self destructive and so the story continues...

I've had to reset and start again a few times.You are in the right place. Getting fit is simple but hard.
Just get started again by setting reasonable goals -1 lb weight loss per week.
NO MORE!
And eat lean meats, low fat dairy, nuts, whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies.
Do both cardio and resistance exercise.
AND EAT BACK YOUR EXERCISE CALORIES~!
That's it.
Again, quite simple.
The easy part is the what to do; the hard part is the doing.

Good Luck!

When I start to loose track I go to Pinterest and look at the fitness board. There are a lot of motivational quotes that persuade me to get back on track!

I signed up for a challenge group, where I was accountable for my goals. I decided what I wanted, then went out and did it. It was hard, I won't lie. I had to make tuff decisions each day, but with hard work and motivation I made it happen. So can YOU! I also started a food log and work out log. I had a calender that logged my workouts where I could see them, so it was right in my face when I would miss a day. The main thing is, if you screw up, don't complain. Just start fresh the following day and do what you know needs to be done! You can do it, just believe in yourself.

I find that if I don't deprive myself of anything I crave I do really well. Lately I've been eating whatever I want in moderation of course. I find that weekends and nights are harder for me to stay within my goals. So now I pack a light breakfast, light lunch & snacks that keep me at about 600-800 calories so when I get home from work I can have a big dinner & a treat or two. All within my goals of course (I eat about 1400-1600 cals a day)

Also, I cook in big batches so I can always have something I can just heat up. If I'm craving fast food I usually look up foods on here & try to find something in my goals especially sodium wise. (then I plan the rest of my day around it)

On weekends I keep myself busy by cleaning, cleaning, cleaning lol, taking long naps with my 20 month old, shining my work boots, doing a lot of reorganizing & I have an early bedtime.

These are just some of the things I do to help stay on track & to keep myself from binge eating.

For me, I am learning to not let my bad days derail me. Before, I would be all or nothing. It was a perfect diet and exercise plan, or it was a horrible eating/no exercise plan. Now there is middle ground. If I go over the edge (oops, just went to burger King,drank a mountain dew and then had a reeses peanut butter cup)......I bury that in yesterday and start over today. Where as before, that would have carried into today with guilt and self destructive thoughts...... and I would just continue down that horrible path. Now I let it go, and start over with a new day.

Good luck!

I struggled for a long time to get started too. Then I thought about how it currently is -- the cost, what I give up, etc. (Feeling uncomfortable, clothes, participating in sports). I thought about what it would be like to be at my goal. I really imagined it. Imagine being in shorts and a cami on the beach ... Feeling good walking into a some public place ... Dating ... Then I thought it's a waste of a life to not do the work to have a happy, amazing life. I got the waste of it. That was the "click" for me.

I think everyone has trouble staying with it when they’re getting by. Many people don’t feel or look their best and would like to do something about it. But they’re not completely miserable or very sick and there’s a lot competing for our focus. There’s also some comfort in food & being less active.

Is there something about where you are now that makes it a NECESSITY for you to loose weight or eat better? It’s hard for anyone to stay motivated if they just want to look a little more cute in jeans or be at a lower risk of high blood pressure in 15 years.

I’m not going to kick you in the butt. I think you’re on the right track and will get through this hump. But there’s a powerful rock-bottom moment where some people realize, “Holy crap! I’m wasting my life and health and won’t get a second chance! This is (or could get) very bad!!” When they recover from that massive punch in the gut it’s a lot harder to loose focus. It’s essentially a life and death struggle for them. Once you get used to eating a certain way and living with that kind of focus and set of priorities it becomes almost second nature.

That’s the hard way. The alternative is to just stay in the game and keep coming back. Whatever you do don’t sweat the small stuff or beat yourself up too much.

I hear ya.

I'm ashamed to say I'm one of those people that finds it very difficult to stay motivated by myself, I have to have goals (even tiny ones) & write everything down so that I have to be accountable for what I did (or didn't) do. Before xmas I was in training for my first half-marathon, then I ended up in hospital, only a minor operation but it set me back so far & then I used the excuse of xmas & New Year to put on 3 of the hard won 7kg that I'd lost. I've found mfp has been anazing, reading everyones inspirational stories. I've also joined up with a couple of colleagues at work as my diet, gym & training buddies so that we can help each other along.....and I've booked myself some more runs, 1 in March (9km) & 1 in April (21km).

Good luck on your fitness journey, you're here & that shows how much you want it...even if it take a little longer than you'd like to get there! xxx

Note that motivation does not stick around. It passes. When you have it, write down your goal(s) ..... straight away.

Keep it in front of you (mine is on my profile).

As for doing what you need to do, treat it like any other thing you are doing for a reason. Job, Marriage, etc. you just have to DO IT.