ahh! I just dont know what todo anymore. Iam confused with myself! First I feel like I need to lose 30 lbs, and then I feel fine/comfortable with my weght and could careless about dieting. Right now I am in the feel horrible about myself stage. I don't even know where to begin. I think I finally realize its time for a lifelong change, butI dont know how to start? Howto stay motivated...and keep myself on track.

My advice would be to forget dieting completely. Just focus on eating healthy, fabulous, delicious food, eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full, keep a very basic idea of the calories you're consuming and keep it within a maintenance level, and exercise to improve your fitness. You'll feel better, and probably lose weight - but without having to go through the on/off cycle you're currently experiencing.

Morgan- I feel the same way. A lot. Once I got my BMI into a healthy range, it became harder and harder to stay really focused. I fluctuate between thinking I am fine where I am , and wanting to lose more weight on an almost daily basis.

Like Expunge- I would focus less on dieting, and more on making simple, healthy changes to your diet. Sometimes when I lose motivation, I challenge myself to find 5 (insert random number) new healthy recipes that I really like. I'll focus on finding something new to whip up in the mornings, or a new smoothie, a different combination of seasonings for veggies, etc... Keeping it new and interesting helps when I am not feeling particularly motivated.

I do the same with exercise. I'm really bored with all my workout routines right now- just can't find the motivation to get on the treadmill again for one more second. So this afternoon I bought a new yoga DVD, and a Tai Chi for Beginners one that I can try out with Patrick and Joan. It helps to change the mindset from "I have to do this to lose weight" to "I can't wait to try something new!"

~Dagny

I know how you feel. One thing that helped me really make some permanent changes was to really look into the things I ate. I read up about how bad fast food is, I learned about white vs. wheat etc. I know it doesn't sound fun but if I really wanted to change I knew I had to realize what I was doing to my body. Even though I knew things were bad for me I didn't realize exactly what that meant and just put it out of my mind. Calorie counting and reading has really helped me realize it needs to be a lifestyle change and not just a diet. If I stick to good foods and get my heart pumping on a regular basis then I know I will be healthy and I won't worry so much about that number on the scale.