I LOST 10 LBS in about one month's time.
I am happy with my results because the past month has been very difficult for me... more emotionally difficult than anything else, since I struggle with my appearance almost constantly. Although, my 1200 calorie diet has been proving more and more easy with each day, and I have a steady exercise routine of 40-60 minutes of elliptical, or an hour long power-walk each day.

However, I am wondering if you think my weight loss was too slow for my first month...? I have seen a lot of other results with way more than a 10 lb loss in their first month when they are beginning in the upper 200's...

Also...
I have been having trouble managing late-night munchies. I would love to learn some ways to control them! They are my biggest downfall.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INSPIRATION, SUPPORT AND ADVICE IN MY FIRST MONTH!

Congrats! I think 10 pounds in one month is really, really good. The only thing I thought was maybe your calories are too low. If you are working out an hour every day and are still in the upper 200s, you may need more calories to really support weight loss.

The munchies may be your body telling you that you need a bit more food...or it could be a habit. You could try adding a very healthy, light snack in the late evening or change yoru routine to do somethign distracting before bed.

BUT I think if you lost 10 pounds in a month and are feeling good and have the energy you need to get through your day and your workout sessions you are probably fine. You just might want to eventually fluctuate the calories some or you will hit a plateau at some point.

I find rotating the calorie amount around and varying my workout routine about every 3-4 weeks prevents plateaus.

wanted to add...I usually have a weekly calorie limit, so I can be flexible on a daily basis. This helps when we have to eat out, there is a party, etc. It is how you do over the course of days and weeks that matter, not one higher calorie day.

Congrats!!

Busy yourself with something non food related when you feel the munchies coming on. Read a book, work a crossword, give yourself a manicure, take a nice relaxing bath.

Good luck with your goals

Hugs
Michelle

Congrats!

I think you probably need to eat more! 1200 is the lowest anyone should go, and you can eat a lot more and still lose.

Have you checked out the calorie tracking sites? You can enter your weight, how much you want to lose a week, your activity level, and they'll tell you how many calories you can eat a day. I use dailyplate, I know a lot of people use sparkpeople, fitday.

congrats congrats!

in regards to putting in how much you want to lose on those sites, dont' put more than 2 lbs per week (spark won't let you put more than 2.5 lbs anyhow) anything more isn't healthy and sustainable really.

and yeah you don't want to plateau eating only 1200 cals cuz you wont' be able to reduce them to jump your metabolism back up.

Don't be scared of food. Our stats are VERY similar, I eat 1700 cals a day and lose about 2 lbs a week, sometimes more, sometimes less (scales are fickle) so no need to go hungry.

Also if you eat a bigger breakfast it's supposed to release some hormoneor something that keeps you from getting hungry later in the day.

Today I had 4 egg whites, 2 slices of cheese, 2 slices of whole wheat bread and a banana.

Does this really work for you? Or anyone else here? I have never been a breakfast-eater but have tried to do it to see if it does stop me from eating as much later during the day and it doesn't work for me, I swear! I charted it in my notebook last year for over 2 weeks and I ate MORE when I ate breakfast I have kind of played with breakfast without the technical recording stuff here recently and I swear it makes me hungier for some reason and I do better to listen to my body and just eat about mid-morning closer to lunch.

Maybe I am just strange.

I think they say 1lb per 100 is safe so you really don't want to aim for too much more. I think your progress is right on target.

One way to help with late night munchies is to plan for you to have a munchie, within your calorie budget. That way you can look forward to it........Congrats on the 10 lbs, that's a wonderful fantastical start!

Way to go! 10 lbs in a month is wonderful! Keep it up - we're all there with you.

Maybe you could keep some carrots/celery for late night munchies? Do you like them?

I am also a late night muncher and the only thing that really helps me is to keep water next to me all night and just drink, drink, drink. I have to make a lot of trips to the bathroom but I guess that's just extra calories burned

Congratulations girl!!

As far as the late night snacks thing goes.. as long as you have enough room in your calories, it shouldn't be problem. Try eating those single serving bags of low fat popcorn or those fat free chocolate puddings.. those usually give me just enough to feel satisfied but the single servings keep me from overdoing it.

Keep it up!

Congratulations! You are doing awesome!

Congratuations on losing 10 pounds in a month!

If I'm hungry in the evening I like to snack on some low-fat microwave popcorn too.