One Pound a Week - seems like a long way to go...

One pound a week may not sound like a lot but in time you will see you will start to lose more then a pound a week. Beganing is always hardest and then towards the end it will be almost addictive. I am on quest to lose 40lbs and hope fitness pal will help keep me inspired. Best of luck! and stay on it

I joined 3 weeks ago with a goal of 2 lbs. per week for 1 full year (104 lbs. by 3/1/11)! I weighed in today and I have now lost 20 lbs. in 3 weeks. I sit in front of a computer 8 hrs/day, but I have committed to no more than 1800 calories/day (6 small meals) & at least 30 minutes of cardio EVERYDAY!

Good luck...you can do it!

Welcome, This site is very helpful, at least for me. I didn't go with the reccomended, I put in that I wanted to lose 2 to 3lbs a week, and it gave me my calories per day. so far so good. my meter only show 6lbs lost but I actually lost 12 in the first 30 day, most of it being water weight im sure. It is a process, but try to have fun with it. I get a little creative with my food so that I don't get bored. Because we all know the healthy stuff is no fun at all. I plan my meals out a week in advance. and I stock the fridge and I eat every 2 to 3 hours. I drink 100 ounces of water, and I made chrystal light rasberry lemonade my new best friend. I dont even miss soda any more. I'm doing low carb, that was a challange at first because I love bread. I found a 5 net carb loaf of bread, so I can still have my turkey sandwiches. I use mustard now instead of mayo. I also stopped eating after 6pm. I had to get the family involved. because I'm sneaky. eating is an addiction for me. As far as working out, you dont have to do too much to lose, you need to have a caloric deficit. If I recall it said for my job my body will burn 2300 calories doing day to day work which is really nothing, I sit at a desk. so if I eat 1200 calories a day, there is an 1100 calorie difference. I will lose weight. That is actually what I am doing now. It's tough but it's working for me. Find what works for you and stick with it, it will eventually pay off. Good luck to you...

Right now that 1pd a week sounds really good. I have started and failed so many times I've lost count. I tell my family I'm on a new diet and when I fail they roll there eyes. This time I have decieded to rely on the people in the same boat I'm in. I hope to find some buddies to share this journey with. I promise to vent my anger, joy, or what ever here on a blog or with others who are headed in the same direction I am. I cleaned out all the junk in my kitchen, threw out all my comfort foods. I want better health. Like most people say the hardest part is getting started. I love the tools on this site and I have the motivation. I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...............twistygirl

I lost quite a bit at first from making healthy choices, but the past few weeks it has slowed down. I just have to remember it took me 5 years, 2 babies and a miscarriage to gain the weight. It is going to take me a while to loose it. Welcome to this site and best of luck on your new weight loss journey!

The reason why the pound a week routine works is that at the end of the year, you've learned eating habits that will stick with you for life. Consider that every hour of the day, you're conscious of what you eat, because you're looking at the calorie counter in real time. I've been down the lose 20 pounds a month routine too many times to know that while I achieved the weight loss, I failed miserably in learning how to eat healthy and well for life. To be sure this way takes longer, but I'm thinking that the lessons I'm learning daily will stick with me for the rest of my life. Good luck in your journey towards better health, and remember -- you're not alone in this. We're here to support you!