How do you restart for what seems like the hundredth time?

I start over every day. I know I can only control what happens today- not yesterday or tomorrow. Every morning is a new fresh start, so just tell yourself you have to make good choices just for one day, today.

You can definitely do it. Go for a walk instead of watching tv. Eat the same things, just a little less, and add in some veggies. Start small so you don't get overwhelmed. I still have a long way to go... I mess up every day, but a lot less than I used to!

I agree- no "all or nothing" days! It's hard to shift your mind that way, but it helps so much when you realize each meal is an opportunity to make a good choice!

I did the same thing when I saw pictures. I told myself that they were just bad pictures, I didn't really look like that.... glad to know I wasn't the only one!

I think we all need to find our own best motivation.

For example: I desperately want to start a family but my weight is a complication that I can't afford. When I started loosing it was with that goal, and that goal only, in mind. However, as soon as I committed to the yoga classes (paying money always help me feel obligated), and started to see my body change I knew I would stick with it. I have gone down two pant sizes and my husband is always complimenting my hard work.

Perhaps you should ask yourself what will motivate you long term?

Whenever I wonder whether its worth it I look at my progress and then break my big goals down into smaller goals. Can I log for a week straight? Can I walk two miles three days this week?

Also I set my calorie goal high when I first started and slowly tightened it down from 1700 to 1500 to 1400 to 1300. I also slowly increased my exercise from a few times a week to 5-6 times per week. Find a class you love and commit to it. Start small and build!

All the best!
-e

First off, stop telling yourself you can't do this. Done? Okay, now I'll talk.
The first time I started losing weight was about five years ago, and one of the big things I've learned is that it is never the same for everyone, and for most of us, it will always be a three steps forward, one back, two forward, two back, three forward, and so forth. Just because you slipped up doesn't mean it's the end, or that you failed. It just means that you find your motivation, whether it's the same as it was or a new one, and you get back on the horse working towards it.

The hardest thing is to not fall into the pity cycle. I bought a house in August and life got crazy, and then had a hip issue get bad enough that I couldn't work out and had to schedule surgery, and am recovering from that surgery at the moment. In October, when I noticed I had gained fifteen pounds, I told myself there just wasn't anything I could do about it. So I ate whatever I wanted, and I didn't move even on the days I could have. And guess what? Over the course of the next four months, I gained even more. I went from 16 pounds from my goal to 55. Youch, that hurts to admit.

But I knew what was happening. I treated what could have just been a 15 pounds set back as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and I gained even more. The thing is, you can't just put this sort of thing on hold and expect to stay the same weight. Not when you treat that hold as a reason to indulge in everything you've cut out.

Does that mean I'm giving up? Hell no. I'm still down 71 pounds from where I was five years ago, and I can get where I want again. I'm back in the right mind frame, with fresh inspiration and a fresh attitude. I can do this, I know I can, but it's up to me to hold myself accountable. I can't exercise yet (I'm only 7 weeks out from hip surgery) but I can pay attention and start food logging. I'm only a week or two back to paying attention, and already down 6 pounds.

More good news: When you regain weight, it comes off easier the sooner you address it.

Set yourself up with short term goals, and rewards for them. And most of all, don't sweat the small stuff. Take pride in every little step you take, and don't obsess when you fall down. We all fall down. It's life. Just get back up, and start taking small steps again.
Make use of the community. Go read the success stories, join a challenge group, read some blogs from the hundreds of us in the same exact place you are. Find an accountability buddy. Keep your head high, and don't let anyone, especially not you, tell you that you can't do this.
You can do this. Pinkie promise, you've got what it takes.

You just keep trying... I've done that so many times, but this time, I finally got sick of myself, and have gotten further in this weight loss journey than I ever have in 6.5 yrs... Always a struggle, but you just keep trying! Good luck!