I think I will just QUIT! This is nonsense...

Have you considered incorporating some strength training into your exercising? I get quicker results (in measurements at least) when I'm not just a slave to cardio and get some weights in there.

You need to give it more time. It doesn't happen in a week. And since you are so close to goal, it is going to be very slow and gradual. The 1 pound is probably water weight.

Is the profile pic of you? You don't really look like you have much, if anything to lose if it's at all current. Which means it will come off painfully slowly, as the last few pounds are always wont to do.

I would call slow progress a success, which is better than giving up.

What will you gain when you quit? Will you feel better about yourself? Or will you wish you had given it more time and put in more effort?

I heard a great quote today. Our spin instructor said that "challenge brings change." Accept the challenge and embrace the change that comes!

if you're working out that much, eat more than 1200.

1200 isn't working, and most people who exercise that much eat a hell of a lot more. You are holding onto food and fat because you aren't fueling yourself at 1200.

Second answer: you may not need to lose much weight, that's why you probably aren't losing. It's 3 times harder to lose weight the closer you are to goal. Judging by your photo from what I can see in your profile pic. you look tiny already.

You can give up if you want - but if you were really dedicated you would put in the work and change things up to make it work.

Also, it takes 6 weeks to see a change. I see you joined last month (approximately 4 weeks is my guess).

5lbs a month is an avg of 1.25lbs a week. That's a healthy time frame for weight loss. Also, since you are so close to your goal the weight will come off a little slower since now you'll be working on mainly substituting the little bit of fat you have for muscle. I know that it can be discouraging but you are losing at a healthy rate.

That being said, get yourself a Body Fat % Scale that also measured water weight. This way, on a week by week you can see if that pound you gained was muscle, fat, or just water from working out so much. You got this girl, don't give up! You can get that lean, fit & healthy body YOU want for yourself. You just gotta keep pushin'.

Seems like the objective here is fitness model physique. The fitness models generally lift. All cardio all the time is doing things the hard way.

It takes a while before you start getting results for some reason it likes to up before it starts going down. Keep sticking with it and it'll start. I've been walking since mid February and watching my calories intake. I've lost about 15lbs. so far and got 9 more to go to reach my goal weight. It sucks it takes awhile when you want to see results right away but it is better to lose it slower then you won't gain it all back just as fast. And there will be times that it decides to stay at a certain weight before it starts to go down again, but just stick with it and you'll get there!

Focus on your health.

So you are already slim, assuming your profile picture is recent and you've lost 5lbs in 4 weeks and an inch off your *kitten* in the last couple of months........... Oh and you just put your calories UP to 1200.

You are absolutely right, you should give up immediately!

Spend a couple of weeks regularly reading info on this site and do a little research into diet, weight loss, body image etc

Then come back and try again!!

Sorry to point it out but the smaller you are when you start off the slower the weight loss. Your only looking to lose 10-15 pounds you cant realistically expect that to happen in one month. If you were obese or were looking to loose 100 pounds then perhaps.

Also a 1.25 pounds a week = 5 pounds in a month is great.

This is the reality of weight loss like it or not. Keep at it and dont expect miracles over night.

I bust my *kitten* also. Like, BIG time. I'd LOVE to lose 5 lbs a month, and I have a LOT more to lose then you as well as a lot more lean mass. If it was really that easy every one would by thin all the time! Remember that 5 lbs a month is 60 lbs a year. And an inch is huge improvement. Don't knock it, that is fantastic progress for someone as close to goal weight as yourself. As for myself, I believe I need to reevaluate my caloric balance because the math just isn't working, no matter what formulas say.

As for your 1lb weight gain, I fluctuate up to 8lbs EVERY DAY. Inches are a better measure than lbs.

Because you have little to lose your progress will be slow. But progress is progress. You should be thinking long term. You want to keep your results the rest of your life. So what does an extra month really matter? It'll come off...

Consistent persistence will always win, no matter how long it takes. There is no quick fix so you may as well establish a routine you can stick to for life. BTW resistance training is also superior to cardio in a deficit.

One last thing: weight loss happens in the kitchen. Fitness happens in the gym. The two often go hand in hand but if you put your efforts where your goals are you will get better results.

1200 calories is WAY TOO little! You are causing metabolic damage!! Stop the cardio and start lifting weights and by all means EAT MORE!!!

You're only eating 1200 calories....

1) are you sure? Are you weighing and measuring everything? 1200 calories isn't enough for a woman who is 5'8".

2) only doing cardio. And probably overestimating its burn.

3) water weight. You're probably retaining water. Weight fluctuates all day long.

4) go by your measurements instead of freaking out about 2 pounds on the scale. You'll feel better. 1 inch off the hips is 1 inch off the hips.

^All of this..plus what veronicad68 said. When I did only cardio, I barely lost inches. Focusing more on weight training has been awesome because I would rather lose inches versus the scale #.