10 lbs in 24 hours!

I need to lose 10 pounds by 6:30 tomorrow night!

I'm KIDDING!! But did I get your attention in an email spam kinda way?

Obviously this is impossible and an unhealthy way of thinking. I also don't really need to lose ten pounds; that's just my bridal brain talking. I am comfortable with myself. But fitness and diet are an important part of a healthy body, and even if I'm mostly ok with how I look, it doesn't mean I'm okay with how I feel: often stressed and sluggish. And I am a fitness procrastinator.

Our engagement photo shoot was rescheduled last month due to impending rain, and here I am, 3 weeks later, and I've done nothing with my extension to better myself for our session.  How do you kick your own butt out of a rut?

To paint a clear picture for you, I'm eating mashed potatoes on my parents' back porch, looking at the pool in which I could be swimming, but choosing to surf the 'Net instead.

Fortunately, three months is a reasonable time (here I go counting down to the wedding again!) to make a lifestyle change and see some happy results. Much better than 24 hours, am I right?

I've heard that if you had to choose, diet has more effect on weight loss or gain than exercise.  I certainly have a problem with my eating habits with so much crave-worthy food at my fingertips in the Big Apple.  So where do I start to get myself on track?:

Reducing Carbs? This has worked for a bunch of my friends... but I don't know if I could do it!

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Counting "Points?" This is kind of easy and fun- except when I eat out. Which is a lot.

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Shake for lunch?  Old fashioned chocolate-cravers' shortcut...

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As far as fitness is concerned, I know what works for me...  I just need the motivation to make the time in my day for it, and make a commitment to myself.

What are your tips and tricks for jump-starting a healthy lifestyle? Is anyone else in a rut and need some motivation?