[sourbaby]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here and I wanted to stop by and introduce myself.

My name is Elizabeth, I"m 26 years old and live in Canada. I've been dieting for years and years and years with varying amounts of success. I'm 5'3 and my highest weight was about 148 and my lowest 124....I'm currently sitting between those two at 134. I'm uncomfortable at this weight and would ideally like 120 to be my 'red line'. I work out regularly, step aerobics, yoga, spinning, I really do a lot of exercise but my eating is just out of control. I'm starting to find it very difficult to be motivated.

I've been doing the south beach diet and do really like it, but really fell off the wagon hard today. I find that the higher protein content really helps curb my carb cravings, but I don't reintroduce the carbs properly. Then I just go craaazy with the blood sugar fluctuations etc. What does everyone else here do??

I weighed in this morning at 134 and know that's high...I have a hair appointment next Tuesday (going back to blonde!) and I'd love to be 130 for it, which I know is almost impossible but I'm going to try. Well, rather, I'm going to do low-carb (South Beach Diet week 1) with a calorie high of 1200 - this is totally do-able if I stick to my plans. Just gotta watch with the cheese and portion control. Then I'll have an idea of how fast I can lose. Four pounds this week I know is going to be hard (and maybe a bit unsafe) but I don't care too much right now, once I get that first hurdle over I"ll be motivated to continue.

Anyways I'll be joi ning you on your journeys and will start my own progress thread so it will be nice to see you all around!

L.

[Lose25]

Hey welcome! I am also in Canda as well. I think calorie counting is your safest bet. And honestly if you feel like losing 4 lbs a week go for if its this one time. I have done it before even though lots of people say its unhealthy. BUt it does motivate you. Good luck and you can do this!

[neurodoc]

1 pound is ~3500 cal. Typical daily calorie needs for maintenance ~1800 cal. Therefore, if you eat NOTHING, you need 2 days to lose 1 pound of fat. 8 days of starvation (literally nothing to eat with any calories at all) = 4 pounds. If you "lose" 4 pounds on more calories than that (or fewer days), then some or all of it will be water weight, to be regained the minute you start eating more normally again. Therefore, I would strongly suggest a more realistic 2 pounds per week; let's you actually eat, and still lose fat instead of water. Just my 2c.

[sourbaby]

thanks both of you for your comments....it's really hard to set a weight goal, I find....I guess what I mean is I"m going to strictly stick to my 1200 cal a day rule and stick to the phase I of the south beach diet firmly....which is essentially no bread pasta juice and fruits (refined sugars, basically, except the fruit) and lots of veg and lean meats.

but im gonna be strict, i always end up cheating always always!!! i mean, i will allow myself a few drinks on the weekend with crystal light and vodka, but still within the 1200 calorie limit. totally do-able. i'll see how much weight i lose on tuesday, when i weigh in.