I've been trying to eat the right amount (~1200 kcal a day) and exercise often for just over a month now, recording it all with the my net diary iphone app. I was going good at first, slowly losing weight. I lost about 7 pounds in 4 weeks. Anywho now for about a week or so, my weight hasn't gone down anymore which is so frustrating because I've been doing my exercise as normal (at least 30 mins on the elliptical, 5-6 days a week). So now I've been lacking self-discipline in my calorie consumption, I keep eating about 1500-1600 a day and I'm not pushing myself as hard as I should be on the elliptical. I've put on like 2 pounds since last week :'( what should I do to get motivated again?

Counting calories is so tedious and really difficult when I eat out with friends, I feel like im counting it wrong and I get all paranoid and upset. I get even more upset when I don't lose anything for over a week, and actually put on!! I don't want to have to count calories for the rest of my life but I see no other way

I want to be 130 pounds by christmas btw. I'm new to the forum so forgive me if this is in the wrong section. Is there a thread where we can state our goals etc.?

Here are my weigh-ins over the past month, notice how much they fluctuate and how slowly the weight is dropping off. Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong?!

24/10: 145
27/10: 143
29/10: 142
31/10: 141
3/11: 140
4/11: 141
6/11: 142
7/11: 140
9/11: 138
12/11: 137
14/11: 137
17/11: 137
18/11: 136
26/11: 138
28/11: 138

You're doing nothing wrong. Your weight will fluctuate from day to day and since you're already at a healthy weight your weight will come off slower than someone starting out larger. You are losing at a perfectly healthy and normal pace.

I've being doing the same thing as you: counting calories, exercising and some weeks I lose and some I don't. I know in the end that it will come off so I keep at it

Have you measured yourself? I find that I'll usually lose inches before losing weight.

At your weight, 130 pounds by Christmas might be a little too ambitious. Just keep at it though and eventually you'll get there!

Ok, its just very discouraging and I get paranoid that the weight wont come off. Any tips for avoiding midnight munchies and getting motivated to push myself while exercising?

Yeah I have measured myself. My starting measurements (bust, waist, hips) were 36-30-39. Last time I measured myself about a week ago they were 35-28-38, so I guess thats not too bad... also my arm circumference (I have unproportionally large arms because thats where I store a lot of fat) was 12 inches but I can't remember their starting size. I figured 132 (60kg) might be a better Christmas goal so I'll go with that

Also congrats on your weight loss, thats impressive!

Oh trust me, I've been there. I've gone over two weeks at times without losing weight and I wanted to throw the scale out the window. It sucks when you don't see your hard work pay off. Patience pays off though, and it does eventually go down.

For exercise I usually keep my goal in mind and realize that the harder I push the faster I get there Also finding an exercise you like can really help. I enjoy spin classes so I'm motivated to push myself. I also enjoy weight lifting so I am motivated to add more to what I can lift and get stronger. Seeing results also helps me push harder! I like the muscle definition I'm getting so I keep going and pushing harder!

The midnight munchies are a bit harder, but you may want to try several things. If you're a boredom eater like I was, try drinking water and see if you're still craving whatever it is you're craving. If you're legitimately hungry then you might want to see about having your last meal later in the day to combat your hunger. I stop eating around 6pm, but I also go to bed at 9ish because I have to get up very early.

Your lost inches are impressive! You should go by the scale AND inches lost to see your progress. Congrats on those inches!

And thanks for the congrats

Sometimes the scale lies but my tape measure never does. If your measurements are decreasing, you are getting smaller. Perhaps just building muscle or retaining a little water and getting ready to see a woosh? I know it's hard but just hold on and do the best you can. I just put on almost 6 pounds of premenstrual water weight and it was difficult to understand but it's been a few days and it's all gone. Your body's water weight will naturally fluctuate and it's hard to handle at first but you will eventually learn your body's trends and it won't freak you out so much.


Please though, whatever you do, don't stay so attached to numbers that it hurts your holiday! Don't let those 2 pounds make or break your Christmas! You might end up at 132 or you may end up at 128, just remain patient and see how it plays out.

Thanks guys I guess i'll just have to be patient and cut back on the calories a bit too I think by keeping in mind that I have to be patient. I just hope i'll be able to keep the weight off when i reach my goal!

Also I didn't realise we gain that much weight just before our period?! Mine is due in a week, perhaps thats got something to do with me gaining 2 pounds over the past few days?

Yep, that could do it.

I find that just before my period I'll sometimes be up 2 pounds. It either goes away when I finally get it, or when it's over.

Apparently we can gain up to 8 pounds of water weight when on our periods! Strange, but unfortunately part of being a woman!