So this is my first serious attempt with a well structured lifting program. I've done weights before, but it was machine based and it wasn't a complete body workout.

My question is, for those of you who incorporated weights, cardio, and portion control or cal counting, what was the pattern of your weight loss?

Fast in the beginning, then slow, then moderate? Or what? Normally I see rapid loss in the beginning, then slowing to moderate like 2 lbs a week.

This time, with the weight lifting, it seems slower in the beginning as my body adjusted to weights, but then it got a little more rapid - maybe from the muscles turning up the furnace, but I'm not building muscle weight as quickly as I did in the beginning?

I'm just wondering what your experience has been. I do remember from before that after the first 2 months or so, you seem to drop pounds w/o trying anything different - it's like finally the added muscle starts doing its thing. But what was your experience?

Well, Fran, I'm probably a pretty good guinea pig for you since I lifted from Day One of my weight loss AND tracked all my measurements every four weeks. So I've got it all for the year I lost weight: inches, BF%, pounds, and even my Fitdays!

If you let me know which stats you'd like, I can dig them out for you. BTW, I lost fast from the very beginning (the first 50# came off in sixteen weeks) then it slowed a bit. My weight loss per four week period was anywhere from 4 to 17 pounds.

It's hard for me to say. I started losing in July 05 and lost about 45 pounds before I added weights in January. I seem to recall that when I first started lifting it wa accompanied by a slowdown in weight loss, but that could have been from so many things. Then about 6 weeks ago, I revamped the weight routine and started doing a lot more than I had been. The weight loss has stayed consistent.

Overall, it seems I've lost relatively consistently. There have been hiccups and slow downs but it's hard to pinpoint WHY they are happening...

My experience is the same as yours, hrbabe. I actually lost the latest 10 lbs. at a rate of 2 lbs. a week. It surprised me because people always say the last 20 are hard. I've still got 6 to go to get to 100 lbs. lost, but it's my eating that's holding me back. The siren call of gelato. . .