[LessEveryDay]

I've been counting calories for this month and have seen my intake drop to an average of about 1700 and going lower. The results have been great. As of this morning, I've lost 11 pounds! My planned goal date was 12/31/2008, but, at this percentage rate, I'll hit my target in June. That sounds great, but I know it gets harder to lose the closer you get to your weight. My weight loss prediction is based on percentage loss, so it does lower the actual pound expectation as time goes on. But, I'm afraid I'll fall of the wagon and give up. I don't think I'll just plump back up, but I may permanently plateau above where I want to be. Any suggestions for when (if!) that cloud appears?

[peachcake]

I would just take it slow, you are bound to hit some plateaus as you lose. I would leave your goal right where it is so you can do BETTER, instead of setting it at June and being disappointed.

[2beautiful2Bfat]

Don't forget you always lose alot in the beginning. I started on january 14 and by feb 14th I was down 18 pounds but after that it really slowed. since then i have only lost another 3 lbs. You might try figuring out a goal based on 1-2 lbs a week since that seems to be the norm.

[lorilove]

Don't over stress about it today but do set realistic explainations. There is no reason to permanently plateau. When i started I averaged 3lbs per week then eventually 2lbs per week and finally 1lb per week. I have been at this for a year.

I still average 1lb per week but I can go for a couple of weeks here and there when I lose nothing (I am in one right now). For me I think it is more peri-menopause. I get a slow down in weight loss at the same time my TOM should be due but then comes late. Then the weight drops right after.

Here is what keeps me going and not getting frustrated. I know my eating is 100% on target. I know that my exercise is on target and that I am always working on challenging myself and shaking up the routine. If those things are true, there is no reason to panic.

The Diet Gods have a wicked sense of humor and you just have to play along at times.

Lori

[sumu1]

Here's my story. About 4-5 years ago I lost weight and was in a dream size 6. I lost it fast and ate virtually nothing maybe 1000-1200 calories per day, while running 4 days per week. It took me maybe 4 months. My problems were, I didn't learn a damn thing about nutrition in the process. Once I stopped running, I starting gaining again and I didn't take the time to learn to get comfortable in my new skin.

So this time I've been on my journey for a year. Small changes, things so tiny that as I add them in they feel normal. No time limit, just wanting to do this for the last time. Weight loss is my journey, maintence is my goal.

So the moral of this story. You WILL get there. In your bodies time, maybe not in calendar time. I plateaued all through the holidays, I stayed 165ish for a good 2 months... but I knew that was NOT my goal and changed my short term goal to maintain for the season. Let's face it, I'm going to have to stare down a LOT of holidays and festivities over the course of the rest of my life and I better start learning how to deal with them now.

Keep your eye on the goal, learn as you go along and adjust when needed. And don't beat yourself up. Hope this helps.

[LessEveryDay]

sumu1, that's my story! I've lost weight several times in my life, but I just always decreased my calories to some ridiculous level and paid no mind to nutrition! Then, I'd drift back up! My original goal was the end of the year and I should have no problems doing that. That's 39 pounds in 44 weeks, so attainable if I don't get frustrated when I don't keep up my current loss levels.