The best thing to do is to keep a food journal and write down literally every single bite you eat.... even that small piece of chocolate. Then do a calorie count and see how much you are really eating. There are some good calorie websites where you can get calorie counts. Be brutally honest. Most of us eat more than we realize. My diet started the same, dissappointing the first few weeks until I did a thourough inventory of what I was eating..... even though I was only eating things allowed on the diet I was eating too much of them. Since counting my calories and reducing my portions I am now on track and losing 2 to 3 lbs a week. I am 48 and have a thyroid issue so weight loss is rough but I am succeeding now.

I understand your frustration, but I think that if you look at if from an overall perspective it is amazing the changes that you have made! I think it is more difficult as one gets older to lose weight. There is also the possibility that you are building muscle and losing fat as muscle is heavier than fat.

I know I would be complaining exactly the same as you about the seemingly slow weight loss, but in the long run hopefully it will be easier to maintain a healthy weight having reached it in a manner that is sustainable.

Keep going strong!

I think losing about a pound a week is fantastic progress.

Thank you so much for your replies,feel abit happier now. Will have a look at calorie counting online :)

I am 59, and have manged to lose about 30 pounds (Started at 250; 200 may still be too much, but I'll reevaluate that when I get there!)

My successes have come when I've made lifestyle changes. Limiting soda is a huge thing for me as I can quickly get sucked into the 64 ouncer thing!

I agree with Beesley, a pound a week is pretty good progress on the long term!

Can I come in?

I agree with Beesley...sounds like you are losing weight the right way. Once when I was getting hard core work outs in 3 times a week I was frustrated with what the scale said...but I was in a group that checked body fat percentage and was shocked to find out how much that went down in a short time. It's not all about the scale. If you are feeling better and healthier keep it up!

Zurcg, please jump in at any moment you desire! This is a public forum, so go for it!!!

Reward yourself for the small victories. My situation sounds familiar to yours..."family" sized chocolate bars... used to be my go to and now if I treat myself it's with a reg size bar and make it last...I started putting my chocolate in the freezer so it isn't as instantly gratifying and some times I forget and put it back in the freezer. Good luck with your journey. Hope we can all help eachother.

Try drinking more water and keep in mind that the inflammation and swelling involved in jumping back into exercise will add a little bit of temporary weight. You are doing great, keep it up!! =)

I also think a pound a week is perfectly reasonable. If you lose weight too fast it will come back - there are hardly any exceptions. I think the way you are doing things is the best way to change your lifestyle habits. It is sustainable and that is really what you want to go for.

You could also think about it this way - if keep up a pound a week weight loss for a year before you plateu then that's over 50 pounds weight loss! If that's not going to help then you could think about other things that have changed for you since you began. Do you feel like you have more energy? Are you sleeping better? Is your skin better? Do you look any different? Do your clothes fit slightly differently? But most of all, are you feeling any happier?

Congratulations on not bingeing . I know this is hard. It took me a long time to figure out how to do that. Now that you are working on that and losing a lb a week you are doing great.
Keeping a journal of what you are eating is another step. Take baby steps to get to where you want to be. Do each thing for awhile ( I think 30 days makes something a habit. ) Then add something new.

From everything I have read a pound a week is great. You should be happy with what you have achieve so far. Congrats and wishing you continued success

I will echo the above - a pound a week is good! Losing too fast puts you at risk to be losing muscle instead of fat so 1- 2 pounds a week is considered the best loss rate.

I say congrats on your weight loss. Food is a drug and it is not easy breaking or curving our eating habits. I have gone to extremes to lose weight such as juicing but that is not a lifestyle.
When I decided to change my lifestyle and the way I viewed food real change occurred in my quality of life, health, and an increase in weight loss. On August 1st I decided to eat completely vegan. Without trying I have dropped 16.5 pounds and weigh less than I have in at least 15 years.
I applaud that you are working out but I am way too lazy to work out beyond maybe some sit ups, free weights and walking on the treadmill. If I get a light work-out in a couple of times a week, I feel good about it.
Veganism is not for many people given the feedback I have gotten from friends and such but I just thought I would plant the seed if you had never thought of it as an option. I became a vegan so I can avoid future health issues and because I am a long term planner so the weight loss was actually unexpected.
Good luck in your endeavor!