Am i losing what I should be

luceyfer

I've been maintaining a 1200 calorie a day diet for 18 days now and have only lost 4.8 pounds, it seems like I should have lost more by now?

spmcavoy1

That seems pretty reasonable - almost 2 lbs/week (if you do the math). That's usually the most "recommended" by experts.

It takes more than a week to gain weight, so it takes more than a week to lose it all! (it IS a bit frustrating, but worth it!)

luceyfer

It is frustrating! Although I find it easier to stick with this then anything else I've tried.

crystalflame

You want to lose 33 lbs total, so you should be aiming for 1 lb/wk. You always lose a few pounds fast in the beginning because of water weight, so if you lost 3 lbs the first week and 1 lb for the next two weeks, you're right on target. Slow and steady while learning to change your habits to make them sustainable are the keys to losing weight and keeping it off permanently.

lindsey1979

That looks like a pretty good number to me! 1.5 -- 2 lbs per week is pretty killer.

SezxyStef

You want to lose 33 lbs total, so you should be aiming for 1 lb/wk. You always lose a few pounds fast in the beginning because of water weight, so if you lost 3 lbs the first week and 1 lb for the next two weeks, you're right on target. Slow and steady while learning to change your habits to make them sustainable are the keys to losing weight and keeping it off permanently.

I agree with this losing too fast with too few calories will lead to losing muscle mass along with fat

luceyfer

It has been very easy to keep to the 1200 calorie a day diet, it makes me much more aware of what I'm eating. I have realized I would rather eat a salad and a veggie burger on half a tortilla and stay full, then eat a piece of pizza and have wasted 500 calories and be hungry two hours later. I am discourged when I go to finish my log for the day and it says I will only be 10 pounds lighter in 5 weeks, but progress is progress and as long as it comes off thats what matters.