What I am doing differently this time that makes it easier for being on track

Just because I spend a couple thousands of dollars joining a gym doesn't mean that I was going to use it. During the first couple weeks (about 1 1/2 year ago), I've worked out 3-4 times a week, but it got old within a month. I've stopped going for a year.

The difference this time was as simple as this:

1. I had a goal.
My lady signed up for wedding photo shoot.
And, at the same time, I just realized that I've ballooned up to 194.

2. I am became cognizant of what I've been eating. It's amazing to realize what I thought was healthy, but in reality it wasn't. I used to eat at Specialty's Cafe n' Bakery, and my favorite was their Big BLT, with a side of small cup of chicken noodle soup, and a "healthy" oatmeal n' raison cookie, and wash it down with a diet coke diluted with carbonated water. It ended up taking up 1400-1500 in one meal. I never realized that until I started counting calories.

By knowing what I eat, it allow me to make the decision, and also allowed me to "splurge" and/or "reward" myself.

3. Count count count. I have a little OCD in me. By counting the cal in and cal out, I encouraged me to work out more. I now do 30-60 min of cardio 5-6 days per week. I love recording every little things in fatsecrete (especially on my HTC Hero). It became like a game. I love the challenge. I also noticed that I started eating much healthier as I enjoy "winning" the game one day at a time. Before that I counted, I hated eating brocoli and other yucky vegetables. Now, because I want to win the game of counting, and still want to enjoy the food that I like, I've added a lot of these green and colorful fresh food inorder to feel full because my portion of protein now are more reasonable (no more 24 oz ribeye, instead I sliced the ribeye to thiner bites, the flavor comes out more, and I am able to eat a lot less, 4-5 oz for dinner is now enough for me to feel good).

Good luck to all.

A missle is off course most of its journey. It sends a signal to see if its on target. It's close but needs to move a little to the left/right. So it adjusts. It then sends another signal.... this continues.

Eventually it hits the target and everyone is so blown away by how accurate it was even though it was "not on target" most of the way. By having a goal (target) and counting your calories and weighing in you get feedback to "am I on course" and if you're not you make adjustments. Congrats and I wish you continued success.