Congrats on making the choice to put yourself first! It already looks like, according to your ticker, that you're 15 pounds down from where you started!!
To start out, I'm a full time student (taking about 17 credit hours on average a semester) and I work 24-32 hours a week. During the summer, I house-sit most days for a large client base and have to be up at 6 to get all my morning rounds done, before going to an internship and then finally work. Trying to balance this on top of having a social life means that I'm definitely able to relate to your struggles!
The first thing I'll have to say is that you're already making the hardest choices... deciding that it's time to make changes and get healthy.
Now, you say you're focusing on diet right now instead of working out. I've gotta say that I'd probably do it the other way around. I only say that because I know how awesome working out is for my stress and for my overall level of contentment. When it comes to dieting, that's a small thing to really change. You're GOING to eat food. It's just a matter of picking the right ones... but working out is a BIG step that could bring you results in DAYS! I once had a doctor tell me that, "You can eat the right foods everyday for a year and you'll only lose a few pounds... you've got to MOVE, Olivia. Actually get up off the couch and move." LOL harsh words, but I've found them to be true!
For me, staying focused on anything is just a matter of small reminders throughout the day. One thing I did that I think has helped me the most is that I bought a big bulletin board at office max on sale for $10. I have a daily weigh-in sheet, a "goal" sheet, a picture of me at my heaviest, a picture of what I'd like to look like after I'm done, I have my "magic number" really big in the corner (125!)... it's a HUGE source of motivation for me. I also have bible verses, quotes, a small pocket for me to put ideas in... anything that would help me keep on going with my weight loss. It worse WONDERS! I see it every morning and It never goes away... One thing that I've thought about doing that would relate to you, is that I've considered developing a menu for the week... that way, I can plan ahead for my calories, what I need to buy, etc. Not only will food no longer be a real issue, but I can look forward to certain meals and there's no "What am I gonna do tonight? Idk... i'll just order out..." Nope, those days are gone!
Good luck, girl! Tell me what your plans are!! Maybe I'll learn something for myself