Want to lose 35lbs. How long did it take you?

the first 10 pounds may go quick. Its the other ones that take a while...

I've lost 35 lbs since about the first week of March. I'm 1 lb from my original weight loss goal, although at this point I think I would like to drop another 10-15 lbs to help my running.

I started out doing a 1500 calorie goal per day and recently increased it to 1610. I do usually eat half or all my exercise calories. I try to get a NET of 1200-1500 per day as often as possible.

I started out with regular walking, doing the elliptical, and weekly Zumba class--since then I've started running regularly (3x a week) and do strength training 2x a week, a spin class on occasion...I try to mix it up (except for the running) because I get bored. Right now I work out about 4-5 days a week (sometimes I run and do weights, or do weights and an exercise class on the same day).

Good luck reaching your goal! You can do it!

I lost over 35lbs from April 2010 to Sept 2010.

Looking back, had I raised my calories sooner I likely would have lost the weight even faster. I was averaging around 1800 calories at the time. Now, I eat between 2200-2500 NET calories in a day.

When I started, I worked out 6-7 days a week for 60 mins each time. Then I got hurt because I wasn't giving my body enough of a break. Now I workout 3 days a week for 60 mins each time.

I maintained my loss from Sept 2010 to May 2011. In May, I upped my calories again and lost another 5lbs. I've been maintaining that for over a month now.

This whole net calories is really confusing me. I have been maintaining my calories at about 1200-1250 net. I thought that would be the safest way to lose about 1-2 pounds per week. Reading your post, it seems that you are saying that you regreted not starting with 2200-2500 net. Sorry if this seems so simple, but I am new to MFP and would really appreciate your advice, being that you are almost at the same weight am trying to lose. Thanks so much in advance.

I've lost 35 pounds in a year. The lowest my calories have gotten is 1360. I haven't been good about exercise and honestly I've just been trying to maintain since about February. I've steadily lost a pound a month without counting calories this spring, but now that summer is here and I'm not working (I'm a teacher), I've been a lot more diligent about logging both food and exercise. I've been extremely happy with my slow loss because it's been a product of healthy eating and a more active lifestyle. During the summer I workout 5-6 times a week for around 30-40 min. on average. During the school year it is more sporadic, but I probably get in 2-3 workouts and I'm constantly on the go.

You can see my stats and progress below in my signature.

Wow, that's amazing! You must have built so much muscle mass to be burning calories like that.

I don't know if this is directed at me or not...

I work on my feet 4-5 days a week for 5-9 hours a day. I am constantly in motion while at work. I don't count those calories as exercise because my body is used to doing this job. I think because I don't really think of it as exercise - it's just work to me - I didn't realize how many calories you truly burn being in constant motion, on my feet for hours on end -- days on end. As soon as I started upping my calories - the weight started coming off. I always get asked how I can possibly eat so much and lose or maintain. Heck. I have NO idea. I recently had a couple days where I was waaaay over calories (like up to 3000 calories!) and a few days later I expected to see a gain.. NOPE. I lost 2lbs. Went back to my "normal" calories and the 2lbs came back.

so the more you eat the better? just wondering cause I'm only eating 1200 and sometimes I also eat the exercise calories...am I doing something wrong here: please help!!!

I have much more than 35 to lose, so it is quicker for me - but I lost my 35 in ~23 weeks. I've eaten between 1600-1800 calories before exercise calories consistently the entire duration. I usually eat some of my exercise calories back, and I've tried to exercise 3-5 times a week. At first it was for 15-30 minutes, as I've gotten a bit fitter, it has increased to 30-60 minutes.
That's my story so far, I can only hope the next 35 come off at near the same rate

I lost 40 lbs from February 2011 to June 2011 (4 months) It was a lot of work. I ate roughly 1200 calories a day and excersised 5 times a week for 90 minutes each. I am also severely overweight so it came off quicker but the more you try the more you lose.

I started at 258, lost 35lbs in about 4 months but weight loss slows down the less you weigh it seems


How much calories did you eat? ......I think I was at around 1650
How much exercise did you do?.....I have always exercised 4 times a week for an hour

Good luck!

It took me 4 months to lose 35 pounds i was losing about 8 pounds every month. Here is what I did :

- no skipping breakfast
- drink lots of water
- walk more often
- quit (sugars, crisps, cakes, fried food, fast food, soft drinks)
- I ate grilled food (chicken, beef, fish)
- Always low on carbs and high in protein
- I ate more fruits and vegetables
- Limit was 1200 calories