[danni]

Here is what keeps me going.

1. Reading this forum and writing about my ups and downs.
2. Keeping a food journal of everything I eat.
3. Planning ahead and having my healthy snacks on hand and ready.
4. Focusing on nutrition - I love all the good stuff.
5. I love to eat - so I eat a very small portion more often.
6. My husband compliments - he has started to notice.

[mystyblue85]

well, Im currently having problems staying on track, but when I AM on track, this is what keeps me going:

Knowing how much better Ill look without all the extra weight
Knowing Ill be healthier for my kids
Logging on to 3FC and reading everyone's encouraging stories
Noticing how much better I feel when Im treating my body better by not feeding it crap all the time

[NightAngel26]

What keeps me on track is knowing that I can change if I do what I'm supposed to, and that I probably won't change if I just eat crap and don't exercise. I don't want to be like this all of my life.

[tkm256]

Noticing how much better I feel when Im treating my body better by not feeding it crap all the time

I second this, and in my case it's extreme: if I eat fatty/sugary foods, my acid reflux doles out the punishment! Also, I have a trip planned in May that I want to be in good shape for. If I don't get my legs moving regularly, I know that by the time I get there I'll be too weak to do all the things we have planned (lots of walking, lots of sight-seeing). There's nothing worse than getting tired, sluggish and grumpy on vacation!

[Selca]

My wedding day keeps me on track. All of my brides maids are tiny and I don't want to look horrible. I want to be able to look back on the pictures with a sense of pride not anger that I couldn't lose the weight.
3FC also keeps me on track with all the support and motivational stories.

[EmmaD]

Originally Posted by danni

Here is what keeps me going.

1. Reading this forum and writing about my ups and downs.
2. Keeping a food journal of everything I eat.
3. Planning ahead and having my healthy snacks on hand and ready.
4. Focusing on nutrition - I love all the good stuff.
5. I love to eat - so I eat a very small portion more often.
6. My husband compliments - he has started to notice.

1. Yes!
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. **Yes** Nutrition and being healthy keeps me going even with no weight loss
5. Kinda - but actually I try to eat bigger portions of different things.
6. Well, not so much. He met me at my high weight so he doesn't want me "too skinny"
But having my neighbor comment is encouraging!

I would add
7. Fitting into my old (and some new!) clothes
8. Having the energy to be more athletic

And, last but not least:
9. Sheer stubbornness to not give up

[natamars]

In terms of tools, this website and my food journal help.

In terms of motivation, I only own about 4 pairs of pants and jeans in a bigger size and I'm tired of wearing them! I can get into some of my normal size ones now, but I have to make sure my top is long anough and loose-fitting enough not to show how my waist is squeezed!

Also, just decided I am going to my 20-year college reunion - first weekend in June. I have a cocktail dress I love that is a size 4 and sleeveless that I would love to wear again - I have my work cut out for me.