my goal of losing 45 lbs seems like a huge mountain to climb

Ugh, I remember saying 46 pounds is too much to lose, I'll never do it, and then I have another 12 after that. I cannot do almost 60 pounds! I was pregnant at 193 lbs though. I knew giving birth would start the process, but I knew I had a LONG way to go.

I lost 22 lbs from birth and was 171. I need to get down to 135 to be healthy. I am currently 146 lbs. It is a long slow process. I've lost 25 lbs in 3.5 months.

My first (inexperienced) advice is not to eat too few calories. Maybe you don't need to lose 2 lbs a week. Set your goal for 1 lb a week and see what those calories are then try to get under that. I know when I was hungry I would possibly eat 1200 calories that day, but it got old being hungry fast, so it didn't last long and I gave up. So I would up my calories (I don't know what it would be? Maybe 1400, 1500 then eat under them if I could).

Second, I found I am much fuller eating healthier. I hated HATED vegetables. My husband kept buying different ones until I found I liked bell peppers and cucumbers, and I tolerate baby carrots. The only way I will eat these is if I have ranch. But I can sit down and eat a whole plate and feel fuller than the equivalent 4 oreos of calories. Yes, I can only eat these with ranch which is more calories and fat, but we need those too.

I found low calorie breakfasts so I have calories to snack later. If I eat oatmeal with milk it's only 250 calories, leaving me able to eat a nutragrain bar, or goldfish crackers with my son later when I am hungry. Watermelon and strawberries are low calorie snacks that give me the sweets I am craving. I eat 3 main meals and usually 3 snacks (I know this is the healthy way to go and not what I started out doing - but I get hungry inbetween and I'd rather eat often then binge later).

So I guess what I'm saying is I don't talk myself out of eating, I just try to talk myself into eating better more often. When I first started my food diaries were ridiculous. I'd have oatmeal, a lean cuisine for lunch, a salad for dinner, then 8 oreos LOL. I'd save my calories, I'd be hungry all day so I could eat a ton of dessert.

I hope this helps some. I've lost 47 lbs now (but nursing has helped a lot) and I still have 11 to go just to be healthy. Those 11 lbs are still daunting. I know weight comes off easier in the beginning and that every pound from here on out will take longer/be harder to lose. But I really do want to get down to a healthy weight. I really want to be a healthier person, so I am going to take it one pound at a time and try to make long term changes to my life, for myself, for my husband, and our children. (He's doing it with me which really helps too! Get him involved! If my husband ate cake in front of me every night I'd be eating it too. But when we make chicken breast and rice and vegetables then it's a lot easier to eat better).

Best of Luck!

Maybe all you need is a little tweak in your plan. 1200 calories is not the only way to lose weight. I had a hard time eating 1200 calories a day and to top it off I stopped losing! I switched to a 1 pound loss per week and have had no problems sticking to my plan. It makes it much easier to do for long periods of time. Or consider that you can still lose weight if you net 1200 calories. Meaning you log your exercise and eat the amount you burn so that your calorie deficit stays at 1200. So you could do an easy to moderate workout and eat 1400 calories or somewhere around there. Possibly more.

Just think about this: if it's too hard for you to eat 1200 calories to lose two pounds a week you probably won't stick with your weight loss plan and you'll stay the way you are or possibly even gain more weight. Losing one pound per week is still great progress and is easier to achieve. Still a challenge, but so much more doable.

Just my two cents but I get to eat pretty much as much as I want because I DO exercise... there's no way I would deprive myself of food just to lose weight, it's all a balancing act... plus working out gives other benefits as well such as increased strength, stamina and health. Have you considered adding in some additional exercise?

1200 is a recommendation but you do not have to follow it.

most people eat way too few calories and that's why they have issues. there is an equation to figure out how many calories you need. 1200 is really low and i'm betting you aren't insanely short and not exercising. I lost 160 pounds or so originally so losing 45 can definitely be done. Losing weight is simply being in a proper calorie deficit. Like I said, most people are way too low and that causes so many issues. PM me directly if you want more details.

so much good advice here!!! If it makes you feel better, I have about that size of a heap to drop

It is a huge mountain to climb. So break it up into mini goals! Accomplish your goals one pound at a time.

Nothing tastes as good as being almost 70 pounds lighter feels.




Don't forget Progress Equals Happiness.

I never set out to lose more than a pound a week....its more doable and the slower you take it off, the more likely you are to keep it off.

Instead of looking at the BIG picture, set smaller goals. My first goal was to get out of the 200's. Then it was to reach my half way point. Then it was to get to where I was before I gained weight. Now its just get to goal for me. Its much easier to work in smaller increments instead of being overwhelmed by a bigger number.

Eventually, you DO get used to less food...your body learns to work more efficiently with less. But don't be afraid to eat. I started out at 1200 calories but I have upped it to 1300 and if I go a little over, I don't worry. You have to create a good relationship with food....eat everything, but in moderation. And move more. That's it. Keep on!