Ok need help!

Ritzbrit

Ok I know there a lot of posts like this on here so I do apologize but it just isn't clicking for me and for a few weeks I've been wondering about this so I guess it's time to finally ask.

I've lost 9 pounds in 6 weeks which is a loss, yay! But I think it should be more since I do have 80 pounds to lose total. So I'd like to lose 2 pounds a week.

I'm 27 years old, 5'7", started at 225, now 216 (first goal weight is around 150) and MFP has me eating 1200 calories a day (I always eat back exercise calories). I'm at sedentary since I sit at a desk all day long. I was working out 3-4 times a week but now upped it to 5 times a week, workout minimum 30 minutes. I do change up my workouts from walking, elliptical, pilates because I get bored. I can't run (yet) because I have bad RA in both my knees. I started boot camp 5 weeks ago 1 day a week for 60 minutes and it's all pretty much strength training. I know I need to get a tape measure because I can tell by clothes I'm losing inches which is great! I'm just wondering if 1200 calories is right for me? I see so many posts about eat more and weigh less but I'm a little hesitant. What are your thoughts? Is 1200 right for me since I have a lot left to lose?

Ritzbrit

Bump

michellekicks

I'd say you're doing great. Your body may not be willing to give up more than 1.5 lbs per week, which is awesome. Just keep doing what you're doing. I'm sorry you think your results are less than they could be. They're excellent. You're doing everything right.

Ritzbrit

Maybe it's just me getting older! I can't lose weight like I use to!

trixfit

And you have to make sure you are eating the right foods.

Ritzbrit

Yes I know eating right is HUGE to weight loss. I fell off the bandwagon a little bit this past weekend but I'm back on track again! Hopefully increasing my work outs will give it the kick it needs.

MinnieInMaine

I'm not sure what the original source of this is but I've seen it posted on the forums here multiple times as a good guideline to go by for how many pounds per week is healthy and realistic:

If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.

So with 65 pounds to lose, 1.5 pound per week is a pretty ideal goal. I started out needing to lose 100 pounds (at least) and my average was about 1.5 pounds per week for most of the 1st year. Now, with less than 20 to go before my primary goal, I lose about 1-1.5 pounds per Month. That said, I'm definitely of the mindset of no deprivation (if I want chocolate, I'm having chocolate, just 2 pieces instaed of the 10-20 I used to eat) and making this fit into everyday activities like lunches with friends, BBQ parties, etc.

For me, this isn't about being in a huge rush all of a sudden to lose all the weight I've had on me for years (and I honestly don't get why other people are in such a rush), it's a change of lifestyle, a day by day challenge to see if I can make healthier choices and be a healthier me for the long run. And of course to be more active and athletic.

One lesson I learned that might help you is that I watched the folks I know who are healthy/fit/trim in both day to day activities and special events. Those folks make it work by eating right and being as active as they can during the day to day and when special events come up, they don't stress about every little morsel because they know it all works out in the end. This is how I'm trying to live my life too - and although the weight and inches are coming off slowly, they're still coming off. And I'm confident that they'll stay off this time.

Ok, I'm stepping off my soapbox now. Hope some of that helps you!