hi, i haven't posted much... but am developing the habit now.

my question is about deficits. i've lost a bit of weight (a good 5-7 lbs) since the holidays. i eat about 1700/day on average. i exercise a good bit-- 3-5 miles of running most days.

i have been hitting closer to 1500 lately, trying to get at a loss rate of 1 lb/week. in the past week or two my weight hasn't changed.

i know to just keep patient and working at it, but i am curious to know how long of a time lag occured between your calorie reduction and weight loss???

I've often wondered about this, too. I mean, surely, it's not instantaneous... I tried once to research it via Yahoo/Google, but couldn't find anything useful. I probably didn't figure out a good *search* term.

I'll be curious to see what others come up with!

I don't know if 148 is a magical plateau number but I'm in the same boat as you!

I've not lost for 3 weeks although I get major bloating before my period so I haven't gone on the scale for the past 4 days and don't plan to until a few days into my period (which hopefully is soon - it's very unpredictable).

I think it's just that our body begins to get used to what we're doing. since reading some info about zigzagging on this forum I'm going to give that a try and with the nice warm weather coming our way I'll be able to ride my bike a lot more. So I suppose the only thing I can suggest is trying to shake things up with your diet and exercise a bit!

I think that's a great question, but it's not one I know the answer to.

That won't stop me from trying though!
I know I have seen some great posts on 3fc where people more in-the-know and medically oriented have talked about the process of losing fat in the body, but don't recall where. My recollection is that it's different for each person, and that it takes some time for the process to go from start to finish.

yeah-- i know the ultimate answer is to just hang in there. and there must be some changes because a few people have commented that i look a little slimmer.

so hopefully this slow weightloss is real fat loss and longterm. the good thing is that i know i can eat at this level (1500-1800) and exercise daily for the rest of my life. in other words, it is not to extreme to be only a shortterm plan.

about zigzagging, i'm glad to hear it works for so many people because i naturally zigzag. somedays i am so much hungrier than others. and i am trying to listen to those internal hnger cues more closely to get away from unneccessary and emotional eating, and to fuel my body when it needs it.

BINGO! Exactly!

Even though I have 40 pounds to go to get to my goal of 180 (I don't know if that' a final goal or not), I am trying to think like a maintainer. I figure I am going to have to maintain control over eating and exercise for the rest of my life. I am not eating well and exercising simply to lose weight, but to be a fit person for the rest of my life. This attitude is starting to help me move my focus from the scale and back to my behaviors. THEY are what is important. So, it matters less if I lose from week to week, especially if I'm doing what I need to do. [In truth, it's harder to make this attitude shift, but I'm working on it!]

So true!
It is so hard to shift from just wanting to see the scale go down to really wanting to master those healthy and controlled eating habits for me. I'm trying to have a broader scope on success and to see this as a lifestyle. It's hard, but getting easier.

The closer that you get to goal, the slower the weight will come off. For some, this may mean 1/2 to 1 pound a month when they get into the last 5-20 pounds.
If you are 260 pounds, it is pretty easy to get 1-2 pounds a week of weight loss for a while-but when you get lower, you really have to work for it. This is simply because as you weigh less, your body doesn't burn as many calories a day "just existing". For instance, doing every day activities like walking around the house, working, and everything takes your body much more effort when you are heavier than when you are smaller.
If it has only been 2 weeks, I wouldn't worry just yet. If it goes for a month or so with no loss at all, I would maybe check into doing something a little different. Is running all that you do? If so, add a little strength training or strength building exercise like Pilates into your routine a couple times a week. Also check your diet for a few days and see WHAT you are eating-rather than just the calorie count. Try to change some of the things in your diet to healthier options. But still-don't get so hung up on losing 1 pound a week-because with only a few pounds to go, it may not happen like clockwork, and this is normal.