Getting Started... AGAIN. Need some motivation! 100+ lbs to lose

Don't look at it as a diet or exercise program. Take charge of your health and fitness, and know it's a lifelong process. I liken it to marriage: At first it's a pretty dress, flowers, attention, and gifts. Then that giddy feeling wears off, and the life together starts. There are ups and downs, good and bad times, and even times when you don't think you can do it. But you don't quit--because it's marriage.

This is your life. You only get one, and you don't want to go through it on the sidelines, trapped in a body that won't do what you want. I don't know your age, but I'd bet you're younger than I am. I've had ups and downs too, and I started out with 130 to lose. I AM going to make it! I've got a second chance at life, and at 53 I doubt I'm going to get another--without a heart attack or stroke for motivation.

You can do this!! It will probably take a year or more to see the kind of results that will make people notice, but it's worth it anyway. It took a long time to put the weight on, and you can't just slap a return label on it and ship it back.

MFP is a great tool. If you mess up and eat something you know you shouldn't, you can see how much you need to work out to compensate. If I want cake, I have to ride my bicycle an hour. Use the app religiously; it will help you with accountability. Tell all your friends and family you're watching your calories/carbs/fat--whatever the plan. Tell them what you weigh, and take a revealing "Before" picture. Tell them you don't want food or treats for Christmas or any other celebration--ask for hand weights, exercise DVD's, and other gear.

Pull out all the stops, and don't just try--DO IT! Get rid of all the bad foods if you can. Get healthy foods and keep them ready at all times. Find healthy things you love; it doesn't all need to be rabbit food. Weigh and measure everything, so you can recognize a serving size. Drink lots more water, and if you're addicted to soft drinks, limit them, or switch to one you love less--and cut back.

Get a friend, or make a new one, who can go for walks with you, or join you in some other exercise. Places where you can sell a couch locally, are good places to advertise for a fitness partner. Figure out something you like to do, and go do it--dancing, rock climbing, bicycling, playing sports, flying kites, kayaking, or roller skating for example.

I'm 53, and since August I've lost 57 lbs. It's not even hard anymore. Today for lunch I ate a kids meal at chick fil a, and tonight I'm thinking blackened fish. I shopped for 2 hours of walking. I gave up soft drinks, coffee, and salting my food. I don't feel deprived; I can have whatever I want if I budget my calories.

I know I'll never be a size 0, and that's fine. I'm going to be a healthy size 6-ish. I'm always going to have to watch what I eat; once you're fat your body wants to go back to it. I'm never going to have a 2000 calorie a day diet. I'll never be able to let down my guard and eat whatever I want--that's how I got in this shape. But...I won't have diabetes, high blood pressure, sores in the rolls of my fat, heartburn, headaches, sore feet, bad knees, back pain, or a heart attack or stroke. I'm not divorcing this body.