What worked for me

[Urchin]

Time and time again, I see people falling into the trap of thinking that if they eat a miniscule amount of calories (starve themselves) that they will reach their weight loss goal.

When I began losing weight, after having my second child, I also thought that eating less would equal better results. After only losing a few pounds after my sons' birth, I couldn't figure out why my weight loss stalled.

Determined to slim down, I started to research. I added an app to my phone (LoseIt) and then I discovered what would end up being the key for me - BMR.

BMR is your Base Metabolic Rate. In short, every body requires X amount of calories just to function. If you eat below that number, your body does not want to lose weight (and it is actually really hard on many of your body systems). In my case, and many others, it actually stops weight loss.

So, I calculated my BMR here: http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/fitness/bmr_meal_calculator.php

Also, because I was within a decent measure of an "ideal" weight, I had to be realistic with my weight loss goal, and set it to lose .5lbs per week. Slow and steady DOES win the weight-loss race.

I was amazed at how the weight started coming off. Some weeks I lost more than my .5lb goal. 
 
So, in summary, the way I lost weight was to:

1. Not eat below my BMR (I was eating around 1700 cals per day!)
2. Get a decent amount of exercise (really, this was just yoga and brisk 15-20 min sessions on the elliptical)
3. Log EVERYTHING in the LoseIt app (and take accurate measurements of the food)
4. Eat REAL food (the less processed, the better), and nothing was off limits if it fit in the calorie budget.

Fitbit was my biggest motivator. That was what got me started and kept me motivated. It synced with the LoseIt app, so I could see when I was burning extra calories. It got me motivated to use my elliptical and take extra steps. 

It has been a year and I have managed to lose, and keep off (within 1-2lbs) 35lbs. I am a happy, healthy 114lbs and understand how to eat and not feel deprived.

We all can do this. Your health is worth it! I hope you all can find a healthy way to lose the weight you want and keep it off!

[WendyB]

You are so right. I hate when I see people eating so few calories and then wonder why they are not losing.

Thanks for sharing!

[USAF-Larry]

I am Type 2 Diabetic, and my diet is very closely monitored by my Internist. She has drilled into me there are 3 equally important legs on the diet: The type of food, The quantity of food, and The level of activity.  When I put on quite a bit of extra weight after I retired, she put me on an 1800 calorie diet that she said would result in a weight loss of 1 pound per week. I followed her recommendation, and lost 30 pounds in 34 weeks while keeping my regular exercise routine.  I would not have dreamed of trying to cut my caloric intake to 800 a day, though.  But, that's just me.... 

[Elansc]

Totally agree!  I am doing more or less the same thing as you -- figured out that I will lose weight if I eat 1700-1800 calories/day and get in my 10,000 steps -- I am losing about 1 pound week..... 81.5 pounds lost so far.   I maintain my weight if I eat a bit more but interesting stop losing weight (beyond the first shock week) if I eat much less.  Everyone needs to find their own calorie goal for their own body, of course!!