I'm new, how do you stay motivated?

I do some of the challenges that are posted. Here is the link for the 3500+ calories burned. You can do less than 3500 calories but it is a great weekly challenge. I do it EVERY WEEK as it keeps me focused on my workout goals. ENJOY! http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/571657-3-500-calories-burned-challenge-4-23-4-29?hl=3,500++Calories+Burned+Challenge&page=1#posts-8104338

Top 6 things I do:

1. Remind yourself everyday of Why you are doing this.
2. Review your Goals every day. If you don;t have writeen down goals, do it.
3. Your workout time is sacred. It is like brushing your teeth.
4. Keep workouts interesting and change up your routing from time to time.
5. Be, patient with yourself as you work through plateaus and the curve balls life will throw at you. Also be honest with yourself.
6. Remember it is not a race. It is a lifelong change, a process. Building new habbits an keeping them takes time.

I heard once (when someone was commenting that they just couldn't stay motivated) that being motivated was like being clean.

You have to shower/bath every day.

Solid point.

A hot bath should raise your heart rate by maybe 15 to 20 percent, resulting in increased calories burn.

I think the U.S. military did some research on this at one point.

As several others have said, it's not a 'diet' it's a 'lifestyle change.' If you think that you can diet for a few months / year and then go back to how you ate and lived before, the unpleasant surprise is that your body will also go back to how it was (I yo-yo'd for years before realizing it, and keeping that last 15 off for about a year now)...which means the changes you make shouldn't be torture, but should be enjoyable positive changes that can last! Those changes keep me going.

If you keep that in mind, it's easier. Here are some examples:
- Instead of depriving yourself of the foods you like, cut down the portion sizes. I.e. have extra vegetables with dinner, but still have a small piece of your favorite fried chicken.
- Enjoy a healthy lunch of broth soup and salad (light on dressing!) and a dinner of broccoli and chicken, and then enjoy a small serving of ice cream.
- Instead of committing to an unreasonable amount of exercise every day (I'm going to burn 800 calories so I can eat more!), commit to something that you enjoy, like a bike ride, or a walk with the dog, and do something every day.
- Come to MFP every day and log every bite! When you have a bad day and eat 18 caramel Hershey Kisses, put it in the MFP log. Seeing the number of calories and fat eaten will also be a motivator! But don't beat yourself up. Learn from the mistakes.
- Reward yourself (not with food) for all the good things you do, and before you know it you'll be 5 pounds lighter. And then 15.
- Negative talk isn't healthy. If you eat those kisses and then berate yourself, all you'll do is eat more! Instead, say to yourself "Oops, well, that was a mistake, but I ate lots of vegetables today so it isn't a wasted day."

I love feeling healthy. When I exercise, I feel more energetic for the rest of the day. When I eat healthy foods, my digestive system feels happier. When I am hydrated, my skin is nicer. AND THEN...when these acts add up so that my jeans are looser, it's amazing!

It's a lifestyle - embrace it and the motivation will be there too! Good luck!

(Whoops, that was rambling, sorry!)