Tammy: it's always a hard balance. You also need to get the motivation and determination to do this. And once you have that attitude, don't lose it, which is hard. We all have setbacks.. and times when we eat something we really shouldn't. Remember that we aren't perfect.
I also try to make goals other than JUST reading a smaller number on the scale. Things such as:
Eating more fruit
Drinking 8cups or more water
eating all veggies and fruits each day
Trying new foods
Exercising more each week
Take measurements and set a mini goal with those
only have junk food after you've had all of the "whole" foods
only splurge on food once a week
Little things that I call baby steps. All of those are for your betterment health wise. I think sometimes we all get stuck on the scale as the only means to see accomplishment. Yet, by taking a step back and looking at ways we have improved our lifestyle since we started and setting mini goals outside of the scale we can see more enjoyment.
Also another key too is making sure you focus on this as not just a diet. That this is a lifestyle change. This is going to be something you do. That there is nothing that will stop it.
Remember that even if there's weeks that you don't lose weight that you are still bettering yourself. The weeks I don't lose, I try to reflect on some of the good things. There are weeks when our bodies need to catch up with all of the changes. So even if there's a week when you've stayed completely on point and you don't lose, its not the end of the world. You'll get through it and keep reflecting on the good. And when there's weeks that you mess up, just get right back up and keep going.
Don't forget to enjoy the journey. This shouldn't be a time where you stress our completely over weigh-ins. You'll get too discouraged. Instead focus on the positives and what you enjoyed that week. Even if it was a bad food week, look at something you enjoyed! If it was a family gathering, enjoy the company and the food and move on the next day. Don't starve yourself of things you enjoy the most. Don't stress out over different events in life that you don't enjoy that time. Relax and take it one step at a time...
That's how its done. It's easier said than done. But, it works
And remember too, this forum is an awesome support network. Even if all you need to do is to vent, do it. There is always someone around to listen and generally there are people here who are or have experienced the same thing you have! You can do this!
I'm in a breakfast rut!
) - cottage cheese and fruit, egg white omelet, sometimes I just have a sandwich with WW chicken, LF cheese and Hellman's FF dijonnaise. Hash browns can be made just by grating up some potatoes and "frying" them in a non-stick pan with 1 tsp olive oil (add any veggies you like and an egg white or two if you want them more potato pancake style).