Kind of freaking out with the restrictions. Anyone have any tips or words of encouragement?

Don't look at them as restrictions, but a temporary change to help you get to where you want to go. In the end, you will need to consider some lifestyle changes to maintain, but once you have been focused and diligent to get to goal, deciding what will work for you will not be hard.

I am doing this a second time after a baby and I have lost 45 pounds since February.