SO Motivated to start... not so much to keep going

The thing that has helped me was to get out of the mindset that you're starting something and that your just changing something temporarily. I think that many people get in the mindset that they are starting a diet or that losing weight is something they just need to do for a while. You have to remember why you're over weight to begin with and if you start something, and you finish that something, have you made the changes needed to keep that weight off? Instead, I like to think of my weight loss as a lifestyle change. I cut calories not ONLY because I needed to lose weight but because eating 3300 calories a day would kill me one day. I started going to the gym and hiking more not ONLY because it would tone my body up but because I genuinely wanted to feel good and be able to do things that I used to could not do. After a few months it is like a little switch in your brain gets flipped and you just embrace these changes. The weight just starts to fall off, like magic, but the thing is that you want this permanent change. Don't get into the mindset that you have to do this or that you have to do things a certain way (like a fad diet) because that is not something you'll keep doing the rest of your life. Instead, take a step back, and remember that moderation is key. I live in Colorado but I originally come from Alabama. I have not been home for Christmas in 5 years. Last time most of my family saw me I was 315 lbs. Now I weigh 190 and it felt great to come home. However, I do not have a foodscale here or a weight scale. Yesterday I ate SO MUCH FOOD. I mean, so much I felt sick. It made me mentally ill inside as well, however I enjoyed one big meal with my family. What's the harm in that? Today, I am back to where I have been for a year now- making health conscious decisions on the food I eat and exercising. I didn't make myself do those things, but I WANTED to do these things because it is the lifestyle I have chosen and embraced. It makes me feel good!