I need to lose 40 pounds before October 13th.

Track your food in MyFitnessPal. Figure out what ratio of carbs/protein/fat keeps you satisfied at a calorie deficit. Meal prep can really help with staying below your calorie goal, especially your lunches. Going out to eat during lunch at work always puts me over my allotted calories.

Lift weights, get some cardio for health.

I agree with Grace and Kt90210. but I have a few additions:

- do not rule out carbs completely, just be smart!

- lift weights, PROMISE you won't get bulky. You will 'tone' a lot easier than just cardio, especially if you lift heavy. Get that heart rate up girl!! Lifting weights actually is proven to keep your heart rate up faster and longer than just cardio, meaning your metabolism will keep going!

- if you want cheese, go with the weight watchers cheese at the grocery store, again be smart

- eggs? mix egg whites with an egg or two, less fat!

IF you are looking for an actual "program" I do advocare. My 24 day challenge results I lost 16.5" and 9lbs. I also counted my macros and did the bootcamp/ lifted weights during that time. I am not a cardio person at all. (you can only do these once every 90 days, due to the cleanse) so maybe if that last month you need a bigger boost, look into it! [I have my before and after's, if you'd like to see them, I can privately send them to you]

Go to Pinterest for lean carb, protein charts! It helps a ton

Good luck girl! I also started working out again as I am going dress shopping in 30 days!

I like 21 day fix extreme! It's really just portion control and eating right...and I love the workouts! In a week my FH dropped about 8lbs from the diet and running and I only dropped about 4lbs from the diet and exercise, but then again it was only 1 week! I got lazy with food prepping and have regessed...but I do recommend taking a look! If you can find a similar plan online you can prepare with good old measuring cups and get the workout DVD on amazon or something.

I have been trying the Trim Healthy Mama plan. It takes out sugar and replaces with other natural sweeteners. So far its something I can handle, but it takes a lot of planning, as you have to make most of your food and stock up on different sweeteners and flours.

Exercise is also a big one. i hate it, but I try to use the treadmill every other day!

The My Fitness Pal App makes calorie counting a lot easier. No matter what you decide to do--Good luck!!

Portion control always does it for me. Be diligent though. Try a calorie counting app and pound the water! Only eat out once a week or as little as possible.

I'd do the stairmaster and clean eating - try and cut out sugar

I recommend getting this book. the meals were tasty and I felt amazing. It comes with meal prep info, recipes, work outs and it reads kind of silly so its fun.