How long to notice a difference?

You are in the early stages, yes. Think of it as the first 3 weeks of your new life. It is early, huh? Keep moving. Keep tracking. You will see changes (soon!) and they will continue. They may plateau, but everything in life plateaus, right? Consider this: are you doing this to "be skinny" or "be healthy"? If it's number two, then you've made huge progress, the clothes just haven't caught up yet.

I have lost around 25 lbs and I still don't see a difference when I look in the mirror.

Ive been at it since January 7th of this year. I havent weighed or measure myself in over 3 weeks but the last time I did I had lost like 13 inches and 28lbs. I dont see much of a difference and nobody has really said anything to me either about seeing a change:( Kinda disappointing but just makes me push myself harder!

I was told that with a reasonable diet + exercise regimen you will notice the difference in 2 months, while others will see it in 12.

I have found that 6 weeks is the magic number. You are losing gradually, while building muscle. So while the needle won't move as quickly on your scale, muscle weighs more than fat, at the end of 6 weeks you'll suddenly notice that your clothes are fitting differently.

Stay the course, ignore the scale for weeks at a time, and TAKE PICTURES! You'll see the changes being made in your body through your pictures. Every 3 - 4 weeks is probably best.

Good luck! Let us know how it works out for you.

Wow! Great work, amynicole!

It's really hard to notice a difference yourself because it happens so slowly. I started at 177 and I didn't seem to really notice a difference and no one said *anything* about any weight loss until I lost 25 pounds, then my body seemed to really change and everyone noticed. I really recommend taking pictures, measuring, or trying on clothes you haven't worn for a while. You need to find a gauge other than the mirror or the scale.

You have done great!

I started (off and on) running since late December. The last five weeks I am finally dedicated and run 3-4 times per week with strengthening on the off days (one "veg out" day). I lost 18 lbs so far but cannot see a difference when I look in the mirror. However, my shirts and pants are too big now, and I am able to fit into pants I hung up six years ago because the button did not reach the button hole. My weight is stagnant for the past two weeks, and I hate hearing "you are adding muscle, and muscle weighs more than fat". My doctor says 160 is good for me but I am shooting for 150. At 5'5" 125 is "ideal" but I cannot imagine how. Who knows!? For now I will keep running and see what happens. Maybe once I hit 50+ miles per week I will notice. I think we expect too much from our weight loss. It took years to add it on why should it come off in a week or two?

Heck, I've lost *57 and I'm still wondering when I'll "see" it. Yes, I'm wearing smaller clothes (by quite a bit, size 22 jeans down to 14-16) and yes my family and friends definitely see it. And when I look at old pictures of myself, I can totally see it there. But at my heaviest, I didn't see myself the way I really was. Mentally, I looked pretty much like I do now, even though that wasn't the reality. So, this far down and the girl in the mirror really isn't any different at all.

It really differs for everyone when you will see it in yourself. I didn't tell anyone besides my husband what I was doing and people started commenting when I was about 35 pounds down. Most said they wondered for a while, but didn't want to say anything in case they were wrong. By time I lost 35, there was no longer any question.

*I started at 220, so pretty close to the OP.

Wow what an accomplishment!!!!! I weigh myself every Sunday so I can keep my goals in line I have a mini goal I set every week. I cant believe you lost 28lbs and no one notices

I cant believe it either. I can see a bit in my before pics but they disgust me too much too look at them. I had to stop weighing myself regularly, everytime I passed the scale I wanted to get on it. So I figured I will only weigh and measure myself once a month that way my accomplishments are more rewarding!
What types of mini goals do you set each week for yourself?

So like last week I lost 8 pounds (water weight im sure) so each week I have a goal to loose three pounds and if I come close or not close enough I hit the gym more. If I make my weigh in then i treat myself with a promised gift. This week if I hit 196 from 199 I am getting my nails done. In three weeks if I meet my goal I am getting my hair done. 3 weeks from then if I make my goal I get to buy new clothes Anything but food

My goals were kinda similar. At 30lbs I wanted to get my hair done, 50 start my tanning again, 70 get another tattoo and 100, new clothes

Typically, people start to comment on the change after I lose about 30. This time, I have been working out more than I ever have (low impact aerobics) and people have started commenting (especially my husband as he sees me with the least amount of clothing) after I lost about 15 pounds. I think any amount of exercise helps to tone so you notice a difference faster. I did notice that my clothes are getting baggy so maybe people can't see the difference through the loose clothing.

I still don't look down and see a difference, but i took a pic at my start weight, and 15lbs down and you can see it (look at prof pic).. 2lbs til i hit 25 and i am gonna take another one!