How long to see any results?

kimw11

I only have about 15 pounds to lose also and it has been very slow. Two things that have helped me are having a Withings scale that is linked to MFP and reading the NSV (NonScaleVictory) threads in the Success Stories category. I weigh myself every morning and although my weight loss has been slow I have a very steady downward trend with fluctuations of a few pounds on either side. By watching the curve you start to focus less on each individual weight. The NSV thread really helped shift my focus to other positives like a normal blood pressure, looking better and having higher fitness level. I have lost 9 pounds over 5-6 months but am much fitter and healthier. Plus, if I wasn't trying, my weight would probably be going in the wrong direction and 6 more months would still be gone. Good luck on your journey!

kimw11

Also there is always the Whoosh Effect to consider:
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html/

Machka9

When I signed on here, I entered my information into MFP, set myself as sedentary, selected 0.5 kg/week as my target weight loss goal, and MFP gave me about 1250 calories as a max.

For the first few weeks, it was tough staying under that. I did, of course, but I was hungry all the time until I settled on food choices that kept me fuller longer.

Exercise also helps a lot. I add my exercise each day, and eat maybe about half of my exercise calories back. So it was a rare day I only ate 1250 cal.

From the time I started, it was a long and frustrating 10 days before I saw any results at all. I figured I'd give it up when I hit the 2 week point. But then, on the morning of day 11, I had my first little loss. And I've been losing fairly steadily since.

When I reached my first goal, I upped my calories to 1350 max (plus my exercise calories). My loss is a bit slower now, but that's OK.

That is what worked for me.

So ... yes, you might need to lower your max calories a little bit. That might be the first thing to try. Next ... be patient. If you're only hanging in there for 3 weeks, that's not really enough time for much to happen. Stick to it for a full 2 months and see what happens.

lorrpb

>>Back to my original question - if I do everything perfectly should I be expecting weeks and weeks until I see any loss? I've managed 3 weeks at a time (more than once) of that precision (weighing, etc) and seen nothing.<<

If you are perfect for 3 weeks and do not see results, then the answer is 4-6 weeks. It's different for everyone. Hang in there.