Weight isn't shifting :(

14 pounds in 6 weeks with 21 to goal is not reasonable. If you were 50 pounds over, even then only maybe. You put this weight on over years. You can't lose it in weeks.

Aim for a reasonable caloric deficit, sustainable and healthy habits, and reasonable goals. Would you rather lose five pounds and look healthy and fabulous, or ten pounds and look like you just escaped a little locked basement?

What you lost was mostly water weight, you body will now start to level out and and replace / hold water to work on repairing itself from the increased exercise. Which means the scales may well go up as well as down.

You shouldn't also be "well below" your 1200 calorie limit. You need to fuel your body for your exercise and for life in general. As has been said you didn't put this weight on in 6 weeks, so don't get beat up if it doesn't all come off in that time.

If your goal is 2lbs a week and 1200 limit, then make sure you actually hit that number, eat back a portion of your exercise calories.

1 - Weight loss fluctuates. Some weeks you will lose fast, others you may not lose at all. But if you keep counting calories and doing what you need to do, it WILL shift eventually.
2 - A sudden increase in physical activity can cause short term water retention. Rest assured you ARE getting fitter and losing fat/weight... it may just be being masked by water retention. Patience, grasshopper.
3 - There is no need to starve yourself. Choose a goal that is right for you - if you've only got 20 pounds to lose, and you're trying to lose 2 pounds per week, you're being too aggressive. If you're not eating enough to sustain your activities, you're going to get frustrated (and hangry) and quit.
4 - when you exercise, you should be eating back at least a portion of the calories you earn through exercise. You need to fuel your body, and you're definitely not getting enough fuel if you're eating less than 1200 calories per day.
5 - CICO (calories in/calories out) is what causes weight loss. Exercise is for fitness, but not required for weight loss... though it DOES help... the more you exercise, the more you get to eat. I run for cookies/beer/donuts/chips.

LMSB34 wrote: »

Wow! Thanks for the kind words of encouragement everyone. I'm feeling much more motivated now. You're right. I probably won't be a stone down for the end of November but if I keep it up then I'll probably feel a lot better than I did at the start. Plus you're right Roda Rose - a new interim dress is in order! Thanks everyone! Hopefully 9 months on and 9 months off may be more realistic X

That's the attitude!

Treat yourself to a new dress that will make you feel fabulous now. Perhaps some body shaping undergarments if you're feeling self-conscious. Honestly, though, if you just had a baby no one is going to expect you to look like a movie star fresh off the latest diet fad.

Lose the weight slowly and in a way that's healthy and keep it off. Oh, and if you haven't yet, start weight lifting. Your body built up extra muscle to help you carry that extra weight and the baby inside you. Take advantage of that extra muscle and try to keep as much of it as you can. You'll look even better once you've dropped the fat you want to lose.

Also, don't go below the calories your body needs to maintain basic bodily functions. For me this is 1560. I want to keep my muscle.

Eat what your body requires, and exercise away the calories you need to lose the weight. I try to burn 1000 per day on my stationary bike, whilst watching tv as my son is napping.

I like my food and this method allows me to truly enjoy this journey, not feel deprived. If I want something above my calories, I can have it as long as my exercise has earned me that extra. I try not to eat back my exercise calories, but I do believe in listening to my body (within reason).