In an effort to distract myself from wanting to eat after 7pm, I'm going to start keeping a calorie log so I can look back and be encouraged during difficult times.

DAILY GOAL: 1,200 calories
WEIGHT GOAL: 125 lbs

To catch up since I've started:

TUES 19 JAN
1,415
150 lbs

WED 20 JAN
1,137
149 lbs

THURS 21 JAN
1,190
147 lbs

FRI 22 JAN
1,244
145.4 lbs

SAT 23 JAN
1,012
146.6 lbs

SUN 24 JAN
1,376
146.2 lbs

And drumroll for today...

1,179
145.4lbs

Feeling fortunate to see a fairly consistent downward trajectory of pounds. Weighing myself at the end of the day so I don't get frightened.

Impressive!! Hope I can do as well

Feeling a bit frightened. I'm going to my first dinner party this evening since my diet started and I have 300 calories left to spare. I tried to save as many as I could, but I just got so hungry this afternoon and ended up snacking around 4 (200 cals). That means I'm going to have to be very careful what I eat and try not to drink any calories. Wish me luck! I'll be back in a few hours with my daily count and weigh-in.

Admittedly I'm coming at this from my own POV. That said, my question would be what's more important - the journey or the destination?

I'm not suggesting you go in the door with the intention of eating/drinking everything within reach. However, I think you can enjoy yourself this evening, try some things that might not be "on plan" and simply enjoy offerings of the party.

Unless you have dinner parties multiple times a week, some events simply are special occasions and warrant a bit of indulgence. Going a little over on calories may set you back a day or two. IMO though, that isn't the most awful thing in the world.

I know that you don't have to eat and drink to have fun. But being on guard about anything that may cross your lips can put a damper on things too.

Whatever you do, enjoy your evening!

I took your advice Vickie Chickie. I had a bowl of chicken tortilla soup, said "What the h*ll?" and added some cheddar cheese and sour cream, with a small portion of bread on the side. It was delicious and I don't regret it.

That being said, I ended my day like this:

1,285
143.2 lbs

I feel good about it, especially since I worked out a little longer than usual.

Does anyone think I am losing weight too fast? This is officially my first full week on my new routine. My BMR calculations say that on 1,200, I should be losing 2 lbs a week, but I have lost nearly 7. I am hoping the progress slows down somewhat as my body adjusts, simply because I want my changes to be sustainable. Thoughts?

Hi there! I have to say I'm very impressed with the rate of your loss. It's not unusual for people to lose more during their first few weeks on a diet, then for things to slow down. I think you are smart to think about sustainability. Towards the end of losing my weight before hitting maintenance, I realized that maintenance was going to be easier if I was already eating closer to maintenance calories and doing the same behaviors I would be doing in maintenance. This shift has been very helpful for me in maintenance since I didn't have a dramatic transition to make. I'm sorry I don't have a straightforward answer for you, but I just wanted to throw this in the mix for you.

That's actually a really good idea. At what point did you start moving your calorie intake towards "maintenance?" 2 pounds away? 5 pounds away?

It's been a few years so I don't remember exactly. Sorry! Five pounds makes sense to me though. You just have to be comfortable with your loss slowing down. I kept on losing without trying into maintenance with this plan.

Another first for me this week since my diet started--I have been persuaded to have a beer with a friend after work today. I budgeted my calories for it so I'm not worried about going over, but I am curious to see how the alcohol and high carbohydrate count will disrupt my metabolism.

Crossing my finger that 12 oz. of beer won't cause a screeching halt to my progress.

Lots of water before and after I think is all I can really do.

Ended up skipping the beer, but I had a kind of carby dinner, so it's a wash. Going to do a 40-minute workout, but I went ahead and weighed in since I'm done eating.

1,252
143.4 lbs

I keep looking forward to what I will look like. I'm excited about the shape of my face changing, cheekbones becoming more prominent. I'm excited about more muscle showing through in my arms and legs. I'm excited about a less lumpy middle, a smoother line from waist to hip. I keep thinking about the clothes I want to wear and what I'll look like on the stage.

I hope that in three months' time I'll be there.
I hope that in two months' time I'll be almost done.
I hope that in a month's time I'll see a difference.

Forgot to update last night. Got in super late.

1,049
142.6 lbs

Went wayyy over on calories yesterday because of a fancy dinner at an Italian restaurant, but woke up with favorable results.

1,792
142.0

Wow... pretty consistent losses! You are rocking it!

Thank you! Kind of broke my diet this weekend so I'm hoping to at least break even and maintain... But I will be back on track this week!

Ugh this weekend has been so much fun with friends and family, but hellish for my weight loss goals. Three restaurants in two days. And I had some wine, and a cocktail. It wasn't an "out-of-control" thing--I mainly indulged because I wanted to genuinely have a good time with my loved ones and not worry about what I was eating (especially since they were buying). But I feel like I'll be paying for my choices, which is not ideal.

YESTERDAY, I ate:
1,474 calories
(no weigh-in)

TODAY'S NUMBERS:

1,381
143.2

I gained. It's not the end of the world, but it sure is annoying. Probably going to work out for an hour and kick my own *ss.