead of beating myself up for ONLY losing 3 lbs out of 35 I'm ecstatic that I passed my first goal (175 lbs). I'm now working towards my next milestone of 170 lbs.

Hang in there, put all your energy into thinking, " I can do this, it will take time, I have to believe in myself." And before you know it your pounds will melt off. Any time you need encouragement, or someone to turn to, just add me to your list of friends and I am there. Baby steps, Baby steps.