5'7" 160lbs and 20lbs to lose! Losing my mind!

Weight loss takes time. How long have you given each method to work before giving up on it?

At 20 pounds, I think you'll want to reset your goal to lose 1 pound per week. Unfortunately, 2 pounds per week just isn't possible unless you're really overweight.

Yes, you probably need to eat more than 1200 calories. At the very least you should be eating back some of your exercise calories. You and I are similarly sized and I can't lose a thing if I drop my calories below 1500 total. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but there are a lot of us who've found we don't lose if we're too aggressive with our calorie goals.

There's another way to calculate your goals if you don't like using MFP's exercise calories method. Figure out your BMR and TDEE (http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/) and take a moderate cut from the TDEE (about 10-20%). With this method you wouldn't eat back your exercise calories because they're already factored in.

Working out too much is a relative term. If you're taking rest days and eating to sustain that burn, then it should be fine. Are you doing all cardio or have you incorporated strength/resistance training into your routine?

Opening up your diary might help someone spot something that I've missed, but hopefully some of the above helps.

Good luck!

You are being impatient. With not that much weight to lose, you probably set MFP to give you a 2 lb/week weight loss (resulting in 1200 calories) because you want the weight off NOW! FAST!

I was like you, except I am 5'7" and started at 175 lb. I have been maintaining at 145 for well over a year. I started off eating only 1200 and lost the first 10 pounds really fast then majorly plateaued. Come to find out, I don't lose weight very well if I eat less than 14-1500 calories/day.

Start over again. Set MFP for a 1 lb/week loss. Try eating back half of the calories that you earn from exercise. Do this for 3 weeks and see where that gets you. Also, don't be surprised if you do this and gain a pound or two at first. Give it the full 3 weeks, then reassess.

I'd suggest setting your weight loss goal to 1 lb a week and eating back the majority of your exercise calories or figure your TDEE and taket a -15% cut from it and don't eat those exercise calories back. Whatever you do give it at least 4 weeks. It takes time to see changes.

Hi, I am also in the same boat as you. I'm 5'6'', started around 155 and I only have 15 pounds to lose. It's been 2 months and I am down to around 148. It takes time. I am seeing a change in sizes and how well I fit into my jeans.

I eat around 1400 calories a day, give or take a few hundred calories on certain days. I eat when I'm hungry, but I do the japanese thing where you only eat until you're 80% full or feel "satisfied" rather than eating until you can't eat anymore. Drink water before every meal and after the meal. Just wait and be patient.

As for workouts, I only do 1 hour workouts 3 times a week and do a few bodyweight/tabata type workouts at home. Maybe pilates or yogas about 4 mornings in a week. As for workouts, start with strength training, honestly, I don't actually lift weights, I use the machines but they work for me, but I think I want to upgrade to real weights. Then after that I do 20-30 minute interval training on the treadmill and arc trainer and finish off with a nice cooldown.

Give it about a month to see if you're losing anything.

Keep track of progress other than weight loss. Use photos/body measurements to track your progress. The number on the scale doesn't mean anything.