I am 5'10, 200 pounds, and want to get down to 165 by JUNE 2005. I've already tried a diet/exercise program back in April, but it was a failure after a good 3 weeks on it. My downfall was the mental toughness of it, as well as the cheat-days.

Here's what my program will look like--

2000 calories per day, give or take. Usually have, throughout the day, for lunch/breakfast (wake up too late to have them separate) a scrambled egg, and something like a waffle... or a half a bagel with cream cheese. For dinner I have a meat (chicken or fish) with some sort of carb like rice, and veggies to the side, potato, corn.... I also have baby carrots, nuts, and fruits for a snack all throughout the day, and a cup of fat free microwave popcorn at night.

For my exercise routine, for cardio I plan to go on the bike Monday - Friday, 35 minute sessions. I also play tennis once a week for about 90 minutes, and go for a walk everyday (walk the dog). For muscle toning, I also do lifting (10 pound dumbells), 3 sets, 15 reps... about 4 different arm exercises, and 3 sets of 30 sit-ups every other day 7 days per week (so monday I lift, tuesday I do sit-ups, wednesday I lift, thursday sit-ups... etc...).

I look in the mirror and am very discouraged and think to myself that there's no point. But the beginning is the hardest, the moment I see a little improvement, I can build on that and have motivation to continue.

The past month or so I've been so far away from a diet with constant junk food, I know that any modification is an improvement... While at first it'll feel good that I've been exercising, I have to be persistent to get real results. I know though, that mentally I'm stronger now. When I first tried to diet, I would be a slave to the 'cheating voice.' But now I just laugh it off and just say no, because I remember what it feels like after giving way to the temptation. That's the plus side of failure, learning from it and applying the new methods to now.

good to see that you haven't given up.
A couple of points of advice...
1) get up earlier and have oatmeal for breakfast, if you want to reach your goal, you are going to have to change some habits.
2) bagel and cream cheese, waffle? lose that stuff right now
3) drop the rice and potatoes for dinner, try sweet potato, its REALLY yummy!
4) popcorn is probably not the greatest choice.
5) read the sticky post in the Nutrition Forum for more detailed advice
http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=1222
6) get a cheap digital camera, with a self-timer, and start taking photos. It really helps when the scale is static, you can look back over the weeks and SEE the progress. Looking the mirror everyday isn't the same.
7) log everything you eat and the ratios, download john's excel workbook to start.

First thing you have to do is read that sticky thread just mentioned.

This is your first step toward doing some mental "leg work". Do enough research so that you are confident with your routine. The internet is your friend. Even with the blessing in disguise - failing once, and learning from it - without that feeling that you are eating and exercising right, you will likely fail again. Letting the "JSF Forums Athletic Advisors" in on your weight loss and muscle gain goals is a great first step toward a better body.

I believe what happened before is you jumped right in without having any real clue. In the past you heard buzz words like "fat-free" and "low-carb" and assumed that was healthy. You wouldn't go skydiving if all you knew about it was you jump out of a plane and use a parachute, would you?

Good luck, have fun, and remember your goals. It's time to get sexy.