I thought it best to come and introduce myself.
I've got a few pounds I'd like to shift that crept on when I wasn't looking! Or rather, whilst I was too busy getting stressed over arranging a wedding and moving house, and let my diet and exercise levels slip
I used to be a very big girl (217lbs at my heaviest), but until recently had been stable around the 120lb mark with a bit of fluctuation. I'm a bit of a hobbit though, and being short means those odd pounds really show!
I don't really need to lose weight, but I know I'd be happier a few pounds down on my current weight. If nothing else I'd like to tone up a bit more
Here's the thing - I'm a dietitian, so I really should have known better than to turn to crisps (or chips for the US forumites ) when I was feeling stressed. It just goes to show that knowing and doing are not the same thing!
I really enjoy using internet forums and getting to know people. I'm happy to share advice where I can and hope that no one minds me spouting off about nutritients and training and such like
*waves hello*

Hello Pumpkin!
I've been following this forum for a while, but only just made a post today, so I'm relatively new at this too
Good for you on being able to keep the weight down! I myself am actually only about 5 lbs overweight according to "experts", but I really felt and looked my best at 130. It's just that after having 2 children and maintaining an unhealthy weight for so long, it's taking SO much effort to lose it! I've been on a low calorie diet now for only a few days, and the scale hasn't moved at all, but I'm not too discouraged yet, because this is only day 3. Maybe I should only weigh in once a week? I am trying to stick to whole foods, no bread, pasta, or potatoes, and no dairy except for a glass of milk a day, and keep my calories in the 500-700 range. It has worked before, and I'm noticing my cravings disappear, it just seems like it's taking forever this time.

Welcome to 3FC! This is a very supportive site, and I'm looking forward to reading your posts as well, with your dietician background!

Thank you for the welcome
I've been lurking a little over the past few days and it seems like a wonderful forum. Lots of very supportive people, unlike some internet sites that are full of snide remarks! I've not seen any of that here
Katiejean - why are you following such a low calorie diet? I'd never dream of advising my patients to cut back so far! There are all sorts of issues with very low calorie diets, the primary one being that whilst you will lose weight it isn't a sustainable way of eating. How did you get on with it before?

I REALLYREALLY hope that is a typo and you meant 1500-1700. That is WAY too low. I saw in another post that you stated you did the HcG diet- I know that usually has 500 calorie a day diet but you only would do that if you're under the supervision of a DOCTOR. Sorry about all the caps but 500-700 is a huge concern especially with your stats!

I'm heavier than you, I eat 1500-1800 calories a day and I'm still losing. You can eat 1300-1400 at your height, age and weight.

Yes, I did do the hcg diet before, and that's why I'm trying the very low calorie plan again, without the hormone. The hormone kicked my butt. My plan is/was to do low calorie for a while with little exercise, to jump start weight loss, then gradually increase calories to 1500-ish with more exercise. I know it sounds insane. I probably am. And I know it's not maintainable. I'm just very impatient, and if I don't see results right off, I tend to lose motivation.

I can understand your perspective - cut way back on calories and expect to see rapid weight loss. But unfortunately your body is a bit too clever for that!
When you severely restrict energy intake (and when energy goes down, so does your intake of essential nutrients) your body responds by down-regulating your metabolism to protect itself - it's an evolutionary mechanism designed to sustain life during times of famine. When you're metabolic rate drops, so does the number of calories your body is utilising. In some people this can be enough to maintain weight, even on a very low energy intake. If the deficit continues for a prolonged period of time, then yes, weight will eventually drop. But it won't just be fat you lose - it will also be muscle. And with the loss of muscle, the metabolic rate drops further, and it impairs your general well-being/strength/stamina. Another effect of such low calorie intake is the impact on your mental/psychological health. Mood tends to drop, concentration goes, you're more likely to be irritable and tired.
Does anyone seriously want all of that just to see a lower number on the scales?
I'd much rather lose weight in a healthy way - shift fat, not muscle. And the best way of doing that is to make a moderate calorie deficit (certainly no less than 1000kcal, preferably more like a minimum of 1200) and up the exercise. Exercising actually increases the metabolic rate, both whilst you're exercising and for several hours afterwards. And if you build muscle, then you're BMR (basal metabolic rate - the amount of energy your body uses just to keep you breathing and your heart pumping) actually goes up. So even when sleeping you'll use more energy.
Go for the healthy route! It may take a little longer to reach your goal, but when you do you'll know you've lost fat and not muscle, and your body will be so much healthier for it