30 lbs in 12 weeks!

Brenda_1965

I am so in shock. I can't believe this is ME down 30 lbs in only 12 weeks. I have tried so many times before, even using mfp. I believe a big part of my current success is that I am overestimating my portions, and I am NOT eating ANY of my exercise calories. As long as 1200 calories are logged, I am not warned about starvation mode, so I see no reason to eat what I don't want to. I also weigh daily so that I can see each and every new low as soon as it happens. Yes, it goes back up the next day, but comes back down. I have also learned that it takes 3 days for MY body to register a binge. That is helpful because I don't get excited the day after a binge because the scale dropped. This keeps me from permitting myself to continue bingeing.

valcladdagh

Congrats!

joyoungolivia

wow! thats brilliant! congrats

nturner612

way to go! after my binge last week i actually dropped 1lb the next day and a few days later it all caught up with me! but im smarter now....trying not to eat back my exercise calories and i know this week will be btter! Good Job! 30lbs is alot and you are a great motivation!!!

MMark2012

Great! You are Fabulous! I try to stay at the 1200/day also. It happens for the most part!

Curvimami

Wow!! That is awesome Congrats!!!

louiseyanne

Well done !! I am on my way to this sort of goal too. ! 14lb in 6 weeks !

kel665

Congratulations! I can't wait until I can say I've lost 30lbs!

Faye_Anderson

. As long as 1200 calories are logged, I am not warned about starvation mode,.

You realise your diary is open and we can all see that you're regularly UNDER 1200 and by quite a long way some days?

Love_flowers

Thumbs up! That is really amazing! :flowerforyou:

DMUND

Looking great girlie!!! Keep up the great work!

AimersBee

. As long as 1200 calories are logged, I am not warned about starvation mode,.

You realise your diary is open and we can all see that you're regularly UNDER 1200 and by quite a long way some days?

Yeah, I'd say great job if it was true that you were eating decently and were above 1200 a day. But also looking back at your diary, I see 13 out of the last 20 days you're under 1200 calories, some days under 800. If you have a medical issue and your doctor has okay'd being under 1200, then sure we can work with that. Otherwise I'd feel uncomfortable to congratulate and say good job when clearly your calories are under the "healthy" 1200 calorie range, and the foods aren't even in abundance when you are under 1200.

I hope that you're just not logging most things, for your own sake.

Don't mean to be mean. Just concerned. I wouldn't want younger individuals looking at this post and then peeking at your diary and think.. well if she can eat this little amount of calories and lose weight, then I could do it too.

Brenda_1965

. As long as 1200 calories are logged, I am not warned about starvation mode,.

You realise your diary is open and we can all see that you're regularly UNDER 1200 and by quite a long way some days?

Yeah, I'd say great job if it was true that you were eating decently and were above 1200 a day. But also looking back at your diary, I see 13 out of the last 20 days you're under 1200 calories, some days under 800. If you have a medical issue and your doctor has okay'd being under 1200, then sure we can work with that. Otherwise I'd feel uncomfortable to congratulate and say good job when clearly your calories are under the "healthy" 1200 calorie range, and the foods aren't even in abundance when you are under 1200.

I hope that you're just not logging most things, for your own sake.

Don't mean to be mean. Just concerned. I wouldn't want younger individuals looking at this post and then peeking at your diary and think.. well if she can eat this little amount of calories and lose weight, then I could do it too.

Don't get so defensive! I'm not lying. There was one day that I didn't completely log! I had a bad day and let it go. Most days I am VERY close to 1200! My point about starvation mode was in relation to my NOT eating my exercise calories! I also don't log my snacks sometimes after supper by I'm too tired. Trust me, I eat the 1200 on most days even if my diary doesn't show them all.

1. I don't eat back my exercise calories.
2. I overestimate my food portions now instead of underestimating the like I used to. For some reason it used to make me feel better to lie to myself when I logged only 1T peanut butter and actually scooped out closer to1.5. The scale did not lie when the weight didn't come off.

I think my message got misconstrued.

fredf2112

Fantastic results! Whatever you are doing is working for you so keep it up.

KCramer12

Fantastic job!!! Keep it up! Sounds like u r learning your body tricks!

shantellrae

Congrats on your progress! This is literally my DAY ONE of dieting - this is good motivation!

Southern_Belle89

Great job girl! Congrats!

SMJ1987

. As long as 1200 calories are logged, I am not warned about starvation mode,.

You realise your diary is open and we can all see that you're regularly UNDER 1200 and by quite a long way some days?

Yeah, I'd say great job if it was true that you were eating decently and were above 1200 a day. But also looking back at your diary, I see 13 out of the last 20 days you're under 1200 calories, some days under 800. If you have a medical issue and your doctor has okay'd being under 1200, then sure we can work with that. Otherwise I'd feel uncomfortable to congratulate and say good job when clearly your calories are under the "healthy" 1200 calorie range, and the foods aren't even in abundance when you are under 1200.

I hope that you're just not logging most things, for your own sake.

Don't mean to be mean. Just concerned. I wouldn't want younger individuals looking at this post and then peeking at your diary and think.. well if she can eat this little amount of calories and lose weight, then I could do it too.

Don't get so defensive! I'm not lying. There was one day that I didn't completely log! I had a bad day and let it go. Most days I am VERY close to 1200! My point about starvation mode was in relation to my NOT eating my exercise calories! I also don't log my snacks sometimes after supper by I'm too tired. Trust me, I eat the 1200 on most days even if my diary doesn't show them all.

1. I don't eat back my exercise calories.
2. I overestimate my food portions now instead of underestimating the like I used to. For some reason it used to make me feel better to lie to myself when I logged only 1T peanut butter and actually scooped out closer to1.5. The scale did not lie when the weight didn't come off.

I think my message got misconstrued.

I don't think she was getting defensive at all...just showing concern for you. I agree with her. Even if you are eating 1200 most days a lot of it seems to be coming from junk food which will be hard to sustain in the long run if you want to meet your macro nutrient goals.

beckyjo1987

Ahhh you're not eating enough!! 1200 is unreasonably low for just about anyone, even someone who is trying to lose weight! I think you'll find that if you, at the very least, eat the bare minimum calories that your body needs to sustain daily function (this would be your BMR, and it doesn't include ANY type of physical activity), you'll find that you could eat more and still lose weight. Seriously! And when that starts to work, eat more (calculate your body's TDEE, which is your BMR plus exercise calories burned, and subtract 15% or so)... it's counterintuitive, but it's so much healthier to eat more than 1200 calories. At 1200, you'll completely stall at some point, and your brain will say, "well, now I have to eat less... then less... then less..." Not sustainable!! Eat what your body needs to fully energize you for life!

There are so many people successfully losing weight while eating upwards of 2000 calories a day... it's a real thing, trust me!

Check out this website for starters if you aren't convinced:
http://eatmore2weighless.com/

Okay, I'll leave you to it.

lavieboheme1229

I too am hesitant to congratulate the speed of your success. If you were quite a bit heavier, eating 1600 calories a day, and losing 2.5 pounds a week, I would congratulate you and tell you to keep up your good work.

I'm not a doctor. I don't know you. Neither does anyone on this website. I simply hope this wasn't a crash diet, and you gain 40 back in the next 2 months when you start eating "normal" again.

SarahSosi

awesome work! congrats!

michelleindeed

I would say that overestimating your portion sizes is also a bad thing-
You're counting calories in your diary that you're not even eating by doing so and that's making your actual total even lower.

Stradalicious

That's fantastic! What an inspiration!

lavieboheme1229

I also just did the math on my own weight loss.

5 months, 42 pounds. That's about 2 pounds a week. Still high. A lot higher than I expected. BUT- I'm 6', started at 212.2. AKA- I had a bit to lose. And I also eat at least 1400-1500 calories a day before exercise (My logging hasn't been spectacular lately- don't hate on me internet world when you look at my diary! I eat 3 meals every day, I swear to god!) And I eat exercise calories back.

Just wanted to give a frame of reference that everyone is definitely different.

kjjm08

I also hesitate to say congrats because a few things pop out at me. Like the others have mentioned:

1. You aren't eating enough. Just because you get near 1200 doesn't mean anything imo. It's not healthy.
2. What you are eating, is a lot of processed crap.One day in your diary, all you had for lunch was a bunch of candy?
3. Overestimating your calories doesn't help you.By overestimating - you are really eating less then what is being accounted for.

I think people are just showing their concern for you, not being defensive. In any case, I wish you the best luck in your weight loss and may it be healthy weight loss

skellyness

. As long as 1200 calories are logged, I am not warned about starvation mode,.

You realise your diary is open and we can all see that you're regularly UNDER 1200 and by quite a long way some days?

I agree with this

Brenda_1965

I also just did the math on my own weight loss.

5 months, 42 pounds. That's about 2 pounds a week. Still high. A lot higher than I expected. BUT- I'm 6', started at 212.2. AKA- I had a bit to lose. And I also eat at least 1400-1500 calories a day before exercise (My logging hasn't been spectacular lately- don't hate on me internet world when you look at my diary! I eat 3 meals every day, I swear to god!) And I eat exercise calories back.

Just wanted to give a frame of reference that everyone is definitely different.

You aren't too far from me.
1. I started at 206 and I'm 5'7
2. Weight loss slows as you continue and hit plateaus.

I feel great, and the week I ate some candy, it was in absolute moderation. That week I was below 1200 quite a few days was the week I was recovering from my cerebral angiogram. I could not run, and I didn't feel like eating. WoW. Take a few days out of context and blow it out of proportion.

1200 calories a day is not set in stone. It is meant to be an average daily consumption over a week. SO... I can skim 100-200 a few days to save up for eating out on the weekend. If you look at the nutritional requirements, it is also an average. It's ok to eat mostly veggies one day, and load up on protein on another day. Just eat what your body craves on that day. EAT mindfully, and DON'T go to bed hungry!

I have tried mfp before...twice. I was not successful then, but I am this time. I just thought I would post the differences in my approach that are leading to my success this time.

As for teens, there is an age minimum of 18 on here because they have different nutritional requirements.

Melissa82434

GOOD FOR YOU!!! That is AWESOME!!! Are you exercising everyday? Im losing slowly, Watching my portions, but Im also NOT depriving myself. LOL Yes, I will eat a cookie LOL..........Maybe I shouldnt

Brenda_1965

Wed. 1044
Thurs 1016
Fri 978
Sat 1170
Sun 1723<

---

Mon. 761. (Did not log my 700+ calorie binge on turkey bacon)
Tues. 1253

---

Week 7945 +700+
Average 1135 per day
With I recorded binge on healthy food, = average of > 1235 per day.

Brenda_1965

Plus THIS week was awful for me because I didn't feel like cooking because I was in recovery. I also could not work out.

reenielovesthebeach

I have to say AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME! You are doing a terrific job!

I started on 8/8/12 and I weighed yesterday at my doctor's office and I'm down 26 pounds. YIPPIE! I weighed 262 and I'm 5'7" tall. I now weigh 236 pounds. My doctor, a true medical professional was thrilled with my success thus far...I will say that having high blood pressure like I DID, prior to a couple of weeks ago and taking medicine for it daily, clogging my arteries with unhealthy fattening foods, eating food like there's no tomorrow and no exercise at all is VERY UNHEALTHY! That was me prior to 8/8 when I started this. So for anyone to criticize- that's just plain ridiculous! I would much rather feel like I do now, have my blood pressure at a healthy rate now with no medication and actually look forward to working out. I eat 1360 calories per day usually- give or take a few. I eat plenty. I just eat a healthy loaded with veggie salad that's 400 calories now, instead of going to eat McDonald's and opting for 2,500 calories for one meal. I don't blow all of my daily calories on one meal. If I want a fattening cheeseburger- I'll have it. The key is not deprivation as this is why many people fail at this and it's why I have so many times. We gorge one day after not eating anything fattening and then we feel deprived and go back to our old ways. I choose to make wiser decisions now and learn that moderation with anything in life is best, food included. I "think" about everything I eat now. I LOVE working out on the treadmill for an hour at 3.6 speed and leaving the gym feeling stress free. I'm one of those people now who used to think that those who crave the workout were nuts.

When you are obese like I am, you will lose quicker in the beginning and then it will slow down. In the beginning you lose a lot of water weight. This has happened to me. I work out 3-5 days per week now for an hour or so each time. Instead of sitting at my desk job for eight hours- Monday thru Friday and I get up and go to the park and walk for at least a half hour- two or three days a week. The key to this is moving your butt and cutting your calories to what you can live with every single day. It's not making such a drastic change that you can't live with it. Remember this is a NEW LIFESTYLE CHANGE, not just until you lose the weight. I have decided to make this change as a 43 year old woman that realizes she needs to get off her butt and do this or risk being very ill one day and having to depend on everyone else to take care of me. How selfish would I be if I didn't at least try to change...I just joined MFP about a month ago and I'm amazed at the amount of people who dis-courage, rather than encourage. I beg to differ with anyone giving this successful woman a hard time over her weight loss! Think about the other option for her, myself and everyone else fighting this battle. I'm not here to argue with anyone. Everyone has and is entitled to their own opinions, but seriously think about what you are saying. Offer this lady encouragement...This lady is not 20 years old, nor am I or a lot of the people on here so it's not right to even compare her to a 20 year old. Nor do we only have ten pounds to lose to get to our goals, like a 20 year old can do in two weeks because their metabolism actually still works. That is what's wrong with society these days, we always look to put the blame elsewhere on someone else. Instead of worrying about a 20 year old seeing her post and not eating, look at it the other way and think about a 40 something who might be reading this post and is struggling through every bite they put in their mouth and looking at this as their inspiration. I'm telling you what I'm doing is working for me as well. You can look at my diary and pick it apart. We can all do that to each other all day long. I have dropped from a snug size 18 in jeans to a snug size 12 in jeans. I have gone from shopping in plus sizes only to being able to shop anywhere I please. I can walk into any given store now in my local mall and shop. That is my encouragement, my motivator to myself...I wish everyone luck, I understand people can't fathom losing this fast but it's all about moving...Getting up and moving and making conscious decisions to put healthy foods into your body. It's about learning everything you can and filling your brain with so much healthy info that you feel like you will explode. It's about surrounding yourself with like-minded and positive people who have a common goal. After all, this is what has brought each and every one of us together...