A mountain to climb

How do you keep yourself motivated when all you can think about is that I have to loose 50lbs just to break 200, and then have to do 50lbs again?

I kind of feel like I'm staring down an endless tunnel.

I've been incredibly motivated this last month because I'm in a weight loss competition at work, and 1st place wins over $300 (we all pitch in $65). I'm so afraid that after the competition is over, I'll completely loose all motivation (especially if I loose) and I'll just go back to where I was.

You should have "Mini Goals" and write them down so you can mark them off achieve them. I just did that and it changed my whole outlook.

Motivation is always important. Take "baby steps", 5 lbs per step, something relatively low. Celebrate your success. Rewards yourself, but not with food. Make it fun. Make it a game.

I know just how you feel. When I started this I knew I needed to lose about 150 pounds but I couldn't even imagine how I was going to lose 100 so I set that as my goal. The good thing is the more you have to lose the easier it comes off, so the first little while you only need to make some small changes to your eating and exercising habits to see a drop. This has to be a permanent change in your life so take your time, don't rush it, make changes that you can live with and still have a life that you enjoy. If it takes two years or more so be it. By the time you reach your goal weight the new habits will be that much more ingrained into your lifestyle. Remember why you started this and the good things that will come with weight loss. I get so mad at myself sometimes for all the years I spent overweight and missing out on life.

As you lose, you'll stay motivated as you see the weight come off. I know each time I get on the scale it excites me.

But to keep the momentum, make sure it's your lifestyle. Workouts should fit into your lifestyle (make it convenient). Pay attention to your food choices--when you look at your plate what do you see? Mainly breads, pastas, sugars, refined foods?? Limiting intake of refined carbs/sugars will accelorate your weight loss. When I compare my plate of food now to what it used to look like. before, it was 90% carbs, 10% protein, no veggies/fruit, now every meal is a serving of good protein, 2 servings of fresh vegetables or a serving of fruits/berries, and maybe a serving of carbs/breads (I try and keep net carbs to 100-175).