So completely frustrated!

I am ready. I am SO ready, beyond ready to do this for real this time. Giving up is not an option but I really dont know what else to do.

Stop weighing yourself, darling. That's what I had to do until I started FEELING better. The scale used to determine my mood for the day. Now, I have a healthy head and realize it's just a tool that I can use rationally now. The fat loss will come. Just do what is right and take baby steps. This is a lifetime thing. Lean on your MFP friends for support. Next year at this time you will be posting in the success forum.

Again, Stop weighing yourself. And do this for real.

My suggestion would be to stick with what you're doing now for a little longer - at least a few weeks - to allow you to see any real progress. Bottom line is (if I'm understanding you right) you've lost 9 lbs in just over 3 weeks. That's a fantastic rate of loss, even with so much to lose. Some of that will probably be water weight - it usually is unfortunately when you first start, especially with very low calories. However, the scale is going in the right direction, so there's a lot to be pleased with!

A lot of people have a lot of different opinions about how many calories you should be eating, and it's best to seek professional advice if possible. I believe that in general, people who are significantly obese can "get away with" higher calorie deficits more than people who don't have as much to lose. Even so, I'm inclined to think that going with the calorie deficit MFP has provided for you, and eating that little bit more, will be more sustainable for you in the long run. After all, you don't want this to be the latest in a long line of diets that you've tried. Try to make this a permanent lifestyle change.

Like you say, you've made a massive change to your lifestyle. Some people might disagree with me, but I would even say - don't try to cut out every kind of food that you like, at least not all at once. Do you see yourself eating only lean meat and veggies 2 months from now? 6 months? A year or more? Try and eat in a way that you're going to be able to maintain. Make small changes, focusing on the parts of your diet that need improving the most. I eat chocolate still, and cheese and even pizza, just smaller amounts and less often, and I make sure they fit into my calorie goal. That way, I don't have to worry about craving things that I've cut out. That's just me though - I know everyone's different about things like that.

Don't be discouraged though. You've lost 9 lbs, and you've made massive changes to your life that will have such a positive impact on your health. Remember this: weight loss is not linear. You're going to be doing this for quite a while, and it's very unlikely that you'll see a loss on the scales every week. Chances are, you'll go up some weeks, even if you do everything "right". Weight goes up and down depending on how much you've eaten, how much you've drunk, whether you're retaining water because you've eaten a lot of sodium, whether you're retaining water from exercise, hormonal fluctuations etc. The fact that you've just started exercising more, AND you've increased your calories (+ more food in your system) makes it very likely that you are retaining water which is masking any fat loss. (Did you know that carbohydrates retain water too?) The scale is a useful tool, but it doesn't show you the whole picture.

I would say, stick to the calories MFP has given you. Focus on getting more of the nutrients you were maybe lacking before, at the same time including some foods that you really like, so you don't feel like you're "on a diet". Don't worry about what time you eat as that won't make a difference. Keep up with the exercise. Drink lots of water (or other fluids). If you haven't already, go and take measurements and take some photos so that you can compare later on. Keep doing this for a few weeks and if you're not seeing any progress then, come back and ask for more suggestions.

Are you under a lot of stress? I know some people will disagree with me, but I seriously believe when a person is under stress, their body will hang on to their weight. It's happened to me time and time again! Plus, maybe your body is in starvation mode?? Maybe it got "shocked" when you curbed your calories so suddenly and said, "Oh no, I'm starving! Better hang on to this weight." Maybe try eating all your calories for the day for awhile and see what happens.

Forgive me if this seems a silly question but is it possible at all that there's something wrong with the scale? Barring that I don't have anything to offer the above posters haven't already said. Don't lose heart this is the beginning of a journey we're taking it together and we'll end up in a better place.

Ok, I looked over your food dairy (last week or so)...you need to eat fewer carbs and less sodium and more protein.
You also need to be drinking more water. (at least 8 cups a day)
You also need to eat breakfast. Your body has been fasting while you were asleep. You need to jump start your day with some protein and healthy carbs (oatmeal for example).

I hear you. You've done so well to already lose those 9lbs, though! I've been working my butt off seriously for the last month. Staying within my calories, getting my exercise in...and I've only lost 1/2lb. Not even a whole pound!! I started to get upset, but then started noticing changes...like my belly being the tiniest bit flatter, my booty getting perkier, my waistline reappearing - and now, within the past week, people have started commenting that I look good. The only thing I can figure is that while I'm toning I may also be gaining more muscle mass and muscle weighs more. I've also started trying to fit in more cardio when/where I can, even if it's only 10 minutes. I take a yoga/tai chi/pilates combo class 3 times a week, and try to fit in at least 20 minutes of cardio before/after the class, and then try to get in cardio the 2 other days that I don't have class. I just started fitting in more cardio this week, so I'm hopeful that I will see some changes when I weigh-in next week, but I'm trying not to get discouraged. Drink up as much water as you can, watch your carbs/sugar (even the ones in fruit!), eat more green veggies (think salads made with kale and spinach - they're much more filling than regular lettuce and tastier) and be careful of your sodium. YOU'VE GOT THIS

I agree, stick to it.

Based on your diary over the past few days, here are my .02 cents:
1. Watch your sodium intake.
2. Carbs are high, mostly due to starch and not fibre unfortunately. IMO, MFP macros are kinda high for carbs. So try to increase fibre and decrease starch. The carbs coming from sugar do not appear to be from fruit, so switch those high sugar and low calorie bars for berries, melons or apples.
3. Try adding more fresh veggies to your diet. You'll learn to love them, experiement to find what you like best.

I haven't read the other responses but I'm sure you'll have people on here telling you to eat more. Honestly, given the amount of weight you have left to lose, they starvation mode doesn't really apply if your eating around 1200 cals. (don't go crazy though and start netting below 500 calories a day!). 60lbs ago I did the 1200 and it worked... now I workout alot so I eat more. But until you start being really active, remain at a low calorie diet... and fuel up with proper nutrition, and I know you know what that is... fruits, lean meats, and veggies, veggies, veggies (and more veggies)!

You can add me as a friend if you want.

I agree, stick to it.

Based on your diary over the past few days, here are my .02 cents:
1. Watch your sodium intake.
2. Carbs are high, mostly due to starch and not fibre unfortunately. IMO, MFP macros are kinda high for carbs. So try to increase fibre and decrease starch. The carbs coming from sugar do not appear to be from fruit, so switch those high sugar and low calorie bars for berries, melons or apples.
3. Try adding more fresh veggies to your diet. You'll learn to love them, experiement to find what you like best.

I haven't read the other responses but I'm sure you'll have people on here telling you to eat more. Honestly, given the amount of weight you have left to lose, they starvation mode doesn't really apply if your eating around 1200 cals. (don't go crazy though and start netting below 500 calories a day!). 60lbs ago I did the 1200 and it worked... now I workout alot so I eat more. But until you start being really active, remain at a low calorie diet... and fuel up with proper nutrition, and I know you know what that is... fruits, lean meats, and veggies, veggies, veggies (and more veggies)!

You can add me as a friend if you want.

I agree with this!!!

You've gotten some good suggestions and I don't really have anything new to add, but wanted to let you know how awesome I think you're doing! You are taking a huge step toward your health and future and that is wonderful. I know it can be so hard to develop new habits and can be so frustrating when you aren't seeing the results in the time you were hoping to, but it will come. If you continue to make healthier choices, you will be a healthier person. Keep up the good work!

With the body by vi shake it helps you build lean muscle and burn fat. You are prolly buidling musle thus not seeing results on the scale. I've been doing the shakes for 12 wks now and Ive lost 20.4 lbs which to me doesnt sound like a lot but I've lost 4 in in my bust, 2.75 in in the waist and 2 in in the hips. There were several times where I didnt lose anything that week but lost 3 the following week. 9 pounds in 3 weeks is great! You dont want to lose it too fast, its just not healthy. So, keep at it and like the others have said, drink lots of water (take your weight, divide by 2 and again by 8 .. thats roughly how many glasses of water a day you should be drinking) and of course log all your food. You will get there, keep up the good work. Feel free to add me as a friend.

Please dont get discouraged.. Its taken me 7 months to lose 40 lbs! It takes time.... be patient and GET OFF those shakes.. real food is best.. learn to eat real food three meals a day and exercise , thats how to change your life.. Those shakes are not real food... and when you get off them and eat food in its place you will gain..THE TRUE WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT IS LOWERING CALORIES AND EXERCISE!!!. .. GOOD LUCK!!