Question for the those who have lost over 60lbs

I started using MFP on March 25, 2013 at 262 lb and I just hit 60 lb lost about 10 days ago. So almost 10 months for me to lose 60 lb.

I consider that a win though. Prior to joining MFP I lost 45 lb and it took me FOUR AND 1/2 YEARS (eating somewhat healthier and walking many miles per week but not counting calories) to get from 307 to 262.

I never had a goal date in mind. Actually last March I hoped to get to 220 by the end of 2013 and I hit 220 around the start of October. Slower weight loss is fine with me though. I am set to sedentary, eat back over half of my exercise calories, and set to lose 1.5 lb/week which I've been pretty close to that the entire time.

Right now minus exercise I eat 1,320 calories. When I was at 261 lb, I think I was still eating around 1,600. Obviously how many calories you eat is your decision but I personally think 900 is dangerous at your weight (or my own, or probably even "average weight" women) and if you don't eat any exercise calories. You don't want to deplete your body of important nutrients. I know that firsthand. A time or two I tried eating 1,200 strictly and wound up with the scale moving SLOWER and having some weird side effects like minor hair loss (just a lot more in the shower, nothing drastic) and little black spots on my cuticles...I'd rather just lose more slowly and eat more and not deal with that sort of thing!!

This year I want to get to 180 but I feel confident I'll surpass that goal. Currently at 199.

Whats calorie defecit?

Calorie Deficit: this is the situation when people spend more calories than they consume (eat). In other words, calories in is less than calories out. You would want to have a calorie deficit to achieve fat loss. (cal in < cal out = fat loss).

When MFP gives you a caloric goal # (Ex: 1600 cal/day limit), if you reach a number below that for the day (either by eating less or burning more), you have achieved a calorie deficit.

Convential wisdom says that 1 lb = 3500 cals, so if you consume 500 cals less per day (3500/7=500), then you would lose 1 lb per week. Reality doesn't quite work like that, but you get the picture. Hope that helps!

I lost my first 45 pounds in 3.5 months .... I have now lost 150+ pounds but the remainder took a lot longer to lose

It took me years. I started way before I found MFP.

It took so long because I'd do unsustainable diets with ridiculously low calories, then binge eat for weeks and put weight back on.

I've lost 50lb since the start of August - mostly low carb and gym about 5 days a week with archery 3 or 4 times a week.

It took my about a year to lose 70ish lbs, but I wasn't completely focused so I think you can definitely do it by your goal but I think you should eat more.

It took me a year and a month to lose 68 pounds. Good luck.

Is there a specific reason that it has to be in six months? If you want long term weight loss and health then it takes time. If you are too restrictive it's almost like setting yourself up for failure because there will be days that you don't get to the gym, there will be days that you don't follow your nutrition plan 100%, and there will be weeks that you do everything right and the scale doesn't budge.

I say, find a plan that works for you, that's the most important thing. You will be totally retraining yourself in how to eat, cook, handle stress, move your body. No matter what the scale says, if you make consistent, healthy choices, in six months you will be healthier and happier than you are today. And, that is a win.

I'm going on a London tour in June, the same week as my 32nd birthday. It's not an I HAVE TO thing, it's a goal I am working toward.

One more thing...

I weigh myself every morning.

Bring on the negative comments lol

I have weighed myself every morning for 45 days. I don't get discouraged, I don't binge eat. Just another bit of inside info, I was married for 8 years to an abusive drunk. I've been through more stressful and dangerous situations than cutting calories. Not saying i'm invincible or what I'm doing is healthy by everyone's standards. But if it works for me and it's not running me into the ground. Chances are that I will continue to do what works and adjust when necessary.

I weighed myself every day during weight loss and I continue to do so, now in maintenance

Also, I responded to your message and have just sent you the info you asked for!

As of today I'm 61 lbs down, it took me a little over 10 months. I would say that you might want to give yourself more time, obviously we'd all love to be able to lose weight that fast, and sometimes people do. But it's more realistic that it will take you longer than 5-6 months.

Also I weigh myself everyday too, everybody has their own process.