help!!

Hi,

I started counting calories in the beginning of July and have already lost 17 pounds but I have been slacking in terms of eating lately. I generally stay with in my calorie range but my choices haven't been as healthy. Instead of snacking on yogurt or popcorn or an apple, I now have chips or ice cream which is horrible. So my weight loss has steadied and I need some major motivation to get back into a healthy eating mode so I can continue to lose. I have like another 40 pounds to go and I need motivation for exercising too as I haven't been doing it lately on account of my being too lazy cuz I'm wiped out from working full time and school. That's no excuse though. So I'm in some major need of motivation for eating better and working out so I can achieve the full results I want!!! Thanks!!

Just think about how much healthier you'll feel if you go back to healthy snacking.  I know after a long streatch of potato chips instead of carrot sticks I feel gross :S

You can also go over to the games and challenges forum and join one of the groups.  Knowing I have to weigh in every Friday some times makes me think if I really want that extra cookie on Wednesday. 

Believe in yourself! Don't give give up. The only person you are cheating is yourself. I know it's easier to pick up that bag of chips or in my case a pint of Ben and Jerry's but I think about my kids and how they desreve a healthy mom that can run around with them. You have to find your motivation. You can do it for family, or maybe there is a celebrity with a smokin bod that you would like to have some day. Find what is the most important thing for you and go from there. You can do it!!!!

One thing I did was give myself a constant reminder to "be good".  I wrote "be good" with a little green leaf on a piece of paper and took a picture with my phone. Then I set it as my phone background, so now every time I check the time on my phone (which is a LOT) I'm constantly reminded. Otherwise, get a bracelet or a ring - something that symbolizes you're healthy lifestyle and will remind you to eat healthy each time you look at it.

And it's okay to have cookies, chips, and ice cream every once in awhile.  Totally depriving yourself is going to make you hate yourself more when you do indulge.  But indulge in moderation. Actually LOOK at the serving sizes of your snack foods, and limit yourself to once or twice a week.  Tell yourself "on Friday nights I'm going to have a bowl of chips" and make that the ONLY time during the week you have chips. It not only makes you look forward to Friday nights, but it will stop you from indulging during the week.

As for working out, I'd say make the most of the time you have.  It really helps me to write out a daily schedule of when I have free time and when I have things to do.  If you're doing homework for school, make sure there's no distractions.  Distractions make the work take three times longer, thus cutting into your workout time. 

Also, tell someone you trust about your weight loss goals and have them keep you honest. Then when you think about eating unhealthy, think about how much you would be disappointing your confidant, and most times, that's even worse than disappointing yourself.

Wow, that was a lot. I didn't realize I had that much to say. :) Best of luck with the weight loss!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!