Are you guys sure?

I lost 10 lbs this year, just by following my calorie goal everyday and I've exercised only a few times, although I'm trying to workout more often. But it's not a scam and it really does work.

Calories in, calories out. Law of science. It'll work. You probably won't drop the 1 pound, 1 pound, every single week (the body doesn't know the difference between one Sunday to the next) but follow the guidelines and it should average out about that monthly.

Are you SURE it's a positive thing that all I have to do is eat 1370 without exercise and lose 1 1/2 pounds a week? That's what MFP says but I'm terrified I'll start and won't lose weight, or not a pound and a half a week anyway.

I'm 5'5, 174 pounds, i don't know if frame matters but i'm a medium frame.

For some it's possible, for others it's probably not. Each of us is different. If you insist on that loss and you don't make it, you're setting yourself up for disappointment and possible failure. Why not just eat healthy, exercise if you choose to (it helps with lots more than dropping pounds) and see how it goes. Adjustments are something you can make as you learn how you react to certain calories, etc., as time passes. Good luck and relax! Doing something is always preferable to doing nothing!

I haven't been a member for very long, but I've already noticed a change. If you hadn't already, like me, when you do start actually watching your Calories, Carbs, Fats, and Proteins, and adjust your daily eating habits accordingly, it does make a difference. Adding exercise into your day burns more calories, so you also have the opportunity either enjoy a bit more of the foods you love, or it helps make up any extra you may go over. My biggest hurdle, at first, was the self-discipline to follow the program, and so far I'm glad I am.

We can't guarantee it will work.. no one can.

I would suggest setting your goal to 1 lb per week which should give you a bit more calories. I am the same height as you with about 20 more lbs to lose than you and have my goal set at 1 lb per week. I tend to lose more than that.

You don't want your deficit too high.

Also know that weight loss is not linear. You will not lose each and every week the same. Some weeks you will lose a little, some weeks you will lose a lot, some weeks your weight will stay the same and some weeks you may gain. Don't freak out over it as it happens and is just part of the process.

GOod luck!

This. If you find that you're starving all the time, drop to 1 pound of loss per week.

weight loss is not linear you'll lose but maybe not 1.5lbs every week .also the only way to know is to try right?

It would not be unusual to start and not lose weight right away. Most people don't, unless it is water weight or they are killing themselves with exercise. Best to figure on it taking a couple of weeks for the scale to start moving in any meaningful way. If it happens sooner, wonderful.

And BTW, keep in mind is not only # of calories in/out that determines how much you lose/gain and how quickly. It is also the type of calories. 100 Cals of sugar (insulin spike, encourages fat gain) is vastly different from 100 Cals of, say, pesto (monounsaturated fatty acids - help keep you feeling satisfied, good for your heart, encourages fat loss).

The important thing is to try to make changes you can/will stick with - otherwise, even if you lose everything you want now, it'll all come back when you backslide.

Thanks to MFP, I am currently maintaining my weight after reaching my goal weight.
I had my weight loss set to lose 1 lb a week using MFP's calculations and it worked. Some weeks I lost less but others I lost more and the average was 1 lb a week. So it does work. Have faith.

Sometimes, though, trying to lose too much too fast may cause you to stall and plateau. I don't know if 1 1/2 lbs is "too much" (it may not be) but if you find that you aren't losing or you're too hungry, try resetting your goal to losing 1 lb a week.

Exercise is helpful if you're feeling hungry. It allows you to eat more on exercise days.

Good luck and have faith. MFP works. Weigh, measure and track all your food intake and your exercise.

Are you SURE it's a positive thing that all I have to do is eat 1370 without exercise and lose 1 1/2 pounds a week? That's what MFP says but I'm terrified I'll start and won't lose weight, or not a pound and a half a week anyway.

I'm 5'5, 174 pounds, i don't know if frame matters but i'm a medium frame.

If you can find your BMR by first calculating it, you can then get a closer guess at how many calories you can take to lose weight - more of a trial and improvement!