I need some encouragement.

I'm so depressed.

Over the summer I lost a ton of weight. I'm 5'6" and I went from 175lbs to less than 140lbs in just a few months. I felt fantastic about myself. I got new clothes, felt really cute, got a lot of attention, etc.

Then, I just started college and I gained back like 20lbs. I'm at 160lbs right now and I'm MISERABLE. Every time I eat I feel guilty and I feel like nothing I do is going to get me back on track. I can't believe I let myself go so badly. It just felt so good to eat whenever I wanted, whatever I wanted. And all that snacking just sitting around and doing assignments.

Anyone have any advice to motivate myself to do what I did again and stay that way? I started today and so far I've been on track with my eating and counting calories and stuff, but it's so hard to convince myself to keep up with it and not just cave in to chocolate or something. Because the thing is I don't know how to moderate myself. If I have a little bit, I just keep going.

The one thing that has kept me motivated has been exercise. It really helps with my mood, and it makes me feel so good.  My suggestion would be that you get outside and start moving.  Walk around for a while, then walk a little more. 

I even started getting up very early in the morning because I heard that it boosts your metabolism all day.  I don't know about my metabolism, but I do know that I am a much more positive person since I started.  There is no need to have the excuse of not having enough time when you work out first thing.

When you work out, you wear less clothes.  That is certainly motivation to push away the plate. 

Good luck, and don't be too hard on yourself.  It's normal for people to gain wait when they start college, just be glad that you have caught it before it was totally out of control.  You know how to lose it, you have done it before, it's just a mind thing of getting yourself back in the groove. 

Good luck, you can do it!!

Ditto the exercise.   I love working out.  Are you competitive?  Or maybe you do better with a support group?  I joined a challenge and we check in weekly with each other to help keep us accountable during the week.   Ours is to lose 10 lbs between 4/1 and the end of June.  Very reasonable.

Thanks guys.

I decided I'm going to try and keep it to ten lb increments in order to keep myself motivated. I'm 160bs now, so my current goal is 150lbs

(even though I really would love to be like 125/130lbs).

I've been through exactly the same thing.

I find that the best thing to do when you're working on assignments is to make sure you always have an immense amount of fruit around to reach for without thinking instead of going for unhealthier options.

And ALWAYS keep a water bottle by your side, where ever you go. Keep on drinking from it throughout the day so you don't mistake thirst with hunger.

And stop worrying about how you look. You look great in your pic!