Need motivation!

I can't speak for anyone else, but I do know that for me, starting out is exciting because I see results right away from losing water weight stored up in my muscles. When that slows it can be frustrating, but the only way to come to terms with it is to keep going and start taking measurements instead of going by that darned scale. And by all means, play with the diet until it is so second nature it feels "right" because that helps rewire yourself to a healthier lifestyle. I kind of look at the things I "can't" have as things I "can" have if I do "this exercise" first or drink more water for those super-sodium treats. I try to tell myself, "I can have it later," instead of "I can't have it." And if I "must have it" I go searching the web for ways to make a healthier alternative and get excited by the project, more so than the treat itself. It becomes a fun game instead of an onerous task of trying to keep to the diet.

Realizing the alternative is enough motivation to kick my rear end when i am getting lazy or tired.

Start by calculating a calorie deficit to lose no more than 1 lb per week. That voice in your head saying that’s going to take too long? That’s a patience issue. Everybody says weight loss takes patience, but not many people are willing to practice it.

Also, always know your maintenance calories.

Start a food diary and always log everything in. Going over your number, even way over, is not a reason to stop keeping your diary. Don’t know how many calories in a meal or dish? Do some research with what info you have available and make a good faith guess. Forget to log in a meal? Go back and do your best to fill it in. You don’t need to be perfect.

If your food diary is the center of your effort, the only way to get “off track” is to make a conscious decision to quit. Don’t.

If you find yourself deeply discouraged, up your calories to your maintenance number for a few days. The best plan is one you will actually follow. Never quit problem solving with respect to your plan. Always evaluate your plan for two things- Do you have a long term downward trend on the scale? Are you satisfied how you are living? There seems to be an mistaken notion that if we aren't miserable while losing weight, we aren’t doing it right.

If you are patient you can avoid a lot of weight loss unhappiness.

Every notice that parents of young children tend to put on weight? I have three teenagers and put on a bunch of weight. You are trapped taking care of that child in a way. You are bored. Boredom leads to mindless eating. Along with the above comments I would recommend that you wear out the wheels of that stroller.